[Interview Number 57]
This time, we get to know MGNLIA. His track "When I'm Gone" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
Okay, let’s get into the Ten questions for MGNLIA!
𝟭. Where are you from and what is your hobby?
I am from Sacramento, California. My favorite hobby outside of making music would have to be buying/ selling clothing. I love fashion, and really enjoy thrifting and making clothes.
𝟮. How did you get into music?
I go into creating music through a history project my junior year of high school. For my history class we had to make a music video about the founding fathers. I really had fun creating that song and that really got me started making music. From there I got my first DAW and began learning how to make beats.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
My biggest influence would have to be Childish Gambino. "Because the Internet" is a quintessential album of my childhood. It really allowed me to enter this new world and experience feelings that I had never known before, but that really resonated with me. That album today is still my favorite album I think. My goal is to one day make a project of my own that contains the same depth and significance.
4. What are you goals in the music industry?
My goal is once I graduate from college, to be able to make a career out of creating music. I would love that to come via me being my own artist, but I am also very interested in being a songwriter/ producer for others. Whatever my career looks like, I would just be grateful to make a living out of creating music in any capacity.
5. If you could choose a location to perform at, what would it be?
My two venues are the Greek Theater at UC Berkeley and the Red Rocks Amphitheater. Both venues are absolutely beautiful. The Greek Theater at UC Berkeley is where I saw my first concert. It is a wonderful venue that overlooks the San Francisco Bay and just has a great atmosphere. Red Rock Amphitheater on the other hand is a venue I have never been to, but is absolutely beautiful. I think performing at either of these would really feel like an "I've made it moment".
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
That's really tough, but I think my all-time favorite song would have to be "Flight of the Navigator" by Childish Gambino. When I was younger I actually thought this song was really funny because it sounded so creepy due to the vocals and the pitch effects used on them. As I've grown older though, this song has probably become my favorite due to feelings and thoughts it captures. The vocals and production create a beautiful feeling that is contradicted by the wistful thoughts of Gambino on the track. Having experienced grief and loss before, this song captures the duality that comes through grieving, the good and the bad. Overall it's really beautiful.
7. Most embarrassing moment?
I don't know if this is my most embarrassing moment, but it's up there. Basically I was working as a stagehand for a classical orchestra concert, and forgot about the dress code policy. I showed up wearing flip flops and a hockey jersey because I thought we would only be doing pre-show and post-show work, so it wouldn't be important what we wore for the day. My professor who was overseeing the concert gave me a mouthful after seeing what I was wearing and I had to scramble to find a change of clothes and some closed toed shoes. I ended up wearing some indoor soccer flats because that's all I had in my car. It was a really embarrassing moment, but it makes me laugh reflecting upon it.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
I think getting into my dream school would have to be my proudest accomplishment. I really wanted to go to the University of Southern California for the amazing music industry and music production programs they had. When I first applied out of high school, I did not get in and was very disappointed. After getting rejected, I went to community college and got an A.A. in Commercial Music Recording. During this time, I worked really hard to become a better musician, get an education and gain valuable work experience in the music industry. After doing this for 3 years I reapplied to USC and got in as one out of only a few transfer students selected. During this time I really grew as a person. I think getting rejected initially was one of the best things to happen to me. It made getting in the second time all the more meaningful and the process really has shaped me into the person I am today.
9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?
I think K-Pop is a really interesting music genre! K-Pop has such a unique thing going on in the music industry. The way groups are hand picked and built from artists who train to be selected for years is a super fascinating process. Music wise the songs these groups release are so polished and highly produced that it's hard not to find it intriguing. Overall I find K-Pop is growing on me.
𝟭𝟬. What is your dream collaboration?
While I want to say Childish Gambino, I feel like it would be too much to meet and work with an artist I respect and admire that much. For that reason I would have to say Diplo, Charlie Puth or Billie Eilish. It's funny because I actually don't really listen to any of their music that often, but artistically I really respect the talent each of these artists possess. To be in a room with people like that who can seemingly write music so effortlessly would be incredible.
Stream "When I'm Gone" now
and follow his socials
You will not be disappointed!
Please share this post and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!