Maggie Szabo is a Canadian singer-songwriter who has been winning over audiences worldwide with her stunningly soulful vocals and empowering pop anthems. Hailing from small town Ontario, Szabo is now an accomplished musician living in Los Angeles and is using her music to conquer social injustice.
After quickly becoming one of the most sought after songwriter/vocalists for DJs and notable film and TV placements, Szabo’s latest work has focused primarily on her solo project and was written in some of the most beautiful and exotic places on earth, including Greece, Amsterdam, London and Thailand.
Don’t Give Up is the first single off of Szabo’s upcoming EP, entitled Worthy. It’s a beautifully authentic and heartfelt song dedicated to transgender youth around the world who live in fear and suffer from rejection and exclusion. Don’t Give Up showcases an emotional rawness rarely found in music today, whilst addressing a subject which is imperative within today’s society. With soaring layered vocals, Szabo sings an uplifting and encouraging message of hope and acceptance. The single features a driving rhythm section and gospel inspired backing vocals, creating the perfect empowering anthem for those in need. Don’t Give Up was written and recorded in Los Angeles along with Stefan Lit (One Direction) and Chaz Mason.
The powerful and poignant narrative of the track is reflected in a exquisitely cinematic video, that follows a girl who is struggling with her gender identity and the pressures of conformity in high school. Szabo’s ultimate messages to fight for social justice and equality.
Szabo’s successes to date include over 13 million views on YouTube, extensive media coverage from high profile outlets such as Perez Hilton, Yahoo Music!, PopCrush and Huffington Post, as well as being featured on multiple airline playlists and numerous notable film and TV placements. She recently was the featured vocalist on the album for German electronic DJ Schiller, who has so far sold 7 million albums worldwide.
With a quickly growing fan-base and a social media following that tops some of the nation’s most established pop artists, Szabo has effectively used the internet to showcase and market her songs to the world and her dedicated fans.
Check out Don’t Give Up below!
We managed to catch up with Maggie as she talked about her latest release and more!
So how has the release of Don’t Give Up gone down with fans?
I am so thrilled at the reaction I am getting from people. I wanted to make a video that sheds light on transgender issues, particularly the struggles that many trans kids face on a daily basis. The amount of love and support we have received has been so uplifting, and I am thankful that I am able to show my support to that LGBTQ community through my music.
Tell us something about the track no one knows?
I wrote some of the lyrics to ‘Don’t Give Up’ on a long flight to Thailand.
How pumped are you to be releasing your EP Worthy?
So excited! I’ve been busy in the studio working on the material for the EP for a while now, and I’m happy that I’ll be able to share it with everyone really soon!
What is your favourite track from the release?
‘Don’t Give Up’, of course!
If you could work with any artist or band on a new song, who would it be and why?
I would love to work with John Mayer because I am a huge fan of him not only as an artist, but as an amazing songwriter. I love the soul and honesty in his music.
Will you be touring at all this year?
Yes, absolutely! I have some great shows lined up that I’m very excited for.
What was the first gig you ever attended?
The first concert I ever went to was when Moby and David Bowie were touring together. They had a show in Toronto that my parents took me to, and it’s one of those concerts that I’ll never forget.
What was your favourite moment while recording the upcoming EP?
My favorite moment while recording the upcoming EP was recording the vocals to Don’t Give Up. It was one of those magical days in the studio. I remember feeling very connected to the message which made the recording process so special.