It’s been a year since we last caught up with Maggie Andrew at Sommo – and a lot has happened since. The Halifax-born artist has been steadily carving out her own lane in the Canadian music scene, earning awards, dropping bold new singles, and commanding attention with her unapologetically creative style. Her sound? A genre-blending mix of pop, rock, country, and soul -what she calls her version of alternative pop, laced with honesty, humour, and edge. We reconnected with Maggie to talk about everything she’s been up to, what’s inspiring her now, and how to sing for money and mean every word.
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Spotlight on Business: You’ve been making waves onstage and online. For those just tuning in, who is Maggie Andrew – and how did Nova Scotia shape you?
Maggie Andrew: I’m a singer, songwriter, and overall artist originally from Halifax. I grew up in Waverley with my older brothers, spending my childhood biking, exploring the woods, and being outside. It was a great time to be a kid. I think growing up without tech glued to my hands helped me discover what I love – like music, fashion, and storytelling. I was obsessed with Hannah Montana. That show completely rewired my brain. It showed me that a life of creativity and performance was possible, even if there wasn’t a lot of that around me growing up.
Spotlight on Business: What do you like to do when you’re not writing, performing, or collaborating with other artists?
Maggie Andrew: I’m always creating in some way. Fashion is a big one for me. I love putting together looks for shoots and shows. I literally bedazzled a football jersey recently just to wear on stage. I also play soccer, travel, hang out with my friends (a lot of them are creatives too), and plan music videos. Even when I’m not writing music, I still feel like an artist just living life.
Spotlight on Business: You clearly have a love for creative direction and style. How would you describe the “Maggie Andrew” brand?
Maggie Andrew: Fun and fearless. My older brother Trevor was always the blueprint for me – he did it all: music, painting, fashion, snowboarding, skateboarding. Watching him showed me that being an artist doesn’t have to mean just one thing. I see artistry as 360. It’s music, visuals, style, lyrics, storytelling – all of it. That’s what I want my brand to reflect. Something funny, satirical, honest. Not too serious. I want people to feel like they can let go and just have a good time.
Spotlight on Business: Tell us about your journey from Nova Scotia to Los Angeles – and back again.
Maggie Andrew: I moved out when I was 17 years old and went to LA to record my first track. My brother Trevor had moved there from New York, and he flew me out after hearing one of my early songs. I had never even been in a studio before. Being in LA opened everything up for me – it felt like exactly where I was meant to be.
But I was also running from stuff. I was sexually abused by a family member for 10 years and had a tough home life, so when I left, I didn’t really have anything to come back to. My brother basically became my parental figure. He told me, if you have a plan B, you’re subconsciously giving up on plan A. That stuck. So, I stayed in LA for three years.
Then the pandemic hit. My friend Andy Hines was flying back to Nova Scotia and offered me a seat. I went. It wasn’t my plan, but it ended up being the start of something new. I wasn’t even really part of the East Coast music scene before, but I got invited to a Music Nova Scotia songwriting camp, and it changed everything.
Spotlight on Business: How has social media played a role in your artistic journey?
Maggie Andrew: It’s helped, for sure. I’ve been online since I was 12, so social media doesn’t feel performative to me. It’s just an extension of my personality. The key is to not take it too seriously. Don’t overthink captions. If it takes you three days to write one, it’s not worth it. People want real – I try to give them that. And honestly, your real-life shows are what make people follow you online – not the other way around.
Spotlight on Business: What was it like the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio? Or saw it on Spotify?
Maggie Andrew: When I first released music on Spotify in 2019, it was DIY all the way – just me and my best friend using DistroKid. It felt good to put something into the world, even if it was super low-key. A few playlists picked up the track, including one in Japan, which was wild. I still have fans there.
As for radio, CBC plays my music now. The best part was when my mom heard one of my songs on CBC in her car. That moment was for her!
Spotlight on Business: You’ve been nominated for (and won) some big awards. What do those acknowledgments mean to you?
Maggie Andrew: They’re validating, especially for everyone involved in a project. Nobody sees the hours that go into this work, so to be recognized – especially in Nova Scotia – feels good!
Winning African Nova Scotian Musician of the Year with MNS and the ECMA for African Canadian Artist of the Year felt especially meaningful. Some people tried to question if I was “really Black.” Those awards said otherwise. That said, I think it’s time to let other young Black artists have that moment now.
Spotlight on Business: Do you have advice for young or emerging artists?
Maggie Andrew: Be yourself. That’s your superpower. Don’t limit your genre or your sound. Don’t make music just to fit a box. And don’t listen to people who don’t get it. Even if you mess up, at least you trusted your gut.
Spotlight on Business: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Maggie Andrew: You don’t need to be signed to a major label to make music that matters. I don’t make music to chase approval — I’m making it because it’s who I am. I’ve learned that you don’t have to wait for anyone to give you permission. Creativity is free, you can always build something on your own terms.
Spotlight on Business: Do you prefer recording or performing live?
Maggie Andrew: That’s a tough one! Studio time is where the magic starts. You’re building something from nothing – and I love that part of the process. It’s where the songs really come to life. But performing live? I’m falling in love with that now. I’ve been taking vocal lessons, learning how to care for my voice, and really leaning into the stage side of things. There’s nothing like hearing the crowd sing your words back to you.
Spotlight on Business: Any dream collabs?
Maggie Andrew: So many. Goldie Boutilier for sure – she’s from Nova Scotia and calls me her little sis, which feels cool, considering I grew up with 4 older brothers. I really look up to her and admire her passion! Adam Baldwin – I really want to do a song with him, especially after bonding with my friends over his track “Causeway Road.” Also Mk.gee! I saw him perform in LA, and it was pure emotion. I’d love to create something with him.
Spotlight on Business: Your recent single “Fall Like a Feather” dropped in March, and you have another one on the way. What should we be watching for?
Maggie Andrew: Yes! Emotional Touchdown comes out June 27. It’s playful, high-energy, and very me. I’ll also be performing at the Shore Club with Neon Dreams on July 18, at the AREA 506 Festival on August 3, and the Nova Scotia Stampede on September 18.
And closing out the summer with a bang – my new EP HOW TO SING FOR MONEY drops September 26!
Spotlight on Business: Where can fans find you online?
Maggie Andrew: Check out my website www.maggiedandrew.com – you’ll find all my socials there too!
Spotlight on Business: Any final thoughts or things you want to share?
Maggie Andrew: Just gratitude. I’m so thankful for everyone who listens. Without people tuning in, I wouldn’t get to keep doing what I love.
Do yourself a favor this summer and get out to one of Maggie Andrew’s smaller venue live shows while you can. This fearless artist, blending rock, country, pop, and soul into her own vibrant brand of alternative pop – with honesty, humour – and just the right amount of edge, is going to be selling out stadiums soon.
by Lauren Reid