Following her heart, Singer-Songwriter Meg Myers has experienced a mix of highs and lows that come along with a life in music. Signing on with Atlantic Records in 2012, she would have her share of commercial success with songs such as 2013’s “Desire” and 2015’s “Sorry.” Burdened by pressures to fit the expectations of the mega record label, to many’s surprise, Myers and Atlantic parted ways just before her sophomore record was complete. Way too talented and unique to other artists on the Alternative Rock scene at this time, she was quickly scooped up by 300 Entertainment and rightfully put out Take Me To The Disco this past summer.
A record which not only sees Myers build on the foundation from her 2015 debut Sorry, Take Me To The Disco sees Myers mature as a songwriter in exceptional fashion. Proud of the album, and happy to be in control of her own artistic direction, Myers took the time to chat about her music, the work put into Take Me To The Disco, plans for the future, plus more.
Cryptic Rock – You have been involved for some time now, and launched your professional career as a solo artist some 7 years ago. First, briefly tell us, what inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Meg Myers – I was always drawn to music from a relatively young age. I played in bands with my brothers and friends where I grew up. I feel lucky to be able to do something I love.
Cryptic Rock – It’s great that you have been able to follow your passion. As you mentioned, music has been a part of your life a long time. A part of bands when you were younger, how would you compare working in a band opposed to as a solo artist?
Meg Myers – I love being the boss. (Smiles) There are pros and cons to being a solo artist versus a band. Yes, you have more control, but you also have more responsibility and pressure too.
Cryptic Rock – Right, there is certainly a lot more pressure when you are running the show yourself. As an artist, you have a very unique style and sound. You have songs that are more Pop orientated and others that are heavier Rock. Do you enjoy the diversity to try different things musically?
Meg Myers – 100%. I don’t really know any other way or I would get bored. I have so many different feelings and emotions and sides of me, I need to express it all.
Cryptic Rock – It certainly works well and keeps the music interesting. Having your own style, much of your music also has a darker undertone. Do you enjoy crafting songs that are a bit edgier?
Meg Myers – I don’t really write or record songs with a specific intention of being edgier or darker, or heavier. I generally just do what comes naturally. I think that is why my songs vary so much in style. It really depends on what is going on in this head on a particular day.
Cryptic Rock – Sometimes the best way to create is to not go into it with a strict outlet. Your latest record, Take Me to the Disco, came out back in July. Your first with 300 Entertainment, what was the writing and recording process like this time around for you?
Meg Myers – It was a long process! I started writing songs for the album in the summer of 2016. I think I wrote almost 50 songs over an 18 month period. During that process of writing songs, I met Christian “Leggy” Langdon, an amazing producer/songwriter from the UK who lives in Los Angeles. We connected creatively and we ended up writing most of the songs on the album together. Leggy also produced the album. We recorded almost 20 songs for Take Me to the Disco. There are 6 songs that did not make the record, but we will be releasing in 2019. I am really excited for people to hear those too!
Cryptic Rock – It will be interesting to hear those tracks which did not make the album! Take Me to the Disco is a very strong album with tracks that come across very sincere and lyrically cutting more than skin deep. Is it less stressful as a songwriter when not necessarily concentrating on creating music that is necessarily radio ready?
Meg Myers – That is a great question. I generally do not write songs thinking about radio. Although when I started this record, I was under an unusual amount of pressure to write a hit for my former label. The song “Numb” came out of all of that. Anyway, your answer is yes. (Smiles)
Cryptic Rock – The end result was good, and many would say the best songs come when you are not constructing something to fit a radio format. The Alternative Rock scene has been rather thin in recent years, with many artists opting to follow new trends. With Take Me to the Disco, you resist those urges and create a true-to-heart, heavier Alternative Rock album that harks back to the golden age of the era in the ’90s. That said, were you going for a particular sound with this record?
Meg Myers – Thank you so much for saying that. I really appreciate it. There were definitely a lot of influences we pulled from for this record, from Enya to Beach House, to Kate Bush, to Marilyn Manson, to NIN, to Depeche Mode. Leggy really helped me create something that I feel reflects me better than anything I have ever created in my life. I am so proud of it. I wanted the record to feel modern, but I also wanted it to have real drums and mostly live instruments and real strings. That part was really important to me. The other thing that blew my mind was how Leggy captured my vocals.
Cryptic Rock – Yes, the production is great and the songs are most certainly not contrived. You have a few shows coming up in December, can we expect some more shows in 2019?
Meg Myers – Oh yeah baby! More shows will be announced very soon! I love touring.
Cryptic Rock – That is something to look out for! Talking about your style, it is clear you derive influence from various areas. Tell us a little more about some of your influences as a musician.
Meg Myers – They are all over – Johan Johansson, Ludovico Einaudi, Bjork, The Beatles, Sting, Slipknot, Nirvana, Kate Bush, Enya, a lot of classical music, Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey, Tupac, Eminem, The Cure, Mariah Carey, Silverchair, Fleetwood Mac, Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, Smashing Pumpkins, Nina Simone and many, many more.
Cryptic Rock – Wow, that is a pretty broad, but compelling list. Last question. On Cryptic Rock, we also cover movies, particularly Horror and Sci-Fi. If you are a fan of these genres, who of your favorite writers or filmmakers in these genres?
Meg Myers – They would have to be Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King.
I adore her & her soul.