Naarm/Melbourne singer-songwriter Madi Leeds has got me feeling nostalgic with her latest single “Nightmare.” While the song was inspired by a creepy lucid dream, it’s got a chill indie feel that reminds me of 90s acts like Aimee Mann and Shawn Colvin. It’s the most relaxed song about existential dread you’re likely to hear today!
“People often say things like, ‘Why don’t you leave that for later in life?’ or ‘What’s the rush?’ But I’ve always felt that getting older is a privilege and feel that tomorrow isn’t promised,” Madi explained. “From experiences with grief and loss I try not to take things for granted.”
She noted that the song was inspired by a lucid dream she had after fainting during a Phoebe Bridgers festival set.
“In the dream, I was asleep in my own home while an old, witch-like woman in a cloak watched me from my street – then suffocated me and I couldn’t wake up. Later, I found out it’s a common lucid dream known as ‘the old hag’. The lyrics draw from that dream but also use it as a metaphor – of being haunted by my future self, or the fear of looking back one day and realising I didn’t live my life to the fullest.”
After recently playing a string of shows in Asia, Madi plans to announce some local dates and more music for 2026. Watch this space!
Photo credit: Isaiah Cirillo @wip.zay
