Music
Mags Duval: A Weird Kid, Early Luck & “Overnight” Success
Songwriter Soup is a frank discussion about how to make it in the music industry as a songwriter, hosted by 4x GRAMMY nominated songwriter Laura Veltz, financial advisor Tracy Hackney and producer Kevin Sokolnicki.
Songwriter Soup
Published 13 July 2026
Songwriter Soup / W!ZARD Studios

Making it in the music industry takes grit and a lot of patience, but also sound financial advice. Laura Veltz is a 4x GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and has teamed up with Tracy Hackney, a seasoned financial advisor for musicians, to bring you the tips and tricks of the industry. Joined by host and producer, Kevin Sokolnicki, the trio has interviews with some of the most prominent and up-and-coming songwriters and artists in the music industry.

Mags Duval (“Ordinary” Alex Warren, “To Love Someone” Benson Boone, “Flame” Teddy Swims) has one of the most interesting songwriter stories we’ve ever heard on the podcast.

Born with singular voice and style, she was meant for this from a very early age. In fact, her one and only song, managed to wow Nick Cannon, and jump start her career at thirteen years old (13!). But with all the luck and talent in the world, as it often does, it still took forever to hit.

Mags describes the risks and pay offs of staying authentic to her own art making, the toggles between LA and Nashville and how to squeeze the most juice out of both, as well as a quick lesson in recoupment publishing deals (yikes), writing camps, pandemic delays and The Girls Of Nashville.

She also walks us through what it’s like to have your first hit literally shift the earth’s crust under your feet (ever heard of a little song called “Ordinary”)? Songwriting is nuts, and this story is sure to give you hope, determination and renew your vows to staying true to yourself. Enjoy!

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