Danish singer MAGLY grew up playing multiple instruments and performing in musicals, so it’s no surprise that her creative upbringing led her to pursue a career in music. She spoke to NYOTA about creating her song “i don’t want anything more” and her advice for aspiring musicians.
Was music a large part of your upbringing?
In some ways, yes. My mom always sang with me and my big sister when we were kids, and my dad would always put on a CD, and we’d sing as loud as we could and dance in the living room. Both my sister and I played the violin, sang, performed in musicals, played the piano—just did a lot of creative stuff throughout our childhood.
Are there lessons or songwriting practices you learned during your time as a student at Limpi Music that you take with you in your career today?
We learned so much at Limpi. We were in the studio 24/7—it was all we could think about, day and night. We wanted to grow as artists, songwriters, and producers, and I’m so grateful for every moment and the opportunity. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for that year.
One thing that really stuck with me happened on the first day. One of the mentors told us we weren’t allowed to say no in the studio. At first, I thought that was impossible, but it taught me—and us—to be more open-minded, try new ideas, and stay positive. Since that day, I’ve never said no in a studio.
When creating new music, do you listen to some of your favorite artists or songs to find inspiration?
In general, I listen to a lot of different music every day and get really inspired by it. But when I go into a session to write a new song, I usually don’t listen to anything or bring in references—not until after we’ve started writing and found a good vibe. I think the song should come from a natural and raw place, and I find it hard to write if I’ve just been listening to a lot of other music beforehand.
“i don’t want anything more” is about learning to trust again after a heartbreak, and the song itself unfolds in this way, transitioning from a slower and quieter pace to a more hopeful and upbeat one. Was this production choice intentional?
Not really, but of course, we wanted the verse and pre-chorus to build up nicely to the chorus. We actually just wrote it on piano and guitar. We wrote the chorus first, and then Jeppe London and Laurits produced it while we were still writing, so it all came together really fast.
You co-wrote the song with Celine Svanbäck, Jeppe London, and Laurits Emil Christiansen. When bringing personal lyrics to life with other writers, is it at times helpful to be able to take a step back and get their perspective on the story you’re trying to tell?
Yes! When I share personal stories in a room with others, they see and hear it from their own perspective, and I’m always open to hearing what they think. They might look at the story in a totally different way, and that’s what makes songwriting so exciting. You learn so much from other people every day—it’s all about listening, taking what resonates, and leaving the rest.
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Keep believing in yourself and your craft. Remember, it’s your life—no one knows what you need better than you do. Build a healthy space for yourself, and always listen to your gut feeling.
