“I realized at some point that everyone experiences love and loss, heartbreak and happiness in similar ways,” muses singer-songwriter Maggie Kim. “That’s why I called the album ‘Love Like Everyone.’ Though the songs are based on my own love affairs, I wanted them to convey something universal to everyone who’s been in love, or thought they were, or had their hearts smashed to bits like I have several times!”
So began Maggie’s labor of love on her first full-length album, Love Like Everyone. In a departure from her previous two releases, Lesson 1.5 and Rocktease, the artist veered toward a more eclectic sound by tapping producer and multi-instrumentalist Brent Arnold (Modest Mouse, Built to Spill) to round out the straightforward guitar, bass, drums and keys approach of her earlier EPs. Chris Fudurich (Nada Surf, Britney Spears) took on mixing and additional production duties, giving the album its pop/rock sheen. “There’s accordion, horns, piano, viola, clarinet, banjo,” says Kim about the production and arrangement. “Thanks to Brent and Chris, this album is sonically the most interesting I’ve done.”
It was also the most difficult. In between recording the album, Maggie moved to Paris, got married (twice) and broke her leg!
“Oh God, I definitely suffered for my art this time,” she laughs. “We recorded as much as we could before I packed up my whole NYC life, relocated to France and had my first wedding. A month later, I came back to New York to record some more. A few months after that, I went to Los Angeles to mix the album before heading back to Paris for my second wedding ceremony.” Final mixes were just completed when Maggie fractured her tibia in a skiing accident over Christmas. It would be three months until she could walk again, much less think of releasing her record.
However, the slow and steady approach seems to have worked for the artist and the album. The opening track “Uh Oh Na Na” is an homage to her new Gallic roots—via accordion and a vitriolic French bridge—as well as to her former swinging single life. “I’m sure I wasn’t the nicest person to date,” Maggie admits ruefully. The unapologetic pop anthem has already been tapped for the soundtrack of the film “Fire and Ice,” starring the “Britney Spears of France,” Lorie. The song has proven so popular that it’s also being used as the theme music for the television program, “Les Aventures de Marine.”
“Stupid Man” is a sardonic, tongue-in-cheek jab at “all the stupid men I’ve dated, of course!” with its Prince-like horns and girls-on-the-playground chorus. “Greatest Mistake” takes on a darker tone, promising a careless lover, “I will be your greatest mistake.”
Legendary bassist Mike Watt (Porno for Pyros, Iggy Pop) guests on the bedtime story, “Lullaby,” while Maggie’s father, a classical clarinetist and former principal chair of the Seoul National Philharmonic, plays on the heartbreaking anti-war ballad, “Brother.”
“I.C.B.Y. (I Could Be Yours)” appears to be a sunny pop tune but the lyrics reveal the heartache of falling for someone who isn’t even aware of it: “Don’t you know/I could be yours.”
Maggie rounds out the nine-song album with the title track, “Love Like Everyone.” It’s the most hopeful of the bunch, with the artist finally finding real love—love like everyone deserves. “I wrote this song as a gift to my husband for our wedding,” says Maggie. “It was the first song we danced to and it expresses what I believe unconditional love is. It’s taking a risk, it’s having faith, it’s knowing someone is there for you no matter what. I like ending the record with this because every other song is about unrequited love or the aftermath of an affair gone bad. This is the light at the end of that endless dating tunnel!”
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An Acoustic Performance of "Uh Oh (Na Na)" for MTV Iggy:
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The infamous IATV video that got plenty of nasty commentary. And yes, I had a champagne hangover...
MK, Did ya come down to earth after last night's heavenly show? How deservingly fortunate you are to have so many friends and fans in attendance for your CD Release presentation. I'm still listening to it. Bon Jour and Bon Voyage Until next time, Phil
hey hey hey big kiss let s talk soon about the recording when you ll be around a studio is waitin for maggie the pirate tnwo songs are waiting (lol) june in paris ?
Dear Maggie, I just wanted to tell you that I love your new song "stupid man"! I am a new fan and got really addicted to your work. Wishing you all the very best in your career & life, Mary (French but living in Germany)
Weary Wednesday waits, wondering what wonderful words will be written before time and Thursday catch up with it!<br />Peace to you from Salford (Dirty Old Town ) UK!<br />Paul and Vincent (the ex-chuckle brothers)
It’s been far too long since I last said hello and so much has happened I thought it about time we said did.
We’ve changed a lot, now we are an “UltraModern, post-electro rock, post-nu rave behemoth where Muse and Mansun meet a Massive Attack with Duran Duran pop sensibilities, louder guitars, and a stunning female front person/guitar virtuoso”, or so we have been told.
I’d love to know what you’ve been up to since we disappeared into the dark damp studio cave, let us know how it’s going, I’m always up for a chat! Be good, and if you can’t be good, be lucky ;-) Dawn xx Scarlet/blonde
www.scarletblonde.com www.twitter.com/scarletblonde Facebook: http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Scarlet-Blonde/548590526 Aim/MSN:dawn@scarletblonde.com For tracks go to: http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1132793
Maggie, I am sad and alarmed to hear of your accident. Here's to a speedy recovery. Get Well Soon .. but let the healing process take it's time. You know the story, "All the King's men..." Warm Feelings of Support, Philip
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