Hailing from Scotland, singer/songwriter Megan Airlie has arrived with her new single After River, which is her first ever. Speaking about the track, she explains: “It concerns mental health, specifically mine and the rolling effects on myself and others. It was birthed from one of the hardest times of my life and was the first song I had written in a year. I had been in hospital, arrested and dumped and I thought to myself what best to do other than sing?”
Megan Airlie's new single 'After River' is out now
Wanting to find out more, we caught up with Megan for a quickfire interview, hoping to discover a little more about the rising star!
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
Mellow, soulful, and with recurring old fashioned influences, predominantly between the 40s-60s.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
Generally, it comes down to listening. I have struggled to get people listening to what I wish to communicate. From venues to sound engineers. Everybody needs to take time for people to make the best possible outcome.
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
I would say very difficult. I mean, I haven’t really made a name for myself yet, so I can’t comment truly on what it’s like to really get out there, but it’s difficult from the get go. If you can handle hard work, patience, and resiliency, then I’d say it’s a path to getting noticed in an industry where a lot of scenes may be cliquey.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
This is so important. The work comes from the inside out and I like to see it all come into fruition.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
Family and friends, relationships, and certain encounters. In music, my main influences are Judy Garland, Jeff Buckley, Billie Holliday, Fiona Apple, and everything my Aunt’s 90th band did.
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose?
Nai Palm from Haitus Kaiyote, or Fiona Apple.
Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know.
That I play saxophone. Although it may be badly now. Since I was 12.
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
To get a full album out there and to be gigging as much as possible in a lot of new places is all I could hope for at the moment.
Where do you hope to be this time next year?
Doing bigger and better gigs, festivals, and music.
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Megan Airlie’s brilliant new single After River is out now via Bloc Music Records.