Hello again, Megan O’Neill

Photo by Mich Behan.

After breaking through with her sheer hard work and hard gigging, Megan O’Neill is back with her second album, and a slightly different sound. As Megan told me herself, it’s also more personal.

Hey Megan, how’s 2021 treating you so far?

Great, thank God! This year is off to a flying start so I am delighted.

I really enjoyed your virtual set at AmericanaFest this year, how have you been finding performing streaming events?

It’s great to have them and be able to connect with people through this weird time but they have their challenges too. I love them mostly, but as the performer, you have to give so much of yourself because you’re receiving nothing back physically. That can be tough.

Tell us something about you that we don't know.

I am really precious about my morning routine. It sets me up so well for the day. I’m a bit nervous about going back to life post-Covid and not being able to stick to it as much!

Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty is out now, tell me about it in two lines?

For me, this album is more mature, more personal and so much more me than anything I’ve ever done before. I’m really proud of it.

Where did the title come from?

I’ve faced a lot of challenges in my life over the past two years - totally outside of and unrelated to this pandemic - and I have really been forced to let go of any and all control. I’ve had to learn how to get comfortable in an uncomfortable space - and these songs have outlined so much of that journey. So it felt like the most appropriate title.

The opener ‘Should’ve Known Better’ is one of my favourite songs, what can you tell me about that song?

That song is one I wrote with Joe and Dave Dunwell. It’s about life in the music industry - the challenges we face as artists and the constant struggle and self-doubt. I love that song too!

You’ve come a long way since Ghost Of You, what’s the biggest difference in you between then and now?

I’ve grown as a person and that, in turn, has helped me grow as an artist. I’m always pushing myself - especially in the last 12 - 18 months and I’m learning all the time. I feel very fortunate to be in this headspace and I feel really excited about the future.

You wrote or co-wrote everything on the album (apart from the final track), how important is it that you’re involved in the writing?

It is really important to me. The songs that I release need to feel like my own stories - otherwise I find them a little hard to relate to.

How do you work with your co-writers? Do they fit into your way of writing or do you work it out together?

Every session is different. With co-writing, you’re always dealing with different personalities and different energy. That’s why I love it so much - every day is different. I’ve reached a point now in my career though that I mostly only work with writers that I love and admire - that push me to new heights and aren’t afraid to challenge me. I love reaching that level of comfort with a fellow songwriter - where anything is possible and you’ll never feel stupid making suggestions!

You wrote ‘Fire With Fire’ with Orla Gartland, what can you tell me about that?

‘Fire with Fire’ is a total female empowerment song and I loved writing this with Orla. There can be a bit too much animosity among women in the music industry and it’s something I hate seeing - because I love women! I love how hard we work, I love everything we stand for, I love seeing other women thrive and succeed. And so this song was a fight against that animosity and unhealthy competition - it’s unnecessary!

And how did you meet [one-half of The Shires] Ben Earle?

I actually don’t remember how Ben and I met! I think possibly at a gig or maybe our first writing session together. Ben is great - so lovely and so talented.

What can we expect from you for the rest of 2021?

There is so much more new music in the pipeline that I’m very excited about! I’m going back into the studio in April and planning on releasing more new material in Autumn so I’m really looking forward to that. I also have some releases coming out with other artists which is incredibly exciting - as well as my tour dates of course. 

Most people these days talk about streaming numbers, what does success look like for you?

I feel so successful right now - just being able to wake up every morning and work at something I absolutely love. That’s success for me. Continuing to do this - to work with people I admire and respect, to determine my own schedule, to create art and to play music. That’s all I need.

Who (or what) inspires you?

The people around me, the Irish countryside, spending time in nature, listening to great music - so many things!

What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?

A bit of everything. Right now I’m loving the new album from The Staves and Folklore and Evermore from Taylor Swift. But I listen to a real mix of genres and artists - everything from Fleetwood Mac to The 1975 to Maggie Rogers and Phoebe Bridgers.

If you could recommend one artist to hear this week, who would it be?

The Staves - new album; Good Woman.

What’s the question we should have asked you today but haven’t?

“Tell us where you are and what you’re doing while answering these questions”.... Well, I’m sitting here in my cottage with a glass of red after a long day - feet up, fire blazing, chilling out!

Finally, how do you take your coffee?

Oat milk latte please!

To find out more about Megan you should visit her official website or check out what she’s up to on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty is available now to stream on Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music. Or you can buy the album on Bandcamp.