Last week Midwife (moniker of Madeline Johnston), purveyor of what she describes as “Heaven Metal,” hit the road for a month of dates supporting Denver death metal outfit Blood Incantation. Johnston is touring behind Midwife’s fourth studio album, No Depression In Heaven, which dropped in September courtesy of longtime home The Flenser. The album, which was recorded between 2021 and 2023, was inspired by the transient, ephemeral moments that define the narrative of a life on the road itself. The LP’s most recent single, “Vanessa,” a touchingly heavy (both sonically and sentimentally) and ethereal track has Johnston grieving (a common sentiment in Midwife’s work) the loss of her minivan, who provided the song’s namesake. Just before the start of tour, I got a chance to chat with Madeline about life on the road, what you can expect of her upcoming show opening for Blood Incantation, and the filmmaker who made Underground Arts’ neighborhood famous.
Izzy Cihak: You’re about to kick off a month of dates with Blood Incantation, who also just released a really cool fourth studio album. What are your thoughts on them? Were you previously a fan or a friend? Are you excited to spend this time on the road with them?
Madeline Johnston: I’m very excited for this tour, and their new album. I can’t wait to see them perform it all month long. We’re both from Denver, and have witnessed the growth of each other’s projects. This tour is something we’ve been trying to make work for years at this point and I couldn’t be happier that it’s finally happening. Feeling very special and sentimental about it.
Izzy: I know No Depression In Heaven is kind of a road album, in that it’s inspired by a transient life back and forth across America, so I’m curious if there any cities or towns that you’re especially excited to visit on this upcoming run, that you feel have proven themselves to be places of exceptional interest or inspiration in the past, or that maybe you hope could be?
Madeline: I feel incredibly blessed to live this lifestyle that tour has become an integral part of. It’s really fun to return to familiar places that hold meaning for me in this capacity, seeing beloved friends across the country, and spending time in the van, which often is the most surprisingly inspiring part of it all for me. I am most looking forward to playing Montreal, Toronto, and Asheville, because those are places that I’ve never played before.
Izzy: What can be expected of your live show on these upcoming dates?
Madeline: I built this set around pieces that are the most challenging and fulfilling for me to play as a guitarist. I also included a lot of the songs from the new album, of course.
Izzy: You play a pretty wide variety of venues, from major festivals down to super sweaty barrooms, so I’m curious how you feel about playing mid-sized nightclub settings like Underground Arts, in particular? I mean, they’re not quite “intimate,” but they’re not exactly LiveNation venues either. Are there certain types of venues that you think produce the best kinds of shows?
Madeline: I think the best shows are the ones that feel magical, and this can be in any sized venue. I love playing big theaters and I love playing tiny basements, but it all depends on the feeling. I believe there was a lot of love put into creating this tour, and every show will feel special.
Izzy: You may already know this, but Underground Arts is in the neighborhood that David Lynch’s Eraserhead is based on, which we call Eraserhood (He lived and went to college in the area in the late ‘60s.) Are you a fan of his, or any works of his in particular?
Madeline: Mulholland Drive is my favorite movie!
Izzy: I think that you’re the first person I’m asking this in 2024… But, since we’re nearing the year’s end, I have to ask if you’ve had any favorite music of 2024? Any favorite albums to drop or shows that you’ve gotten to see this year?
Madeline: I love the new Mamaleek record, Vida Blue. Cindy Lee’s triple album, Diamond Jubilee. J.R.C.G.’s Grim Iconic… (Sadistic Mantra). J.R.C.G. was probably my favorite live show of this year, too. And, of course, Blood Incantation’s Absolute Elsewhere.
Izzy: How is it that you’re hoping and planning to spend the first part of 2025? Is there anything already in the works, either officially or just in your mind?
Madeline: So far, I have a small run of shows in January with my friends American Culture from Denver, and some international appearances in the Spring, including Prepare The Ground in Toronto.
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