Project Description

Interview with

MEGAN SIDWELL

Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs

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BIO

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.

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How did you first get into music? When did it become a serious concern?
Some of my first memories are doing concerts at retirement homes with my family at a very young age. I started putting more time in once I saved up (required a lot of car washes) and bought my first electric guitar when I was 15. I decided to make it more of a career when I headed to uni. I had been accepted in to both the Music school and Psych/Criminology, but I decided to follow music to see where it would lead.

How long have you been writing music?
Since playing bass in my first punk/rock band in high school. I started out as just a lyricist for our first battle of the bands and then I was promoted to singer/guitarist/writer after some members left.

What music did you grow up listening to? How has it impacted you as an artist, or as an individual?
I listened to a lot of rock, pop and punk as a teenager, but there was always a bit of Shania, Kenny Rogers or Little River Band playing at home, especially when I was younger. I think my love of harmonies has definitely stemmed from them. As an artist, I find my music combines the fundamentals of pop and rock, with the country elements I grew up loving.

What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
When I first started out, Hayley Williams from Paramore was a huge inspiration. Her live performance energy and vocals were awesome. When I dove further in to guitar I found Bonnie Raitt and she has been my biggest influence, on and off the stage, ever since.

You just released your new single ‘I Got You.’ How does it feel to have your song out there in the world?
It’s always scary releasing one of your babies in to the wild, but it feels great when you get people telling you what that song means to them. That’s the reason why I play and release music – so people have something that they can relate to and maybe not feel so alone.

What inspired the song?
Being on the road and putting my heart on the line for music. There is so much uncertainty when it comes to having music as a career and that comes with a lot of self-doubt. It’s hard sometimes to keep on track, but it really helps when you have someone on your team that will keep pushing for you when you feel like giving in.

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What was the writing and recording process like?
I co-wrote ‘I Got You’ with Anthony Snape over in Nashville. It was my first co-write ever, so saying I was nervous going in to the writing session is a definite understatement! But we left 3 hours later with a song and then I started recording it the next day with Sam Hawksley. Writing and recording in Nashville was an incredible experience and I really want to get back there and work on some new material as soon as I can afford it.

Any EP or Album currently in development?
‘I Got You’ is the first single off the new seven track album (‘Right Kind of Wrong’) which will be released mid this year.

How did it feel to take out Battle of the Bands at the 2016 Tamworth Country Music Festival?
It was my first Tamworth and marked the end of my first year in Australia so it really meant a lot. It felt like I was on the right track with my music and that making the move across the ditch was worth it.

What do you love most about performing live?
I love feeling that spark when everyone on stage and in the audience come together and give a song their all.

If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
I would pick Bonnie Raitt. Aside from being an exceptional guitarist, she has so much experience, especially as a female in the industry, on her side. I would love to have the opportunity to learn from her every night.

What’s next for you in 2019?
Releasing some more music and getting the band and I out to play some shows!

Do you have any major goals or aspirations in your music career?
Ultimately make a living touring and writing my own music. Making that my main job instead of having a day job to fund my music.

Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please
Album – Brand New Eyes by Paramore. Hayley wore our bands shirt during Soundwave the year they toured this album. Currently loving Girl by Maren Morris.
Artist – Lady Antebellum – love their harmonies!
Place – A quiet room with a guitar. Otherwise a nice quiet spot on a beach somewhere (I had a few fav spots back home in NZ)
Movie – Toy Story or the Incredibles 2. (or any Pixar movie – I’m a big kid at heart)
Meal/Drink – Anyone who knows me can safely order a meal for me. Chicken Burger, fries and a choc shake(or fanta). Can’t go past a good steak though.

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BUY ‘I GOT YOU’ HERE

Google Play   /   iTunes   /   Spotify

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Check out MEGAN SIDWELL below
Website|Facebook|Instagram

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AMNPLIFY – DB