A breakthrough single is something music producers only dream of when introducing a new artist. For country girls Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye, it was just the beginning. Maybe it was the way they so effortlessly defied country music stereotypes or how closely relatable the lyrics are, nonetheless the duo’s first single “Girl in a Country Song” hit country music charts with a bang. The duo known as Maddie and Tae released their first studio album titled “Start Here” on Aug. 28. The album is entirely comprised of the Texas (Marlow) and Oklahoma (Dye) native’s personal experiences.

“To open up to strangers, that’s the power of a song,” Marlow shared.

The girls sudden success can be credited to their ability to go against the popular trends of country. NPR’s All Things Considered praised Maddie and Tae for “turning heads in different ways.”

Songs such as “Smoke” and “Sierra”  speak from a girls perspective in a soft melody, something far from the current “bro country” trend. However changing the themes of  country music was not the duo’s goal. Instead they were intent on writing songs from the heart.

“Honesty is always the best policy,” says Dye. “We’re telling our stories and hope people can relate.”

Maddie and Tae first met late 2010 through their shared vocal coach, Tom Kinney. The girls clicked and joined forces to pursue a career in music.The duo was signed by Dot Records, a branch of Big Machine Records, a company famous for artists such as Florida Georgia Line and Taylor Swift.  Their album “Right Here” was greatly influenced by their shared love of 1990’s country, especially the Dixie Chicks.    

“If we give every person in the audience a voice we let them know they’re not alone in these situations.” Marlow shares about singing from personal experience. If these girls have proven anything in the past year its that they are soulful and passionate about music, singing songs deeply pressed on their hearts no matter if they go beyond the rules.