Megan Sidwell is yet another emerging artist that cut their teeth competing in the SmokeFree RockQuest and it seems to be doing NZ well, introducing us to a lot of the kiwi musicians we all enjoy today.
Megan won the Female Musicianship award two running in the Tauranga 2007 and 2008 regional RockQuest heats and is now based in Auckland while she studies music at Auckland Uni.
Megan has been working with producer Ben King (formerly of Goldenhorse) and the final result is her new EP titled Forever On A Sunday. On this she delivers 5 well written contemporary, country influenced pop songs in the vain of Taylor Swift with a twist of the softer Paramore songs.
Producer and musician, King makes his presence felt strongly over the course of the EP with his backing vocals and production skills, there is plenty of dynamic range throughout the songs and the over all mix is to a strong international level. It's clear that a lot of effort and time was put into everything, from the packaging through to the production and musicianship.
There is a strong upbeat vibe to the songs and the vocal harmonies are a stand out for me, the female and male voices blend extremely well but still stand out as individual voices. They add a real thickness to the songs that can be lacking without harmonies.
As someone that does not normally listen to country pop sometimes I found it a little formulaic and predictable but that's not to say Forever On A Sunday wont appeal to its target audience, I think it will and it will more than likely do well for Megan and I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more from her in the years to come.
Megan Sidwell embodies the perfect balance of edgy, chuck-wearing rocker with the pure heart of a country belle. Her music forms a unity between the sensibilities of rock and country pop. Her songs bleed infectious pop hooks and country harmonies, with an edge and a dramatic overtone uniquely her own.
Sidwell’s musical identity has been shaped over the years by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Pat Benatar, Hayley Williams and Dave Grohl, while the gentler side of her craft pays homage to pop sensations, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.
Born in Tauranga, New Zealand, this young starlet won the Smokefree Rockquest Regional heats’ Female Musicianship award twice over in 2007 and 2008.