Normally when you write
about a new artiste you talk about them “going places” – well, with Megan
Louise, its more a case of she has been places, specifically Millport Festival,
The Long Road, and the British Country Music Festival in Blackpool where I met
her for the first time. Megan’s is a
name I had heard, but I hadn’t had a chance to see her perform, so I took the
opportunity to sit and have a chat ahead of her set at the British Country
Music Festival on Day two in the Arena.
Aged only just 17, Megan is
playing festivals before she can even drive (she has now passed her test) and
long before she can even have a drink at the bar – she even missed seeing one
of her favourite UK artistes in Blackpool (Laura Oakes) because of school!
It feels a bit strange to
ask a younger singer when they started in music – but the answer was fairly
surprising. Not only did Megan start
song writing at the age of 9, but the first song she ever wrote was the song
she opened her set with. Gigging
followed at the age of 11, which goes some way to explain why Megan was so well
received at all the festivals that she has played, with Blackpool being no
different.
So how did 9 year old Megan
Louise come to music? Megan laughed when
she replied
I tried loads of hobbies when I was younger. I tried swimming but I had a popped eardrum, I tried gymnastics but I’m not very flexible I can’t touch my toes, so my Mum and Dad tried musical theatre – and I fell in love with performance and singing
When Megan then decided she
wanted to learn guitar her parents were slightly reticent – and an eyeroll from
Mum in the background certainly confirmed that!
Fortunately, it didn’t go the way of ballet “you get all the gear and
give it up in a few days”. Having only
had 6 lessons (Megan doesn’t do structured learning!) it seems that playing
guitar is another thing that comes easily to Megan.
Megan’s parents are clearly
supportive – but not pushy – and you can see the pride they have in their daughter’s
achievements, and they have been behind her through the rough and the smooth
parts of her story so far.
Why Country music?
Me and Country, our paths have crossed a lot. I don’t have the typical “I grew up with Country” but my vocal coaches told me I had a natural country voice, which I ignored until it completely overwhelmed me with how many people told me that, and when I started to listen to Country Music and I just absolutely fell in love
Country music isn’t popular
among younger listeners, and being a fan of country music isn’t popular, but
for Megan
I just felt like I had fifty best mates on my phone
So who is Megan’s favourite
Country Artiste?
John Paul White. If John Paul White’s voice was a 17 year old boy I’d marry him tomorrow
A very cool and rather unique
way of describing a voice!
And on the UK scene?
Ward Thomas or the Shires
And who would you have to
see on the line up of Blackpool?
Definitely Laura Oakes or Gary Quinn
Despite being only 17, I am
sure that it won’t be very long at all before people are saying that Megan
Louise is their must see artiste at any festival she plays.
Oh, and that song
she wrote when she was 9? It is very
good!
Look out for Megan, she is definitely one of our
Class of
2019 “Ones to Watch”
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