Wicklow singer Megan Byrne aka Burnt Gem has released her new single, All Yourz. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Megan started singing at the age of 12 and is currently in her second year of studying vocals in BIMM in Dublin.
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She has recorded in Windmill Lane Studios, performed in front of 1,000 people in Heuston train station, and co-directed and sang in a music video starring Cork-based boxer Spike O'Sullivan.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am a singer who is very passionate about connecting with the audience, I always want to convey the meaning of my lyrics and be on the same wavelength and connection with people.
I am a songwriter that wants my family of listeners to understand what way I view the world and how I experience everyday life things, this is why my music and songwriting always turns out wacky and weird but works at the same time.
I'm obsessed with all kinds of music, I cannot stick to one genre. My playlist consists of metal to classical to indie to pop. I like it this way though because I'm always coming up with new ways to write my lyrics and music.
How would you describe your music?
My music is weird and wacky, always the two words I use to describe my music because there's no lyrics out there like it. With my new single All Yourz being a sarcastic love journey to some of my other originals like my song False Reality talking about how life almost feels like an illusion. I love my listeners to be able to experience a story/journey when they are listening to my music and I also like making the lyrics universal so my listeners can interpret the lyrics with their own thoughts and feelings too.
Who are your musical inspirations?
My biggest musical inspiration since I am five has been Lady Gaga. I used to use an iPod and earphones and dance my heart and soul out to Poker Face in the kitchen when I used to make my mam watch my new choreography that I would come up and sing my heart and lungs out. Fast forward to now and Lady Gaga would still be my biggest musical inspiration and she shows time and time again with her music that it is okay to shift from genre to genre and put a foot in as many genres you want. It's my favourite thing as a songwriter as the creativity is endless and it's such a free feeling. Some other artists that inspire my writing would be Sinéad O'Connor, The Cranberries, Wet Leg, Arctic Monkeys, Damien Dempsey, Nessa Barrett and Fleetwood Mac.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first ever gig/concert I went to was One Direction in Croke Park. This was the best day of my life when I was a child because I was obsessed with One Direction at the time but also it was a very pivotal moment for me because this is when I started to grow a love for performing. Seeing how five lads and a band on a stage could bring 80,000 people together made my heart burn with inspiration. Now every time I step on that stage I think of how that moment made me feel as a listener and it makes it so important for me as the performer to engage with my audience and make sure they have a good night!
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first CD I ever bought was in HMV in Dundrum Shopping Centre and it was a Lady Gaga CD. I remember after my mam had bought it for me I just couldn't wait to get home and stick it in the radio that at the time had a CD player in it. I remember all the choreography I use to make and I used to record myself on a laptop that we used to have (embarrassing), but back then I thought one day I will be able to perform this to the world with Lady Gaga.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My favourite song right now would probably be Marry The Night by Lady Gaga. I can't explain the feeling this song gives me in my soul, but it just lights me up and makes me feel like I'm on top on the world performing on the biggest stage there is. My interpretation of the song lyrics are about Lady Gaga's love for the night life and dance.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Slow down you're doing fine, you can't be everything you wanna be before your time". Me, myself, I am a big over thinker and always let things worry me and this song these lyrics in particular always give me a sense of calmness and relief to slow down and that great things don't come over night, they'll come when I am ready.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac. This song is absolutely incredible. Stevie Nicks sings this song to her ex-lover who is in the band and you can hear in her voice the passion and power she holds behind the lyrics: "You'll never get away from the sound of a woman that loved you."
Where can people find your music/more information?
My Linktree has the link to my Spotify also people can catch me over on my Instagram - @burnt.gem and my Facebook - @burnt gem.
Alan Corr
