Norwegian singer-songwriter Magnhild (pronounced MAHN-yill) continues to make her mark on the international scene, thanks to her distinctive blend of vulnerability, warmth, and quietly powerful vocals. After signing an exclusive publishing and distribution deal with Nashville/Portugal-based Soundcrest Music Group, the reflective storyteller behind 17 is back with her evocative new single, Ending, now streaming everywhere.
Echoing the emotional clarity of ‘70s country-pop with a modern indie-folk sensibility, Magnhild’s sound bridges continents and generations — with hints of Olivia Newton-John nostalgia wrapped in Scandinavian soul.
In this latest edition of JHPENTERTAINMENT’s recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q, we caught up with Magnhild to talk about growing up on a small Norwegian island, her evolving artistry, and the deeply personal journey behind her latest release.
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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH MAGNHILD
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Did you grow up in a musical household?
MAGNHILD: Yes, in a way. My family loves music. My dad played the guitar, and my sister loved to sing. Music was always around, even if it wasn’t a big “music family” in a professional sense.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s among your earliest musical memories?
MAGNHILD: I think it’s when my dad taught me the first chords on the guitar. It opened up a whole new world for me.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who do you cite among your favorite musical artists?
MAGNHILD: Lizzy McAlpine’s music was kind of a wake-up call for me — it made me realize the kind of sound I wanted to find for myself. I also love Joni Mitchell, and I grew up listening to Adele. They’ve all shaped me in different ways.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career as a performer?
MAGNHILD: Very early on. I got my first gig when I was 11 and just kept going from there. Performing has always felt like home to me.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Can you tell me about that first time performing for others?
MAGNHILD: My first paid gig was at a wedding for my former babysitter. I was 11 and played one of my favorite songs, Hjerteknuser, by a Norwegian band called Kaizers Orchestra. I got paid with a ticket to their concert in my hometown. Both that performance and the concert itself are core memories for me
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Last year, you released your debut single Maybe, then the follow-up, 17 and now you’ve got Ending. How excited are you for listeners to hear the new track as they continue to discover you as an up-and-coming artist?
MAGNHILD: I’m really excited. When I released 17, I told listeners that it was the most authentic version of myself I had ever shown through music — but I feel like both I and my sound have come a long way since then. I’m now producing my own band, and for the first time, I feel like I’m truly on the right track.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You grew up on Stord, a small island on the western coast of Norway. What’s your fondest memory of your childhood there?
MAGNHILD: That’s a hard one — I have so many good memories. A lot of them are with my brother and sister. One that always makes me smile is when my sister and I got a cat behind our parents’ backs. We kept him in the basement for a month before we told them. When my parents came home from vacation, my mom said she was moving out because she hated cats. Now he’s eight years old — and one of her favorite things in the world.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: A few years ago, you moved from an island with about 20,000 people to the Norwegian capital, Oslo (population around one million). I understand your previous single 17 was inspired by that move. Can you tell me more about how the move prompted you to write that song?
MAGNHILD: Yeah, 17 is about leaving everything familiar behind and starting over in a big city. I moved from a place where everyone knew everyone, to a city where I suddenly felt very anonymous. It was exciting, but also scary and lonely at times. The song became my way of processing that — the feeling of growing up and realizing that change always comes with both loss and freedom.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among the lyrics of your new single Ending, the line “Will someone still sing my songs” really struck a chord with me. Do you think we ever get to a point where we feel like we’re making a lasting impact?
MAGNHILD: Yeah — or at least I hope we do. I know that some people have already found comfort in my music, and that means so much. I don’t think you ever really know how far your songs reach, but if even one person feels seen or understood through something I’ve written, that’s already a lasting impact to me.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: As a native Tennessean, I appreciate the Memphis name-drop in your Ending lyrics. Of all the cities in the world, how did you come to mention Memphis in your latest release?
MAGNHILD: Honestly I took some inspiration from Walking in Memphis, by Marc Cohn, plus it rhymes with the other cities I mention in the song. I’d love to go there one day. For some reason, Tennessee keeps showing up in the music I listen to, maybe because of that nostalgic country feel. And yes, I did grow up watching Hannah Montana.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: As a songwriter, what’s your creative process like? Do you set aside a certain time daily to explore lyric ideas and melodies, or do you take a more organic approach?
MAGNHILD: It’s very organic. I travel a lot between cities because of school, family, and my boyfriend, so a lot of inspiration comes to me while I’m on the bus, in the car, or on the train. I usually don’t sit down to “write” in a structured way — ideas come when I’m out in the world, and then I build melodies or lyrics around them later.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: When and where did you record Ending?
MAGNHILD: I recorded it in February at the University of Agder, where I’m currently studying my master’s in songwriting and performance. Later, I added lead vocals, background vocals, pedal steel, synths, and string arrangements.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who did you work with musician-wise while recording Ending?
MAGNHILD: I worked with my band — Aron Flatland, Magnus, Kristina Rusdal, Jeppe Volden Skara, Einar Bergersen, and Benjamin Næss. Hans-kristian Holthe, Oskar Holldorff , and Tobias Paulsen helped me later in the post-production process.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Upon my initial listen, Ending has a bit of a 70s country ease to it. As I mentioned in my intro above, your vocals paired with the cry of the pedal steel put me in mind of Olivia Newton-John’s 1973 project Let Me Be There. How would you describe your current sound?
MAGNHILD: I’d say it’s somewhere between indie pop and indie folk — with a focus on vocals and string instruments. It’s organic and emotional, with a warm, nostalgic touch.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to singing, you also play guitar. Are you self-taught or have you had formal training?
MAGNHILD: Self-taught! As I mentioned, my dad showed me three chords, and it just evolved from there. In recent years, my guitarist boyfriend has helped me explore more advanced voicings and open tunings, which has really expanded how I write songs.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s your take on the current Norwegian music scene?
MAGNHILD: I think it’s really inspiring right now. There’s a lot of experimentation and authenticity — artists are daring to sound like themselves, which I love. Even though Norway is small, there’s a strong sense of community. People genuinely want to see each other succeed.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: It’s been a year since you joined Soundcrest Music Group to enhance your streaming audience. How are you feeling about this partnership and the thought of expanding your audience globally?
MAGNHILD: It’s been great! They’ve helped me reach new listeners beyond Norway, which is something I’ve always dreamed of. Theres a reason why I´ve chosen to write and perform in English though it’s not my native language. It’s wild to think that someone across the world might be listening to a song I wrote/ recorded in a small studio in southern Norway. The idea of growing my audience globally is both exciting and humbling.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: With Ending now streaming, is there any talk of a music video? How would you like to see it visualized?
MAGNHILD: I’d love to make a music video someday. I imagine something very cinematic — open landscapes, soft light, and that quiet, reflective feeling that Ending carries.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Where can fans find out more about you?
MAGNHILD: Mostly through social media — Instagram and TikTok, both @magnhildhalland. I’m trying to get better at posting.. hehe. I also love when people reach out or message me directly.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s on the horizon for you as a performer?
MAGNHILD: I’m working on my debut EP, which will be released next year. It’s my most personal work so far, and I can’t wait to share it. I’m also focusing on playing more live shows with my band — that’s where I feel the songs truly come alive.
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With her signing to Soundcrest Music Group and the release of Ending, Magnhild continues carving out her place among the new wave of global singer-songwriters blending authenticity with timeless style. As she works toward her debut EP and prepares for more live performances with her band, one thing is certain — this rising artist from Norway’s western coast is only just beginning her story.
Stream Ending HERE on all platforms, and follow @Magnhild on Instagram and TikTok to keep up with her latest music, performances, and behind-the-scenes moments.
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