Canadian alt-pop artist Maggie Andrew isn’t shy about mixing sharp lyrics with a sense of style that feels both fearless and nostalgic. Her new single “How to Sing for Money,” released alongside a vibrant, dreamlike music video, is a defiant reflection on heartbreak, healing and the strange economics of emotion in the music industry.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Flair, Andrew opened up about the creative process behind the track, how working with exes can become a surprisingly productive studio session and what’s fueling her genre-bending sound today.

At first listen, “How to Sing for Money” sounds like an anthem: catchy, loud and defiant. But underneath the infectious energy is a pointed critique of how artists are often expected to turn their pain into profit.

“I think that you can still be raw and real in any format,” Andrew said. “When you’re an artist, you can write songs about anything, like you CAN literally say anything you want. I don’t know if it’s a strategic balance, but I think it’s more so something that just kind of happens.”

The song’s message is crystal clear—emotional vulnerability and empowerment can co-exist. What’s less expected is who helped her write it.

“I’ll be so real right now. Two of the people I wrote this song with are my boyfriend and my ex boyfriend… who did break my heart in a terrible way,” Andrew said. “So, I think in a way, it was healing and nice to be able to create music together again. It was nice to re-establish our creative relationship and remember that we can work well together. This song isn’t about him at all, but I think the song was made with a lot of love and care. I think regardless of the lyrics, you can feel that when you listen to the song. It was a really fun song to make!”

That mixture of fun and catharsis spills into the visuals. The music video starts in a dimly lit, empty bedroom, where Andrew, clad in a vintage nightgown and hair curled, sings alone. Gradually, the space transforms. Colorful objects begin to fill the room. Furniture is moved in by unseen hands. A disco ball glimmers from the ceiling. The artist, now dressed in full glam and a performance outfit, takes the stage.

“I make a lot of mood boards and vision boards for my music,” Andrew said. “We had this idea of an empty bedroom where I’d be in an old nightgown with curls in my hair. Throughout the video, movers start bringing in colorful items and furniture into the room, which gives it more life.”

She worked closely with her friend Brendan Lyle, who directed the video, and her best friend Mic Jessome, who handled glam. The bedroom set was composed of items from Andrew’s own life.

“I wanted all of the items in the room to feel iconic, like the disco ball, electric guitar, VHS tapes of 80s and 90s movies, posters of some of my favorite artists like Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and The Beatles,” she said. “I wanted to convey the idea of being in your room, singing your heart out, dancing and just having FUN!”

The goal wasn’t perfection. It was authenticity.

“I think the overall concept was making something out of nothing, or making the best with what you have. Being yourself and just staying true to who you know you are.”

Andrew’s journey has involved more than just glitter and guitars. Over the past few years, she’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in pop and R&B production, including blackbear, Doc McKinney and Yeti Beats.

“Getting to be in rooms with people who have had so much success is cool, but I think what’s even cooler than that is knowing that when I was working with them, there was no price of admission,” she said. “I had no songs out at the time, and I got to spend really valuable time with Doc McKinney and Yeti Beats. They were two people who believed in me fully as a young artist and songwriter.”

She credits their mentorship with helping her find her voice and confidence, especially after growing up in Nova Scotia.

“Having amazing people who have been in my corner since day one has really helped my self-esteem,” Andrew said. “Growing up in Nova Scotia, I was bullied and made fun of for being ‘weird’ or ‘different.’ Moving to LA and being able to fully be myself and do whatever I wanted opened up a whole new world for me.”

Musically, her latest work nods to the past without getting stuck in it. Guitars buzz with ‘80s drama, synths pulse with pop precision and her voice floats between power and play.

“I’ve always loved the 70s and 80s—the movies, music, fashion,” Andrew said. “I love big, bold, colorful things. I’ve been feeling inspired musically by artists ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Michael Jackson. Synthesizers, electric guitars… nothing is off the table. I just love creating and seeing what’s possible.”

Despite her recent success—including major stage performances and award wins—she insists that the songwriting process hasn’t changed. The heart of her music still beats to real-life experiences.

“I don’t think success has changed how I write,” Andrew said. “I’m never going to be writing songs about awards or prizes, haha. When I first started, I didn’t have any awards or recognition, and honestly, that’s never been what making music is about for me. When I’m in the studio, it’s still about real-life experiences and emotions—talking through things that genuinely matter to us.”

Even when her lyrics sound cinematic, Andrew said she writes with a mixture of personal truth and storytelling.

“One of the best things about being a songwriter is being able to say anything you want. It’s definitely a mixture of both!”

“How to Sing for Money” may be a mission statement, but it’s also just the beginning.

“You’ll have to wait and see! But in all seriousness, I think ‘How to Sing for Money’ is lifting the curtain to present a new era that’s fun, confident, real and upbeat,” Andrew said. “I have another single coming out next month and I’ll be announcing that soon, so follow me on social media to keep up with what’s next. You can find me @maggiedandrew on everything.”

The music is personal. The visuals are vivid. The voice is unmistakable.

And Maggie Andrew? She’s just getting started.