Maggie Reitan Visits Section 36 Music!

Great news! We have another visitor to Section 36 Music! Maggie Reitan is a fantastic artist, whose recent single "Unanswered" is one of my favorites. I was so thrilled she was willing to visit with us to discuss the single, her musical influences, and more!

So, let's see what happens when Maggie Reitan visits Section 36 Music!

I am a huge fan of your recent single, “Unanswered”. What can you tell me about it?

Aw thank you so much!! Well, it was actually a ballad when I first brought it into the studio. But I told the producers I thought it would be really cool if we turned it into a super upbeat pop song. We played around with lyrics I had written and they had some really great ideas and it turned into this really cool mix, a little bit of The Weeknd vibe, which was so fun as I love his music!!

The lyrics captures the pain of unreciprocated love and broken trust, and feeling neglected despite prioritizing the other persons needs. This leaves the person questioning why they weren’t valued, with miscommunication ultimately leading to heartbreak and regret. 

It’s actually quite deep and personal lyrics but with a fun twist in the production, which I feel like is perfect to listen to when you are feeling down or need a song to blast in the car. 

There’s also a music video ;)

How would you say it compares to your previous release, “That Kind of Love I Want”?

I mean they are completely different when it comes to production which I find super fun. I’m still in the beginning stages of my career and right now i’ve only produced my songs in the way I feel is right for each song specifically, and not really sticking to a certain sound. “That Kind of Love I want” is a song I wrote with inspiration from my grandparents, and their story. They’ve been married for over fifty years and my grandpa still calls my grandma the most beautiful woman so it’s about aspiring to a certain kind of love you want for yourself by leaving behind the old and things that weren’t right for you.

It’s definitely one of my favorite songs I’ve written.

You attend Berklee College of Music. What made Berklee the right place for you?

Berklee became the right choice for me at the beginning of my senior year in high school. I wanted to study business to have that degree but I also realized that music was something that always made me happy and I was really interested in the industry. When I realized Music Business was an option, it was a no brainer because I got to combine the two things I’m most interested in.  Plus I knew the school was highly respected, very global, and it’s a college with a bunch of talented musicians all passionate about the same things as me. When I got in I just thought to myself well I can’t not go now!

Who or what would you say are your biggest musical influences?

This question is always so hard for me because I can never really pick someone, but for as long as I can remember I’ve always loved Adele. I’ve sung her songs for as long as I can remember. 

Growing up my dad would always play The Beatles, Michael Jackson and introduced me to many more icons. My dad is probably my biggest musical influence. We have been a duo musically for as long as I can remember. We’ve spent hours at the piano together, and ever since I started writing my own music he’s been my biggest supporter and fan. 

What is the biggest challenge you face when it comes to your music?

When I first started to release music I was so scared because I was going to share all my inner thoughts, feelings and situations that I’ve been in. You feel really exposed at first but I just try to tell myself that there will be people out there listening that can relate and feel less alone. So, I think, if it does that for someone and people enjoy what I release, that means I have achieved that goal. 

Another challenge I face and I think a lot of other small artists feel the same way, is reaching your audience and new people. There are so many people releasing music everyday and it so hard to find your audience. It’s taken a lot more work to market my music than to create it, which can be hard and a little discouraging at times because I definitely didn’t sign up to become an influencer haha. 

What are your immediate music goals?

I hope that I can end up in the music industry somehow, and if that's creating, performing and collaborating with talented and passionate people that would be a dream come true! I actually have something super exciting happening soon. On November 14th, I’m having my very first loft show! I’m playing with some really talented people and my closest friends. 

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I think it would be a good idea to check out that show, if you can!

As always, I want to thank Maggie for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Maggie, and good luck reaching your goals!