mags
We have another amazing Copenhagen-based artist with another big record. Her name is mags and she has just released an anthem titled “herified”. The new song is the first single off her upcoming album, due in 2025. “herified” is about falling in love with a woman and all the joyful feelings that come with it. It’s massive, catchy and filled with queer love.
mags definitely delivered a massive record with this one. Go stream “herified” because it is out now !
Photo credit: Kristine Sokolowski
Hi mags, how are you? What's your story?
Hi! I am really good. Slowly easing into the winter darkness in Copenhagen where I am based. To give some context, I am from a field in Jutland but really a New Yorker by heart. I moved abroad at 17 to only move closer to myself through songwriting. I am an artist, a big sister, a co-producer, a dreamer, a solid pasta maker, a mediocre Spanish speaker and I have just released the first song of my sophomore album titled “herified”.
What did you grow up listening to and what's your earliest musical memory?
I grew up on a lot of electronic music that my mom introduced me to. But one of my earliest musical memories is when I was a kid growing up in the danish countryside. We had a small cinema in the small town close to where I lived and would sometimes go in and watch a movie. I so vividly remember watching the credits rolling after having watched a movie and always getting the credits song stuck in my head afterwards. I would then go home and use the melody from the song as the canvas for me writing my own song with new lyrics.
When did you realize music was more than just a hobby? When did you know you had to be an artist?
It almost feels like it chose me. Songwriting has always felt like an extension of breathing to me. That in combination with growing up in a family where I always felt very seen and supported in my dreams made me feel like I had to pursue becoming an artist.
"Herified" is your latest single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
“Herified” is a joyful pride-filled anthem. The title comes from taking the passive noun “her” and turning it into an active verb by adding “-fied”. To me it is going from knowing to doing. To no longer feeling either terrified or mesmerized but feeling Herified. It is danceable, celebratory and real. It tells the story of what feeling herified can feel like and in this case it is about me falling so madly in love with a woman.
What's your favorite part about this song?
That it sounds exactly like how it feels.
What message do you want to deliver through this song?
Falling in love is magical.
In your opinion, what makes a good song?
This is a very big question and good question. My “good songs library” spands from the “happy birthday” song to “hide and seek” by Imogon Heap, laughs. I guess that says that to me, a good song lies in the feelings I get when hearing it and or the memories I associate it with. It can be any kind of song as long as it strikes a chord on my heartstrings.
What are your thoughts on today's social media? How does it impact your career?
I feel very grateful for the platform I have to promote my art and share more about the process and me as a person. But I am also being very mindful that a lot of younger people are following me and I do not take the responsibility that comes with that lightly. I think it very important to, as in nay arena of life, set healthy boundaries for oneself. I have made the choice of turning off all notifications on all of my social media platforms in an active attempt for them not to control me.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Love this question. SO many records have influenced not only the music I make but the person that I am. Robyn immediately comes to mind. Her art has had a major influence on me. Her music has made me feel all the feels throughout the years. I have also listened a lot to The XX and was so taken with their more minimalistic approach to production. Lily Allen and her honest and autobiographical songwriting inspired me a lot.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
You can’t control the wind but you can adjust the sails.
What message do you want to deliver to the queer community in the music industry?
I see you and I hear you. Thank you for you.
In your opinion, what would make the world a BETTER place?
Fact checking, rewarding a question culture and not only an answer culture, saying thank you to others and yourself, smiling at strangers and remembering that you and your actions matter.
Connect with mags: