Today we’d like to introduce you to Mad Whit.
Hi Mad, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Music took hold of me when I picked up a guitar around eight years old. By my early 20s, they had embedded myself in Houston’s vibrant underground scene – teaching music, running DIY venues, and curating shows before launching my solo project, Mad Whit, in 2014. As a solo artist, I was opening for Ava Luna, Deerhoof, Foxygen, Mike Watt (The Minutemen), Zorch, and Shmu – kindred artists known for pushing the boundaries of indie rock and experimental pop.
In 2017, I moved to Austin, where I joined the riotous all-female punk band Sailor Poon after responding to a Facebook listing that led the band to my backyard for a photoshoot. I happened to be practicing my guitar throughout the encounter – unknowingly auditioning for the role they needed filled. Before I knew it, we were playing US tours and festivals like ACL, Art Basel, Goner Fest, and Norman Fest – and sharing stages with the likes of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and IDLES. Meanwhile I was still playing with my Austin Mad Whit lineup very regularly in the region. I had a lot of fun, but eventually this whirlwind lifestyle caught up with me.
2020-2023 were weird years for me (and for a lot of us I’m sure). My mental health was declining and I received some formal diagnoses that explained a lot about the symptoms I was experiencing on a daily basis. I decided it was time for me to take a hiatus from my own project and focus on my recovery. I needed to regain balance within myself before I could play music again. Thanks to the SIMS foundation, I was able to get back on track with the treatment and medication they facilitated. Music slowly came back to me.
In 2023, I briefly joined The Dialtones, a genre-warping art-rock band led by guitarist Lauren Gurgiolo (Octopus Project, Heartless Bastards), where I was lead vocalist and synth player. Though my time with the band was short, I got to play numerous live performances and record for their EP, Static Sky.
2026 Mad Whit is back, baby! My hibernation years started becoming more active. I went to school for audio engineering at ACC Years and achieved 4 years of sobriety. Years of regeneration and collaborations with other artists has sharpened my vision. I’m currently working on a visual EP which will be released in November with a screening at the Vortex Theater and recently released my latest single “Glass Head”. I’m now active with my band and am feeling more balanced than ever.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I will honestly say that stability in general has always been a challenge for me. It wasn’t until I turned 30 that I realized I needed to make some changes in my life. This is a party town, especially in the music industry here. My mental health had seriously declined and I received a few diagnoses that helped explain was I was going through. Debilitating depression and panic attacks had me losing work, my social life, my friends. It wasn’t until 2020 that I realized I had a problem, and 2022 when I quit drinking for good. I received multiple treatments and got on a good balance of medication, thanks to The SIMS foundation.
That’s just some of the personal stuff. As far as a band leader and artist, I feel like I am constantly trying to keep up. Balancing the vast roles and multi dimensional tasks as one individual stresses me out and I often end up feeling like I’m not doing enough. I have to really pay attention to how I talk to myself when I get overwhelmed or disappointed. I have found by focusing on small wins and micro joys really helps move things along when business is rough. That and not letting it affect my self esteem. The music industry is a competitive world and social media does a good job of reminding us where we fall short. I have to remember that my journey is mine, no one else’s. My productivity does not define my worth.
These are just a few challenges I’ve experienced, I’ve had my ups and downs for sure and am grateful for it all.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work consists of themes around the relationship with the self. Most of my pieces are lines from my own self talk script, combined with sometimes dreamy, sometimes disruptive guitar playing. Though I love the precision that finger style (guitar) brings, I also love experimenting with noise and arhythmic playing with guitar and synthesizers. My work is for those suffering general low self esteem, isolation and mental illness.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you’d like to check out my trio live, you can catch us in Austin, TX on August 19th at the 13th Floor and in Houston, TX at Solar Flare Fest on August 28. Follow us on IG @mad_whit_official if you want to keep in touch!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ilovemadwhit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad_whit_official/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/madwhitofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@madwhitofficial674
- Other: https://madwhitofficial.bandcamp.com/track/glass-head
Image Credits
1+2 Adrian Lespron
3 Tatiana Amelia
4, 5, 6 Nathalie Guillot
7 Mad Whit
