This week I’m featuring Maddy Newton, an artist I discovered thanks to a friend on Twitter. I took one listen of Newton’s EP, My Turn, and was amazed. That especially goes for her incredibly beautiful ballad “Before I Knew Ya.” I’ll get to it in a second.

Take one glance at her bio and it’s evident that Newton was born a creative soul. Hailing from Boca Raton, FL, Newton would often write hooks based on movies and television shows to entertain herself as an only child. Jumping off on a bit of a tangent, as an only child myself, I turned to a combination of music and writing of just about any type to express my creativity, so I think Newton’s choice was an awesome one. At just eight years old, Netwon participated in a singing competition and took first place, performing before some 1,500 people. Citing her musical influences as Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne and Natasha Beddingfield, Newton has committed herself to lifting up and inspiring others – and that’s such a great thing to have in the music industry today.

Now, on to “Before I Knew Ya,” a piano-driven heartbreaker of a tune. Newton said in an article on Popdust that she wrote the song about a year-and-a-half ago but developed a deeper connection with it after going through a breakup later on. I personally love how it’s just her soulful vocals and a piano. Nothing else. I invite you to lend an ear to this beautiful tune – and the entire EP – on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your music. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!