Genre defying singer and songwriter M.A.G.S. is fresh off the release of his latest single “Choked Out,” an upbeat, dream-pop banger that explores the dissonance between personal truth and self-reflection. Born in Buffalo, New York, M.A.G.S. is an L.A. based artist who boldly defies genre conventions to craft some of the most refreshing music on the scene today. We were lucky enough to sit down with M.A.G.S. to discuss his roots, his latest single, and his upcoming sophomore LP Say Things That Matter.
Play Too Much: Thanks so much for taking the time to sit down with Play Too Much and talk! Let’s start with your name. What is the meaning behind the moniker M.A.G.S.?
M.A.G.S.: M.A.G.S. stands for Marijuana And Good Sex. After I had already settled on the name MAGS, I was informed that it was already being used by another artist. I definitely wasn’t gonna change my name, and I didn’t wanna modify the spelling or anything, so I came up with an acronym one day when I was in the shower. Most of my best ideas come to me when I’m in the shower :).
PTM: Congrats on the release of “Choked Out”! It’s quickly become one of our favorite tracks of the spring. Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the song? What was the writing process like?
M.A.G.S.: Thank you! I’ve felt very strongly that “Choked Out” was gonna be a banger ever since I made the first demo. The verses and the “I don’t wanna love you anymore” were written while I was messing around with some new ideas back in August 2019. Most of the early inspirations for many songs off the new album were written around that time, actually.
PTM: It seems like the “you” in the track can stand for a lot of things, and in the video, we see that you sing the chorus to another version of yourself over the phone. Is this a moment of self-reflection or a cry of frustration to something external? Or both?
M.A.G.S.: You’re very right that the “you” I’m referencing could represent a few different things. I like to leave my songs open to interpretation so the listener has the opportunity to choose their own narrative. To me, I feel like this song references the duality of the mind and the heart, and how we realize our fears because it’s easier to accept the lies we feed ourselves rather than standing up and trying to change our way of thinking.
PTM: All of your music videos have an incredible retro style that feels very thought-out and intentional. What is that process like? Do you have the video in mind when you’re writing the song, or is it something you develop later on?
M.A.G.S.: I’m synesthetic, so a lot of the time when I’m writing I’m not really seeing a completed video per say. I tend to see colors working together to create a landscape. I prefer to collaborate with other creatives when it comes to making the actual visuals; in most cases, another creative’s interpretation of my work is what helps me understand my own work more clearly, if that makes sense.
PTM: It’s safe to say your sound is impossible to narrow down to one genre. Who are some of your biggest music influences that have led you to create such a unique and varied discography?
M.A.G.S.: Well, I would say some of my earliest influences were the sort of “middle of the road” Christian bands that started getting popular in the early 2000s. Like, they would talk about God but it was vague enough to where people who didn’t necessarily fuck with Christianity could still get into it. I would cite Underoath and As Cities Burn as my main influences for drums and guitar, respectively. I started discovering bands like Circa Survive and The Fall of Troy (and all those Equal Vision bands tbh), and that shaped my taste well into my 20s. Playing in bands with my friends back in Buffalo was where I absorbed the most about how to actually make music. My “unique discography” is defined by the people around me I was fortunate enough to learn from
PTM: Can you tell us a little bit about growing up in Buffalo, New York? Did growing up in the same city as artists like Rick James or the Goo Goo Dolls influence you creatively?
M.A.G.S.: Hahaha not really….to be honest I didn’t even know either of them were from Buffalo until I was much older.
PTM: We’re so excited for the release of your upcoming sophomore album Say Things That Matter which is out on July 7th. What can listeners expect from the new album?
M.A.G.S.: I can’t quite say, it’s not something that can be summed up. You’ll just have to wait.
PTM: Your previous EP Lost Tapes was such a perfect follow-up to your debut album. Are there any surprises or new sounds on Say Things That Matter?
M.A.G.S.: Yeah I have all kinds of things up my sleeve, my lips are sealed though.
PTM: As an artist, what do you want your fans to take from listening to your music?
M.A.G.S.: Love yourself, don’t take shit from anyone, do what you want.
PTM: Do you have any plans for the future? It’s probably very challenging with COVID-19 restrictions, but do you have any possible touring plans or upcoming shows?
M.A.G.S.: I will say yes but once again, my lips are sealed 🙂
PTM: Thanks so much for chatting with us today! Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers before we go?
