Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Meg Smith

Last year, rising singer-songwriter Meg Smith spent her time abroad in London and Paris. She credits the isolation with helping her develop who she is as a woman and artist, encapsulating those experiences and the lessons she learned in her confident debut EP, American in Paris. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Meg about the release.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Meg: I was always a very musical and artistic child, but I didn’t start seriously writing songs until I was twelve. It was such an escape for me; I would spend every day after school alone in my bedroom writing songs on my ukulele. I would sing the songs I had written over and over again, pretending like I was singing to a sold out crowd at the Staples Center. It was a really necessary escape for me all throughout middle and high school.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Meg: I think moving to New York really shifted my world view and changed my music. It felt like a new beginning. I spent so many years in high school trying to replicate other artists. Once I moved to New York, I started to find my own unique sound. It was really freeing to stop trying to be other people and just focus on my own work. In New York, it’s cool to stand out or go against the grain—I love that.

PC: You just released your debut EP, American in Paris. What was the inspiration behind the collection?
Meg: I studied abroad in London last year, and it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I spent a lot of time alone, traveling to Paris and Amsterdam and exploring London. When you spend that much time by yourself, you have a lot of time to reflect and figure out who you are without any outside influence. It was really lonely, but also one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. This EP explores every side of my personality and all the things I learned about myself when I was traveling. I can be really introverted and shy sometimes, but I can also be really outgoing. It depends on the day and who/what I’m surrounded by. I also romanticize absolutely everything. I think this EP captures all of that.

PC: If you had to choose one song off of American in Paris that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Meg: I think “Cool 4 U” best encompasses who I am. It’s really pop-y and dance-y, but then when I play it on an acoustic guitar, it becomes really moody. I like how depending on how someone is hearing the song, it can either be really fun and exciting or really emotional. I’m sort of like that. I’m an ambivert, so depending on the day, I can be really introverted or extroverted.

PC: With this being your debut EP, what was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself as an artist?
Meg: I learned that I shouldn’t confine myself to one sound or style of song. This EP is kind of all over the place sonically, for better or for worse, but I’d rather have that than write music that all sounds the same. I think this EP also assured me that I can do this—like, I can start and finish a project by myself. I made and released this EP without a label, publisher, manager, etc. It was incredibly hard. There were lots of nights that I couldn’t fall asleep because I was terrified no one would listen to it…but I did it! It took over a year, but I finished the project and am really happy with how it turned out.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Meg: So much more music! And hopefully some exciting collaborations. You should have some new music from me by November or December.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Meg: Ice Cube! I’m kind of obsessed with ’90s gangsta rap at the moment.

PC: First album you bought?
Meg: The soundtrack to High School Musical 2.

PC: First concert you attended?
Meg: Taylor Swift’s Speak Now tour.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Meg: Tapestry by Carole King. I really delved into that album my freshman year of college. I had never listened to an album in which every single song felt so relatable; it felt like she was singing just to me.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Meg: House of Blues in LA.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Meg: Hot Cheeto Fries. I don’t know why, but I’m completely obsessed with them.

To keep up with Meg, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream American in Paris today.