Maigin Blank is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter who discovered her affinity for music at an early age. She first produced her own music when she was 5 years old and learned how to dub over tapes on her cassette player. When her passion for music carried into her adult life, she pursued a degree in audio engineering, which helped her develop the skills she needed to craft her unique musical style.

Maigin’s delicate, emotive voice contrasts her bold, direct lyrics, which are often about alienation, the distorted self-images society encourages, and the difficulty of making meaningful connections with other people. Her music, while intensely personal and engaging, still manages to make broader commentaries on society’s faults and the implications of being an outsider looking in.

After years of writing and producing songs in her home studio, Maigin caught the attention of Brian Herman, owner of SMT Studios in New York City. In 2007 and 2008, Maigin and Brian teamed up to create Gutted, which emphasizes her genuine talent as a songwriter and gives an often harsh, raw picture of life. Shortly after the album’s release, Maigin returned to SMT Studios to create her second album, The Sick Joke, which is scheduled for release in April 2010. Whereas Gutted has a stripped-down feel that accentuates Maigin’s vocal and guitar skills, The Sick Joke features a denser, more complex style. The new album has a fuller sound supported by strings, live drums, and more detailed song structures.

Maigin resides in Chicago and also plays in the band Whales. More info about the band can be found here .