Singer, songwriter, chart topper and influencer at the age of 18. No, we’re not joking. Meet Maggie Lindemann, the pretty girl who’s smashing the millennial world. Maggie’s music career began when she started posting videos online and she decided to make the big move to LA to chase her dreams. Here, she released her breakthrough single ‘Pretty Girl’, which took the world by storm. She’s a big deal on Instagram too. With over 2 million followers, she’s become a successful and dedicated influencer. We spoke to Maggie about making it big, her plans for next year and what makes her feel good…
When I first started, I was beyond scared. I didn’t want to do a lot of stuff. I wanted to be a teenager and I would tell myself, “This is what you’ve always wanted to do, you’ll have your fun eventually!” – Maggie Lindemann
Taylor Magazine: How did you get started with music?
Maggie Lindemann: I started back in the day through a video app. I would post singing videos on there and eventually one of them made it onto YouTube and Gerald Tennison saw it. He emailed me and my parents, but I was in Texas at the time. I decided to fly out to meet him and we discussed a record. From there, I started piano and vocal lessons, which was a lot of work! Before, I was always just doing it for fun and I never thought I was going to get anything from it.
Taylor Magazine: It must have been a really surreal experience for you.
Maggie Lindemann: It was surreal! I always wanted to be a singer, so getting that email and going to Capitol Records was crazy!
Taylor Magazine: After that happened, what was the point where you realised your dream was coming true?
Maggie Lindemann: Probably with ‘Pretty Girl.’ This was when a lot of labels started taking interest, and we had a lot of meetings. When I signed and it blew up, it was a pretty big deal and a big eye opener.
Taylor Magazine: Obviously ‘Pretty Girl’ has done so well in the charts. How did you feel about the positive reaction from everyone?
Maggie Lindemann: It was amazing – I’m so grateful with everything that’s happened with the song. I had no idea that it was going to blow up the way it did and mostly that people understood the message with the song.
“It’s an incredible feeling knowing that my music is making people feel good about themselves.”
Taylor Magazine: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the music industry so far?
Maggie Lindemann: To be honest, it’s just a hard industry to work in in general. I think people don’t necessarily realise how much you have to do behind the scenes. It’s been hard for me to get up and leave all the time. I’ll be in the middle of something and I’ll suddenly just have to leave because something really important comes up. That’s so hard because I’ve been doing this since I was around 16. Being a teenager and having to really quickly be an adult was really difficult, but I made it!
Maggie Lindemann | Daniel Regan
Taylor Magazine: It must be hard to balance your normal life and your career – how do you keep the balance?
Maggie Lindemann: When I have free time I hang out with my friends and do normal things! I still get to do what I want to do, like any normal teenager, but when it comes down to work I have to zone in and focus. It’s been a little hard, but worth it.
Taylor Magazine: What’s been your most memorable or favourite experience so far?
Maggie Lindemann: When I performed with The Vamps! They’re awesome – being on stage with them was so cool.
Taylor Magazine: How did the collaboration with The Vamps come around?
Maggie Lindemann: I got an email while I was in London – they really liked me and wanted to do this song with me. I heard the song, loved it and I thought it would be a good fit. I got to meet them and do the music video and it was really cool – I’m still so excited about it.
Taylor Magazine: Who are you listening to at the moment?
Maggie Lindemann: I love Twenty One Pilots and their new album but I listen to so many different genres of music!
Taylor Magazine: What do you do to relax?
Maggie Lindemann: I like to hang out with friends and chill. I don’t get to go home often but I absolutely love going home when I get the chance. It’s super relaxing because we live in the country.
Taylor Magazine: Who’s your inspiration?
Maggie Lindemann: Lana Del Rey – she’s always been true to herself. No matter how famous she gets, she’s always been so chilled and down to earth and I really respect that.
Taylor Magazine: What’s your all time favourite movie?
Maggie Lindemann: I absolutely love Nightmare Before Christmas!
Taylor Magazine: Favourite place to visit on vacation or dream place to visit next?
Maggie Lindemann: I’ve been to Mexico a few times and I absolutely love it. I love to go to the beach — I’m so pale and want to get tanned again. I want to go to Greece or Italy – it looks so beautiful! I had the chance to go to Italy when I was younger but I didn’t like the thought of the journey so I didn’t but I regret that so much now. I also really want to go to Tokyo!
Taylor Magazine: What can you tell us about you that no one would know?
Maggie Lindemann: I don’t eat bacon! That’s such a random fact.
Taylor Magazine: Fast forward five years. Where do you want to be?
Maggie Lindemann: I want to have a few albums out by then and I want to be on tour doing festivals and stuff. I’d also really love to have my dog back and have a house.
Taylor Magazine: What are you working on at the moment? What’s in the pipeline?
Maggie Lindemann: I have a new song coming out very soon – keep an eye out for that! I’m so psyched about it. I’m so happy that we’re finally able to release it!
Taylor Magazine: Cool! After that do you have plans for next year to do any tours?
Maggie Lindemann: Yeah, I’ll be on tour with The Vamps next year and probably travel a little bit for some promo when the song comes out!
