Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I have loved music ever since I can remember, but only started listening to pop songs at around the age of 12 or 13. Before then, it was musical theatre, old folk songs and opera, introduced to me by my parents and grandparents. I began learning guitar at 10, and piano at around 9, however with both, reading music did not agree with me so I never did grades. Instead, I began to teach myself chords by ear and learn my favourite songs. When I was 12 my grandfather died and this prompted my first song, which I wrote to process the sadness I was feeling. This form of self expression through songwriting has increased and improved and as digital music platforms became a way to access music, I began to explore more genres that I loved, in particular pop-rock and folk-rock. Hozier, Noah Kahan, Mumford and Sons, Taylor Swift and Maisie Peters spring to mind as key influences.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Maggie Baring”?
A: I have two exciting projects planned for 2024, 2 EPs of different style. The first, of which Jolene is the precursor, is a folk EP predominantly self produced in my bedroom using strings and piano. The second EP is produced by Sam Grade, my wonderful producer. This is a more indie-folk, soft-pop piece of work inspired by Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridges. So if you were to become a follower of my music, there can be no doubt I have music coming out that will be to your taste! I would also recommend following me on TikTok where I cover songs and do a channel called ‘Maggie’s Rewrites’ where I rewrite my favourite songs from other perspectives.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Noah Kahan is my main inspiration right now, and he himself has said he was inspired by Maisie Peters who I have been listening to for a long time. It is her lyrics that really move me.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Jolene.”?
A: I wrote Jolene in July this summer, in about 15 minutes. The song kind of flowed out of me. It is partially inspired by a relationship which had just ended. I had a convergence of ideas when listening to the song, “Jolene” by Ray LaMontagne, which is one of my favourite songs of all time. I decided to rewrite it from the perspective of Jolene, the muse, mixing this with the feelings that I myself was experiencing. This turned into its own song, giving Jolene and all other mistreated female muses in songs a voice to tell their side of the story.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: all of my songs are composed on guitar or a very creaky piano in my home, so the songs naturally begin very folky. The sounds and instruments are very natural, mainly recorded without electronic sounds like synths or computer generated drums. I like to sum up the sound as “organic”.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Jolene”?
A: the song is very personal to me and contains some moments of real vulnerability. Naturally the recording of my vocals was a difficult experience in terms of keeping my voice steady whilst I sung. I tried to avoid recording my voice in chunks, preferring the more natural sounds of singing an entire song throughout (think of the viscerality of Paulo Nutini’s voice).
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I’m a very confessional songwriter so and I hope that all come my songs are relatable and comforting.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: I would give anything to sing with Noah Kahan on tour or collaborate with him. I would also have loved to have met Leonard Cohen. I am currently writing my dissertation on his music.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: if you love it enough, you will get better. If it’s something you couldn’t imagine your life without, then don’t give it up.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: the songs you are writing now will be the worst ones you’ve ever written when you look back at them in a few years time. You will keep on improving just from continuing to practice. There are going to be moments where people might laugh at you for being too honest or citified your style in your songs but you have to remember that its what makes you happy and at the end of the day who cares what other people say.
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