An Interview With Pop Singer-Songwriter MEGAN NICOLE!

The singer-songwriter, Megan Nicole got her start on YouTube in 2009. It was a cover of “Use Somebody” by Kings Of Leon. She quickly followed this up more including songs by Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Lorde and many other artists.

Megan finally released her first original song in 2011 called “B-e-a-utiful”. The track was written by Nicole, Lairs Johnston, Stephen Folden, and Tom Mgrdichian.

In late 2014 Megan Nicole released her first official single called “Electrified”. This was her first single off of her debut album “Escape” which is an independent release on Hume Records, following her departure from Bad Boy Records. After this, Nicole went on to star in her first feature film Summer Forever alongside Alyson Stoner and Anna Grace Barlow.

Learn more about this very talented artist in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! How’s your Winter been going? What’s a typical day like for you lately?

I’ve been working on new music right now. It’s been writing session after writing session and I love it. It’s so fun to collaborate and create and it’s even more exciting after you worked so hard on a song to see it come to life in such a cool way.

Growing up, can you remember the moment you decided you could be an artist full-time? 

I was 15 when I told my parents I wanted to pursue music full time. Once they saw how committed I was they were fully behind me. My parents have always encouraged me and my sister to do what we love and work hard at it.

What do you think got you from posting covers on YouTube to releasing your own original material?

I’ve been writing songs since I was 15. Creating original music has always been something I’ve wanted to do. I still remember when I hit upload on my first original song to YouTube. It was so much scarier than posting a cover because now I was sharing another piece of who I was with them and I didn’t know how they would respond. But they did so positively and it was incredible to see how many people were able to connect with a song of my own.

What was your favorite cover that you posted? Do you still put those out today? 

One of my favorite ones was “Flashlight” because it was the first cover I did completely accapella. It was so different from any of the other covers I did in the past. I still enjoy creating and posting cover videos. They may not be as frequent as they used to be since I am putting more energy into my own music, but it’s always so fun to cover the songs of artists that have inspired me.

I’ve read that you are quite the social media monster. Why is that so exactly and would you agree with that title?

What I love so much about social media is the direct connection you have with your fans. I’m able to share what’s going on in my life with them and see what’s going on in their own lives. I posted my first video to YouTube before being a “Youtuber” or “Social media star” was even considered a thing. The people who watch and share my videos are the only reason for these titles. Without them I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do what I love each day. I feel so blessed to be able to create music and have the support of so many lovely people from around the world who come to shows and like my random selfies with food.

You just started your first headlining tour. How’s that been going? Where are you excited to perform at next? 

Headline tours are so fun because not only do I get the chance to play a full set, but I get the opportunity to create the stage however I want. On the Sweet Dreams Tour I had a unicorn and giant purple teddy bear. I also got to have some amazing acts join me on the road for Sweet Dreams and it was so fun sharing that experience with them. I hope to have the opportunity to perform in Australia this year! That would be cool.

What’s been a favorite show experience so far?

Every time I step on stage I prepare to give it my all and just have fun with it. Having the opportunity to travel and perform has been incredible. I get so excited every time I get a new stamp in my passport. I’ve met some amazing people, had new and interesting food, and seen beautiful places I thought I’d only ever see in pictures. The whole journey has been a crazy wonderful experience.

Can you talk about your recently released movie “Summer Forever”? What was that experience like? Is acting becoming something you hope to do more of in the future? Do you currently have any acting gigs coming up?

Creating “Summer Forever” was an experience I will never forget. I met some amazing people through the project and learned so much. Acting is definitely something I would love to do more of in the future. I’ve currently been putting a lot of my focus on music, but still taking acting lessons and look forward to doing more acting projects in the near future!

What artists have consistently inspired you and your music? Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?

Stevie Wonder, Queen, Maroon 5, and Taylor Swift will always be artists that inspire me each in their own ways. I am constantly discovering new artists and songs through Pandora as well. It would be an absolute dream to sing with Stevie Wonder one day. Dream big, right?

What’s your YouTube series “Let’s Be Friends” all about? 

I wanted to create a fun series where I could collaborate with people outside of music.

“Let’s Be Friends” is where I invite a guest and get to know them through some fun questions then we do a challenge together. The episodes have been so much fun to create and I’m looking at revamping the series this year.

Being from Texas, do you think those country roots ever want to come out of you? Do you listen to much country music?

I have a few friends and even my parents have mentioned I should do country! It’s not something I am interested in creating at this point in my life. I honestly think I listened to so much country music when I was with my friends that I came to a point for a few years where I didn’t listen to it much. This past year I’ve found myself listening to it more again. I think that’s the part of me that misses Texas.

Generally, where do you get the inspiration for your music?

Mostly through my own personal experiences. A lot of the songs I share are from certain parts of my life or we’re inspired by someone close to me.

Where do you think you are happiest- on stage performing, in the studio or elsewhere?

Being on a stage is definitely where some of my happiest moments performing happen. To see people sing along to songs I wrote and to connect with my fans in person is surreal. But there is also nothing like a small jam session in your living room with the ones you love.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope fans take away from your songs? 

It’s always nice to listen to a song and have it explain exactly how you are feeling. In a way it let’s you know you are not alone in certain situations. I hope my fans can get that same feeling I do with some songs and just feel encouraged to chase after their own dreams and goals and work hard for them.