Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Maggie Andrew is celebrating another career milestone with the release of her new EP “How to Sing for Money.” The rising East Coast artist wrote the project alongside her current boyfriend, Carleton Stone, and ex-boyfriend Kyle Mischek, with Halifax producer Corey LeRue as executive producer. Andrew says collaborating with people close to her allowed her to be open and vulnerable in the writing process. “Nothing is off the table. You can get as raw and say whatever you want,” said Andrew in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly. “Those are the people who have seen the best sides of me and the worst side. There’s a big range of what we can do.” The EP blends themes of heartbreak, loss and growth. LeRue says the project highlights Andrew’s versatility as an artist. “She’s not scared to do anything,” said LeRue. “She can be funny in a song, she can be vulnerable, she can be angry. I think we really dove into a sense of maturity, not just in her lyrics, but also in the sound and what we were going for.” “How to Sing for Money” was recorded at the National Music Centre in Calgary, which houses one of the country’s largest collections of historic instruments. Andrew says incorporating gear once used by Canadian icons – including Anne Murray’s CBS custom guitars, April Wine frontman Myles Goodwyn’s drums – made the process especially meaningful. “In elementary school the play that my school did was about April Wine… So that was a really cool homegrown connection,” said Andrew. The momentum continues for Andrew this month. She has received three nominations at the upcoming African Nova Scotian Music Awards on Oct. 9, where she will also perform. “I’m just really looking forward to being there and celebrating an amazing night of music, being with people from the community and getting to showcase my own music on that stage,” said Andrew “How to Sing for Money” is available now on streaming platforms.
