Canadian pop/rock artist CMAGIC5 is about to be your next favourite fiery female powerhouse. Serving main character energy with everything she does, her unapologetic realness is totally inspiring. Her latest release, “Happy Never After” is demonstrative of this IDGAF attitude, as she ridicules the fakeness of fairytale relationships and shatters the illusions that we see spread across social media. Her empowering music reminds listeners of their worth, while simultaneously delivering the ultimate addictive anthems to chant along to.
“Happy Never After” is a bold pop/rock track that brings to mind the likes of Avril Lavigne and Olivia Rodrigo. An intoxicating concoction driving guitars, anthemic percussion, colourful pop melodies and sassy lyrics, all flavoured with a punk twist.
Noctis Magazine spoke with CMAGIC5 about the new single, the power of reclaiming your own narrative and her upcoming EP.
Congratulations on the release of “Happy Never After”! What a great way to kick off the year. Tell us what the track means to you and how it feels to have released it?
Thank you so much! It’s such an exhilarating and relieving feeling at the same time to have “Happy Never After” out in the world. This track marks a huge milestone and new chapter for me, as it’s the title track of my upcoming EP, and it sets the tone for everything that’s to come. Starting with “Happy Never After”, I’ll be releasing a new single every month leading up to the full EP release in August 2025, and I couldn’t be more excited about this journey.
What makes this release even more special is how it’s already connected with fans. I’ve been teasing “Happy Never After” and the other unreleased tracks from my upcoming EP at my 2024 Canada summer festival tour across 22 shows, including opening for the iconic Canadian Pop-punk band Simple Plan at the NYE Garden Square event. The audience response has been incredibly heartwarming, and it’s been amazing to see people resonate with the song live and then hear from them after the release, saying, “I heard this at that festival, and now it’s on my playlist!” Moments like this remind me why I do what I do—it’s about creating something meaningful and inspiring that brings people together and makes them feel part of something greater through the love of music
This song is very personal to me because it’s about breaking free from toxic expectations, whether in love or life, and rewriting your own story. Imagine a Disney Princess in her savage rebel era. Having it out now feels like a fresh start, and I’m so grateful to share this new chapter with my fans, both old and new. It’s just the beginning of an incredible year, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what’s next!
“Happy Never After” is about defying the cliches of fairy tale romances and putting the middle finger up to unrealistic relationship standards. Tell us more about what inspired this single?
Yesss 100%! “Happy Never After” was born out of a desire to break free from the clichés of fairy tale romances and unrealistic standards of relationships portrayed on social media and movies. Through a young & fresh perspective, I wanted to create an anthemic song that reclaims power after heartbreak, turning pain into empowerment. The idea sparked during a late-night writing session where the concept of a modern-day “anti-fairytale” resonated deeply. Drawing from personal experiences and stories of others navigating toxic relationships, the song evolved into a fierce anthem of self-love and strength. This isn’t just a breakup song—it’s a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt let down by false promises and toxic people.
The writing process for Happy Never After was pretty spontaneous and free-flowing. It started with the thought of putting an angsty twist on the classic “happily ever after,” and once that seed was planted, it instantly took off. I remember thinking, “What if we wish them a ‘Happy Never After’?” and I immediately thought it was edgy yet playful. From there, the song just kind of wrote itself, as I explored the concept of flipping the script on fairytale endings and embracing the messy, real parts of life. We started brainstorming related words like “Romeo” and “chapter,” and I knew we had to start the song with the classic “Once Upon a Time.” From there, we quickly shifted gears and took listeners by surprise with the angsty lyricism that followed, flipping the fairytale idea on its head. It was important to capture that sense of rebellion and empowerment right from the start, setting the tone for the rest of the track.
Sonically, I was really into that nostalgic 2000s pop-punk music and found myself listening to a lot of early Avril Lavigne, Paramore, and other pop-punk bands. I have also been a huge fan of Disney movies, but the concept of how all fairytale romances end with “happily ever after” really got me thinking: when is that going to happen for me? Is there really a happy ever after for everyone? There is definitely a sense of that 2000s core nostalgia for all the Y2K babes.
Thematically, I wanted to create a track that’s a celebratory anthem for moving on from toxic ex-lovers, friends, or bosses—those people who at first play the role of “Prince Charming” or “Romeo,” but you can foresee the signs and know exactly how that last chapter of the story will end once you start sensins those red flags. It’s all about empowering yourself and others to avoid getting hurt again and walking away before it’s too late.
The music video is a fun, reimagination of Alice in Wonderland. Can you share more about the filming and what it was like to be immersed in your own Tim Burton-esque world?
Thank you! Totally – imagine Alice in Wonderland meets Beetlejuice. The “Happy Never After” music video was such an incredible experience to bring to life. It’s a bold reimagination of Alice in Wonderland with a Tim Burton-esque twist, but infused with the sharp, edgy energy of pop-punk. I play Alice, who finds the book ‘Happy Never After’ and lets her curiosity get the best of her, then magically transports into the story which is this chaotic, whimsical realm that feels like a collision of Dr. Seuss and Wonderland gone dark. It’s vibrant, surreal, and a little unsettling—exactly the kind of twisted backdrop to explore themes of toxic relationships and reclaiming your power.
Immersing myself in that space felt like stepping into my imagination—or maybe a nightmare! The Mad Hatter, played by a female, is this seductive, manipulative figure who represents the toxic allure of unhealthy relationships. The tension between Alice and the Hatter was such a powerful metaphor for navigating those situations where love feels more like control than freedom.
Eventually, Alice makes her way back to the real world and burns the Happy Never After book in a witch’s cauldron, symbolizing her escape from the fantasy of perfect love and rewriting her own story. That moment is the catharsis the song builds to—it’s about breaking free from manipulation and owning your narrative.
Filming on a fun set like that where your vision comes to life is always such an adrenaline rush. The oversized objects, vibrant chaos, and awesome crew made everything feel so immersive. It was like being in my own pop-punk fairytale world with an empowering message at its core. To me, the video is more than just a reimagining of Alice—it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in a facade of a “perfect” fantasy. It’s about rebelling against those fake Romeos and stepping into your power, unapologetically.
Your sound is reminiscent of Avril Lavigne and Olivia Rodrigo. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
That’s such a huge compliment—thank you! They are both incredible artists. That’s a really tough one because I look up to so many artists, especially badass female ones who shatter glass ceilings! If I had to choose, Avril Lavigne would definitely be one of my dream collaborators. She’s the pop-punk princess and has inspired so many of us with her fearless attitude and anthems that have stood the test of time. Avril’s been such a massive influence on me—not just as an artist, but as someone who paved the way for women in pop-punk and rock to have a voice and be unapologetically themselves. It’s always a cherry on top that she’s Canadian 🙂
Avril’s music is iconic because it’s the perfect blend of empowerment, rebellious energy, and authenticity. From Sk8er Boi to Love Sux, her songs are timeless and relatable, and they’ve shaped an entire generation of music lovers. What I love most about her is that she’s stayed true to who she is throughout her career. She’s fearless, unapologetic, and has always been iconic for creating music that speaks to individuality and self-empowerment.
It would also be a dream come true to collaborate with Miley Cyrus, who I’ve worshipped ever since her Hannah Montana days. I’ve literally grown up with her—from Best of Both Worlds to Flowers—and her journey has been a constant reminder to follow my dreams, no matter how wild they seem. Her ability to reinvent herself time and again, even in the face of criticism, is so inspiring. When I feel overwhelmed or discouraged in my career, I think of Miley and how she’s weathered every storm to stay true to herself. Her transition into rock with her album Plastic Hearts reignited my own love for the genre which I grew up listening to, and pushed me to incorporate more rock and punk influences into my modern pop sound. Miley’s carefree, badass attitude and resilience taught me to have thick skin and keep going, no matter what. She’s living proof that being true to yourself, even when it’s hard, is always worth it.
Both Avril and Miley are such trailblazers who continue to break barriers, and working with artists like them would be a dream come true—not just for the music but for the opportunity to connect and create with two fearless women who’ve paved the way for so many of us.
You recently graduated from the University of Toronto! Congratulations! How did you manage to juggle school work with your music and do you have any tips for readers who might be in a similar situation?
Thank you so much! Graduating from the University of Toronto was such a proud moment for me because it wasn’t always easy to juggle school and music. I’ve always believed in the power of education, and I wanted to prove that you don’t have to choose between pursuing your dreams and getting a degree. There’s this stigma that to become a successful artist, you need to drop out of school—but I wanted to fight against that and show that it’s possible to do both.
For me, it felt like living the best of both worlds—kind of like Miley going to school by day and Hannah rocking out on stage by night! Of course, it wasn’t easy, and there were definitely moments of breakdowns and stress. It was like juggling two businesses at once: managing deadlines for school while also working on music projects, writing songs, and performing. But in the end, the discipline, organization, and resilience it taught me were the greatest rewards.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that there’s so much more to education than just textbooks. School gave me structure, a solid foundation, valuable life skills, and a new perspective that I can bring into my music and career. And the feeling of walking across that stage at graduation, knowing I earned my degree while staying true to my dreams, is something I’ll always be proud of.
To anyone in a similar situation, I’d say this: if you have a dream, go for it—but don’t underestimate the value of education. Earning that degree isn’t just about academics; it’s a symbol of your hard work, determination, and ability to balance multiple passions. Plus, let’s be real—it looks really good on you! Stay organized, lean on your support system, and remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. It won’t always be easy, but trust me, it’s worth it.
What is one message you hope listeners take away from “Happy Never After”?
One message I hope listeners take away from “Happy Never After” is the power of reclaiming your own narrative, especially after experiencing heartbreak or toxic relationships. This track is all about breaking free from the fairy tale myths that tell us our worth is tied to someone else’s love, and channelling that inner rebel. It’s an anthem for anyone who’s been stuck in an unhealthy situationship or relationship and needed that extra push to walk away. Sometimes not everything is a “happily ever after” situation, and that’s okay, but that doesn’t mean we can’t create our own version of a happy ending—one that’s based on self-love, strength, and reclaiming your power. You are the main character in your story! No more wasting good mascara for them!
“Happy Never After” is the title-track from your upcoming EP. Can you give us any clues as to what we can expect from the rest of the EP?
I’d love to! The EP Happy Never After is all about embracing self-empowerment and stepping fully into your power. This project represents a significant milestone, symbolizing my first major chapter and is crafted in collaboration with Billboard-charting Juno award-winning producers and songwriters. Each track builds on a sense of “main character energy,” guiding listeners on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and confidence. It’s about owning your story, breaking free from expectations, embracing the chaos and giving your mindset a makeover! Each track in the EP gets you closer to unleashing your alter ego —a fearless, unapologetic version of yourself. Whether you’ve been hiding the best parts of yourself from the world or simply ready to step into a new chapter, these songs are designed to uplift and encourage you to own every part of who you are.
As well as the upcoming EP, what else can we expect from CMAGIC5 this year?
After ringing in the new year on a high note opening for Simple Plan, 2025 is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting year, and there’s so much coming up! Along with the monthly single releases leading up to my Happy Never After EP in the Summer, I’ll be hitting the road for more live shows and festivals. I have some touring plans in the US in May, and of course when festival season hits, it’s gooo time!!! There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live performance, and I can’t wait to bring the new tracks to all the main stages, get up close with fans, and feel that electric connection. I am also looking forward to more exciting international collaborations! I will keep everyone updated on what’s in store for 2025, so be sure to follow along on socials, and in the meantime, you can stream ‘Happy Never After’! XoXo – C
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Words: Alexander Williams