Video Premiere: Madeleine Kelson “Make You Proud”

Madeleine Kelson — “Make You Proud”

Americana Highways is hosting this video premiere of Madeleine Kelson’s song “Make You Proud” from her recently released album While I Was Away.

The album was produced and arranged by Madeleine Kelson (except string arrangement by Lycia Luce); engineered by Olivia Painter with assistance from Christian Gonzales; and mixed by Britton Deuel.

“Make You Proud” is Madeleine Kelson on vocals and piano;  Neal Johnston on electric guitar;
Jonathan Mason on bass; RJ Thornton on drums; and Lydia Luce on strings.

The video was produced by Aberration; it was directed by Tanner Grandstaff, with DP Tyler Oaks and
gaffer Craig Hill; and Hope Beard on hair and makeup and wardrobe.  Madeleine Kelson is the piano player and Oliver Bates Craven is the fiddle player.  With the grace of hands on piano keys, the video sets the contest for the expression of gratitude this song gives.  “If I lose the straight and narrow, am I still going to make you proud?” is an ode to all the folks who support us along life’s pathway, even when they don’t understand the distance that it takes to make it.  The fiddle is twisted and mournful and the piano keeps us steady under Kelson’s resonant vocals. Madeleine Kelson writes truly touching songs.

“Make You Proud” is one of the most personal songs on While I Was Away. It’s an admission of fear and insecurity about heading down a long and uncertain path. Even in an industry that runs on collaboration, my anxiety about the future can feel incredibly lonely at times. We tried to capture that visually by creating what feel like honest and intimate moments of emotion. The blur of the background, the closeness of the instruments… The shots are simple and beautiful in a way that really keeps the attention on the song.  — Madeleine Kelson

You can order the music here: https://ffm.to/whileiwasaway