by Maura Marcellino
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of chatting with young indie singer-songwriter and Alchemical Records writer, Hero Magnus to discuss her inspirations, goals, stories, and her new single, “Yours First,” now streaming. Her EP, “Make Me a Man,” is set to release on March 26, 2021.
Hero did a lot of Jewish singing in temple at a young age, which was very lovely. At around 14 or 15, she started writing her own music. However, she thought she was too old to make it and stopped for about six months. Fortunately, she started writing again and went to Berklee College of Music for a Summer, which was really inspiring to her. Since then she has focused on writing, performing, recording, and releasing songs, which became extremely important to her.
From the DMV area, 20 year old Hero is currently taking a gap year and helping book for Yale Radio before returning to Yale University in the Fall to continue studying queer and racial formations, performing arts, and majoring in American Studies. It is truly inspiring to see that she is majoring in something like American Studies instead of only studying music. “A major should be what lens through which you want to see the world.” Hero imaginatively answered when we were discussing what skills outside of the music realm have helped her with her music career.
Due to the pandemic, concerts have obviously been on hold for the foreseeable future. Intimate shows at small venues are Hero’s favorite environment to play and watch live music. While at Yale, Hero and her friends would have a series dorm concerts with a ton of sweaty people all enjoying local live music! Post-COVID, she fantasizes about doing that again.
Like every other artist, Hero has a few main inspirations such as Mitski, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, and Sufjan Stevens. Aesthetically, Hero looks up to English singer-songwriter, FKA Twigs for style, future merchandise, and overall fan atmosphere. Currently, she is very much into hyperpop artists like Charli XCX, and hopes to one day open for her. As for the big question of why she wanted to create music, her answer was sweet. With her father being a poet and mother being an epidemiologist, she wanted a combination of art and intelligence. Poetically, she compared live music to time travel and hearing songs brings back memories and sending listeners memories of sounds, smells, sights, tastes, and touch is just magical!
Produced by Zac Towbes, “Yours First” was a fun contribution to #NewMusicFriday. With a fun chorus that makes you want to jump and dance around the kitchen without a care in the world and lyrics about wanting to find ultimate meaning, I cannot wait to hear her new EP, “Make Me a Man”, out March 26, 2021!
Maura Marcellino is studying business and environmental sustainability at George Mason University. When she is not studying, Maura enjoys listening to music and spending time with friends and family.
Recent Articles March 21st. A day that I will always think of amazing album releases. DC-based musician, producer, and singer-songwriter, Rachel Levitin, released Witty Banter
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
