Madison McFerrin

Occupation Singer/Songwriter/Producer

Hometown San Francisco, Minneapolis, Philadelphia

Current Residence Brooklyn, NY

"Music is my main squeeze, but cooking definitely comes second. I’ve definitely had moments of being tired of it during quarantine, but, more often than not, it’s usually my favorite part of the day."

WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE?
I Brought Too Much Shit Here

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN NYC?
Make/eat a tasty brunch and go for a nice walk.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE PERSON TO SHOW YOU “THEIR NEW YORK CITY,” WHO WOULD IT BE
AND WHY?
Tough one! Basquiat’s NYC would probably be interesting to explore. He was present in a lot of very different people/scenes when he was alive and probably saw a lot of interesting things.

WHAT OR WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU RECENTLY AND WHY?
Community organizers, especially in places like Georgia, have done some really amazing work this year. It gives me some hope in/for humanity in this crazy time.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NYC RESTAURANTS? WHAT DO YOU ORDER THERE?
Uncle Boon’s (RIP) was always one of my favorites. Crab rice for sure, ending with the Milk Toast if it’s in season. Saraghina is always consistent. I tend to vary my order, but the octopus and capocollo pizza are always solid.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SPOT IN NYC FOR DRINKS?
Ode to Babel in Crown Heights.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC BRUNCH SPOTS; WHAT DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU GO? Sunday in Brooklyn, I go in on the biscuits and gravy. Clinton Hill Bakery, obviously gotta get the pancakes.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR ART FIX IN NYC? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST?
I can’t say that I have one particular spot I go to. There are a lot of great art pop ups (one thing I definitely miss in quarantine). Some of my favorite visual artists right now are Jasminfire, Raelis Vasquez and REO.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LATE-NIGHT HANGOUTS IN NYC AND WHY?
I miss going to C’mon Everybody like nobody’s business!! Cafe Erzulie too. They both attract such an amazing community of people and artists.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR UNDER-THE-RADAR MUST-DO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NYC VISITORS?
The breakfast sandwich at Brown Butter in Bed-Stuy. You’re welcome.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE NYC STORES AND WHY?
One time the guy who played Gordo on Lizzie McGuire was at my show at Rockwood Stage 1 (aka the free stage that has a capacity of like 50), and I remember thinking about how random that was and how it could only happen in NYC.

WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS? WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE
MUSICIANS?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Khraungbin, Radiohead (always in rotation), Chick Corea, KeiyaA, and Chaka Khan.

WHAT ALBUM OR SONG WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL SOUNDTRACK TO NYC?
There are definitely too many to name, but one that sticks out is “The Lung” by Hiatus Kaiyote. I just remember listening to that on repeat on the subway on my way to work. It would help me zone out of the NYC craziness for a bit.

WHEN YOU THINK OF NYC, ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR EMOTIONS OR MEMORIES THAT
IMMEDIATELY COME TO MIND?
Right now it makes me sad to think about all of the rich culture we’re missing out on by not having the venues, restaurants, galleries, bars, theaters open. I miss it so much.