Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:13 What is going on everybody? How we doing? Welcome back to another edition of the In podcast. My name is Matt Bar and, uh, we are on camera. Now you can find our episodes on YouTube. We have got Mr. Matt McIlwain recording these episodes. And, uh, today for our first video episode, uh, really cool guest. We have got Miss Meg Patrick, and, uh, we talk about all kinds of stuff. She really opens up with us and, uh, tells us about her thoughts on some different things. Talks about the music, uh, what she's got coming up and, uh, yeah, all kinds of cool shit. So y'all stick around for that conversation. Before we get into that, gotta tell y'all about our sponsors. First and foremost, our friends at Whale Tale Media are partners in this Wales, Bey, Gracie, the whole crew, our content specialist. Uh, we love them dearly.
Speaker 1 00:01:02 Make sure you check 'em out, whale tail media.com. Second, we have got our friends at Saxon Studios, Grady Saxon and the boys over there. Great supporters in the scene. If you're looking to get some recorded here in Nashville, Tennessee, hit those boys up. They're very good at what they do. They work hard and, uh, they will have your back as an artist here in Nashville, Tennessee. And last, but certainly not least, our friends in the green world. That's right, we're talking about Andrew and Matt and the team at Trailside, C B D Emporium, Trailside Wellness Emporium. They are the shit. They've been behind us for a long time now. And, um, they specialize in anything CCB d anything hemp, and of course that Tasty Legal Delta eight t hc. And we got a promo code with them. You use promo code i t r at checkout, you save 20% on your order. Anything you can smoke, vape, eat, they even got shit for your dogs, go check them out. Trailside cbd.com. Use the promo code i t r at checkout and you save yourself 20% off. Now that further ado, we're gonna get into the episode. Y'all get ready for this one. We have Meg Patrick on the in the round podcast.
Speaker 1 00:02:20 A little clap. Well, how the hell are you doing today, miss Meg, Patrick?
Speaker 2 00:02:24 Uh, well I got to write a song today. Um, so yeah, that's pretty dope. I like, I like doing that
Speaker 1 00:02:30 <laugh>. Nice. That's good. You got experience some fun Nashville traffic that we all get to.
Speaker 2 00:02:34 Oh yeah, that was definitely my favorite part of the day.
Speaker 1 00:02:36 <laugh>, you got stuck on a damn train.
Speaker 2 00:02:38 Yeah, I was like, well, after I got off the interstate I was like, okay, I'm so close. And then I waited forever to turn onto this street and like nobody was letting anybody in. And then finally I was like, all right, this next time it's, it's gonna happen. And then I see that there's a train. I was like, of course there is <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:02:56 So it goes like that. How long have you been living here in Nashville?
Speaker 2 00:02:59 Uh, it's been almost five years. Almost
Speaker 1 00:03:01 Five years. Damn. Yeah. Okay. So you've gotten, you've had your plenty of taste of Nashville traffic and all
Speaker 2 00:03:06 That shit. Yeah. Yeah. I mean luckily I've, I've never lived super far out of town, so I, I don't have to experience it on a daily basis. Just, you know, for special occasions like coming to see you guys, you know, Hey,
Speaker 1 00:03:16 Hey, there you go. Yeah. Coming, coming over here to the east side. Um, yep. But yeah, so growing up in, growing up in Canada, so you're from Ontario mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you're, you're, um, you're very, you've, you've done a lot in, in that scene and mm-hmm. <affirmative> done a lot here now, now in Nashville. And, um, so what was that transition kind of like coming, coming down to the states and
Speaker 2 00:03:35 Um, you know, I mean, it was kind of something that was always in the back of my mind, you know, it was kind of always sort of the end goal was, was to end up here. Um, and I, and I thought about moving here actually sooner than I did, but then I ended up getting an offer for a record deal in Canada and it was a really good deal. I loved the team there. And so it kind of made sense to put in a couple years and, you know, build, build an audience and a career in Canada. And then, um, and I, at that point I didn't really have like a game plan yet. I just knew that I, that was gonna be my focus for at least the next couple years. And I mean, honestly, things, things happened and took off pretty fast for me.
Speaker 2 00:04:16 Which, which was great cuz I mean, it was fast in that sense, but I also had been waiting for that moment since, you know, the, the most of my, the rest of my life. You know? Yeah. I'd been playing in bands. Um, I, I had several bands growing up, you know, starting from when I was like 13. Um, and I, I studied music in, in college and had a couple different bands during those times. My last band before I went solo was a bluegrass band. And so that was like really my first taste of touring. We made a couple records ourselves just independently. Um, and then, you know, when that kind, when we went our separate ways, that was when I started doing the solo thing. So anyway, that after a couple years, I got to a point where, um, you know, if I wasn't touring, I was in Nashville writing anyway.
Speaker 2 00:05:02 And so I was like hardly home and there were just not a lot of reasons to be there anymore. And I also felt like the more time I spent in Nashville, you know, when I would come home, it just didn't really feel like it's where I needed to be anymore. Yeah. I felt, you know, I just, I felt really kind of uninspired and, and I wasn't as motivated when I was at home cuz I was, I wasn't around other musicians and other people doing what I was doing. So it was like easy to fall back into like, you know, what my friends back home were doing. And there's nothing wrong with that, but I just, I wasn't focused the way I wanted to be. So I was actually on tour. My, my first big tour that I did was, um, with Tom Cochran in Canada. Nice. Yeah. Kind of a random tour. But yeah, it was, you know, I took it cuz I mean, one, I just wanted to play regardless, but I also feel like it was, it was a really good exercise for me as an entertainer because, um, you know, I, it wasn't really my demographic or my genre, you know? And so I had to walk out on stage every night and, and, and learn how to like, read the crowd and how to win them over. Um, which, you know, was not really my, my normal Yeah. Audience.
Speaker 1 00:06:07 Absolutely.
Speaker 2 00:06:08 So I was out on that tour and, you know, I was, I had been in a relationship and we had just broken up and I was like, trying to figure out like, where am I gonna live when I get back from this, this tour? And then I was like, wait a minute. Like, why am I even staying in Canada? Like, there's nothing left there for me anymore. And so I came back and within probably 36 hours I had packed up my truck in the U-Haul and drove down to Nashville. Hell yeah. So yeah, it was, it happened quick when I made the decision.
Speaker 1 00:06:36 Yeah. And you've found like a group of friends, like mm-hmm. <affirmative>, like I know Farn and your, yourself and Laney and, and Ashlyn and, and Jenna and Casey. It's, they coined the term the bad bitches of Nashville. They're y'all, y'all, y'all, y'all do like the la Cause I've been here, it'll be three years, um, at the end of this month mm-hmm. <affirmative> and it's like, and so from like 2018 on, even before that, y'all were making a lot of noise here in town, but around that time, like, I remember going to, going to Whiskey Jam and just kind of seeing everybody blowing up at that point. Yeah. So that had to be cool to come into town. Like when did you first get into, when did you become friends with all those so powerful ladies?
Speaker 2 00:07:13 <laugh>. So this is, this is the crazy thing. And it was like, it really felt like, like a god thing when I, when I moved here. Like obviously, you know, I, I felt good about the move, but it was still scary. Like it was a huge change. Yeah. You know, and I didn't really know a lot of people here, um, other than like some people that I'd written with. Um, and so literally the first night, like I had driven from Canada that morning with Oliver, my guitar player, you know, 14 hour drive. We get in and I was like, dude, I'm like, let's just leave all this stuff. Let's go get a beer somewhere. Been a long day. And so I don't remember how we ended up at, I think it was Basement East. And so we're waiting outside to go in and I hear this voice behind me.
Speaker 2 00:07:53 So, so Casey and I had started following each other on social media before I ever moved. We'd never met, we didn't know each other. It was just kind of like, you seem cool, like I'm gonna follow you. I like your music. We were both into hunting and, you know, all that stuff. So I'm standing there and I hear Megan Patrick and I'm like, who, who knows me here? Like, she's like, Hey, it's me, Casey Tyndall <laugh>. And, and she like, runs up and she's like, what are you doing here? I thought she lived in Canada. And I was like, well, I actually like, literally just moved here today. And she was like, oh my gosh. She's like, well you, you need to meet my roommate Laney and you need to come out to the house. Like there's no real country ass girls in this town. And like, you're like a real country ass bitch.
Speaker 2 00:08:31 Like you out there hunting and shit. Like she's going off. And I was just like, okay. Like great. Yeah. Like I would love that. And it's like with girls, like girls don't really do that. You know, they don't really like just come up and like, be nice to you <laugh> Yeah, sometimes and like be like, Hey, let's be friends. Like, unless sometimes there's like some kind of ulterior motive or you know, whatever, especially within the industry, cuz sometimes it can feel very kind of competitive, you know? Yeah. And, and part of that, and this is going off on a tangent a little bit, but y'all,
Speaker 1 00:08:59 Hey, you're good. You, you say whatever you want that
Speaker 2 00:09:01 Patrick, I'll do that. You can, you can reign me in. I get a little chatty. But like, you know, part of that, that whole atmosphere comes from the fact that, you know, the, the way the industry has been for women in country and it's definitely getting better now. Yeah. But there was a period of time where we were all talking about it, you know, the lack of women on
Speaker 1 00:09:17 Tomato Gate baby. Yeah, yeah. Tomato Gate. Right. It was a real thing.
Speaker 2 00:09:20 It was a real thing. And so, you know, I think it really did breed this energy amongst women in the industry that like, we had to be competitive with each other cuz there was only room for one of us. And like, there kind of was <laugh> at the time, you know? And so I was just so grateful to meet these girls. Like immediately when I, when I moved there and like I said, it, it was a God thing. It was like God was like telling me, this is where you're supposed to be. These are the people you're supposed to meet. And, you know, they've become, they're, they're not even, I don't even call them friends. I mean, they're my family and they're my biggest inspirations and they're so talented. They work so hard. You know, we all kind of have our own thing that we do and we genuinely support each other and, and, and lift each other up.
Speaker 2 00:10:02 We're not competitive. We don't get jealous and weird about things. You know, like we, because we all believe that when one of us succeeds, we all do. And it just Absolutely, you know, it just opens more doors for all of us. And, you know, I talked to Mitchell about this and, and you know, he, he kind of compares us to like his sort of guy group. You know, he came up with Devin Dawson and, and Hardy and Jordan Schmidt and like all these guys that all write and have now become really successful artists and writers and producers and stuff. And he's like, when I see I look at y'all and I think of you as being, being that, you know. And so that's, I mean, that's a compliment to me. So I'm like, shit, if we can do half of what, what y'all have done, then yeah. We'll be killing it. So
Speaker 1 00:10:43 Yeah. Cuz there really is, I mean, and you're, you're starting to see it with, with radio stuff, you're starting to see it with Torch lots and it's like, you guys aren't just singing like stereotypical songs. Like y'all write the real shit. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, y'all are all so uniquely yourselves. And like when you go and watch a a Meg Patrick show, you're gonna, you're gonna come out there that harmonica, you're gonna rock that freaking congrats. Same thing with Laney, same thing. Entertaining. No, that's the thing. And Casey too, and Ashland, the whole crew is so entertaining and it's, it's refreshing and it's been cool to watch that over the last few years. Especially cuz I feel like for some reason the last few years it's really like picked up mm-hmm. <affirmative>
Speaker 2 00:11:15 Just in general. Yeah. I mean, well, and now, you know, with Laney getting her first number one Yeah. You know, like, that was like, that was like a, such a win, like, to all of us. Like we've all been like cheering for her and you know, I can't tell you how many stories I've posted of her playing that song on rounds being like, if this doesn't go number one, like, y'all are all wrong. Like, y'all are crazy. You know? And we all felt that way. And so, you know, it's just like, it's seeing like for Mitchell, like for them it was Devin was that first one to get that that number one of that, that group or, well, I guess it went to two, but whatever <laugh>, it's, it's a number one. Yes. It's a smash. Whatever it's yes. You know. Um, but yeah, I mean, it's not, not one of those, like all of those girls are so much more than just a pretty face. They're all fantastic writers. They're great entertainers. They're, they're good human beings. They, their work ethic is unmatched. I mean, those girls work their asses off. We all do. And so it, they're easy to root for
Speaker 1 00:12:10 And incredible hangs so much incredible hangs. That's the other thing too, is like just going af after a whiskey jam over to losers or red door. Yeah. Some of the, some of the best times you could have in Nashville is with you and, and your friends.
Speaker 2 00:12:21 Yeah. I don't, I don't know what I do without them. Truly. I mean, this, this is such a hard industry and it kicks your ass so hard sometimes. And you know, there's, there's always peaks and valleys and sometimes, you know, there's gonna be lots of times in our group where some of us are on a high and some of us are on a low, some of us are going through some shit, you know, we lose a deal or changing management or whatever it is. Or a single, you know, doesn't ha doesn't work or whatever. Like, and we all just are there for each other for the highs and the lows and, you know, that's just, so I've never really had that actually, to be honest with, with like other girls. You know, I grew up, I was always kind of a tomboy and I was, I played a lot of sports and like was into outdoors stuff, hunting and fishing and all that. And so I naturally just ended up hanging around more guys. And don't get me wrong, I had girlfriends that are awesome people, but like, they're not in music. Yeah. So there's, there's a whole aspect of my life that like, they don't, they couldn't possibly understand. Cuz nobody can understand it unless you're in it, you
Speaker 1 00:13:19 Know? Yeah, absolutely. And that's something I even see going back to New York. Granted I'm on kind of this side where I'm, I'm doing the personality thing where I go out touring with a crew, but it's like, there's such a, such a connection. Like you build such a bomb with people mm-hmm. <affirmative> around music and around this lifestyle. Yeah. Because it is a hectic lifestyle. I mean, yeah. I remember we were in, uh, we were in North Carolina together recently mm-hmm. <affirmative> you had flown in from Florida. Yeah. And then it's like, how many jobs do you do that where you do, you go down to Florida, you play a festival, then you, then you fly up and you're got some random ass Harley Davidson. Yeah. And the next day and you're, you're getting a tattoo before the show and like, all that like, like it's like, what other job do you get to do that? It's like the coolest job in the world, but so many people don't get it, you know? Yeah. They don't quite understand. Yeah. Especially when you're starting out. Which, what was, what was starting out like, like were you was in Canada, they have like a four hour cover circuit thing, like they have down here. Like what's, what's starting out on the Canadian circuit? Like,
Speaker 2 00:14:08 Um, so I mean, when I got started, you know, obviously the first thing was going and, and writing and getting the songs together to, to put out a record. Um, my first single, I actually wrote with Chad Kroger
Speaker 1 00:14:21 Back, no shit.
Speaker 2 00:14:22 Yeah. Me and him, uh, my manager at the time had a relationship with him and started talking to him and she's like, I'm working with this new girl. Like she, you know, I think she's, she's really great. Like, would you, would you like write with her? And so I went out to LA and we sat down and we wrote my first single and then, well at the time it was just a song and he did the demo for it. Excuse
Speaker 1 00:14:44 Me. Hey, you're good, good. Sorry,
Speaker 2 00:14:45 I'm drinking beer <laugh>. Um, and uh, and the demo just sounded really great. And you know, after that, uh, he was like, well, you know, I was like, would you wanna produce it? And so he did. And then at that time it was just a single, but he said, you know, send, send me stuff. Like, send me what you're working on. Like I wanna wanna hear what you're doing. And, um, I sent, I sent him a song that was a duet that I'd written. Um, and he flipped over the song. He's like, oh my gosh, I love this. He's like, let me, like, let me produce some more sides on your record. I was like, I mean, it's not let you, I'm like, I don't know if we can afford you, but like yeah, obviously that would be amazing. And then he had asked me, he's like, so, you know, who would you want to sing this duet with you?
Speaker 2 00:15:27 And I was like, well, like realistically as a new unknown artist, or like, if I could have anyone. And he said, if you could have anyone. And I was like, honestly, I, I feel like Joe Nichols would be perfect for it. I, he, it was a very kind of traditional country kind of thing and I just like could picture his voice on, he goes, oh, I know Joe. Yeah, I'll ask him. And I'm like, okay, cool. Like there's no way he's gonna do it, you know. And then a couple weeks later he texts me, he's like, Joe's in. I'm like, are you serious <laugh>?
Speaker 2 00:15:55 And he's like, yeah, he loved the song he's in. And uh, so we, we cut that and a few other songs and um, yeah, I mean that the, the duet was my first top 10 song in Canada, so no shit. Yeah. And so, you know, we did same kind of thing radio tour, although it is uh, not quite as intense as here cuz there's just not as many stations. Yeah. It's just, um, a smaller market. Um, but we did that. And then yeah, the first like, I guess the first festival, the first shows or first tour, I did some dates with Kit Moore, which was awesome. Um, and then the Tom Cochran thing and then getting on all the festival circuit, that kind of stuff.
Speaker 1 00:16:32 So that festival circuit can be exhausting.
Speaker 2 00:16:35 Yeah. It's like, it's a lot. Yeah. And the thing about festivals in Canada too is like, you kind of, you really gotta like make hay while the sun shines cuz there's a much smaller window of opportunity to like, play outside <laugh> in Canada. Yeah. Cuz it gets so cold. Um, you know, so it's like that, that summer is just like nuts cuz you're, you're trying to play as many of them as you can. Yeah. Cuz that's where the best money is made too for an artist. And also like, a lot of it is like on opposite sides of the country. Yep. Like, you know, and you're going, I can't tell you how many times I've played, you know, Cavendish out in p e i, which is like almost as far east as you can go, and then flying com to, you know, Calgary to play the stampede the next day, which geez. Which is on the complete opposite side of the country. So you're not getting a lot of sleep, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 00:17:19 Yeah. See, I remember actually, um, it was, and for me it's like a signature like badass Meg Patrick moment. It was, I believe, was it at a festival? I believe in Canada. There was, there was some asshole uhhuh in the front <laugh>. And I remember watching that clip and being like, you go Meg. Yeah. Like that's, that's that's quintessential like <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:17:37 Yeah. That was crazy that, that was a festival in Canada and it was like, so there were a couple things that happened too before that festival that I think made it, that I like kind of snapped
Speaker 1 00:17:48 The way I did. But no good for you for snapping because that's not right for somebody to be saying shit
Speaker 2 00:17:52 Like that. No. Well, and here, and here's the thing is like, that's not the first time. I mean, shit, it's not even the 10th time. Some idiot said something like that to me. And most of the time I would like, you know, I would crack a joke or you know, talk a little shit, whatever, move on. Yeah. But you know, for some, there was a couple things that had already happened. You know, we, we ended up, we already had a late slot for a headliner, which is like, can be tough with festivals when people have been drinking in the sun since two o'clock and you're not even going on stage till like 10 or 10 30 Yeah. Or whatever. And, and then there was a huge delay and like, we ended up going on stage. We were already like 30 minutes later than we should have been. And so I was, I was kind of frustrated because I knew that we had lost some of the audience cuz people were just tired and like drunk <laugh> it
Speaker 1 00:18:35 Happens. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:18:35 You know, and it was the last night. And so anyway, I was frustrated with that. We finally get on stage, we're getting in the groove and then, you know, I'm starting to introduce a song and this guy yells it out and he says, show me your tits. And first time I was like, I didn't say anything, just ignored it kept going. And then he said it again even louder. And I was like, oh, okay. You want my attention motherfucker. You just got it. Yeah. And how many times can I say fuck on this podcast? Well,
Speaker 1 00:18:58 However many times you want. We're sponsored by a weed company. You good? Okay.
Speaker 2 00:19:01 All right. Well, cuz there's, because I think, I think I might have broken a record for most times saying fuck inside of like a, you know, one 30 minute, 32nd speech. I just like, I don't know what it was, it, I just like saw red cuz he was like, it wasn't just that he said it, he was like being disruptive. Like he was like kept doing it, you know, he did it more than once. So I was like, all right turn. I'm like, no, no, no. Put the lights on the crowd who said that? And it's like, crickets, you know? And I was like, no, no, no, you said it like own up to it kind of thing. And literally everybody in the crowd just like points at this guy, like, totally throws him under the bus. And I looked at him, I was like, you, I was like, get the fuck out.
Speaker 2 00:19:37 And he starts yelling back at me. I said, no, no, no. I said, get the fuck out. I'm like, like this is not, this is not a strip club. You know, I'm like, I did not work my whole life, you know, to get up here and, you know, put my blood sweat and tears into, into this performance and these songs to have it like degraded to show me your tits. Yeah. You know, I, I was just, and I just, I said, I don't even remember what I said, but I just said, I work two damn hard motherfuckers. Fuck you. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:20:04 Amen. That was Amen girl.
Speaker 2 00:20:05 And that was the, and the crowd just like went wild, thankfully. Like they were, they were definitely on my side, you know, they had my back.
Speaker 1 00:20:11 Well who wouldn't? Well who wouldn't be on your side. And I think, and I think so many who trust me and I, well I think so, I think so many, so many like females will see that too because a lot of folks deal with that. Yes. Like, it's not just happening, happening to you.
Speaker 2 00:20:22 Well, it was interesting because, so after this happened, like, you know, after, after that happened, we just, we finished the set and I, when I came off stage, I actually was like kind of upset. Like it was just, it was such a shitty feeling Yeah. To be up there and like trying to kill it. And then some guy just thinks that's all you're worth. You know what I mean? And so the next day I'm in Nashville and I wake up and my buddy Sam Sumser, he, he's calling me, it's like nine in the morning and I'm like, shit like, am I supposed to be at a right right now? He's like, dude, you're a badass. I was like, thanks <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:20:52 Oh, so you had no idea that it was like this, this
Speaker 2 00:20:54 Moment I had no idea. Yeah. That, that this like, he's like, no, he's like your video, I'm like, my music video. Like, what are you talking about? He's like, that video of you like cussing that guy out. He's like, it's like gone viral. It was like on Reddit and blah, blah blah. I was like, what? And then I started thinking like, oh shit. Like am I gonna be in trouble? Like, is the label gonna be pissed? Like, cuz I had just started talking with Riser House and was, you know, gonna do a deal with them. And I'm like, oh my God. Like what if, you know, they get really upset. And I remember Jen, Jennifer Johnson, his head at Riser, she called me, excuse me, sorry, I keep burping. Um, you're good. And she called me and I was like so nervous. I'm like, is she gonna be upset?
Speaker 2 00:21:30 And she was like, I'm so proud of you. Yeah. She said, you know, that is, that is one of the reasons why I wanted to sign you. That's the Megan that I love. Like, and I was like, okay, so you're not mad. She said absolutely not. She's like, I'm, we're blowing this up. I'm calling USA today <laugh>. Like I'm doing this. Yeah. All of a sudden I'm like doing all these like interviews and everything around this. And, and I started re and I made a post about it on my social media kind of explaining things. And I basically what I said was like, I'm not sorry for what I said, could I have said fuck Les? Yeah, probably. But you know, I didn't have time. I wasn't afforded the luxury of like, time to like create this well thought out speech. I just, I honestly said exactly what I was thinking as I was thinking it and said it with the, the amount of anger and passion that I was feeling about it.
Speaker 2 00:22:15 And, you know, it within the industry I was, there was an overwhelming amount of like positive support. And I got a lot of really awesome messages from like other female artists being like, you know, I've had that happen to me and I've never said anything. And it always bothered me. And like, you just literally gave me the courage to say something the next time because, you know, I was worried that people like I would get backlash for it and whatever. And so, you know, for a while it was like really positive and then it got really dark. Um, really? Yeah. I had, um, one of my friends, her mom was like at work and this woman at her work was like, Hey, have you seen this video? Like, isn't your daughter like friends with her or whatever. So somebody that was at the festival had posted it on, on Facebook and, and like, in support of me, this was someone that was a fan of mine and she started going through the comments and sent it to me.
Speaker 2 00:23:10 And I like, I'm pretty tough. I got a pretty thick skin, but it was absolutely horrible the things people were saying just like, oh my God. Like, I don't even wanna say it. Yeah. It's like, it was just really, really nasty and just like, you know, cuz I expected, you know, some people were mad about the language, like, oh, there, there might have been children there. And I was like, okay, well if you bring a child to a music festival at, and they're still there at like midnight, like they're gonna see and hear adult things also. Like I'm not the fucking wiggles. Okay. Yeah. I'm not, I'm not a child entertainer. I'm a grown ass woman who is Amen. Who makes music for grown ass people. And like Yeah. And also if you think that a woman using the word fuck to stand up for herself is the most damaging thing your child saw on the internet today. You, you are delusional.
Speaker 1 00:23:56 You've got no idea.
Speaker 2 00:23:57 Like you think, like if you, if you have a kid that's on social media, I mean, first of all they're, I guess they're supposed to be what, 14 or older at least. And you think they haven't heard that word before? Yeah. Like, like get over yourself. Also, it's not my, I'm it's not my job to raise your kids. Like that's your job. Absolutely. <laugh>. You know what I mean? Absolutely. But yeah, it was, that was the tough part. And I, and I had to remind myself that like, you know, for lack of a better term, these are people from uh, shallow end of the gene pool. Like these are Yeah. These are people that like, are just get on the internet. They're keyboard warriors, trolls, you know, they trolls the
Speaker 1 00:24:31 Trolls.
Speaker 2 00:24:31 Yep. They're miserable people. Like, and I sh you shouldn't care, you know what they think. But that was like kind of my, one of my first tastes of like really being like bullied and attacked online and it was, it was tough. <laugh>. Yeah. I had, I had to like give myself some boundaries on like going online and like just not looking at it for a while. Yeah. Cuz it really bothered me. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:24:53 Well I think I speak for everybody in and in Nashville and in our music world when I say like, that was didn't at the end of the day, end of discussion. Um, badass moment for real. Thank you. Like I remember watching that being like, you go Meg, so last year, last year or so, that happens 2019. So 2020 we find out about this thing called Covid world shuts down. You, you have dual citizen. Are you, you have dual citizenship. Yes. Yes. So you have dual citizenship and borders are closing gigs are ending. What, what got you through last year? Because last year I'm trying weed
Speaker 2 00:25:24 And whiskey, <laugh>,
Speaker 1 00:25:25 Weed and whiskey. Hey there. No, I mean, I'm with you on half of that.
Speaker 2 00:25:28 Yeah. I mean honestly it was, it was really, really, really tough cuz I was like, I was kind of at this place where, you know, I was kind of really having, I was like peaking in Canada. I was on my first headlining tour Yep. In Canada had just been on, uh, sold out like Old Dominion Arena tour with Mitchell. Um, I had just signed my US record deal and like we were trying, we were getting ready to like, go to radio with my first US single. I had all these big festivals lined up. Like I was literally like in this position where, you know, all signs are pointing to like, this, your shit is about to blow up. Like this is gonna be your year. And, um, and then it wasn't <laugh>. Yeah. And so as soon as I knew that this like, realized like, okay, we're losing shows.
Speaker 2 00:26:14 Like this is, and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting further and further away and just kept getting worse and worse and worse. And so I was like, all right, I've gotta make the best of this time and just write a bunch of songs. I just, I'm gonna focus on my songwriting. I'm gonna, I'm gonna work at it in a way that I have never done before. Because to be honest, like before that, I mean, I, writing for me was like, I'd be on the road most of the time. I'd come home for like three days, go in and write maybe two or three of those those days and then right back out on the road. So I never had a lot of time to really like work at songwriting. And so, and then the worst part of it was like, after I told myself that this was my plan, it was like I had just like the worst writer's block.
Speaker 2 00:26:57 Like just, oh man. I was so, like, I swear, like I couldn't have written a song to save my life. I couldn't, I had no ideas. I had no inspiration. I was just like, probably partly because I was just really depressed Yeah. And upset about everything that was going on. So I told myself like, all right, stop beating yourself up over it. Just, this is what you're gonna do every day for at least one hour. You're gonna sit down with your guitar and you're gonna, you're gonna work on something. Like you don't have to write a whole song. Like even if you just sit there and come up with a cool riff or a melody or a little bit of lyrics or whatever it is for at least one hour. Like if after an hour you got nothing cool, you stop, you, you tried. If it turns into something else great.
Speaker 2 00:27:37 And being more intentional about my creative process really changed something. Yeah. For me. And I, and then after that I felt like I started writing some of the best songs I'd ever written because I was really like, I was making it a job. I wasn't just like showing up to the right and like using whatever, I guess natural ability. I had to write a song. I was working at it. Yeah. And I was, you know, making time to work at it outside of the writing room. So that was kind of what got me through, was just trying to immerse myself in the creative part of things. I was, I wanted to spend more time, you know, playing my guitar, getting better at guitar and I learned how to use pro tools so I could, you
Speaker 1 00:28:15 Know, start there you
Speaker 2 00:28:16 Go doing that kind of thing. And so, yeah, I, I think there was a lot of positive things that, that came out of it. But there's still a part of me that feels very bitter about what I feel like was taken away and the way it's still affecting my career now. You
Speaker 1 00:28:28 Know. Well, how's 2021 been going?
Speaker 2 00:28:30 You know, it's, there's been some, some good and some bad. I mean it's, you know, I lost like basically all, even though we got shows back here in the US like I only had so many shows for the US and like, I had a lot of stuff that was supposed to be happening in Canada. Oh yeah. And like nothing, they, everything just kept getting canceled. And so it sucked cuz like, there were some US things that I had turned down to play in Canada because one, I I needed to, you know, keep up with my audience there, but also like that was my, you know, that was my money maker. You know, I'm not really where I'm at in the US level right now. It's like I'm, I'm just kind of barely breaking even whereas like in Canada, I make good money. Yeah. And so I had this whole plan to essentially use the money I was making in Canada to help support and supplement my touring in the us.
Speaker 1 00:29:18 Yeah. People don't realize that when you, what, like, there's so much that goes into touring mm-hmm. <affirmative> and goes into promotion and goes into all that stuff. There's so many expenses. The Yeah. Breaking Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:29:26 It takes a while to actually make money. Yeah. Like to actually profit. It
Speaker 1 00:29:29 Does, it does. Now for, for Canada, where's, where would you say, and I don't mean to put you on the spot, but where's like, the best Canadian market? Like where, where do you know you're gonna go and it's gonna be a crowd that's gonna gonna do the research, sing back the words, they're gonna be rowdy, they're gonna, by the merch. Like,
Speaker 2 00:29:45 I mean, you know, obviously I'm from Ontario, so like I, my biggest fan base is still there cuz I've toured there the most, like Boots and Hearts is a big festival there. That's, that's kind of always been like my favorite cuz it's kind of like a hometown festival for me. Yeah. And I know I'm gonna get like, my hometown crowd and you know, the people that have kind of been there from the beginning. But, you know, also, I mean there's a lot of great, I mean, Calgary, like the Stampede is always crazy. Um, but then, you know, there's a lot of markets that are in kind of all the in between middle of nowhere like prairie provinces where, you know, it's not the biggest market. It's not always the biggest crowds, but the, the quality of the crowd is so good because they don't get as many shows, you know, as
Speaker 1 00:30:28 Some of the So when they, when they come out, they're gonna show out. Yeah. It means a lot to them. Exactly. You're coming to their, their little farm town.
Speaker 2 00:30:34 Yeah. They, they don't get as many shows as some of the other bigger markets get. And so Yeah. Like when they do get a show, like they're, that's like the thing and they're coming to party like they're having a good time. So in some ways those crowds can sometimes be even more fun than some of the bigger crowds cuz they're really like into it. Hell
Speaker 1 00:30:50 Yeah. Now you mentioned Chad Kroger earlier and I've got, I got my Jordan Reger shirt on mm-hmm. <affirmative> Mutual, good mutual friend of ours. Right. And he's, he's, he's on my side with this. So Is so is our buddy Ben Miller. And I believe McIlwain is too. Why do people hate Nickelback? Why do you think that is? Because I love Nickelback.
Speaker 2 00:31:07 Dude. I, first of all, I don't get it. First of all, I just, I don't know how this like became a thing because I just don't believe that that many I like, I just like, honestly y'all are lying because the sales would suggest otherwise. Yeah. There's no way as like as many people that say they hate Nickelback, there's no way that that it's even true. And I, I don't even know why. I mean, honestly, I just think when you start doing something right, you, that's when you get haters. You know? Yeah. If, if you don't have haters, you're doing something wrong. You're, you're not, like I've always said, I would rather be a polarizing artist where like, either you love me or you hate me, but at least either way you feel really strongly about me,
Speaker 1 00:31:42 You give enough of a fuck Yeah. To feel one
Speaker 2 00:31:44 Way. Exactly. To feel some way as opposed to just like feeling nothing and being like who, you know, whatever. So, I don't know. I think also just because there was probably like a lot of people that listened to more because they got so popular, it's like, in some genres I feel like being, becoming popular is like, you know, a bad thing. It's like, oh, they're solos. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:32:06 They were so out. Exactly.
Speaker 2 00:32:08 Yeah. Mean. Yeah. And like I think in that genre that's like, that's a thing.
Speaker 1 00:32:12 Yeah. And it's funny too, I mean, when you, when you look at it like, cuz who their producer was, is now a very top producer in country music mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So it's like people shit on Nickelback, but they're still jamming a lot of the artists that are now being produced by Joey Moy the same or
Speaker 2 00:32:25 Jamming to songs that Chad has written. Yeah. And Chad's a great songwriter. And he's written country songs too.
Speaker 1 00:32:30 Like Yes. Like I know he wrote with you. Who else, who else was he? Was he working,
Speaker 2 00:32:33 Trying, working? I'm trying to remember. He had a Tim McGraw cut, um, a
Speaker 1 00:32:38 While ago. Oh shit. I did not know that. <laugh>, that's
Speaker 2 00:32:40 Awesome. Don't quote me on that. But I'm almost positive.
Speaker 1 00:32:42 But somebody in that realm, like
Speaker 2 00:32:44 Yeah, but I mean he, he loves country music. Like, to be honest, like when I, before I went to a write with him and when, when it was brought up to me, it was ki I was like, earlier I'm like the Nickelback guy, like, and she was like, no, no, no. Like he's, he, he's a country boy. Like he loves country music. He's a great writer. And I was like, okay, well yeah, sure. I mean, why not? Like, we'll, we'll go do it. And like, being in, in the room and writing with him, he really is a fantastic songwriter and he's really passionate about it. He's really passionate about country music. And then, you know, beyond that, going into the studio with him when, when we were like picking songs and going over songs, doing that process with him was really enlightening because I realized how he became as successful as he was.
Speaker 2 00:33:27 Because, you know, we would sit and we would listen through songs and then once we would pick, once we picked the songs, we went through all of those songs with like a fine tooth comb. And he would be, he would literally be like, okay, do do you think that the melody, the lyrics, you know, all of that is completely on point or there, are there any weak spots? Are there any parts that you feel eh, about? Cuz if you do, we're gonna fix 'em right now. You know? And he was like, he was really hard on me about that. And I'd be like, well, like there was one thing I'd be like, well, no, it's like, this is what I mean when I when I say this lyric, like it's supposed to be, it's like da da da da. He said, let me ask you this. He said, when this song's, when this song comes on the radio, are you gonna be sitting in the passenger seat next to the listener, able to explain to them, you know, what you meant by that lyric? He said, no, he's like, so you gotta find a way to make it clear. You know? And so I I learned a lot from him in that, that process of like, how to be, you know, that's, that's how you go from the difference between a great song and a hit song. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:34:25 For sure. Oh, and he's a great guy to learn from, obviously. I mean the, yeah. He's done all right. Yeah, he's done, done pretty good for himself. He's not about, um, passionate something else, something that you're passionate about. And they're, they're looking really good now. And I'm sure there's been years where, where you, the, the Buffalo Bills. Yes. When I think of Buffalo Bills, and for me being a New Yorker, they are the one true team that plays in New York. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, even though they do play some games over the border in your neck of the woods. Mm-hmm. Um, where did your passion for Buffalo Bills football really come from? Because I've seen every Sunday in the football season, like you're, you're decked out. You're repping
Speaker 2 00:34:56 Jersey. Yeah, I'm going, um, my mom is from Buffalo. Okay. So yeah. I, you know, I spent a lot of time in Buffalo growing up with her family. And it was just, I mean, I was kind of, I was kind of born into it. I didn't really have a choice in that house. So <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:35:10 Yeah. Are the, do you think they could win it this year?
Speaker 2 00:35:13 I mean, I think, I don't, I I think that we can definitely get to the Super Bowl. I do. I think like, just the trajectory of this team over the past three years has been so steady, like just getting better and better and better and, and really fast. Um, and I think we've added some, some new pieces to the team that, that are really gonna like, round it out. I mean, I think Sanders is gonna be a huge, like, say just watching him play the last couple weeks, you know, cuz some of our other, you know, offense, they're, they're really great, but they're still young and they don't have that same experience. So I think having someone like him that is still very athletic, you know, very dynamic but has experience, um, is gonna be Yeah. A big asset. Cuz I think that's, that is one of our, or has been, you know, one of our downfalls at times is, is inexperience.
Speaker 2 00:36:01 Like, and the same with Alan. I mean, he's, he's obviously very talented. He's very athletic. I think he's smart, but I think he still, he lets emotions Yeah. He's still get the better of him sometimes. Yeah. He's still young. I mean, he's still young. Yeah. You know, and so, but I've, but I feel like I've watched him learn from those mistakes Yeah. And, and really adjust and, and correct them. And so, I mean, obviously we've been playing very well. <laugh> Yeah. The la the last couple weeks. But granted, I, I don't think we've really faced a, a really, really aggressive team yet. So we've got Kansas City got the Chiefs next week, so Yeah. That's, that's a big one. So I'm kind of like, I'm kind of reserving my, my thoughts on this until I see how they play against the Chiefs. Cuz like, I'm sitting here, I'm like, I just, I hope that they don't, you know, they need to go into this game. Like they haven't been whooping ass for the last two weeks. Like, they need to go in hungry and not like, assume anything.
Speaker 1 00:36:55 Yeah. And it's gotta be nice going up to New England and not seeing Tom Brady Oh man. Up there.
Speaker 2 00:36:59 Cause you know, it's the cra the crazy thing is like, I don't hate him as much anymore.
Speaker 1 00:37:03 I don't either. No. I kinda
Speaker 2 00:37:04 Like him now. <laugh>. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:37:05 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:37:06 I hated Tom Brady like my whole life. And now I'm like, yeah, I like Tom Brady
Speaker 1 00:37:10 <laugh>. Yeah. Seeing him, seeing him in Gronk. And it's amazing. You take him outta Fox, take him outta New England outta Foxborough and, and, and, cause I, I don't mind rooting, rooting for Tom Brady now either. Mm-hmm. And I'm from New York. Anything Massachusetts, anything Boston, new England. I'm gonna, I'm gonna be against,
Speaker 2 00:37:24 It was like, almost like he got put into like an underdog position all of a sudden. Yeah. You know? And he, and he, like he did, he showed us all why he's the goat, you know? Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:37:34 <laugh>. Yeah. Yeah. Why, why he's the best You a big hockey girl?
Speaker 2 00:37:37 Honestly, no, not, I mean, I, I like hockey, but I never followed hockey the way I did football. I mean, I know that sounds crazy. I guess I'm like a bad Canadian for that <laugh>, but I think part of it was that, um, like the Leafs just sucked for such a long time. Yeah. And they like that would've been like kind of my home team. And I was like, okay, I'm already a Bills fan and a Jays fan and I'm like, I'm not taking on a third shitty team. Yeah. So I kind of like, was like, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna claim any hockey teams. Like, I would always watch it and I, I love the sport itself, but um, like also to go see the least, like it was so freaking expensive.
Speaker 1 00:38:11 Yeah. They are the top ticket in Toronto. Insane. It's insane.
Speaker 2 00:38:14 Yeah. Insane. And I'm like to you're gonna pay that much to go watch them suck. Like to watch them lose. Yeah. Like I could go and see our O Hhl team, like the Oshawa Generals for 30 bucks and get a beer for half the price you could get in Toronto and like they play better hockey than the Leafs <laugh> <laugh>, you know, so. Yeah. But then, you know, when I moved to Nashville, Mitchell is a huge Preds fan and so I decided it made sense for me to be a Preds fan. So,
Speaker 1 00:38:38 Yeah. And, and you were, you've been in town long enough. Do you remember the, the chaos that was CMA Fest? Yes. Pred, Stanley Cup. Bon Ru all going on at the same time.
Speaker 2 00:38:46 I've been coming to town long enough to remember when they were like, nothing when they like weren't good. And you would go to a game and like it was only half full
Speaker 1 00:38:53 <laugh>. Yeah. And now it's like, now it's now they're pretty hard tickets to get. Yeah. And it's like, and you have the visiting teams that come in. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Cause I used to work on Broadway. I was a tour guy at Whiskey Row. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So I'd work weekends and you'd always deal with the visiting fans that would come in for the Preds. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and for the Titans. And I gotta say the Bills fans were my favorite. Oh yeah. Like we had Eagles fans, we had Patriots fans, we had Raider fans, we had Colts fans and they were horrible
Speaker 2 00:39:15 About Bills about to come take over Nashville.
Speaker 1 00:39:18 Yes. And I'm really, I'm looking forward to it because the Bills fans, they were always super nice. All they would do is climb up a tree and jump through a table. They, they'd tip you on the way out. No fights, no bullshit, not no shit talking. They were super cool. Yeah. Easygoing, just fun people. I said to get drunk and jump through tables,
Speaker 2 00:39:33 It's, it's a, yeah, no, it's a good vibe. I mean, I'll, I'll never forget the first time I got to see a game at the Ralph and like go to the tailgate and everything and like it's, I mean, at the time the football was terrible, but the tailgate was great. Yeah. So <laugh>,
Speaker 1 00:39:45 I thought you were gonna say the first time you jumped through a table and I was like, oh man.
Speaker 2 00:39:48 You know, I have to be honest, I never have, you
Speaker 1 00:39:51 Haven't done that yet.
Speaker 2 00:39:51 Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, I actually said last year that if, if the bills went to the Super Bowl, I would, I would jump through a table and so I'll I'll keep that, that word.
Speaker 1 00:39:59 That would be incredible content right there.
Speaker 2 00:40:01 Yeah. If, if the bills go to the Super Bowl, I will jump through.
Speaker 1 00:40:04 There's your viral TikTok moment, which, what do you think of that, by the way? Cuz you're somebody who's been around for a long time. What's, what's that, what's, what's that been like on social media wise?
Speaker 2 00:40:12 Oh yeah. I don't know if we have enough time to talk about how I feel about TikTok <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:40:15 Um,
Speaker 2 00:40:16 You're good. You know? Okay. So,
Speaker 1 00:40:18 Because I, cuz I've heard so many like, mixed things. Yeah. And obviously, I mean, I've, what, what me and Matt get to do every weekend is in a way kind of a result, but I don't think of like our bar or Mr. Trey Lewis as a TikTok guy mm-hmm. <affirmative> because he's been doing mu like the TikTok, the, the TikTok music artist is somebody that I think of that's never played a show that does the mm-hmm. <affirmative>, the, the lip syncing of the lyrics, like does all that stuff. Yeah. Yeah. Which to me kind of drives me a little nuts.
Speaker 2 00:40:43 Yes. Well here's, here's my thing. Like, so my biggest focus and, and I would say one of my biggest strengths as an artist is my live show. Yeah. You know, I, I I pride myself in not just getting up there and singing, but being an entertainer. Like, you know,
Speaker 1 00:41:00 Which you, you do a great job by
Speaker 2 00:41:01 The way. You Well, and I, because I've been doing it for a long time and it's always, and it's also the thing I love the most. I mean, some of it, you know, it's equal parts, like just passion and like loving what I do and just hard work and like really like, I don't just get up and sing. I put, we put thought into putting on a show and cuz that was one thing that I, I would notice is like, especially for females, and this is no slight on any female or anything, but like, I would see like some female artists, it's like, they looked pretty and they sang great, but they just kind of stood up there and sang. And I was like, well yeah, it's great that you can sing and that you're pretty, but like, this is a boring show. And I was like, and I told myself like, I don't ever want to be that girl. I need to like, be dynamic, be an entertainer, you know, and like going out, like with Kip, like on that first tour Oh, Kip Kip is that guy. Yes, he is. You know, he is, he's an entertainer. And, and so many of my my favorite artists are, you know, and, and also like I've even outside of country, like I'm very influenced by a lot of rock, you know, rock bands and, and rock musicians that are just like wild, you know. So, um, the thing, sorry, going back to TikTok
Speaker 1 00:42:10 <laugh> you You're good girl. You're good.
Speaker 2 00:42:12 Um, when TikTok came on, like, to, for me personally, I hate social media. Like, I hate that it's a necessary part of my career. Like, if I was not an artist, I, I probably wouldn't even have it. Like, just because for a number of reasons. Like, one, I hate the idea of just being glued to my phone and like obsessing over likes and views and shit like that all the time. And two also, cuz I feel like a lot of what you see on there is just so like, disingenuous and like just not authentic. And it's like that
Speaker 1 00:42:40 Just, it's a, it's a fake highlight reel.
Speaker 2 00:42:42 Yeah. It just like, feels gross to me, you know? And, and like, so when the TikTok thing happened, I was like, it was in a time where all we had as artists to stay connected with the fans and keep moving our careers forward was social media. Which was tough for me cuz I hated it to begin with <laugh>, you know? Yeah. And then it's like all of a sudden TikTok becomes this thing, like people are getting like massive record deals over, you know, this one viral video and like, and then all of a sudden labels, it's like that's all they care about. It's like, if it ain't popping on TikTok, it ain't popping you know, and I, I, I've, you know, had those conversations with a lot of artists in town who feel the same way that like, all of a sudden it's like labels, you know, it comes to singles or picking songs.
Speaker 2 00:43:27 It's like, well, if it doesn't blow up on TikTok, then it's useless. You know? And, and that's just, yeah. That's just crazy. I mean, I think it's a valuable tool and I think that, you know, there, it, it, it is creating opportunities for, for some really actually talented real artists to, to get their break. But I also think there's a lot of things coming off of it that just shouldn't be, you know? And it, and I also don't think that, like, just because something blows up on TikTok, I don't think that necessarily correlates to an actual career. I don't think it necessarily correlates to people buying tickets and coming to your shows. Yeah. Or even buying your records. Yep. Or even streaming your songs, cuz like getting a like, or a view on TikTok, all that, that's like, all that means is that somebody kept your video on their screen for the whole time while they like, took a shit or watched TV or laid in bed. And they're just like scrolling. Like that doesn't necessarily mean that like you have created a fan. And,
Speaker 1 00:44:20 And the demographic of TikTok is a much younger demographic. They're
Speaker 2 00:44:23 Like, half of these kids can't even come to my shows cuz they're not of age
Speaker 1 00:44:26 <laugh>. Yeah. You know? Yeah. Like we've, yeah, like, like for something that I've, I've noticed out on the road is like the 18 and over thing, a lot of clubs are starting to dip down to that 18 and over as opposed to 21. Cuz they, they kind of, kind of have to, but yeah, it's, I mean, cuz it's different than what Vine was. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, like Vine was a thing, but I don't think it was as entrenched into society. Like, I watched a Yankees game and the Yankees are running TikTok ads, like they're saying brought to you by TikTok. Yeah. And it's like, what the fuck?
Speaker 2 00:44:52 Well, it's just TikTok regar, even outside of the music industry, TikTok just became such a big thing because it was during the pandemic and people literally had nothing better to do than to like sit on their phones all day. And you know, and this is the other thing too, is that like, TikTok is not really like, it's not for music. It's not a music app. It's, it's like a entertainment app. You know? It's like, it's like not
Speaker 1 00:45:15 It's a time, it's a time music killer. It's, it's a, instead of reading a book when you're sitting on the can, you're looking at TikTok. Yeah. That's what it's there for.
Speaker 2 00:45:21 Well, and it's also like a lot of, it seems like, and this isn't everybody, you know, but like a lot of it seems like too, in order to, to get something to blow up on TikTok, you gotta have some, like, some thing that you're doing, you know, like some stupid, like yeah. I don't know, what's the word? Like some kitschy, like
Speaker 1 00:45:37 A gimmick. Something like gi that
Speaker 2 00:45:38 Yeah. Gimmick. Thank you. That's the word I'm looking for. And I'm like, I'm not gonna do that. <laugh>. Yeah. I'm like, I am 34 years old and I'm not trying to get up on TikTok in a little crop top and do some stupid dance <laugh>, you know, just to get people to listen to my music. Yeah. You
Speaker 1 00:45:52 Know, you shouldn't have to do that cuz you got really good music and people should be going to YouTube or going to Spotify or going to places that are more meant for music.
Speaker 2 00:46:01 Well, like when did it, when I just like, it all of a sudden became like, it wasn't good enough anymore in order to be an artist to just, you know, be able to write songs, play an instrument, sing and entertain. Like all of a sudden it's like, no, you gotta be all that and you gotta be a TikTok star or you don't matter. And it's like, I just am like, again, I'm like, I don't think that a lot of my audience, like in my demographic that are gonna be lifelong fans are gonna find me through TikTok. You know? Yeah. Or that, that's not how I'm, that's not how I win. I win on a stage when I'm actually singing and actually performing. Cuz when you win somebody over at a live show, like you probably won 'em over for life. Yeah, absolutely. Getting a like or a view on TikTok is means nothing. Even if it gets one song to blow up, they're gonna move on to the next thing that they find on TikTok after
Speaker 1 00:46:49 That. Yeah. It's not creating longevity unless you can keep 'em with the rest of your catalog and they come out to a show and that's something that, that the TL likes
Speaker 2 00:46:56 To say. Well, at that point you have to have the other pieces in place.
Speaker 1 00:46:59 Yeah. Which is, which is where you, you do have some folks where, where it does kind, where it does happen and things. Well,
Speaker 2 00:47:04 And Rey's one of them. I mean, I like when I saw, when, when we played that show together, you know, I, I really had never seen him play a full set before. And I was like, and I told him, I was like, dude, I, I was impressed. Like, you you have a great show. Yeah. You, you have other songs that are great. Like you have, you are, you are a real artist. Like you're, you're really gonna do this.
Speaker 1 00:47:24 Yeah. And that's where it can be used to the advantage Yeah. Is if, if you've got your, your shit kind of cooking, that's the positive part of it. Yeah. If you've got your shit cooking mm-hmm. It's another avenue. If radio's not fucking with you and big, big and like nobody's really, you don't have booking or anything like that, it can help. Yeah. But if you're just really, if you're just a kid like 18, 19, you're just putting out, you're just Yeah. Getting a song the blow up on there, but you've never done it before that. That's where it kind of rubs me. Well
Speaker 2 00:47:49 That's the, yeah. I mean the thing the the bottom line for me is that like, it's great in that, you know, for situations like someone like Trey, it it's, it's just another, you know, avenue a platform that's gonna help, that's gonna give somebody a break that that needs a break. Yeah. You know, but it also, it's not even, you know, even regardless of the, the ones that I, you know, that are getting record deals and whatever else that I just don't think should
Speaker 1 00:48:14 And, and what's and what's wild is they're probably those, that's another thing you gotta watch out for. I know you've, you've, you're signed and you're with Riser House and stuff, but you've always, people kind of see they're like, oh, record deal and deals are always a little bit different too. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So you have kids signing, signing these deals and they have no idea what they're getting themselves into. They're not, most of them are not good deals. Yeah. Their song will blow up and they own no Right to the master. They, they, they have to do this, this,
Speaker 2 00:48:36 And this. The label will make bank off, off the master and it won't matter if, if the artist ever does anything else beyond that because they, they'll they'll make their money back and then some, and unless the artist like manages to hold onto that audience and has like a killer single to follow it up,
Speaker 1 00:48:51 Which is very tough to
Speaker 2 00:48:52 Do. It's very tough to do. And, and it's also for, again, for me, and then we can get off of it. But like, it's, it's also the idea that like, I'm not mad at the people that have gotten success or record deals because of it. Like that's great for them. What's frustrating to me is, is that it has become this thing that has become so, you know, all important to the industry that like, if you're this idea that like if you're not blowing up on TikTok that you're not worth it or you're you're not viable. Or that, like
Speaker 1 00:49:22 Even if you have know, even if you have a great voice, you write great songs and you're incredibly entertaining, which is what it's about.
Speaker 2 00:49:27 Right. It's like so what, because I'm not blowing up on TikTok. I can't, I you don't wanna give me a deal. Yeah. You know what I mean? It's like, it's, that's what's frustrating to me about it, is it's become too important. It it, they're putting too, they're putting too much weight, um, and importance on this thing that, that might, might, you know, pan out or might not like.
Speaker 1 00:49:48 Yeah. And then, and then the next app will come along. Yeah. And then we just roll, roll with it and stuff. So, so what's been going on with you lately as far as music coming out? Like what's the plan now for the end of this year going into 2022, which I'd say we're all excited for 2022. Yes. Because half of this year's still been a clusterfuck Yes. Carrying over from 2020.
Speaker 2 00:50:07 Yes. Um, so you know, we just put Heart on my glass out, um, oh yeah. Back I guess end of June. Um, so for right now, um, I'm, I'm still, I'm back riding again though. We're, we're just looking to figure out what the, the single's gonna be for the us Um, you know, my stuff in Canada's still rolling. I've got Cool about it is is going to radio in Canada is my next single Hell yeah. Uh, we just shot a badass music video for it. Dope. Which dope. Which is super like the best video I've ever done. It's,
Speaker 1 00:50:36 Where'd you really cool, what'd you guys do? You did it here in Nashville?
Speaker 2 00:50:38 We did here. Um, my, my director Sean Hewell, he's done like my last I think like five or six videos. He's just, he's awesome. He's super creative and um, cuz for me, like when I make music videos, I'm always trying to look to do something a little bit unexpected or, or bring like a storyline. Do something almost like a little more cinematic cuz like, you know, who needs another music video of just me glammed up doing a performance, you know, of the song. So this, this video, um, I'll say this, it would be like if a James Bond movie in Oceans 11 had a baby to a country song. That's what
Speaker 1 00:51:13 This video is. Sounds like a video I gotta watch when it comes out. I'm excited. Yeah. Hell
Speaker 2 00:51:16 Yeah. I'm really excited. So yeah, so other than that I'm just trying to make plans for next year. Keep writing, you know, figure out what that, that single's gonna be and then hopefully, you know, we will be getting out to radio in the US um, beginning of next year, so
Speaker 1 00:51:32 Hell yeah. That's
Speaker 2 00:51:33 Awesome, man. The wheels turn slow. Yeah. It's as Allen Jackson says. Yeah,
Speaker 1 00:51:36 No, it's, it's part part of it for sure. It's, it's something that it take, it takes some time, but I gotta say it's, I'm, I'm excited for you. Like thank you. Like the mu you got, you got dope ass music, you're gonna go into these new markets. You're, they're gonna get the, the Meg Patrick show and mm-hmm. <affirmative> if you're not a fan, like I don't, I don't fuck with you if you don't fuck Meg Patrick, you know, like personally. So, um, but yeah. So a couple of Nashville questions. Uh, favorite Mexican Jordan in town? Cause we got a million of them, which I did not expect coming from New York. I did not expect that Nashville would have a shit ton of Mexican food. Or you're not a big Mexican fan.
Speaker 2 00:52:08 No, I love Mexican. You know what, there is one that I went to that was in West Nashville, like near the nations the other day. That was really good. I can't remember what it was called though. Um, but I, um, Moss Taco Okay. Is good in East. I mean honestly they're all like pretty good. I don't even like, I'm trying to think like
Speaker 1 00:52:27 What's a plate? Well then if not, if not like a specific Mexican joint, what's a joint that's like, this is my favorite spot.
Speaker 2 00:52:34 Um, I mean, Mitchell and I go to Urban Grub a lot. Nice. Cause it's like by the house. Yeah. It's kind of like one of our favorite spots. Um, my friend, um, RJ has a place called St. Stevens in uh, ger Germantown. Yeah. Which is awesome. Um, also, I mean, so I love steaks. So any, any steak steakhouse,
Speaker 1 00:52:55 Any of those steak houses?
Speaker 2 00:52:56 Yeah. King Prime is really good. Um, Luke Bryan's new place, what's that called? Three E3 is really good.
Speaker 1 00:53:02 Good. That place, that place slaps for sure.
Speaker 2 00:53:04 Uhhuh. <affirmative>.
Speaker 1 00:53:05 Um, what's your red door? Your your I'm drunk on a weeknight cuz I'm usually out on the road on the weekends. What's your drunk red night? Uh, red door order. Are you a potato salad? Girl? You a pizza girl? Oh, uh, usually. I know, I know Faren likes them pizzas.
Speaker 2 00:53:17 Oh yeah. I usually, I go for the, sometimes I go for the pizza. Sometimes I go for like the Turkey sandwich with the potato salad cuz that potato salad is, I don't know what they put in there, but it's
Speaker 1 00:53:27 Another level
Speaker 2 00:53:27 Like it's so good.
Speaker 1 00:53:28 But Red Door, I have this theory of Red door too. Cuz again, I don't drink so it's like for me it doesn't affect me too much. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. But they, the times like, it takes a minute to get yourself a drink and to get food at Red door. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And I feel like part of the reason they do that is cuz then you just stick around longer mm-hmm. <affirmative> and you get, it's like a, it's like you get trapped in a hole. Yeah. Like you can be at Red Door for six, seven hours. Oh yeah. And it just kinda sucks you in.
Speaker 2 00:53:49 Yep. For sure. I mean I like, I don't know, Midtown has changed so much since like, since I moved here and it's like I now I I'm mostly only really want to go there. Like more like post-right afternoon vibe and then like after it gets dark it's just like sometimes
Speaker 1 00:54:07 It's too much. So you'll, you'll launch at Losers girl?
Speaker 2 00:54:09 Oh yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 00:54:10 See I've never done launch at Losers. Like I've never been there early enough.
Speaker 2 00:54:13 Great Chicken tendee.
Speaker 1 00:54:15 Really? Mm-hmm. <affirmative> better than Live Oaks.
Speaker 2 00:54:17 I don't know if I've ever had 'em at Live Oaks. You
Speaker 1 00:54:19 Haven't had Live Oaks Chicken Tendee?
Speaker 2 00:54:21 Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Well I feel like every time I go there I'm usually playing around. I don't like to eat right before I sing. Oh. Oh, okay. Gotcha. I don't usually eat when I'm there. I
Speaker 1 00:54:27 Gotcha. Yeah. But we'll have to have you come out and, okay, we'll have to get you some, some chicken tendee and some of our Delta eight. We'll get you munchies and chicken tendee a match made Heaven. It's
Speaker 2 00:54:37 Taking my language right now.
Speaker 1 00:54:37 Yeah. You know, you know. We gotcha. Um, what's something that you wish you could tell your, you could tell, uh, Meg, Meg younger Meg when she first moved here, you wish you knew when you moved?
Speaker 2 00:54:48 Um hmm. You know, it's weird cuz like, part of me feels like I wouldn't wanna do anything different cuz I, I believe that everything happens for a reason. And if there's anything I know tough lessons learned, turn into good songs. So, you know, if I did everything perfectly maybe I <laugh> maybe I wouldn't have written great songs because of it. Um, but
Speaker 1 00:55:13 We've been just mental psyche like moving to town and not really knowing anybody.
Speaker 2 00:55:16 I mean, I think it's like one of the things that, that's tough when you, when you first move here, like, you know, one to just be be patient and, and like, you gotta find that, that fine line between going out and networking and like doing it too much. Like the first year that I was here, like I drank a lot, I went out a lot and it was, it was a little too much at times. And it's like, you know, go out, but like leave by midnight instead of three or leave by
Speaker 1 00:55:45 Mid leave by midnight's. Tough.
Speaker 2 00:55:47 You know, it, it is tough but it's like just learning that like you, it's important that you go out and, and you network. Um, but you, you gotta like set some boundaries for yourself too, you know? Cuz also being out when you when you get super drunk is not a good thing for you either when you're trying, when you're around. Like, that's the other thing too. Like wherever you are, there's a really good chance that half or more of the people in that bar work in the industry in some capacity. So don't act a fool because like you are, people are watching and people, it's a small town. It's a, it is small industry people talk. Um, but I mean, I don't know. I think the other thing I would say too is like when you get here it's really, it's really overwhelming and intimidating cuz all of a sudden you are surrounded by some of the most talented people you've ever met and and really successful people.
Speaker 2 00:56:38 And like, you want that obviously. And it can get easy to like, get caught up trying to chase things that aren't for you. You know, like trying to chase a sound or a song or whatever because it worked for somebody else. When the only thing you should be chasing is, is who you are. Yeah. And how to be, how to do something that only you can do. You know, cuz all, all of the best, most successful artists that like become like icons, like there's nobody else that does what they do. You know, like a, like an Eric Church or, or whatever. Like the, you just, you gotta find your own thing and not get distracted by what everybody else is doing, you know?
Speaker 1 00:57:15 Amen. That's what it's all about. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, there's something to be said for authenticity and, and when I think of authentic people in Nashville, I think of yourself, I think, uh, the rest of the bad bitches and there's this wave of authenticity coming through right now that's really, really awesome. So Meg, thanks so much for, for joining us and hop hopping on all the socials. It's what? Meg? Patrick, uh, pretty much
Speaker 2 00:57:34 Everything. Yeah. Meg, Meg, Patrick. Music for Instagram and Twitter and then Facebook. It's just my full name. Megan with an h m e g h a n.
Speaker 1 00:57:43 Megan l h There you go. Yep.
Speaker 2 00:57:44 People always forget the h
Speaker 1 00:57:45 Stuff. Awesome. And make sure you guys check out her stuff on Spotify and Apple Music. Well you guys, thanks for listening to another edition of the in the Round po um, picture. Shout out to Meg Patrick for joining us today. Remember to check out the sponsors, uh, whale Tale Media, Saxon Studios, and of course, our friends in the Green World at Trailside CBD Emporium that Tasty Legal Delta eight T h c use promo code I t r at checkout Save yourself 20% off. We'll see y'all next time. This has been the In The Round Podcast.
