Rising singer/songwriter Maddie Zahm unveils the single and video “If It’s Not God” taken from her forthcoming debut EP You Might Not Like Her out August 12 via AWAL.
“If It’s Not God” is a crushingly raw reflection on Maddie’s past, a cathartic release of a former worship leader grappling with her identity and navigating her relationship with her religion and church. The introspective record is accompanied by an equally moving video – directed by Gus Black – that reflects a similar sentiment, closing on an uplifting note of finding a healing space that preaches love and acceptance.
On the release of “If It’s Not God,” Maddie shares:
This song was kind of a shock for me to write. I was at a session with my friend Brian Brundage and we had tried so hard to write about a girl I had been talking to but nothing was coming to my mind. I am stubborn and usually if it takes more than an hour to write a song, I dont think it’s supposed to be on my project. It hit hour five and I was about to give up and so we just had a closing chat about our lives. We touched on the topic of religion and I started hearing a single note on the piano and Brian started playing it. We talked about our deconstruction and it was truly so incredible to finally be able to talk to someone safe about my experiences in the church. I left that session and sent it to my best friend Shawnee who had left the church a bit later than I had. I remember the reaction from both her and my publisher made me realize how special the song was. I was worried it seemed anti church/God but the more I have sat with it the more I realize it leaves so much room and space for me to believe in whatever I want.