Alternative pop/rock singer and songwriter Maggie Lindemann has shattered the music world with an enthralling new EP, _Paranoia_. Amidst the uncertainty and turbulence of the past year, _Paranoia_ seeks to bring to light the many feelings Lindemann has felt since beginning to write it. The artist, who began her music career at the young age of 16 has since released numerous glorified tracks and recently made her acting debut in Machine Gun Kelly’s film, _Downfalls High_. Lindemann is a leading light creating songs with relatable and moving lyrics that connect her and her fanbase. _Flaunt_ got the chance to catch up with Lindemann about the exciting new EP and what life has been like recently for the 22 year old artist.
Photo Credit: 36NEEX
**How has your headspace been during the pandemic? As an artist, how has that affected your music career and just you as a person?**
I feel like my mental state has been fluctuating a lot. In the beginning I felt like I was having a lot of fun with quarantine just because it wasn't as serious yet, I didn't know the seriousness and I didn't have anything to do. I was just stuck at home with my boyfriend. So it was like, pretty fun for a while. But then just like, throughout time, I think it started to set in about how it was so real. And, you know, things aren't just about to go back to normal. So it's been all over the place. Like I've had more time to think which is not always the best for me. So I don't know, I've been experiencing a lot of depression and anxiety. But more recently, I feel like I've been doing better. So we'll see. It's always changing. In the beginning it was hard to make music because I felt like I had no motivation and nothing to talk about. But now, just being in it for so long, I feel like it's kind of come back and I'm able to channel all of everything I'm going through into my music again.
**Let's talk about your EP, what was the inspiration for that? And what was it like to create that EP?**
It was fun to create, I was just experiencing a lot of paranoia in all different aspects of my life. I kind of realized that I was having like this recurring theme in all my songs. So that's how the name paranoia came about. But it was really fun. I had such a fun time recording it and getting to work and just finally having a project out.
**It took you two years to fully create the EP, what was it like creating such a long term project?**
It's cool. I mean, it wouldn't have been two years if the pandemic didn't hit. But I originally was going to put it out in the summer of last year. But obviously, like with everything, I wasn't able to. Everything changes in two years, and there's some songs on there that I didn't even feel like I really resonated with anymore, just because I had gone through that emotion already. And I was for it, but it was still a very real emotion when I was feeling it. So I wanted to still put it out. But there were a few songs that I actually scrapped, because I was just like, not feeling it anymore. Just because time was not on the song side.
Photo Credit: 36NEEX
**Are there any songs on the EP that you're most proud of? Or a lyric that stands out to you the most?**
I'm really proud of all of them. But I'm probably the most proud of “It's Not your Fault,” and “Scissorhands.” Just because “Scissorhands” sonically was really hard to put together. I just feel the proudest of that production. It was just exactly how I wanted, and it was really hard to get it to that point. So I'm really proud of that one. And then I'm proud of “It's Not your Fault” just overall. I love how the song ended up sounding and I love the harmonies.
**When listening to Paranoia what is the message that you're trying to convey to your audience?**
I wanted people to relate to me. I wanted people to feel like they have someone to relate to and have a safe space for their emotions and their feelings. I'm talking about all different things in every one of the songs but like paranoia, and like mental health, just wanting people to feel safe in my songs and feel like they have someone that can relate to them. Feeling like they know me without knowing me.
**You have a big presence on social media? What is it like?**
I feel like it's like a blessing and a curse. I feel like it's just really cool that I get to connect with so many people. But I also think people don't understand at the same time that people they see online are still real people. And they still like, you know, go through their own struggles, or make their own mistakes. They're just looked at on a different level, which is understandable to an extent. But I think overall that's just been the hardest thing for me, having people perceive me a way that isn't who I am, or compare themselves to me. We don't always look like we do on social media. And I totally get like, seeing someone on social media and wanting to be them or like, feeling like, I'm not as pretty as them or like, whatever it is. So I think that that part of social media can just be so terrible, and I just hate the idea of anyone feeling that way towards me.
**Since releasing _Pretty Girl_ in 2016, which made a lot of noise in the music industry, do you think your music style has changed at all? How have you changed as an artist since then?**
I mean, I've definitely changed a lot. I always feel like I've been the same person inside like, I've obviously matured and grown up, but my interests have always been the same, but it's just kind of the way I've started to try to present myself. It feels more natural now, compared to when I was doing _Pretty Girl_, and it felt more like a character I was playing like the lyrics of pretty girl were very true, but it felt like everything kind of around me was like this character that I was having to keep up with.
**You started off in the music industry pretty young. What is it like to grow up in that industry?**
It's hard just being in front of everyone all the time. I started when I was 16. I feel like at that age, that's your growing years. When you're in high school those are the times you're really finding yourself and learning real life. When you're in front of everyone you're not able to really do that. It feels like you're kind of walking on this tightrope all the time. Especially when you're kind of pushed to do something, you kind of just adapt to it. You just adapt to that person, even if it's not who you are. So I think that was hard for me growing up, because I couldn't find who I was. I really had no idea who I was.
Photo Credit: Brandon Arreaga
**You acted in Machine Kelly’s film _Downfalls High_. What was it like to dip into a new field of creativity?**
It was fun. It was really difficult because I've never acted before. Like, I've taken lessons, but I've never actually acted in anything. It was different, but it was really fun. And Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun are insanely talented. Their vision was really cool. I was just really happy to be a part of it.
**Since it's the new year, what are your hopes for 2021?**
I hope that things start to come back to normal just a little bit. I really want to tour. I know it probably won't happen this year, but I really want to tour or at least do like some kind of live show.I really want to do more music videos and just more stuff with the EP, maybe just like pop ups. There's a lot of stuff I wanted to do, it sucks that we’re in a pandemic.
**When would you say you feel the most invincible?**
I feel the most invincible when I have my hair and makeup done and a cool outfit on. I always feel my best.
