I feel I should tell you that I gave birth to my first baby in May to the soundtrack of your music. I was pushing and the nurses were groovin’ — “I’m loving this music. Now push mama!!!”
KATHIE! Welcome to the Rogerettes (kidding....as far as I know, we don't have a name lol....but I'm not very social so I really don't know if her fans have a fanbase name or not....) No song has been bad, for 10 whole years and then-some (she released her new stuff but she had older stuff, pre-Pharrel-Video-Exposure and those are great songs too)....Back In My Body is great. Split Stones, too.
I just discovered this newsletter, and I think it’s the best thing I’ve come across in months. I loved listening to you, and now I love reading your work. Wow!
You are a favorite artist of ours around here—one of the few allowed in the ”Family Trip“ playlist when me, my partner, our 19-year-old daughter, and our 13-year-old son all like to listen to.
Like you, I too have had a hard time getting back into the creative rhythm since 2020. I have had sputtering starts but… It’s been hard (as a writer and illustrator).
Thank you for this note today. It was very much appreciated. 🩶 (And yay for my Substack knowing I’d want to see your Substack!!)
I love that Giovanni's Room is in here. Talk about a classic. I've read it a few times, but maybe it's time for a re-reading this summer. I will if you will? ;)
Thank you for this. I have to tell you that my life pre- and post- covid has felt very similar. At the end of 2019 I had to leave a situation that was absolutely heart-breaking and devastating to leave. Then Covid came and turned that leaving into a muddy era of confusion and pain. Through that period, your album Heard It In A Past Life was the soundtrack comforting me at every turn. I especially listened to "Light On" on repeat because it was the EXACT sentiment I was feeling about what I had left behind.
"If you leave the light on, I'll leave the light on." -it became my mantra. I found out that those life changes were the only way that I was "still dancing at the end of the day." But I always hoped to go back.
Now, seven years later, my life has become that straight line again. I didn't return to the situation, but isn't that also what your song said? I'm so glad you are finding yourself and coming out of your own spiral. Thank you for helping me get through mine.
PS- Whistler by Ann Patchett has been the BEST book I've read all year!
I write, play, sing... Your reading list is long and varied. My "books" are on Substack which has made me edit and complete the road trilogy I always wanted to complete ever since my NYU music days. I'm also working on a companion album. This weird world is churning and burning but at least we can enjoy the fruits of our existence and possibly share things unknown and previously unknowable. Keep shining!
Valley of the Dolls made me remember my mom reading it on the beach in OCNJ circa 1987. Then, passing to cousins and aunts. It was torn and tattered by the end of the summer and still lives on her bookshelf.
Wow. I’ve never seen any one articulate exactly what the past six years have felt like … “everything after, I remember as a spiral.” I have often referred to pre-2020 as the “before times.” The landmarks are adrift, but I didn’t come back to myself; there’s just a new self. Can’t wait to hear the new music!
Maggie - So resonated with your post in regard to pre/post Covid feel and life no longer feeling linear but in circles and spirals... somewhere in the space between lost and reborn. I love your line 'I want to make something that makes me feel'. If we don't feel something when creating anything, how can we expect others to...profound! I promised myself I was going to read at least one book a month this year and am very much behind. Thank you for reigniting that goal with a beautifully curated syllabus :-) - SheriO
Read this on route to the studio and can’t tell you how much I needed your wise and eloquent words about the unruliness of the creative process !! Equal parts frustrating and thrilling :’) thank u for sharing 💗
I feel I should tell you that I gave birth to my first baby in May to the soundtrack of your music. I was pushing and the nurses were groovin’ — “I’m loving this music. Now push mama!!!”
this is so wonderfully special. congratulations + welcome to the world to your sweet one + thank you for telling me <3
Thank you Maggie!! 💖
I love that! And congratulations 🩷
“Being a great writer is also being a great editor.”
Amen.
I can’t wait to hear your new album.
To Maggie,
(I’m new to Substack & reply etiquette!😜) Apparently I’ve been living under a 🪨!
I need to find & listen to your music! 🎼 🎹 🎻 🎸
I already adore your style! 😍
KATHIE! Welcome to the Rogerettes (kidding....as far as I know, we don't have a name lol....but I'm not very social so I really don't know if her fans have a fanbase name or not....) No song has been bad, for 10 whole years and then-some (she released her new stuff but she had older stuff, pre-Pharrel-Video-Exposure and those are great songs too)....Back In My Body is great. Split Stones, too.
we have a name! magpies :)
(source: the now-retired discord server run by maggie’s team, back when she had the capacity to pop in and chat with us!)
I just discovered this newsletter, and I think it’s the best thing I’ve come across in months. I loved listening to you, and now I love reading your work. Wow!
You are a favorite artist of ours around here—one of the few allowed in the ”Family Trip“ playlist when me, my partner, our 19-year-old daughter, and our 13-year-old son all like to listen to.
Like you, I too have had a hard time getting back into the creative rhythm since 2020. I have had sputtering starts but… It’s been hard (as a writer and illustrator).
Thank you for this note today. It was very much appreciated. 🩶 (And yay for my Substack knowing I’d want to see your Substack!!)
A little late to the party 🤗- but “James” by Percival Everette is head shakin’ amazing!
Keep trusting your journey! I think authenticity and feeling again and returning to true self is pretty much the whole daggum point, don’t you?
We’ve all got a light (the light) inside of us… it’s the merging with that light that seems to get hijacked by…well, the insanity.
But your soul will always be. Just listen to her.
I love that Giovanni's Room is in here. Talk about a classic. I've read it a few times, but maybe it's time for a re-reading this summer. I will if you will? ;)
"The work we create is always creating us." Amen!
Thank you for this. I have to tell you that my life pre- and post- covid has felt very similar. At the end of 2019 I had to leave a situation that was absolutely heart-breaking and devastating to leave. Then Covid came and turned that leaving into a muddy era of confusion and pain. Through that period, your album Heard It In A Past Life was the soundtrack comforting me at every turn. I especially listened to "Light On" on repeat because it was the EXACT sentiment I was feeling about what I had left behind.
"If you leave the light on, I'll leave the light on." -it became my mantra. I found out that those life changes were the only way that I was "still dancing at the end of the day." But I always hoped to go back.
Now, seven years later, my life has become that straight line again. I didn't return to the situation, but isn't that also what your song said? I'm so glad you are finding yourself and coming out of your own spiral. Thank you for helping me get through mine.
PS- Whistler by Ann Patchett has been the BEST book I've read all year!
I can never remember if I 'left the light on' ...or maybe off?
I write, play, sing... Your reading list is long and varied. My "books" are on Substack which has made me edit and complete the road trilogy I always wanted to complete ever since my NYU music days. I'm also working on a companion album. This weird world is churning and burning but at least we can enjoy the fruits of our existence and possibly share things unknown and previously unknowable. Keep shining!
The Luminous Solution by Charlotte Wood — non-fiction on writing + creativity — is exquisite! Think you’d really enjoy it xx
MR book recommendations unlocked!!! Yippee!
Valley of the Dolls made me remember my mom reading it on the beach in OCNJ circa 1987. Then, passing to cousins and aunts. It was torn and tattered by the end of the summer and still lives on her bookshelf.
Wow. I’ve never seen any one articulate exactly what the past six years have felt like … “everything after, I remember as a spiral.” I have often referred to pre-2020 as the “before times.” The landmarks are adrift, but I didn’t come back to myself; there’s just a new self. Can’t wait to hear the new music!
Maggie - So resonated with your post in regard to pre/post Covid feel and life no longer feeling linear but in circles and spirals... somewhere in the space between lost and reborn. I love your line 'I want to make something that makes me feel'. If we don't feel something when creating anything, how can we expect others to...profound! I promised myself I was going to read at least one book a month this year and am very much behind. Thank you for reigniting that goal with a beautifully curated syllabus :-) - SheriO
"The work we create is always creating us." I could not say it better myself.
Read this on route to the studio and can’t tell you how much I needed your wise and eloquent words about the unruliness of the creative process !! Equal parts frustrating and thrilling :’) thank u for sharing 💗