Madeleine Froncek is multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas. She started songwriting after the death of her mother and writes as a meditation on grief, self-discovery and transformation. Froncek started her musical career as an upright bass player influenced by the legacy of Ray Brown. She is a founding member of Austin band’s Ley Line and Steel Betty and has toured both nationally and internationally since 2016. Froncek has played alongside artists such as Billy Strings, Elephant Revival and DirtWire and has played at festivals such as Austin City Limits, SXSW, and alongside Bonnie Paine at the Telluride Bluegrass Festivals. She is a twin, a lover of nature and a storyteller.
“{as it is} is like earth. An organic and wholesome homecoming. A fresh breath. ”
“The album spins as a meditation on her mother’s death, and “Just Fine” sets the tone by winding through weary passing hours, grappling with the vertiginous sense of loss, and waiting for what comes next. Beautifully gentle and moving.”
Froncek’s debut album, “as it is,” was released in November 2024 and is a passage through time, stories surrounding the death of Madeleine’s mother and the transformation through that grief. Her work as a bluegrass and world musician combines here with her passion for storytelling, indie rock and Texas country. The full-length album features Austin legends such as fiddle player Noah Jeffries (Robert Earl Keen, The Deer, Milk Drive), drummer Sam Jordan (Alexalone, Ama, Eyelid Kid), pedal steel player Sam Kossler (Molly Burch, Pat Green), Daniel Fears and keyboardist Micah Motenko (Wild Child, Sir Woman). As It Is, was recorded to tape in the home studio of Spencer Garland (PR Newman) and at Las Barrancas in Boerne, Texas from 2021-2023, and was produced by Madeleine and mixed by Claudio Ramirez.
Live Full-Length Video, Austin TX 2023