Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Melanie Meriney

Musical chameleon Melanie Meriney is embracing all the colors of her artistry. It’s one of the many reasons why she’s an artist to keep your eye on in 2021. Having grown up on country, pop, rock, and hip hop, Melanie is combining all of her influences and making a sound that’s authentically her own. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Melanie about breaking the mold and creating music on her own terms. Plus, we chatted about her new single “Cool Girl” and her upcoming album.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Melanie: When I was little, my parents were always listening to music around the house. My dad was really into ’70s and ’80s rock bands. My mom was always playing country radio. I went with them to a Shania Twain concert when I was in third grade and ended up falling in love with the energy of the stage; I wanted her career so badly! Since that moment, I knew singing, songwriting, and performing was what I wanted to do.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Melanie: Shania Twain was my biggest musical influence, but I truly think that working with different producers has helped influence my sound. That has helped me get out of my box.

My best friends in Nashville are all writers and performers. Experiencing life with them gives me the best stories for my songwriting. We’re always on the hunt for different hooks and song ideas.

PC: Like everyone else, artists have had to adapt to the global pandemic. How have you been able to remain creatively fulfilled during the challenging year?
Melanie: It’s funny because as far as music creation goes, quarantine made me very uncreative! I draw my songwriting ideas from my life and experiences. It was really just me and my cat, so I didn’t have this big creative bang like some people did. However, luckily I had a lot of songs already written that I hadn’t gotten around to recording yet in the studio, so 2020 was a great year for fleshing those out and putting together this new album that I’m releasing! There’s a silver lining to everything.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Cool Girl.” What was the inspiration behind the song?
Melanie: I love being sassy in my writing. When Krista Angelucci and I were in Key West about two years ago, we were discussing Gone Girl. I jumped on the chance to put a sarcastic spin on what guys might think is a “cool girl.” The book pretty elaborately describes it as a girl who just agrees with everything a guy says and is hot and perfect twenty-four-seven. It’s basically a completely unrealistic standard. We wanted to play on that definition.

PC: You’re getting ready to drop a new project later this year. What can fans expect from ChaMELeon? What do you hope to say as an artist?
Melanie: Yes, I’m so excited! I’ve been living in Nashville and have been around the music industry for so long. You get used to hearing people say you need to be completely defined, put together, and developed in a certain way. I used to be of the mindset that I couldn’t record a song because it didn’t fit into the mold or box I was supposed to adapt to. I’ve come to feel like that’s a real old-school style of thinking.

Artists are legendary because they evolve and follow their creativity. I think the industry should follow the artist and not the other way around. I started throwing around the word “chameleon” because chameleons can express themselves against a wide variety of different backgrounds.

As someone who grew up with not only a country but a rock, pop, metal, and hip hop influence, this album is meant to showcase all sides of me sonically. I want to let the songs speak for themselves and be what they are meant to be instead of trying to change them or my artistry to fit a narrow definition.

PC: If you have to pick a song off of ChaMELeon that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Melanie: That’s so challenging because I think the purpose of the project is to show all sides of me! Each song does something different, whether that’s highlighting my sassy, sentimental, rocker, etc. side. While they all represent me as an artist, the ones I especially love are “Voodoo Doll” and “Damn Good Story!” You’ll hear those soon!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Melanie: Dua Lipa! I love her spunkiness and pop-driven melodies!

PC: First album you bought?
Melanie: Shania Twain’s Come On Over and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Melanie: Taylor Swift’s self-titled album! This came out when I was in high school and it really opened my eyes to conversational songwriting! She isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Melanie: I think every Nashville artist dreams of performing at the Opry someday. It would be amazing to perform where so many legends have performed.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Melanie: My phone’s voice memo app! I love songwriting on road trips, especially if I’m by myself.

To keep up with Melanie, follow her on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Photo Credit: Angelea Presti