Megan Sidwell Piece of Me Interview

The Perfect Balance

Megan Sidwell embodies the perfect balance of an edgy, chuck - wearing rocker with the pure heart of a country belle. Her music forms a unity between the sensibilities of rock and country pop. Her songs bleed infectious pop hooks and country harmonies, with an edge and a dramatic overtone uniquely her own.

Sidwell's musical identity has been shaped over the years by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Lady Antebellum, Hayley Williams and Taylor Swift. She has also opened for international acts Tyler Hilton (US), Kate Voegele (US) and Big Country (Scotland) whilst on their Australian tours.

Born in Tauranga, New Zealand, Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Music from The University of Auckland in 2014 before making the move across the ditch to Melbourne which she currently calls home.

Her debut 5 track EP, Forever on a Sunday, was released in October 2013. Produced and mixed by the multi - talented Ben King (Goldenhorse), the EP also features the likes of Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight) on drums and Janek Croydon on pedal steel.

Megan has since released multiple singles including the crowd-funded single Never Saw it Coming. At the 2016 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Sidwell and band took out first place in the Coca-Cola Battle of the Bands and closed out their first appearance in Tamworth on the main stage in Toyota Park. More appearances followed throughout the year including the Emerging Artist showcase at the Gympie Music Muster.

2017 saw Megan as a finalist in the Toyota Star Maker competition in Tamworth. Later that year she travelled to Nashville to record her next album with Sam Hawksley which will be released in 2019.

A New Zealand transplant, Megan is the perfect combination of rock, pop and country and you catch Megan playing 'Piece of Me' and other tracks from 'Right Kind of Wrong' on:
Sunday 11th August – Inkerman Hotel, St Kilda East – VIC
www.megansidwell.com

Interview with Megan Sidwell

Question: How would you describe your music?

Megan Sidwell: Pop/Rock with a bit of country.


Question: What inspired the track Piece of Me?

Megan Sidwell: This song explores a relationship in which only one person is ready to take the next step while the other is hesitant and continues to deny both the chem istry and the reality of the situation.


Question: What can you tell us about the album, Right Kind of Wrong?

Megan Sidwell: It's a collection of songs I have written since I moved to Melbourne from NZ four years ago, so there is a mixture of themes. From misplacing love to finding it, finding myself, and the loss of loved ones.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Megan Sidwell: Since a teenager I've always written songs to help myself process whatever was going on in my head at the time. There tends to be a lot that never make it in to a song but if I find myself humming a single line, days or weeks down the track, it's something I need to keep working on and finish for my own sanity.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Megan Sidwell: I'm currently listening to Maren Morris, and I'm also really excited to see what her side project (a collaboration with three other amazing female artists including another of my favs, Brandi Carlile), "The Highwomen" comes out with in September. Their first two singles are awesome!


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Megan Sidwell: To begin with, I just really loved playing in a band and that meant getting time on stage. I've never been the most confident and outgoing person so being on stage was a real change for me and allowed me to become someone different. It's really just stemmed from my need to create and perform music.

Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Megan Sidwell: My all-time favourite is Bonnie Raitt. She is an incredible artist and guitarist with a style that is really distinctly her own. The fact that she still owns it on stage coming up to her 70th birthday is really inspiring.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Megan Sidwell: Both spark a very different flame for me, but I think performing live would be my favourite. I do love being able to record and get my ideas down but playing live is where I get to share my music and really feel it with an audience.


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour dates?

Megan Sidwell: I do love playing with a band but sometimes the budget doesn't really allow it, so most of my upcoming shows are either solo or duo acoustic shows. Stripped back to hear the songs just how I wrote them, with just me and my guitar.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Megan Sidwell: Currently my song "Us" off the new album is my favourite. There are a lot of dynamics and hits that I really love getting to arrange and perform with the band.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?
Megan Sidwell: My best friends would be up there. They are spread across the world now and they have been a part of my music since the beginning.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Megan Sidwell: A typical week day involves teaching music at primary schools, and then collapsing on the couch at home with my partner, Riley the cat and binge watching some show or playing PS4. Currently re-living my childhood by playing the new release of Crash Team Racing.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Megan Sidwell: Getting to play shows to people I've never met. I really love the festival scene also, it's perfect for getting your music in front of a new audience.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Megan Sidwell: www.megansidwell.com
Facebook.com/megansidwellmusic
@megansidwellmusic


Interview by Brooke Hunter