Each week, That Nashville Sound is excited to promote a new artist that is emerging onto the country music scene. This artist is one we're as high on as any we've ever written about.
Singer/songwriter Megan Munroe’s newest CD, ONE MORE BROKEN STRING, launches nationwide on February 10, 2009. Munroe handles the disc's peppery up-tempo tracks with a fiery flair reminiscent of Miranda Lambert and brings passion and road-weary nuances to the project's heart-wrenching ballads ala Alison Krauss. A fan of Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Tori Amos and Pearl Jam, you'll hear hints of these artists’ influences in Megan’s own music, but her sound is distinctly her own.
While just 25, Megan gives us songs that communicate lifetimes of understanding. Throughout the disc's 12 tracks, she offers up Country with a twist; her blues-infused melodies combine with vocals that range from saucy to sweet. Produced by Doug Deforest, album highlights abound and include: the fiesty "Leavin' Memphis, “the soul-searing "Nothing Is Easy Anymore " and "Lonely Tonight," along with the thought-provoking "Pennies In The Ocean." The musicianship is solid, and features Tim Crouch on Violin/Mandolin/Acoustic Guitar/Banjo/Percussion (Dolly Parton, Vince Gill); Robby Springfield on Electric Guitar /Steel Guitar (Jo-El Sonnier, Andy Williams); R.P. Harrell on Piano and B3 (Sammy Kershaw, Roy Clark), and Mike Kennedy on Drums and Percussion (George Strait’s Ace In The Hole Band) and Doug Deforest on Bass Guitar/Acoustic Bass/Keyboards (David Allan Coe, Todd Fritsch).
"The players were a joy to work with," says the petite brunette. "ONE MORE BROKEN STRING was one long watershed moment for me. It represents a giant step for me musically, and they made my vision for these songs a reality."
Her music has been forged by a childhood in rural Washington state, a three-year stint in the Los Angeles acting community (she left home at 17, and appeared in WB's Everwood and films Lost on the B Side, Mixing Karma and The Standard V.15), and regular gigs throughout the Northwest at clubs, fairs and festivals. She's shared the bill with Eric Church and other country notables. She now calls Nashville home, and with ONE MORE BROKEN STRING she steps on to the national stage.
Hear audio clips, read Megan's blog and learn more at www.myspace.com/meganmunroe.
That Nashville Sound had an opportunity to do an interview with Megan. Keep her on your radar- she'll be a star soon.
TNS- What brought you to Nashville?
MM- It was a combination of dream chasing and hometown leaving. I am kind of a gypsy when it comes to moving around, and I was getting the itch to pull anchor after I had been back in Seattle for a few years. While I love the city, I wanted a fresh start in an artsy community that wasn't bogged down by ingenuity like L.A. (another one of my stopping off points), or by rainfall like Seattle. I was ready to see the light, so to speak. Nashville has this
insatiable vibe that superseded my desire to stay comfortable.
TNS- Looking over your career thus far, what do you rank as a couple of the highlights?
MM- Touring with Eric Church in the Northwest was definitely a highlight. His crowds are so generous and excited. It was my first taste of honky tonking, and I was hooked. Also while it’s not as glamorous, I went and played some songs for a second grade class - and even though they may not be the most sought after demographic - they are so honest and random. They even made me a little book afterwards with pictures. Their captions said things like, 'You are so bootiful' and 'I like you just as much as Hannah Montana.' Hilarious.
TNS- What might people be surprised to find out about you?
MM- That I can't whistle, and that you will hardly ever, ever find me wearing matching socks. I am the kind of girl that is bad at being a girl. I hate doing my hair, I get claustrophobic in shopping malls, and my first car was a pickup truck, and yes, it was jacked up.
TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
MM- Kathleen Edwards; 'Asking for Flowers' is one of my new favorites. I just discovered her. It's simple, melodic and lyrically riveting. I am a huge word snob and she fits that bill. Also, I love running, so Sarah Buxton's 'Almost My Record' is upbeat and holds my attention, as well as Shelly Fairchild's 'You Don't Lie Here Anymore.' Superb, angry running song.
TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward ten years, what do you see for yourself?
MM- I want to have two more records under my belt. A solid following that 'gets' the music, nationally as well as internationally. But most importantly, to have grown exponentially as a writer and to be playing around town with talent that refines and challenges me to be better on a regular basis. There will never be an arrival gate for me, ten years or twenty years from now, it will just be another stop on the old map of living. Although it wouldn't hurt to be paying the bills with the strum of my guitar.
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