In today’s world, music has no boundaries and that alone has helped the careers of artists like Meaghan Smith. As the Canadian songstress told us, the room to be creative is the reason adult contemporary is far from dead
You’ve dubbed your batch of personal tunes as “modern vintage”. Why is that?
I love music from the 20s’, 30s’, 40s’ and so on, but I also didn’t want to just recreate something that has already been done. So I use influences from those eras and combine it with modern stuff: turntables, samples etc. It’s modern and it’s vintage. I like to think I’m taking the best of both worlds.
It would be far-fetched to title your music as pop because it isn’t. But is it more 1930s’ swing than modern jazz or is it a bit of both?
I think there’s a lot of pop in my music. Some of my songs are more pop than others, some have more jazz elements. You can call it whatever you want. The great thing about audiences today is that they are open to more possibilities and there are less and less boundaries. I think people just like good music, they really don’t care what it’s being called.
Such unclassified music should be featured in an episode of AMC’s Mad Men. Don’t you think?
Sure!
In regards to your songwriting, did the city of London, Ontario, act as a major influence?
Most of my songwriting happened in Halifax actually, so I’d say moving away from home and being on my own in a really inspiring city did it for me.
Where did you find yourself most of the time wrapped up in emotion and jotting down lyrics?
Usually at home late at night in my art studio. When things are quiet and dark, my ghosts come to haunt and entertain me and that’s when I get ideas.
Was it difficult to reveal those ideas and feelings to your friends through singing?
I’ve written a lot of songs about people I know, but I rarely tell them the song is about them. A lot of the time they have no idea!
Artists like yourself, Michael Buble and Chantel Kreviazuk seem to be rare these days as adult contemporary is slowly fading away. Do you agree?
Although I respect these artists and what they do, I don’t think I’m anything like Chantal Kreviazuk or Michael Buble. I also don’t think Michael is fading any time soon. His latest album has been highly successful. I think what you mean is adult contemporary being played on the radio and that’s not something I really worry about.
There are so many other options for music to be heard; the most powerful one being the Internet. I have a really great fan base growing on Twitter and Facebook. The radio is such a small part of getting your music out there.
You recently played a set at The Drake Hotel here in Toronto. What was the reception like there?
It was fantastic. It was my first headlining show in Toronto. The room was full and the crowd was really receptive!
Are there any other venues in the city you hope to serenade in the future?
Massey Hall would be great! I also wouldn’t mind Roy Thompson Hall! I’m working my way up.
I could see you performing The Cricket’s Orchestra in its entirety in a park on calming Autumn day.
That would be nice!
[What do you think of singer/songwriter Meaghan Smith? Drop us a line below!]
great interview. cool to see something different
she sounds really nice. will check out her music!!!!
just listened to some of her songs…different, but not bad
even though i have never listened to Meaghan Smith in my life (will now), this was a great interview as she made a few interesting points. adult contemp does seem to be taking a hit these days but as Meaghan pointed out, that’s because its losing airplay on radio stations. no one really listens to the radio anymore, its all Hype Machine and Last FM now. if only BLARE would start their own radio station, that’d be something!!