Irish born singer – songwriter Megan O’Neill has just finished working on her fourth studio record, set for public release in late 2020. This much anticipated album follows her last release, ‘Ghost of You’ (June 2018) which hit #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in the UK and Ireland.
Megan has already released a number of singles from this forthcoming album. The most recent single (‘Ireland’), was put out on social media as a ‘soft release’ in late March and has hit over 200,000 views online within one week – being picked up and shared by major media outlets including Joe.ie, Image Magazine and even the amazing Olivia Newton John! RTE Radio 1 have also playlisted the new single in Ireland.
To date Megan has toured the UK, Ireland, US and Germany. She has performed at private Oscars’ parties in LA alongside Gavin James (on personal invite from JJ Abrams) and has had her song ‘Don’t You’ featured on ABC’s hit TV Show ‘Nashville’ (Season 3). In 2019 Megan opened three stadium shows for the legendary Sir Tom Jones (Bristol, Taunton and Colchester) – performing in front of 15,000 people per night.
I began playing music at a very early age – coming from a really musical, Irish family. I just always loved to sing – you couldn’t get me to shut up!
I’m a singer-songwriter so my music changes as I change. The first EP I released (‘Coming Home’, 2015) was Country-Pop. The second EP (‘Stories to Tell’ – 2017) was quite Country-blues and the album that followed (‘Ghost of You’ 2018) was Americana. My next record (coming March 2021) has taken on a slightly different direction again – moving more into the pop realm but still quite rooted in Americana. I think it’s really important as an artist and a writer to keep evolving, so I expect my music will change again and again as I grow and change.
Maggie Rogers! I’m obsessed!
When I’m in a good mood I do! At the moment, Christmas songs! I don’t care if it’s too early!
Potentially something in the field of Psychology. That was my undergraduate degree at University College Dublin. I loved it!
At this stage I’ve been fortunate enough to perform all over the world. The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville is one of my favourite venues of all time – to perform at and to be in the audience. It’s magical. In Ireland, the Olympia Theatre is incredible and I was fortunate enough to perform there earlier this year. Last year, touring with Sir Tom Jones across the UK was insane! I loved that experience too – in front of 15,000 per show.
It completely depends on the setup. If I’m with the full band I love doing the big-band songs – Rootless, Should’ve Known Better, Underrated, etc. But if I’m solo, it’s the more mellow songs.
What would you change about the music industry? The way women are treated. The gender disparity in the industry. Also how much power the major labels have.
The storytelling.
I’ve got an album coming in March 2021 and hopefully a tour in April 2021. The dates are announced – but we have to wait and see what happens with Covid. Fingers crossed!
