Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Mahoney
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As an artist I’m always starting. I started writing songs when I was 8 and made my first album when I was 19. I started playing bass when I was 10 and had my first lesson in music school when I was 18. I joined my first band at 14, and I had my first for-hire gig when I was 19. Since then I’ve had my first tours, my first festivals, and my first over-seas gigs. Exploring every opportunity feels like a new start, whether thats joining another band or writing a song, the outcomes are boundless. I learn more every day about my sound and the artist I want to be, which encourages me to start again and again. My experiences of gigging, recording, touring and writing all accumulate and evolve with each new note I play.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My music career has not always been a smooth road. As a gender non-conforming person in a male dominated industry, I am often made to feel small. In my early years of gigging I was faced with a lot of gate-keeping, sexism, and sexual harassment.
I now have the luxury to choose who I surround myself with in my career. I am lucky to make music with musicians I love and trust, who have shown their respect for me through collaboration and friendship.
Life as a full-time artist is also very unpredictable. I struggle with stability and finding time to take a break. For a few years I made a bad habit of saying yes to everything. This gave me a full calendar but absolutely no time off. I would be touring for sometimes three months at a time (with three different bands) and then come home to a calendar with four gigs a week. Inevitably this led to burn-out, which often feels like the work is just work. In these periods of burn out I would have no motivation or drive to make my own music because the time I had given to other bands and projects had depleted my creative energy. I’ve learned now to leave a little room for myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time bass player. Most people know me from the 10+ bands I play in. I am also a song-writer and front my own projects as the singer, bassist and sometimes guitarist.
Music has brought the best people into my life. I am most proud of the people I make music with and the world we are creating together. I feel so lucky to play and grow beside these folks. They are family to me!
I also recently finished an album titled “i tried to save the world…” with my band Trash Date. We wrote and recorded it ourselves and it is finally coming out on Friday, June 28th. I am so excited to perform it at Green Room in Uptown on June 28th and celebrate all the hard work paying off!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Humility and a collaborative, supportive spirit.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @meganlmahoney
