Madeline Brice is a Kansas City–based painter whose work mixes hyper-saturated realism with surreal compositions. A Missouri State University graduate with degrees in Painting and Art History, she’s exhibited solo on both coasts, been featured in New American Paintings, and completed residencies from the UK’s Moosey Residency to New Mexico’s Ranch Residency. Her sharp, airbrush-smooth paintings turn everyday objects (hands, cigarettes, pasta, animals) into polished yet unsettling icons, framed by motifs like chrome, chain-link fences, and fire-lit skies. In the studio, she gravitates toward music with energy and edge, listening to tracks by Brevin Kim, Dijon, Boy Harsher, and Sleigh Bells alongside remixes of Fred Again and Remi Wolf’s wacky hooks. That mix of glossy pop, raw grit, and surreal mood mirrors the tension in her paintings, where beauty and discomfort share the same frame.
First album you bought?
The Duchess by Fergie
Last album you bought?
Glimmer of God by Jean Dawson
First concert?
My dad took me to Saliva and Drowning Pool at the Ozark Empire Fair when I was like 10.
Last concert?
Lower Heaven (my husband’s band!!) Prior to that it was Weird Al Yankovic and I left early (lol).
Was there one album that made a significant impression on you?
Totally. I think it’d be Bring Me Your Love by City and Colour. Secondarily, it would be For Those Who Have Heart (2007) by A Day To Remember. These two albums were on repeat in my teens.
Who is your musical hero?
This one’s tough. I admire so many artists. Currently it’s the queen Charli XCX.
How important is music to your creative process?
I’d say it’s pivotal. There’s nothing quite like discovering a new artist or a new album dropping and listening on repeat while painting. I’m also quite fond of podcasts in the studio as well. I remember June of 2024 I was at the Moosey Residency in Norwich, UK and both Brat by Charli XCX and Soup by Remi Wolf came out. I’ll forever associate the work I made then with those albums.
BONUS: What is your favorite album cover of all time (and why)?
I can’t pick!!
BONUS #2: Any visual artist(s) you’d like to see answer these questions?
Well my favorite artist, Jenny Morgan, would be cool to hear from. But, I also think this would be cool from Alexander Owen, Jessica Taylor Bellamy, Marisa Adesman, and Marc Librizzi.
Brevin Kim – Carousel
Joey Cash – Swallow
Banks (ft. Sampha) – Make It Up
Dijon – Many Times
Sleigh Bells – Bunky Pop
Jean Dawson (ft. Lil Yachty) – Die For Me
Thrown – Grayout
Remi Wolf – Toro
Mk.gee – Untitled
Fred Again – Jungle (Rico Nasty Remix)
Boy Harsher – Motion
2hollis – Jeans
Julia Wolf – Kill You Off
binki – Wiggle
Check out Madeline’s playlist below on Spotify. Be sure to like Background Noise on Facebook for updates on future episodes. You can browse ALL the Background Noise episodes right here.
