Meet Megan Brickwood | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Brickwood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, why did you pursue a creative career?
It wasn’t a choice as much as a compulsion. The choice wasn’t about what I wanted to do, it was about whether I wanted to be who I was or pretend to be someone else. I think we all have to pretend sometimes, especially when we’re working to build something. Most of us, myself included, have had to work day jobs to support ourselves while building an artistic career, so I’ve had to pretend to fit into social boxes that really didn’t fit to put food on my table, pay the band, pay for studio time, etc.. But it has been in service of being true to myself and creating music, which is just part of who I am. It’s the only thing I’ve ever really wanted to do with my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I moved to Los Angeles from a rural town just off of the California/Oregon border. I didn’t know anyone. I had no connection to the music industry whatsoever, and I had no idea how to get where I wanted to go. I just got started somewhere and I didn’t stop trying. It took years to figure out. There were a lot of missteps and dead ends, a lot of times reaching out and nothing happening. There were things that happened that seemed like disasters at the time but ended up leading me to an opportunity that I didn’t expect or a better way of doing something. I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay open minded, be adaptable and not become disheartened. No one can tell you how to do this, there’s no formula to success in a creative field – that’s the beauty and the hardship of it. But if you embrace that you can craft a really beautiful story that is unique to you. That’s been my goal with music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well it being pandemic times right now that would be ordering in and taking a tour of the front lawn BUT let’s mentally fast-forward to a time when we can do those things. This will be fun. First I’ll do Los Angeles. I’d take my best friend to Jones Hollywood (if you go, you must order the apple pie, trust me), Pine and Crane, Little Dom’s, Silverlake Thai, The Good Goose, Birds, Little Pine and Hermosillo for food. For drinks, I’ve always liked mellower neighborhood bars like The Village Idiot. For culture, we’d go to the Upright Citizens Brigade, Largo at the Coronet, The Hotel Cafe, and the Satellite (because I’m hoping it will somehow magically reopen). I’d also see if I could get tickets to a Sofarsounds or Silverlake Sessions concert that week. If my friend visited me in Shasta County, where I’m from, the itinerary would be a little different. We’d go hiking in the Sacramento River gorge outside of Dunsmuir, check out the local shops in town and grab lunch at the Dunsmuir brewery. Dinner at Maddalena’s is a must. We’d go skiing or hiking in the mountains and grab burgers at Floyd’s Frosty in McCloud. In the summer when it’s hot, we would go swimming in Clear Creek, where the water is so clear you can see every smooth river rock. Burney Falls, Castle Crags and Lassen National Park would also be on the list.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people! My wonderful parents and brother who have been encouraging and supportive from the very beginning. My boyfriend Kegan who is supportive, helps me talk through so many of my ideas, takes photos and designs cover art for my releases. My voice teacher Lis who has been not only a great teacher but a mentor to me. And lastly all of my friends who have come to shows, shared releases and been encouraging me to keep going all along.

Website: http://meganbrickwood.com
Instagram: @meganbrickwoodmusic
Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRr5pK1MrBG1USkjAHOThKwmdLEL01Xss
Other: https://linktr.ee/meganbrickwood https://open.spotify.com/artist/1aDXCikgJj2Xn8Kw3a9ko3?si=TrB81tVeQMSe9rsjhf_OzA

Image Credits
Kegan McGurk