Singer Maggie Lindemann was introduced to the world through the app Keek and on Instagram. Shortly after that she came out as bisexual publicly and her song "Pretty Girl" began started creeping up the charts. Other popular singles followed that brought her to perform on the American leg of Sabrina Carpenter's Singular Tour. She talked about her latest song "Friends Go" backstage at the House of Blues Chicago while finishing up her work on the road.
Windy City Times: Where are you from?
Maggie Lindemann: I'm from Dallas originally. I lived there for 16 years until 9th grade. I was in San Antonio for a year before moving out to LA.
WCT: Were your parents strict?
ML: I grew up very religious. We went to church every Sunday. My mom is very religious. My parents weren't too strict. They let me do my own thing. They gave me weird rules. I was allowed to do a lot, but at the same time I had to put my phone away at 10 p.m.
WCT: Was it tough coming out?
ML: It was just with my family. I wasn't raised to think it's wrong at all, but I wasn't raised to talk about it. It felt weird to come out with my family, but not with my friends. Being in LA is nice because it's more open and they don't judge or anything.
When I go back to Texas I feel awkward sometimes. People are much more closed minded there.
WCT: Have you had support from fans?
ML: Oh yeah. I feel now people are so much more accepting, especially fans. I think they feel even closer to me, which is really nice. Sometimes they struggle with the same thing and they feel they connect with me more now.
WCT: What misconceptions about bisexual people bug you?
ML: I think the biggest thing is when I am with a guy people will ask if I am straight. They sometimes think I prefer one over the other. There is no difference. It is the same to me.
WCT: You were discovered on Instagram?
ML: I got Instagram in 2011 and there weren't videos on it yet. An app called Keek had videos and this was before Vine. When I posted on Keek one of the videos wound up on YouTube somehow.
WCT: So someone tracked you down?
ML: Yes. My manager found me there and emailed me. We set up a meeting.
WCT: It's wild how people are discovered in the music business these days, isn't it?
ML: Most people are coming from social media and the Internet.
WCT: Do you recommend that singers do it that way?
ML: Definitely. Social media is so big now that it's the easiest place to get discovered. People in the industry are always looking at that. It's a cool way to get your name out there.
WCT: What have you learned from touring with Sabrina Carpenter?
ML She is so sweet. Being on this tour has been nice. It has helped me be a better performer. I have been on one other tour, but now I am playing a set. I was only doing two songs on the past tour.
WCT: What makes you different than other pop stars?"
ML: I play the electric guitar. I am darker and like to be spooky. I like to incorporate dark and twisted things into how I dress and act.
WCT: Your new song "Friends Go" has a reggae feel. Is that what you were going for?
ML: It has a ska vibe and influenced by No Doubt. There's electric guitar, horns and trumpets. It is still pop, but has rock elements. That is the music I really enjoy. I'm coming into the music I want to do more. It's so nice and refreshing to do what I really want to do.
WCT: What was the concept behind your song "Pretty Girl?"
ML: I got judged, and still do, for being on social media and trying to be an artist. People think that if you are on social media that being a musician is not a real thing. It is so annoying. I got discovered for posting videos. I have always sang.
I have opinions and a voice. I have things I want to say. People see me and think I am just a pretty girl on Instagram, that I don't have anything important to talk about. That is the point of the song. I'm not just a picture. I do have a life outside of Instagram. I have a family. I have friends. I sing. I do stuff. I'm a real person!
WCT: You must help other people with a song like that.
ML: Girls are put down. There have always been stereotypes like "if you are blonde you are dumb" or "really pretty, must be dumb and not know what's going on in the world."
How does that even make sense?
WCT: I think things are getting better though.
ML: Definitely. Women are joining together and revolting. It's time we come together and do good.
WCT: Are you trying to use the LGBT community in videos like "Would I?"
ML: Yes and in "Pretty Girl" there was a scene with that too. It's in my life so I try to incorporate it in little ways into everything. It needs to be seen more, because it's not seen as much as it should be. It's 2019!
WCT: You used a young version of yourself in "Would I." What would you say to the little girl growing up in Texas?
ML: To my younger self I would say, "I know stuff is hard now, being young and getting older. Keep your head up and don't listen to what other people say. Ultimately all that matters is what you have to say about yourself and what you want to do. Don't give up on your dreams because people say it's impossible."
Stream the new song and follow her on social media through MaggieLindemann.com .
