Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Well, one of my earliest memories is of my dad playing a tape of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon album while doing yard work around the house. It’s still one of my favorite albums of all time. And my mother was always playing show tunes while she cleaned the house. So there was lots of music playing while growing up. My brother began playing piano, guitar, and writing songs long before I ever did. He had a huge influence on me and my writing. All those years listening to him play in bands definitely shaped me, though I didn’t begin playing and writing myself until years later, when I was in my twenties.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of Justine Magnusson in three words?
A: Vulnerable. Melodic. Heartfelt.
Q: You have just released your new EP, ‘One Less Person’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Most of the EP was influenced by the passing of my grandmother. I wrote the title track, One Less Person, about her after she died. She was and still is the biggest source of love in my life. I find her in most, if not all of my writing, somewhere along the way.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the EP, “One Less Person”?
A: I handed all of the songs that I wrote on a lone guitar or lone ukulele over to the brilliant Marc Orrell, who produced it in addition to arranging musical parts and playing instrumentals. Marc is a genius and I am so fortunate to have worked with him on this project. Hans Decline mastered the EP perfectly. Lauren Wright added a beautiful fiddle part. None of this would be possible without them!
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for Justine Magnusson so far?
A: I performed at a singer-songwriter showcase at The Asbury hotel in Asbury Park and I’ll be returning there on June 27th! I got to play with a band, which was really special and included: Pete Ricca, Sean Marshall, and J Reynolds. The opportunity to give my music to these talented musicians and to hear what they created with my songs… I just felt so incredibly lucky.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: Probably the song, Sweet Loretta. It’s a song that came out of a real conversation I had over the phone with a woman I had never met before. She was my grandmother’s friend. I called her to let her know that my grandmother had passed. It was a really vulnerable and beautiful moment in time. After I hung up the phone, the song just poured out. Most of what she said I captured in the song. It was one of those gifts from the Universe. And from Loretta, and from my grandmother.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into Justine Magnusson’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: It really comes to me all of a sudden, an idea, and I truly believe it comes from God, or Source Energy, or whatever you want to call it. If you tap into it, the songs come to you. That’s how it’s always been for me. I don’t set out to write a song. An idea comes… from somewhere beyond… and you just try your best to catch it and write it down before it leaves to find another artist. That’s the way Elizabeth Gilbert describes it in her book, Big Magic, which I just love.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for Justine Magnusson, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: I would really love for my music to be featured in movies and/or TV. I’m also excited to share that I’ve been writing new music with Sean Marshall and we’re going to be recording in the late summer or early September. I’ll be sharing more details soon and can’t wait to get started. My new music is more upbeat and zen, encompassing a new place in my journey, both in music and in life.
