UMS Staff Spotlight: Maddy Wildman and ‘slapslap’

By UMS

Maddy Wildman joined UMS in 2019 as our University Programs Manager upon her graduation from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, where she majored in bassoon performance.

She is also a member of the Michigan-based band slapslap! Having been described as “sitting somewhere between creative improv, up-tempo dance music, post-funk, and performance art” or “somewhere between BADBADNOTGOOD and The Wiggles,” slapslap consists of two electric bassoon players, Ezra Gans and Maddy Wildman, and two percussionists, Cameron Wilson and Tanner Tanyeri — all of whom are U-M SMTD alumni.

slapslap just released their second EP album, Bad Idea, Good Execution, which features original music as well as musical skits representing their more whimsical, theatrical output…

Learn to dance along to the hottest new dance craze: the “slap on 3.” This music video features cameo dance performances from current UMS Development Administrative Assistant Justine Sedky and former UMS Patron Services Assistant Jane Rogers. From Maddy: “‘slap on 3’ was frantically composed an hour before playing a house show in 2020. It hasn’t really changed since then, and we love the frantic, silly energy that it brings to our shows every time we lead the audience through the moves!”

The lead single, “Live, Slap, Love” is informed by the modern tradition of vapid motivational phrases as seen in HomeGoods and TJ Maxx. From Maddy: “This track started as an attempt to create something like psychedelic rock, in particular inspired by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, but it evolved into its own slappy identity. With distinct live, slap, and love sections, we love how this track surprises audiences every time we play it.”

Listen to slapslap’s EP, Bad Idea, Good Execution, on Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Fans can purchase the album on Bandcamp or purchase CDs at their upcoming June 15 performance at Ann Arbor Summerfest. slapslap plans to release more media in the coming months in conjunction with the album, including an upcoming music video. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for the freshest slaps!