Rock/Blues/Soul guitarist/singer Meg Williams moved to Nashville a year and a half ago from her native New York and hit the ground running. She has played every night since she arrived, sometimes playing on stage multiple times a night at songwriter nights, open mic, open jams, and shows. The end result is that her hard work is paying off. She’s been a featured artist at several songwriter showcases in Nashville and most recently showcased with the Meg Williams Band at the RedGorilla Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
Not one to slow down, Meg performed at BB King’s Blues Club Memphis this year, as well as during the International Blues Challenge (and in 2017), performed twice at the Summer NAMM showcase in Nashville at the Re-Axe booth, and was a guitarist for another Nashville-based artist at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, and more. In the past year, Meg has toured Southern California three times.
Meg recently released her blues-rock EP ‘Maybe Someday’ which was recorded in Nashville and features Nashville based musicians.’Maybe Someday’ was #10 on the Top 50 Blues Rock Album charts on the Roots Music Report and #38 on the Top Blues Album charts. Songs from the EP have received airplay on radio stations around the world.
I recently interviewed Meg about her new EP, her move to Nashville, music therapy, her songs about food, tour plans for this year, and much more.
Congratulations on the successful release of your new blues-rock EP ‘Maybe Someday’. What is the theme or concept behind it?
Thank you so much!! Maybe Someday consists of 6 songs total: 2 songs that I wrote prior to my move to Nashville (from Rochester, NY), 2 songs I wrote during the process of the move/transition, and then 2 songs that I wrote once I was living down here & settled. The overall theme would be changes within my life, whether that be love/relationships, attitude, and outlook, etc.
‘Maybe Someday’ has been played worldwide and hit #10 on the Top 50 Blues Rock Album Charts on the Roots Music Report and #38 on the Top Blues Album charts. Are you surprised by its success? Why or why not?
As a relatively new artist to the scene & with it being my first Nashville release, I am so excited/surprised that it is doing so well – but so thankful and happy that people are really enjoying the music! I have received great feedback about the EP from listeners all over the world – this really validates what I am doing and why I do it. As of fairly recently, I’ve been lucky enough to work with Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon in Memphis – she has been a tremendous help in getting my music out there to listeners worldwide!
Explain your production process.
I wrote all of the songs for the EP – I knew what I wanted them to sound like with full production, so I would teach the songs to the other players / explain what I was going for. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible musicians in Nashville – they make it easy!
Why do you perform as a solo/duo act as well as with your band, Meg Williams Band? Who is the other half of your duo?
I love being able to perform in as many ways as I can, to allow for as many opportunities as possible – whether it is solo acoustic, duo, trio, or full band.
It all depends on the venue! Kirby Newman plays Cajon with me, as well as full kit for electric sets.
I also enjoy performing with other bands and acoustic acts around town when I’m available and have been fortunate enough to join many great players around town (including gigs with Lauren Anderson, Jenny Teator, Dakota Danielle, Vedra, and many others)!
You competed in the 2016 Nashville Blues Challenge. Tell us about that experience. Did it influence you in any way or lead to any opportunities?
I competed in it shortly after I had moved to Nashville – I wanted to hit the ground running once I moved here, so I would play every single night in town from the day I arrived, sometimes multiple places a night (whether it was songwriter nights, open mic, open jams, and shows). I had not yet established a band, but still wanted to get my name and my music out there – I decided to apply to compete as a solo act. It was such an exciting experience for me – it was my first chance to ‘put myself out there’ for a new crowd directly in the blues scene, and really give it my all. I made some great connections and learned so many things – which is what I had hoped to accomplish!
What was it like to perform at BB King’s Blues Club Memphis this year?
So fun and very random! It was unplanned, but every time I visit Memphis, I always say how exciting it would be to someday play on that stage – nearly right after saying that again (while in BB’s), I wound up getting called on to the stage to play several songs with the group that was playing. It was a great crowd and a fun stage – I’m so thankful for the opportunity!
You have played at numerous venues around Nashville, why is The Country & Soulshine Pizza Factory your favorite?
The Country (now called the Local) and Soulshine (which has sadly closed!), were always two of my favorites – whether it was for the weekly blues jams, full band shows, or acoustic sets – great atmosphere & locations, great sound, great food – always a fun time! The blues jams especially bring in so many people and great networking opportunities.
Explain what you love about Nashville and how has moving there a year and a half ago helped further your music career? Where did you move from?
I love the sense of community here – everyone is so supportive and kind. So many people are here trying to do the same thing (performers, songwriters, musicians), but it doesn’t feel competitive – it feels supportive instead, with people reaching out to help others, check out each other’s shows, let others know about opportunities within the town, so on. Such a great community to be a part of!
My move here has been such a great decision for my performing/songwriting career – I love living here in Nashville, and am surrounded by incredible musicians & songwriters every single day – this has really made me push myself and continuously grow.
I am originally from Hornell, NY but spent the past few years in Rochester, NY (both in the western part of the state). I loved my time in both places, but had been interested in living in Nashville for several years prior to my move – the timing was right for me, and I decided to move on down here!
You studied Music Therapy at college. Can you tell us more about what it is and how/if you use it in creating your music?
Yes! Music Therapy is using music as a tool to bring about a positive change in an individual’s life – it is a goal driven and assessment based process. Think of it as closer to physical therapy, but using specific music instead of exercises. Some examples of what music therapy might look like include; using singing to work on speech goals, group music therapy interventions to work on socialization, drumming to work on motor control – Music Therapy is personalized and looks different for each client, depending on what their needs are!
While I am not currently practicing music therapy, as my schedule doesn’t allow for it, the skills that I have gained as a music therapist have helped me so much as both a musician (skills for adapting in the moment and handling changes, just for one example!) and handling myself in the industry (how to handle myself in many situations, and better understand certain behaviors).
How did forming your own bands at age 15 help you discover your love of performing and songwriting?
Starting to play in bands at a young age really helped me develop my confidence on stage, as well as skills with playing with others. When I was younger, I was pretty shy about singing in front of others – so much so, that I stubbornly learned all of the vocals lines on guitar for many songs instead of having to actually sing them – ha!
I discovered my love of songwriting while I was in high school or jr high I believe – I think some of the very first songs I wrote were about my grandma’s baked ziti with my cousin in our fake garage band, ‘Bag of Grandma’s Lettuce’ – haha! From there, I began writing about more serious issues or personal losses – I found that it was a great way to help connect with others, and help people heal through traumatic experiences
Explain how you started singing and performing professionally while you were still in college.
While I had always loved music, I became significantly more serious about it after a few personal changes in my life, around my 3rd year of college. I began performing more frequently, attending open jams and open mics in Rochester, starting up my first version of ‘Meg Williams Band’ and recording my first album, Troubles to the Wind. I knew that if it was something I truly wanted to pursue, I had to start acting on it!
When did you know you wanted to pursue a music career?
I’m pretty sure as soon as I picked up a guitar at age 9 – haha! I fell in love immediately with playing music – I never wanted to put it down! My love for music remained consistent throughout junior high & high school, and of course into college. There has been nothing else that I have wanted to pursue as much as music – it always came back to performing for me.
How do you think women in the indie music industry can be supported?
In my own experience, I have found that most women tend to look out for each other. I’ve found such a strong and supportive network of other women musicians in town that support each other, provide each other with positive feedback, and really look out for each other around town. There are also many groups, whether they are online/local (Music Biz Besties), or (inter)national (Women in Blues, Women in Music) that provide so many opportunities & support networks!
What advice would you give women thinking of or already pursuing a career in music?
Just do what you love – stay strong and true to yourself/your interests, work hard and do the best you can do. Be a kind and supportive person, but also don’t let others take advantage of you.
What are your tour plans for 2018?
I have shows booked around the greater Nashville area, as well as short runs with both my band & as a guitarist with other groups. We will be announcing more shows/tours soon, so stay up to date on my website: www.megwilliamsmusic.com
What projects do you have planned for 2018?
I plan to keep on writing, recording, performing & touring with my band! Can’t wait to see what the rest of 2018 brings.
Thank you, Meg, for the opportunity to interview you.
Get updates on Meg’s website
‘Maybe Someday’ is available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes.
Follow Meg on Social Media:
Twitter: megwilliamsband
Facebook: megwilliamsguitar
Instagram: megwilliamsmusic
Check out her music here:
Spotify
YouTube: megwilliamsmusic
Soundcloud: megwilliamsmusic
ReverbNation: megwilliamsmusic