WHEN MADISON CAMPBELL, 23, featured in the new spring issue of Houston CityBook, moved back to her native Houston from Boston a few years back — after Berklee "ate her soul" — the one-time voice major took a brief mental health break from writing music. But after some extended R&R, she's releasing her debut EP, titled Do You Feel Free, on April 2.
The six-track project, recorded as her stage persona Marley Moon last year with Grammy-winning Houston producer Steve Christensen, is chock full of love songs that speak to the type of heartache only a young person can feel. "Love songs are my favorite to write," muses the bassist and vocalist, who's inspired by the retro sounds of artists like The Beach Boys, Elvis and Patsy Cline.
"Writing love songs," she says, "is the easiest way for me to digest my feelings."
Moon's new portrait and comments appear in the spring edition of CityBook, which is the magazine's fifth annual Music Issue. Queer hip-hop artist Nate Drop, swing fiddler Ellen Story, Houston Grand Opera bass Cory McGee, busy singer-guitarist Andy Mac, R&B standout Tia Gold and Tejano starlet Amanda Solis are also featured in the annual portfolio, photographed by Ashkan Roayaee, with styling by Todd Ramos and hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez.
Shavon Morris's 'Transfiguration,' collage on canvas, 2024