Diandra Reviews It All- Interviews Maggie Miles: Focus On The Music

I really like Maggie Miles, and I found her interview to be, particularly, important in these times as an artist. The music industry is still a business, even if it is one based in what Shakespeare called “the food for our soul:” Music. Maggie is young, kind, talented, and unbelievably astute, which you you can hear in her music. Yet, this interview moved me to believe she is 100% what music and its industry needs.

Diandra: What is one thing about the industry that has left you cold?

Maggie Miles: Can I be honest? And I saw this moreso in LA, because I live in Nashville, is that it’s very selfish. It’s very “What can you do for me? Look at me!” It’s interesting because when I look at the reason that I write my music, and I see how this industry can be very that way. Of course, there are people that are not, but that is the general consensus. It was interesting to be slapped in the face with that reality. I guess that shows how elitist I am, but it’s funny to see how self-driven it is and I am put off by that. So i have to remind myself to focus.
Maggie Miles – Shiver

Diandra: I, actually, agree. The industry can be very self-centered. So how do you then decipher whether you can or should expand your career, especially beyond Nashville?

Maggie Miles: That is a really good question. Well, I think it is not something that is exclusive to the music industry. I think the world has become really selfish. Not to sound cheesy, but I want to go against that grain and respond to that selfishness with utter kindness. I know I am an imperfect, human being, but I want to go in with the mindset of, at least, trying to be better. You have to roll with life and stick to your morals.

Diandra; Maggie, you are awesome.

Maggie Miles laughs.

Diandra: Seriously, I think this is such a hard industry for artists because your passion doesn’t necessarily transfer into a profession; not because you lack talent but you really might not fit in the business world. So, it is nice to see someone recognize their morality and protect it, which makes me wonder how you feel your music protects your moral? Maggie Miles: Wow! These are really good questions, Diandra! You know anyone that is a creative is protective of what they create because it is a piece of them. In recognizing I bare myself more in my music compared to a stranger, it feels weird because strangers listen to my music. I don’t know why I do that, but it is in hopes that they relate.

Diandra: Do you think it is a thing like “liquid courage” but it is “music courage”?

Maggie Miles: 100% 100% When I write a song, it is about learning 100% what is up in my head. Just because I am making pop music, it does not have to be surface. It doesn’t have to be shallow. It can have a purpose. I know, for sure, that when I listen to a song from a year ago, I know I am not that person. I know that when I hear different songs and hear different points in my life. So, sometimes, I can hear my darker points because I know I am better.
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Diandra: How do you feel touring has grown you as a songwriter?

Maggie Miles: I love that question so much. It, definitely, pushes you as a songwriter and artist because you make the exchange of music tangible. You can see people’s reactions and interact with them over your songs. Seeing people experience your music is the coolest thing you can do as an artist. There is nothing better than giving the most vulnerable piece of yourself and offering it to a group of people in a very specific space. In every show, even when it is different, it is so good.

Diandra: You seem very strong and confident like, “I may cry sometimes, but I pick my tears up and put it into a song.”

Maggie Miles laughs.

Diandra: No, it is powerful, and it makes me curious as to what flaws music helped you overcome?

Maggie Miles: To be honest, depression. I feel like a lot of people say that. I was in my last year of high-school and I was in a really bad place. I was in a really bad relationship and I was not taking care of my body. After that, I think I really learned about myself.

I was raised a pastor’s kid and it was always something surrounding me. I, actually, applied to go to a school to be a worship leader and then it all fell apart and I saw all my friends leave to college. I got really bad grades in school and I was not diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD until I was 17. It was all colliding, and I felt like a failure. When I had worship school, I felt like I had a purpose and my parents were proud of me. Then, I became so alone, which is why I dove into writing. It was the most music I had ever written, and I realized that music really helps me understand myself. It validates me.

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