#moundrian

[1-nexomon-a-day]

3/3/2026 - Moundrian

[eventjoeproject]

~ Josh Madden ~

          Last year a good friend of mine (TroubleMaker http://djtroublemaker.com ) introduced me to Josh Madden via a mix tape that they made together called Alabama Worley http://soundcloud.com/troublemaker/josh-madden-and-troublemaker

The mix tape and the ones that followed are in my opinion the best of 2011.  This prompted me to want to book them to DJ at a event if the opportunity came up.  Well as all great things happen the universe provided such a opportunity.  I have to admit that it was a selfish booking since I was a fan.  Regardless they crushed the party and everyone had a great time.

That being the first time I met Josh in person - I was amazed at this work ethic, care for the people at the party and his over all craft.  I soon realized that Josh was not a normal person...he was a super hero.  His heart, dedication and style are something of legends.  His attention to detail with his music selection and over all work are superior to most seasoned veterans.  From styling photo shoots to videos to rocking a party -  Josh Madden has his hands in a lot of fresh stuff.  He even has his own radio show with over eighty thousand listeners.  His social media game is super tight and often has a positive vibe through supporting other artists.  Also, Josh is a influencer and trendsetter.  What he likes now will most likely be hot next year.  That is a extremely valuable asset in the world of marketing, pop-cultre and all things that make money...

I encourage you to visit the links that are in his answers below and pay attention to the photos that are sprinkled about.  I also suggest that you reach out Josh for marketing strategies and to rock your next event. 

So sit back, relax and enjoy the question and answer with Josh.  

Enjoy & Get Involved ~  

Tell us a little bit about your self as far as your career goes?  Where did you start and where are you currently? What do you do?

You know, honestly I don't know if I even have a career yet…I have a life that involves waking up between 8 and 8:30am every day and hopefully before 4am if I'm lucky. Between those hours the phone rings constantly and the calls are about all kinds of different things.

I just styled this new Timberland campaign that my friend 13th Witness just shot for F/W '12. I have a weekly radio show with a current listenership of 80 thousand people. I DJ at parties and events and in clubs around the world. I take pictures that go on the websites of magazines like NYLON and PAPER. I work with companies like Ben Sherman, The Humane Society, Kangol, George, Gina & Lucy, Oakley,  Frank & Jan, JCPenny, Junk Food, Aerial7 and PUMA. I style and work with different bands and record labels. I sit on think tanks and marketing concept groups for all kinds of entities. Surprisingly, I turn things down sometimes…looking at the list above you'd think I do everything that comes up. I try to work where I can make situations better. I'd love a name for this career because it's not easy to explain to people at dinner parities.

I can tell you this one thing…I love life more than ever right now. I was a long road getting to this place.

         At what age did realize you had the gift of "creativity" for music, art and fashion?  How did you start your professional career?

Thank you for that compliment. As a kid, at like 5 and 6 years old, I'd wake up around 6:30am. My mother had 4 year old twins and a 3 year old daughter so she needed to sleep another hour, to accommodate me she developed a daily routine. I'd wake up and draw out in the living room…I'll never forget it, she'd get apples and put them in the bottom drawer of the fridge and I'd just eat apples and draw completely content. I don't know if I'll ever consider myself gifted, I think people just have a better capacity to remember things in certain areas. I knew art was part of me from then. I sang in All County Chorus in High School and was part of a very small group of "Art Kids". We grew up in the country…our town was like 'Friday Night Lights' and I was definitely like a obese version of the Landry character.

I don't feel to accepted by the "Fashion" world but I'm pretty over it…I think that machine is built that way. The whole idea of that thing is built on exclusivity and I don't really get down with acceptance as a motive. I know that I can sit with anyone who works at any major fashion magazine and talk with well formed opinions and ideas when it comes to design and consumption of fashion goods. Talking about things that interest me with people who grow my knowledge is enough for me.

        Talk about your recent collaboration with TroubleMaker – The women of disaster themed Mix Tapes. Where did the idea come from and how do you guys work together?

PS.  They kick ass ~

Once again, thank you for the nice compliment. I worked as an Executive Producer on a record a couple years ago and was introduced to Troublemaker who ended up doing some great work on that record. First let me say working at a "Major" record label and making records there was way harder than I'd ever imagined and Troublemaker was one of the people who made that specific record a little easier. I met the guy over the phone and we were friends like that for a while. I think we may have met in passing out in LA but we became friends over the phone. I really think phone friendships are good because if you meet people just hanging out or going places it's less of a commitment. Working over the phone is a commitment and there are no distractions to fake a friendship. You become real friends.

Troublemaker and have both lived a couple lives in music and we basically found a sound we both liked…then built a forum for it. Neither one of us is the type to sit around and watch hours of TV, we do music, so basically I'd just go out to Atwater Village and spend a week at a time in the studio with him. The sound that we grew out of those mixes is becoming more popular but when we started on them it was hard to find. I don't really know the exact label to put on them but the response has been awesome and making things with Troublemaker is always fun.

Delores Haze http://soundcloud.com/troublemaker/josh-madden-and-troublemaker-1

         What are you currently working on?  Please be specific?

I have my second headphone out with Aerial7. That has been such an amazing work relationship, I designed my first headphone with them and it's one of their best selling products ever. I'm proud because they're using the pattern and design on a cross section of their products now and we're developing more. I'm working with an artist, a young singer, I think she's one of the great talents of her generation. She has a lot of potential. This project is more work than I've done in a long time and I really hope her future looks the way I know it could. Working with artists is interesting…in the end it's always still up to them. I'm traveling and DJing some, not as much as I'd like to, I'm currently without a booking agent so it's up to me to just get more work. Honestly I'm not as busy as I'd like to be in some areas. They made some TV shows about PR and styling and, it seems like after that, every kid in America came to New york to be a stylist, haha. You know what? I'm not mad at it, I'm glad because up until now, I felt like was weirdo so I'm glad it's considered a valid profession. It does mean less work  because people just get whoever is willing…it's healthy for the craft. I think my dream is to manage a couple artists and serve as a brand director. I believe Branding and Concept are my forte.

First Person Mix http://soundcloud.com/themaddenbrothers/josh-madden-first-person-mix

          My first headphone  the“Mondrian” http://www.aerial7.com/product/street/tank/mondrian/ My second headphone  the“Evil” http://www.aerial7.com/product/street/tank/evil/

What is your creative process?

Whether personally chosen or assigned for work purposes, I become obsessed with whatever it is I am working on. I spend days and weeks on the internet, in books, with documentary, learning the history, immersing myself in the culture, experiencing it for myself and then involve myself in it. You have to live the culture to create for it.

         What 3 Words best describe you?  Or what 3 sentences best describe you? You decide.

Sometimes I wish the world viewed me as I view myself…other times, I'm glad it doesn't, haha.

1. I am an early adaptor. I gravitate to things that the whole world will love next year.

2. I am diligent. I show up early and I stay until the task, project, job, operation…is done.

3. I am passionate. I've even found a way to work, with passion, on things I may not love. The simple fact is that bringing my brand to whatever I do and seeing it to fruition is leaving my mark. For me, passion comes with involvement.

        When you’re not working what do you like to do?

I like working.

         Do you have any good stories about Tragedy and Triumph in your career?

That is my entire story.

                          How do you come up with your content when you are behind the turntables, camera or what ever other medium you use?

I am influenced by not only what moves me but what moves people. Everything should provoke or encourage…even the blandest creations in the proper arrangement can tell a story. When all else fails, understand the history and be inspired by that.

         If you were a meal of the day what would you be and why? Breakfast?  Lunch? Dinner?

Coffee.

Great video that shows a glimpse into the life of Josh pre show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN5JXk-wL3Q

  What is one of your favorite memories while on "location" for a project?

There's a ton man…I always have fun. This one time, way back, I was working on this video shoot and it was a big production, there was all this down time. Well…between shots we had music on and I was dancing around, it's a little known fact that I'm a great dancer, and this girl started dancing and kidding around with me. I remember talking to her all day just thinking it was this girl who was just being cute. I saw a TV show on a plane couple years later and that girl was Lauireann Gibson. I thought i was being smooth, hahaha, this girl is a world renowned choreographer, haha. There's lots of stories like that where you just meet people and have a really fun time…that's what all my memories are like. Going into the mountains with the Kangol team for campaign photo shoots. Going to Paris, staying at Mama Shelter and DJing in their clubs, getting lost just wandering around the city. One time we were in this underground club and the whole ceiling caught on fire, it was wild, everyone was jammed in there because the exit was this narrow stairwell. I went to Belgium and Amsterdam and all these crazy places with Nigel Barker on this Humane Society trip and we ate all this crazy food. One time my brother and I went to Portugal for a video shoot and then to Monaco and it was right before the Grand Prix so everything was buzzing and hyped up. Every great memory is a surprise, just going along for the work always leads to amazing experiences.

        How do you find enough time to do work, social media, create and be a human?  Any specific strategies?

I'll give you the secret…In my mind I am that same 15 year old kid with school, a full time job and a bunch of responsibilities and I have no idea what the future looks like. The guy that lives in New York and travels around the world is showing that kid, the kid who lives way down in the country, he is showing that kid the world and inviting him to come along. I still look at the Arts, Music, Fashion, Culinary…Travel, Books, New People…my Personal Heros…I still experience it all and say WOWWW in the moment. I used to try to hide the fact that I was having a genuine experience for the fear that I seemed lame. I let that go…I try and feel that WOWWW every chance I get. I'll say it right in the store or right in the moment. My friend Mano is DJing for the Watch the Throne tour, I met Kanye West, Virgil & Don C and I said WOWWW. I DJ'd this STUSSY thing and I got to talk with Edddie Cruz and I was like WOWWW…I go by Reed Space and talk to Jeff "Staple" and I leave saying WOWWW that dude is so cool. My buddy Levi Maestro shows me what he's working on and I'm like WOWWW man that's gonna be so huge!! I met Luke Chueh after being a fan of his for years and I WOWWed for two days, haha. My friend Kim Hastreiter, Ilook up to her so much, she WOWWs me every time I see her. I am so human man…I'm trying, I'm trying in front of the World and I'm inviting anyone who wants to see or experience for themselves to come along. It's all genuine.

        What advice do you have to give to up and coming DJs or creative’s?

I don't know if I can give blanket advice, I don't know if it's safe to do that.

I can tell people in general to try and be as fearless as you can. There is comfort in a clear path because the promised results are the goal. The thing people are currently realizing is that nothing's promised anymore. Whether you're working in Finance, Real Estate or the Medical Field, right now, you could end up without a job. It's a weird time…the internet had made this new renaissance happen.

My people work every day. The idea is that we come from a place where carrying dry wall for 8 hours or waking up at 4am to unpack boxes and unload trucks or stocking super market shelves overnight…those are our realities, so working at whatever we do, with that in mind, our ethic and focus stay on the work…not the result.

I went to school and I graduated but that doesn't make me smart, it means I can see things through to fruition. I don't give up on projects when the money runs out. I don't do lesser quality work. When I see a person, creative or not, who works this way, I want to work with them. I don't think people want to work with me for any other reason than the fact that I'm ingenuitive, I work hard and I try to make the best of all situations. I'm blessed today because this wasn't always my outlook.

          Who do you admire and why?  Name 1 or 2 people please.

My siblings…we've made it through a lot and come a lot farther than any of us ever thought. We're at home wherever we go, but we're far from where we're from.

I admire the one or two teachers in every school that give hope to the hopeless. I'm not saying teachers, as a group, don't make a difference but what I'm taking about are the Cecelia Spinks and the Cindy Hansons of the world. These are the teachers that literally prevented me from committing suicide. I was an obese, lower class kid who was physically and mentally mistreated by a father who didn't know any better. I was bullied at school, bullied at home and ultimately believed I didn't belong in this world. I felt like an alien in a place where, what i was interested in wasn't even considered a sane legitimate way to spend your time. I was so far from anything I dreamt of being a part of, that making it out didn't even seem like a possibility…I didn't even know what that looked like. I remember 5 or 6 teachers who excused me from class when I'd melt down in school. I remember breaking down, just crying in class realizing that I was hopeless with no future. The people who kept me alive, when going that extra mile was not their job, those are the people I admire. I want to be like them. I want my words to reach the person that has no hope, I want them to know greatness is on the other side. To all my teachers that will never read this and to anyone who may, thank you for hope.

               What was the best piece of advice you have ever received?  From who?

Someone once told me that all bad feelings come from fear. I was told shyness is fear that someone will not accept you. I was told that jealousy and envy are fear that we will not be recognized or get what is due us. I was told that feeling a lack of recognition or appreciation is a fear of being unloved. I was told that feelings are not facts. It's sad to think that all of the bad feelings we deal with come from fear but the remedy is to comfort everyone we can. It's crazy to think about the fact that feeling like you might get fired will often cause you to perform like you will get fired, thus resulting in loss of a job. Feeling like your other half may be unfaithful or takes you for granted can cause problems at home, even if it's unfounded.

We place feelings so far ahead of thoughts, ideas and most importantly FACTS…put short I was told to "Act as if…" and I try my best to do so.

          What are you listening to currently?

Man, I'm listening to everything on my radio show. Every week I spend hours looking for new stuff because this show is based on the idea that people are going to hear a band before they read about what someone else thinks about that band. The show is called FIRST PERSON because I want listeners to have their own opinions. Seriously man, finding an hour of brand new music people haven't heard each week is a task, but I love it. I post the playlists on my tumblr with links to download folders so people can get the music if they like it. I always encourage people to go to live shows and wear t-shirts of the bands they love. Artists don't make a living off of recorded music anymore, we have to really support the stuff we love.

I'm also working with a new artist. She's making a record right now and I'm listening to new demos on repeat every week. New artists, from around the world, send me new music every day…my e-mail is just [email protected] so people send me music non-stop. I try to give everything a couple listens. I think hearing everything first and helping as much as I can is a responsibility I've taken on.

         What do you define as success and wealth?

Knowing what you have.

Knowing how much you value your quality of life.

Knowing what is actually needed to live up to your potential.

Finding the elements that combine a great quality of life and continued progress toward reaching your full potential.

         If you had 2 super powers what would they be and why?

I'd be invisible.

I'd be able to teleport myself.

I am shy, I do have a fear of being unaccepted, maybe i always will, I'm working on it…but being invisible would still be fun.

I miss my family, my siblings are my best friends and I wish I could wake up and have coffee with them every morning.

          What can marketing agencies and brands learn from you and your influence?

Consumers are smarter than ever, they know how much you're spending to reach them and if you're wasting money they don't respect you. Consumers know how much people are being paid to endorse everything from soap to sunglasses…it's a joke when it's not creative. When you pay a lot of money to do an attention getting stunt that is tired or doesn't make sense, it's like renting a limo to ride to school in the morning, it just looks ignorant. People like to be included. People like to be involved and actively engaged. Reach people where they are, know them and they'll be loyal for life. Win people for real and you'll win them forever.

         What did you dress up as this past Halloween?

Woody Allen…I was DJing a huge party and nobody got it. I really read my audience wrong for that costume. I shoulda just been a mummy.

  My styling for Kangol http://vimeo.com/21982714 http://vimeo.com/12622336

  What inspires you?

The idea that there are things that the whole world loves. Think about it…there are a few things that the entirety of human kind loves. Is that not amazing? I want to find all of these things and help make more, bring more to light.

I want to be the one to introduce you to your favorite restaurant, your favorite movie,  your favorite song, your next first date, your favorite item of clothing, the magazine you love…

         The most courageous act is still to think for yourself.  

-Coco Chanel

@Joshmadden

http://mrmean.tumblr.com/