Last school year, then-WHS senior, Maddy Davis made one of the hardest, yet best, decisions of her life: to take a gap year and pursue her dream of making a career in music.

“While it definitely wasn’t easy going against the status quo, I’ve been able to learn so much and also just have time to do what I love,” said Davis. Since the day all of her friends left for college, Davis has had more time to focus on her music: “I put every minute I had into my EP that I just released. I never got to experience this before when I had to go to school, so it really reassured me that this is what I want and need to do for the rest of my life.”

Recently, Davis released her debut EP “Code Blue,” featuring four original, self-produced songs. She describes the genre of her songs as indie pop.

Davis currently holds an internship working for the label Big Management in New York City, and she will be officially moving to NYC in the beginning of December. Four days a week she is at her internship, where she is in charge of the social media platforms belonging to the company and the artists. According to Davis, this experience has taught her invaluable lessons on all aspects of the music industry. The gap year has also provided her with an opportunity to focus on herself and her personal growth as both an artist and a person.

While to the average teenager music may just be something he or she enjoys listening to or just a hobby, to Davis music takes on a whole other meaning: “I truly believe there is no better therapy for me than writing music. I love how I can challenge myself, whether that’s to hit a certain note or just reach my own goals musically. I also absolutely love being on stage.”

For as long as Davis can remember she has been singing and playing the piano, yet it was not until Davis began to write her own music that she stopped her other extracurriculars and solely focus her time on what mattered to her most.

“Starting to write gave me a new love and appreciation for music [and] I knew I wanted to do [it] for the rest of my life,” said Davis about when her future clicked into place.

When writing her songs, she begins with finding the right piano motif to use in the draft of her lyrics. From there, Davis works together with friends in the recording, producing, and video industries to produce her music with the success and quality she desires.

“For my most recent project, I recorded it at my friend EJ [Gaub’s] studio, where I would go pretty much every single night for a month from like 8pm-1am,” said Davis.

Music is what Davis always turns to, whether it be when she is heartbroken or feeling inspired, and her lyrics will then reflect that. “Everything I write is completely inspired by what goes on in my life,” said Davis. “It’s basically like my disguised diary.”

As risky and uncertain as the music industry may be, Davis is confident in herself and her talents, saying “in the end, it’s my life and I’m going to do what makes me happy and what is right for me.”

Listen to Maddy Davis’ music by searching “MADELINE” on Spotify, Soundcloud or Apple Music.