Founded in 2018, the 11:59 Songwriting Group is an annual project designed to provide support, accountability, and feedback for a diverse group of musicians and songwriters.

Every year, the group’s founder Dave Madden curates a collective of artists ranging from singer-songwriters to instrumentalists, poets, visual artists, composers, solo artists, and bands. It’s a vibrant community where many genres of music are represented. Since its inception in 2018, the group has created 875 songs—and they're just getting started.

In 2023, the group was awarded a $10,000 Live Music Fund grant from the Music & Entertainment Division of the City of Austin’s Economic Development program. This grant has allowed the group to flourish in new and exciting ways. The funds were distributed widely throughout Austin, impacting more than 70 individual small business owners, local companies and artists. 

This project has been financed in whole or in part by the City of Austin’s Live Music Fund Event Program.

“That was a VERY SPECIAL 11:59 showcase, y’all. One spectacular song after another. I’m happy to know you all and so thankful for this group of people and creators.” - Barbara Nesbitt, 11:59 member
“So grateful for this entire experience, top to bottom. The showcase was magical. Gorgeous performances all around. Thank you so much, Dave, for everything! ” - Akina Adderley, 11:59 member
“What a wonderful experience and fabulous group of people. Thanks, Dave, for including me. I can’t wait until next year!!!” - Giulia Millanta, 11:59 member
“Can't thank you enough, Dave. Congrats on a beautiful songwriter showcase. I'm so happy to have been a part of it, and I loved having you and the band play my song. It was a really special moment for me.” - Kate Priestley, 11:59 member
“I had no idea that running into Dave Madden at Noelle Hampton's birthday party would lead to me (slightly begrudgingly) joining the 11:59 songwriting group. As someone who's always kind of thought of myself as "just a bass player", being a part of this group really gave me the opportunity to stretch in ways that I never have before. The last song that I turned in, "Truth or Dare '95" was such a crazy fun experiment for me and allowed me to play with Logic in a way that I hadn't before, delve into using midi, layering vocals, etc. Hard to believe that the person who was so afraid of saying yes to this group is now already looking forward to next year!” - Harmoni Kelley, bass player for Kenny Chesney