Interview: heartspace
Photo Credit: Sergio Covarrubias, @serg_cov
Madelyn Amacher has been forming indie pop melodies and anthems as heartspace since 2017. She spoke with Force of Joy about how she has used her music to contain and express some of the most vulnerable parts of herself.
Read below to learn more about her journey into performing, the courage and discernment it has taken to face artistic challenges, and her hopes for the future (beginning with her return to the stage at Resonant Head, this Thursday, December 12!)
What can you share about the history of heartspace?
I have been singing and writing for most of my life, but always had horrible stage fright. I never planned to be a performing artist or even someone who had music on streaming platforms.
But I went through a heartbreak in 2017 that really got me writing. I had songs I was proud of and wanted to share with the world. I started recording “candles” at the beginning of 2020 and the project took off from there.
I performed my first show ever as heartspace at Tower Theatre’s “Don’t Call it a Comeback” summer concert series on July 16th 2021. I think I sang the entire show with my eyes closed. Ponyboy reached capacity during my set which was insane.
heartspace performs in OKC in 2022 (Photo credit: Lauren Smith, @lomo_lo)
I have released a total of 7 singles and even got to go on an east coast tour back in 2022. I took a break from heartspace and performing after my last show at Factory Obscura in February of 2023. I am really excited to hop back up on the stage!
Do you have any favorite memories from your time performing or recording, so far?
I would say my first show is one of the most memorable, of course. Seeing people singing my lyrics for the first time really meant the world to me!
I also made so many good memories out on tour for those two weeks. It was really such a privilege to get to go on tour so early in my music career.
How have things changed for you in the year and a half that you’ve spent away from performing? What effect has that had on you, creatively?
I have really struggled in the years since creating heartspace to find my team of people that want to work with me to keep heartspace alive. That’s why I had to take such a long break from it all.
I haven’t even been to the studio to record in about a year now. It has been really sad for me but I have had to allow myself to focus on other things to keep it from completely breaking my heart.
Photo Credit: Sergio Covarrubias, @serg_cov
heartspace is me at my most vulnerable. I am very protective of this project and have learned I need to be very selective of the people I let get close to this project.
I am starting to find my people now, and it feels really good and gives me some hope again!
What has your experience as an Oklahoma-based creator and performer been like? What are some of your favorite things about being an artist from this area? What are some challenges?
The creative community here is my favorite thing! We have a wonderful, supportive creative community here in OKC, and I have definitely felt so loved. I have enjoyed being able to watch this community grow and strengthen over the years.
Photo credit: Lauren Smith, @lomo_lo
I don’t think the general public supports the arts or music here, in Oklahoma, as much as other places. That can be a challenge for all of us creatives. I also feel like a lot of touring acts skip over our state and I hope that in the upcoming years we will see a shift in that!
Being a photographer also I often have to travel out of state to photograph some of my favorite artists. It would also be amazing to get to open for some of those artists if they had a show in OKC.
Who will be joining you onstage at Resonant Head on December 12 and what can you tell us about them?
Sky Hemenway and Modeling will be joining me at the show! I met Sky a few years back through her partner Mitch Bell. She has the voice of a true angel and her lyrics are the sweetest. I have never played a show with her before and I’m so pumped!
Modeling is a band of three brothers from Fayetteville, Connor, Ryan and Cuinn Brogan. I played a show with them in 2022 before I left for tour.
They have always been so kind and encouraging to me and are some of my dear friends. Their music is emotion-packed and cinematic, and their whole stage presence is *chef’s kiss.*
Let’s just say you’re in for a real treat with this lineup!
What can fans expect at this show?
This will be the best heartspace show to date. I have put so much love and intention into making this my dream show. My team and I are working on all the finishing touches and the last piece I need is for all my people to show up!
Resonant Head will also be bringing back my favorite summer cocktail “Verano Contigo” for one night only before they retire it for the season, so make sure to snag one or a few, if you drink!
What does the future hold for heartspace?
I would say it is pretty undecided at this point. I would love for there to be more shows and more songs in the future, but I just don’t know. I am putting everything I have into this show in case it is the last time I perform for a while.
Photo Credit: Sergio Covarrubias, @serg_cov
Stay tuned and send your positive vibes my way and we will see if 2025 is heartspace’s year!
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
I cannot thank everyone enough who has come together to make this show happen for me. I have spent a lot of time telling myself the lie that no one really wanted to be a part of heartspace.
This show has truly changed my perspective and made me feel so loved and encouraged. I cannot wait to see everyone this Thursday!
(See and hear heartspace for yourself at Resonant Head in Oklahoma City, Thursday, December 12! 7PM. Ticket information is available here.)