ME: So, please tell the world about Ms. Meagan McNeal?
Meagan McNeal: Well, I'm still learning more about myself everyday, but I am from Chicago, IL. I was raised the oldest of five children. I've been cooking on the stove since I was 7 and still love to burn a few pots! As a recent graduate of Western Michigan University, I am ready to explore the world, live incredible experiences and attempt to capture and share them through my music. In short, I'm a woman, open, and working towards more freedom everyday!
ME: Awesome. We first met, you as a Freshman and I as a sophomore at WMU. You have grown so much as a person and through your talent. Tell me how have you EVOLVED?
MM: It has been a jouurneeey! Good, great and bad things have happened since my freshman year! I've evolved a lot from pain. There is something beautiful about being able to resurface after thinking it wasn't possible. Breakups, heartache, loss, etc. I have also been shaped by incredible positive experiences as well, love, support, and dreaming! I can't complain!
ME: I hear you! You have just released your first project as a recording artist "MINDSET". Tell me about the concept behind this?
MM: MINDSET was like an unexpected child, I wasn't anticipating the arrival even though I knew I wanted to eventually put a project together. The opportunity came about and the vision had a vehicle to be conceived! I was so grateful, but it required a ton of planning, sacrifice and hard work to pull together. I was finishing up my last semester of school, learning songs for my first tour of Europe, planning a big show and recording Mindset all at once! It was CRAAAZY, but so worth it! I'm very grateful.
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| MINDSET Album Cover |
The concept is simple...Ever since I was little I was intrigued by people's thoughts and I always find myself in CONSTANT thought. Anyone who knows me can attest that I'm always thinking about something! So when I think about life, I realize that products are birthed from our thoughts and how we perceive experiences. I started using it as the tag for my company "STARving ARTist-it's a Mindset" meaning you have to have that constant hunger to do the thing that makes you tick! "Mindset" the LP is a product birthed from my thoughts and where I was at the exact moment I wrote the lyrics of each track. (with the exception of track 8, the standard Summertime) It represents the hunger I have to be free through living my dreams!
ME: "It's a MINDSET", I Love that! So, tell me what kind of genres can the audience expect on this album?
MM: It is a blend of jazz, soul and R&B. I also have some HOT emcees featured on BelieveIN and When I'm Ready.
ME: Love those tracks! Rainwalk is also one of my many favs on the album. What was the inspiration for this track?
MM: Rainwalk was inspired by the stories I have heard countless times from incredibly talented, beautiful and VERY outstanding women who deal with oppressive issues everyday. The verses discuss different scenarios but the constant theme can be found in the chorus: "walking in the rain, trying to escape the pain, she just wants to live her life".
ME: Very inspirational. You spoke on having some DOPE features on the album. BelieveIN is my shiiiiiiiit. Definitely a motivational record. Tell me who's featured on the album?
MM: Yes!!! DC "Dust n Clay" of Truth Tone Records and 5- Star of the hip hop group Dezert Eez are both featured on BelieveIN! It's one of my favorite tracks on the project! I love the "rough around the edges" dimension that it gives the song to have real lyrical emcees who truly appreciate hip hop and the power it has to change lives! They are lovers of the art form and brought that passion forth through their lyrics!
ME: What's STARving ARTist?...what should we know about your brand?
MM: STARving ARTist is a lifestyle brand. It represents a group of people that are HUNGRY to live, be free and feed their need to create and inspire!
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| Loved ones rockin'STARving ARTist Gear |
ME: Love, love, love. Let's talk about inspiration. Who/what inspires you musically? As a fashionista?
MM: What a great segue! I pull inspiration from so many things and people. I am musically inspired by nature, I'm convinced that the moon is one of the most beautiful things to ever exist. The clouds and the colors of the trees in the Fall and even the individual petals on a rose have inspired my thoughts. I want to see even MORE in the future. People that have inspired me musically will keep us here all night! Everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Rachelle Farrell to Mini Riperton, Stevie Wonder to Jill Scott, Erykah Badu to Ledisi, Yahzarah to Chrisette Michele and local talent.
Fashion? You are definitely at the tops of the list, You stay way tooooo fly! Your fashion excites me, it's multifaceted, chic, funky, vintage, futuristic, and so freeing. Ahh, I just love it! Besides that, I just do my own thing.
ME: Thanks so much (blushing)! I can definitely see your name featured amongst the greats you listed. So describe your style for iaME?
MM: Eclectic! I'm not afraid to try different things. And I'm becoming even less concerned with how people perceive my style. I just recently dyed my hair blond and cut it into a Mohawk! We shall see what's next!
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| YES! She's a Fashionista too! |
ME: I just cut my hair completely off! It's so liberating. Well, what's happening in the near future with Meagan McNeal?
MM: The options are endless. I have NOTHING holding me back! I am ready to explore, find, and accept all that life has to offer. I am planning to travel and perform!ME: Tell the readers how can they can purchase your LP and STARVing ARTist gear?
MM: http://www.meaganmcneal.com/ Check out the site! Or you can preview the album here and purchase the CD
ME: Complete this phrase for me 'iaME because....."
MM: iaME because anything more or less would be fakin' the funk! You live once...why waste it being someone or something else!
ME: I love it! Well there you have it folks! Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! iaME wishes you NOTHING short of the best!
Want more of Meagan?
Become a fan of Meagan McNeal here on her Facebook Fan Page!
or
Follow her on twitter @meaganmcneal
