With “How to Sing for Money” out now, we took some time to hear from Maggie Andrew. Read below to learn more about Maggie Andrew, the story behind “How to Sing for Money,” and what’s to come.
Hi Maggie Andrew! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Hi! Maggie Andrew is just my real name, haha. So, I guess my mom gave me my artist name when I was born!
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I’m originally from Waverley, which is in Nova Scotia, Canada. I spent a little time in LA a few years ago, but I’m currently based back in Nova Scotia. Hoping to move again soon!
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I don’t think that I ever actually ‘made’ a decision to pursue a career in music. I feel like I’ve always known since I was a little girl that somehow, some way I was going to be an artist. I grew up on Hannah Montana and, I think that always made me feel like I was just following my path. I made a lot of songs out of survival mode and necessity. Music has gotten me through all of the most difficult times of my life. After I graduated high school, I went to university for 3-ish months, then dropped out and moved to LA. I lived with my older brother Trevor and was immersed in art (of all forms) and music. I was experiencing life. I met my best friend, Ash Riser, backstage at Coachella, and then some time later, we started making music together – ‘Sleep 4Ever’ was the first song that we made together, with no expectations, just the intention of creating something special. The rest is history!
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
I had a bit of a rough childhood from the time that I was ten until I was seventeen, which resulted in moving away from home at seventeen. I experienced a lot of different things, but ultimately, I ended up in LA. I think music was the one thing that was always there for me. Not necessarily in finding my sound, but finding my voice and being able to make something that expressed how I was feeling. I did play a lot of sports and was very competitive, so I feel like I am constantly trying to be the best that I can at anything that I do, even if it sucks or even if I’m not great at it. I think who I am is the result of working to overcome a lot of trauma and mental health issues. I didn’t let my shortcomings or the people who hurt me ‘win.’ I just keep pushing and continue to remind myself that I am not a broken display of the things that happened to me, I get to choose who I am and what my life will be.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I make pop music with a smattering of different genre influences, so I consider it ‘alt-pop.’ There’s a little bit of everything in there – electric guitars, synths, hard 808s. To me, my music feels like a portrait of a human being: different emotions, different stories, highs and lows – all expressed through different sounds.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I love travelling, hanging out with my friends, and playing soccer. I enjoy doing a variety of different things – the list could get long! BUT, I recently started bedazzling, and I find that very fun! I also like writing songs and playing my piano in my free time too.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I really love a lot of different music. I’ve always looked up to my older brother, Trouble Andrew, as well as Santigold, Miley Cyrus, Fleetwood Mac, Suki Waterhouse, and Charli XCX. I really admire their uniqueness, and I think that is something that can’t be copied or recreated, which I really like.
What are some of your future music career goals?
I would love to play at Coachella and Camp Flog Gnaw! I’d love to have a song on the Billboard Top 100, and I’d love to collaborate with Mark Ronson and Post Malone. I’d also love to play at the Wiltern in LA and the Roxy, those are two venues I’ve seen a lot of music in and enjoyed going to, so it would be really cool to play there. Overall, I think just to be able to continue creating with no limit.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
My older brother, Trevor, has inspired me my entire life. I lived with him in LA, and he’s always supported me and cheered me on from the very beginning. He’s given me a lot of sound advice over the years, which always stuck with me. Anyway, the other night, he told me that he thinks that I’m a really great songwriter and that I’m doing the thing, and even just hearing that means so much to me. He has known and seen my entire creative process since I was literally five years old, so that was really cool to hear. It made me feel really proud to hear that from my big brother who I’ve always looked up to (and still do).
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
I think just to keep being myself. When you’re an artist, there are a lot of people who think they know what they’re talking about when they’re trying to tell you about your art or tell you how your career should go. I think the most important thing is to not let the outside opinion override your own voice and instincts. You can trust yourself, when people doubt you or don’t believe in you, as long as you believe in yourself and your creativity, that’s the most important thing.
Now onto your release, ‘How to Sing for Money.’ What inspired this song? What is ‘How to Sing for Money’ about?
There’s a book from 1939 that’s actually a guidebook on how to sing other people’s songs for money. We figured it would be funny and an interesting concept to write – not that. As songwriters and artists, it’s our job to write songs. I draw from a lot of my experiences and feelings in my songs, and oftentimes those feelings have been sadness, hurt, etc. We figured it would be fun to flip it, and the concept was really interesting.
How did the music video for ‘How to Sing for Money’ come about? What was your vision for the video?
I make a lot of mood boards and vision boards – so, I met with my friend, Brendan (MOOSECANFLY), who I wanted to direct the video. We talked and kind of went through a bunch of ideas to solidify one idea. We had this idea of an empty bedroom, soulless where I would be there in an old nightgown and curlers in my hair. Throughout the video, movers begin to bring colorful items and furniture into the room behind me. Giving it color and life – I designed the set for the video using stuff from my own bedroom, things that I thrifted, etc., and we made a dream girls room. When the room is revealed, I am in a full performance outfit, including full glam (done by my best friend, Mic Jessome).
I wanted to keep the things in the room kind of ‘iconic,’ so the disco ball, electric guitar, VHS tapes of really popular 80’s and 90’s movies, the posters of some of my favourite icons on the walls like Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, The Beatles . . . the idea of being in your room, and singing and dancing and having FUN. Contrasting with the lyrics of the song just made it amazing. It was really fun to make – we had a small crew. Basically, just me and my best friends, and it was a super smooth day of shooting.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘How to Sing for Money?’
I think that being an artist isn’t always as ‘glamorous’ as a lot of people think. It has a lot of highlights and IS a lot of fun (I definitely wouldn’t want to do anything else) – however, when you’re an artist who writes their own songs – oftentimes you’re talking about your life. We are all human and all experience hardships in different ways – musicians just end up writing songs about them and showcasing it to the world. Some of the hardest times of my life inspired some of my biggest songs and that’s kind of the irony of it all.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I just finished up my second EP, and I have another song coming out next month! I’m also playing at the Shore Club in Nova Scotia with Neon Dreams to celebrate their 10-year anniversary on July 18th, and then I’m playing the AREA 506 Festival in New Brunswick on August 3rd with Ria Mae and the Arkells, and then I’m playing the NS Stampede on September 18th!
Lots of new stuff on the way – keeping up with me on socials is the best way to find out about things as they come! 🙂
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://www.instagram.com/maggiedandrew/
https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiedandrew
https://www.facebook.com/MAGGIEDANDREW/
https://x.com/maggiedandrew
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4PJuPTnsXBp1QY667NS0Oo
Before you go, let’s ask you something random. Do you have any quirky or unexpected food preferences?
I only like to eat potato salad when it’s slightly warm, it tastes better this way. Trust me.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
