Meet Madhavi Devi:
Madhavi Devi has always been driven by a deep passion for songwriting, turning personal moments into powerful performances. Rooted in New Jersey’s thriving music scene, she has gone from playing in hometown open mics to commanding stages at renowned venues like The Stone Pony and Rockwood Music Hall. Her music, both intimate and expansive, captivates audiences with raw honesty and emotional depth. With a history of busking along the Asbury Park boardwalk and touring across New England, she continues to grow her reach, headlining festivals and connecting with listeners both live and online. Through her artistry, Madhavi weaves together the beauty and heartbreak of the human experience, creating songs that offer solace, celebration, and a sense of belonging.
This April, The MIC Mag is celebrating Madhavi Devi as our Musician of the Month!
Genre: Indie Folk Pop
Solo Artist
Fun Facts: "I'm a Pisces! I love to run, and I've been on a kick doing yoga. I work as a bartender, but I've had a lot of odd jobs over the years that honestly are really funny and built a lot of character. I used to run a house venue in college, and I have a lot of tattoos. I love bad TV and I'm currently stuck on Love is Blind but also just started watching Invincible."
What makes Madhavi Devi stand out?
"I think being unapologetic is what makes me stand out the most. I never apologize for my music or the expression of how I feel. My music is my space to say what I have to say, and it's okay if people don't listen. The people who need to and want to hear it will."
What is Madhavi Devi most known for?
"I think my current mark in my community is my songwriting. I'm known for my lyricism because my style is so unique. I hope one day to be known for it on a larger scale, and also for my live performances."
What has Madhavi Devi been working on?
"Run Run Run"
"It's a song that kind of wrote itself. It was a stream of consciousness into my notes app in seven minutes on my couch in dead silence. I came back to it with a guitar and didn’t initially love how it came out. It felt hyper-specific and rhythmically weird. But I sent it to my two best friends who were obsessed with the demo. I learned to love this song. I love the freedom of the outro and how honest the chorus is. It almost reverse-engineered itself into something both personal and universal. I think this song helped me love myself a little bit more. It reminds me how much I love my friends, and my coworkers, and my family. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, and as much as this song is for me, it’s for them too."
"There's so much I could say about being a musician. It's humbling to surrender yourself to your art while also working a day job. Sometimes it's hard to take yourself seriously when other people aren't necessarily doing the same. I think imposter syndrome is rampant and too many artists struggle with wondering if they're good enough or if their art is good enough. I think being a musician for me is an act of self-love. I'm making little me proud chasing my dreams, and I feel so lucky to have people that listen and care, but I wouldn't be where I am today if not for believing in myself first. I found that the second I started taking myself seriously as a musician, everyone else followed suit. Sometimes it's faking it til you make it, and then suddenly one day you're not faking it anymore. It's all starting to feel and become real, and I am endlessly grateful I get to do this for a living. " - Madhavi Devi
Do you have any advice for other aspiring independent musicians?:
"There's so much advice I could give here. I think first and foremost is to just start. Stop putting off your desire to create and just do it. Do it scared, do it even if you think it's not going to turn out well. You have to start somewhere. And once you get going, don't stop, even if you don't think you know what you're doing. Don't let anyone or anything get in the way of what you want out of your career as an artist. And above all else, have fun with it!! Do what you want, make the art you want. Make the art you need. You never know who else needs it. The world is a dark and scary place, and to me, music is really a beacon of light and hope that's been continuous throughout history. The best possible thing you can ever be outside being an artist is yourself."
Listen to Madhavi Devi here
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