Melanie Meriney~ “Q&A”!!!

1.    Hello Melanie, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician?

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my parents and two siblings.  I was kind of a tomboy growing up.  I liked dressing up, but I preferred jeans and hoodies.  I played travel AAA ice hockey as well as played for my school’s field hockey team.  My parents were awesome supporters growing up.  They always encouraged me and my siblings to pursue whatever interests we had and were actively involved with most of our sports/activities.  

2.    When did you start listening to country music and when did you know you wanted a career in it?

I listened to country radio around the house because my mom would always play it while she was cooking or working from home.  I remember my mom telling me to listen to this song “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain because she really loved it.  After listening to the song, I caught wind of the fact that my dad had been planning to take my mom to a Shania concert for her birthday.  I talked them into taking me with them and fell in love with everything about music at that concert.  The next day, my mom signed me up for voice lessons and I soon began writing and playing guitar.  

3.    Who are some of your musical icons?

Shania is my first and foremost!  If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know that I would’ve begun pursuing music.  I grew up on 90s country, so I loved all of the female powerhouses like Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, etc.  As I got older, I listened to a bunch of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.  My dad was also a big 80s rock fan, so we listened to a lot of Van Halen & Fleetwood Mac.  Today, I’m inspired by artists like Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, and Kelleigh Bannen (although I love my guy country artists too!).

4.    What is the background story behind your latest single “Sober You?”

“Sober You” was one I wrote with two of my best friends and fellow artists here in Nashville, AJ Kross and Krista Angelucci.  Somebody came with the hook “I’ll never get sober you” (playing off “I’ll never get over you”) and we just kind of ran from there.  We got the chorus pretty quickly and I think finished up the verses on another day.  From the start, I began playing it out and got a great response.  I knew it was pretty special.  

5.    What is your recording process like when creating new music?

I was blessed to be able to have some of the best session musicians in Nashville play on it.  The vibe that they all create so effortlessly in a room together is incredible.  The song basically recorded itself.  We did our live session with Chris Utley at Benchmark, and then during the process, I worked with Michael Funk at Funk Studio (www.funkstudionashville.com).  We have a great dynamic because we’re very honest with each other and he knows how to get the best vocal takes from me.  I like when the producer can put his own creativity into the song because it usually is cooler than what I would have thought up on my own.  He really did a great job and we had fun with it.  

6.    Is there anything else new coming up with your music in 2019?

Yes!  Hopefully a lot.  Since the start of the year, I’ve already released a music video as well as put out “Sober You” as a single.  I’d like to promote it on radio, so we are figuring out the details for that.  In addition, I am booking some summer dates for shows and I hope to eventually compile “Flame”, “Sober You”, and a couple others into a full blown project.  There will definitely be another release this year!

7.    What are a few of your favorite venues or events to play at?

I love playing venues in Nashville like The Listening Room and The Bluebird, because they are very personal, listening venues where people are genuinely interested in the songs and the songwriters.  Outside of that, it’s a blast to play festivals because you get the energy of the crowd and the band behind you.  I think music is made to move people (whether emotionally, or to dance!), and any time I’m doing this, I’m doing what I feel I need to do!

8.    What is one of your favorite quotes?

“Everything happens for a reason”- I know it’s a common one, but I truly believe in it.  So many things, people, and events in my life have led me to where I am right now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I trust in God’s path and even when things are looking down, I have to believe I’m where I’m supposed to be at this particular time in my life.  

9.    Is there anything else you would like to share?

Check out my music on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, etc, and my social media accounts @melaniemeriney to follow along with new, exciting things happening!  My website (www.melaniemeriney.com) has links to everything as well as my calendar for shows!

Melanie Meriney~ Artist Spotlight!!!

Melanie Meriney’s sophomore EP “Up In Lights,” was released in May 2017 and it showcase the travel of self-discovery that has originate with navigating the music world as a emerging pop country singer since her move to Nashville where she attended Belmont University as a songwriting and English major.

            As a child in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Meriney’s enjoyed playing ice hockey, reading books and writing her own songs. She became a keen fan of country music, quoting influences like Shania Twain, Phil Vassar, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac and Miranda Lambert. Although her mom always played country music in her house, her dad introduced her love of rock music. Surrounded by Pittsburgh’s metal, rock and pop music, Meriney’s songwriting and singing became a creation of her setting: mostly country with an urban, pop/rock texture that comes from growing up in a Northern City. 

            Meriney’s first EP “All the Good Songs,” was produced by Phil Ricciardi and Mike Puwal in 2012 and it was her first try at distinguishing a rare sound for herself, the songs drawing upon her own real life experiences at first love, loss, and self-reflection. In the Spring of 2012, Meriney was chosen to play a live set on the Billy Block Show, after she had been feature for 4 consecutive weeks with both showcased songs off her EP and live interviews/performances on Nashville’s WSIX Locals Only radio show.  In the Fall of 2013, Meriney was nominated for Nashville Independent for Music Award Award (NIMA) for Best Female Country Artist. She has had the honor of being a opening act for artists and groups like Little Big Town, the Commodores, Ricky Vito of Fleetwood Mac, and Steve Augeri of Journey and as well as headlining many festivals around PA, OH and TN.

            She signed her first publishing deal with Dune Grass Music in February 2016, and Meriney was mentioned in Billboard, of Country Aircheck and Music Row Magazine as a rising pop/country scene candidate. She directly started writing her second EP, working with producers Joshua Mendez and Michael Funk. Her debut single “Lifeboat,” went #2 on the UK Hot Disc chart, as well as decently on the Music Row chart. The music video for this song premiered on Great American Country (GAC), and also on smaller and global organizations. Increasing many publicity mentions as an “Artist to Watch in 2018,” in the Fall of 2018 the release of “Up in Lights,” music video came out. Also in November Meriney’s single “Flame,” came out.

            In 2019, Meriney wants to tour, as well as release more new music and media. On February 8, 2019 Meriney released her newest single “Sober You,” and it is available to listen and download on Spotify and iTunes. If you would like to find out more Melanie Meriney then check out her website at (http://www.melaniemeriney.com).

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