From Pop to Punk: a Conversation with Maggie Lindemann

Written by Brigid Young

Graphic by Rebekah Witt

Maggie Lindemann has made a name for herself in music over the years, breaking into the mainstream with her 2016 viral hit “Pretty Girl.” Her new album SUCKERPUNCH is overflowing with pop punk influences, a drastically different sonic space from where she was earlier in her career. Her vocals and lyricism fit the style of music perfectly, and this record is sure to secure her spot in the modern pop punk scene.

Transitioning from bubblegum pop to heavier, more punk-inspired pop, Maggie has truly reinvented herself as a musician. “I grew up loving rock music, and listening to pop punk bands,” she shared during an °1824 press conference. “My family loves metal music, I was surrounded by that my whole life. My turning point was this experience I had in Asia, where I was going on a tour and things didn’t go to plan. I realized that if I’m not doing exactly what I want to do, none of the things I’m doing are worth it. When bad things happen… it makes you realize you need to change some things. I was like, ‘I love pop punk music, I want to make it, fuck it, I’m just going to do it.’ Soon after, the resurgence came back, so I guess it was divine timing.

This is Maggie’s first full-length project since her 2021 EP Paranoia. While both Paranoia and SUCKERPUNCH are pop punk projects, there is still clear musical growth between the two. “I think SUCKERPUNCH and Paranoia are hugely connected,” Maggie explains. “It’s just the evolution of Paranoia, an elevated version.” Expanding on her growth as a musician, Maggie explains her evolution as a songwriter, “For Paranoia, I was just seeing what I liked, what I don’t like… how I like writing, how I don’t like writing. I think writing SUCKERPUNCH, I just really tapped into that. I let myself be free to say the things I wanted to and freely create instead of trying to figure it out.”

Many tracks on the album are accompanied by lyric videos, and some have music videos. Regarding this decision to have so many visuals, Maggie shares, “I feel like I’m a very visual person, I like music videos, and I like to be able to tell a story through videos. With ‘cages,’ we did a music video for it the other day, and I just wanted it to have a fun video that feels super young and fresh. You watch it and it gives you Avril Lavigne vibes, it was super influenced by Avril. I want people to be able to watch the videos, and maybe see it [the song] in a new light.”

In terms of SUCKERPUNCH listener takeaways, Maggie hopes that listeners will be able to appreciate how her sound has evolved. “I hope they can see the evolution of myself, and hear the growth in my writing. Also, I make music as a kind of therapy, and I want people to be able to relate and feel like they have someone who understands them.”