Name: Melanie Meriney
Birthplace: Los Angeles (but grew up in Pittsburgh, PA)
Current Residence: Nashville, TN
Music Style: Country with Pop Influence
Website/Social Media Links: http://www.melaniemeriney.com instagram.com/melaniemeriney facebook.com/melaniemerineymusic youtube.com/user/melaniemerineymusic

Please introduce yourself.

Hi! My name is Melanie and I am a country artist and songwriter living in Nashville and pursuing a career in the music industry! My love for country music lyrics and storytelling is what drew me to this genre originally, but my background growing up in a northern city gave me a whole range of musical influences that I draw from. For me, the most important part of my artistry is connecting with my fans and putting words and music to our common experiences.

Tell us about your newest project. What was the inspiration behind it and where can we check it out?

My newest release is called “Tequila Talk” and comes out on all streaming services Friday, March 1st! This is the first song I’m releasing that I’m not a writer on, so I feel so fortunate that the writers, Bryan West, Chelsea Summers, & Eric Dodd (good friends of mine) felt confident in me enough to let me give a voice to it. It’s all about the nostalgia of lost love and how the memories sometimes get the better of us.

How would you describe your music?

Hmm… my music would probably be a cross between Kelsea Ballerini and Stevie Nicks (for the moment!). Such a difficult question though- I would love to hear what the fans think about this question!

How did you get started?

When I was little, my parents were always playing music. My dad introduced me to 70s and 80s rock, while my mom had country radio playing in our house constantly. In third grade, I begged my parents to take me with them to a Shania Twain concert, and ever since I saw her up on stage, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. I signed up for voice lessons and began playing guitar almost immediately after.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Shania Twain is obviously a huge influence for me- she perfectly walks the line between pop and country and did so incredibly successfully! I also think Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, and Phil Vassar influenced me early in songwriting and artistry. I was lucky to have my parents’ support growing up as well as family friend, Mike Hooks, who let me record with him in his home studio, and voice teacher, Doug Starr, who helped me hone my singing.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I think I would change the amount of gatekeeping that still seems to exist. There’s sometimes an attitude that there is a limited amount of space “at the top” and so it can be hard at times to trust advice or to ask for help because a lot of people are close to the vest when it comes to giving out chances or opportunities. As far as entertainment cities go, though, Nashville is unique in that, for every person gatekeeping, there are others that share the belief that everyone brings something unique to the table and there’s more a spirit of collaboration than competition. I think the latter is definitely the healthier mindset and I’m happy to see so many independent artists experiencing success lately by grinding and being uplifted by those around them.

What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?

For females right now especially, there are a lot of talented “super country” acts gaining traction- artists with twang who would be right at home at a rodeo or on a farm. While that is absolutely a part of the country scene, I think my background and crossover influences bring something unique in that I sing and write the kind of country music that resonated with me growing up. You don’t have to live on a farm or be from a tiny map dot town to be moved by country music. I try to stay very authentic to myself and my own experiences when deciding to release something, and in that way, I feel like I can offer something to listeners who aren’t “redneck country”, but love the storytelling and relatable themes that country music offers.

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

Music has the power to completely overtake your emotions in ways that other formats can’t. Something about the combination of words and melody can inspire you to dance, make your heart ache for your first love, be a shoulder to cry on, or help you heal from a traumatic experience. I think so much of today’s world is inundated with things meant to occupy our minds, that we need music to allow us to tap into our emotions and feel rather than think constantly.

What’s next for you?

2024 has had a great start and I’m excited to release even more songs this year that we’ve been working on in the studio for the past little bit. My husband, Michael Funk, and I are also expecting our first baby this May- I know that will give me plenty of inspiration for new music!

What are your career goals in the next five years?

My songwriting goal in the next five years is to get a major cut on an album- I’ve been so fortunate to have a lot of successful cuts with indie artists, and I think a major label cut would definitely be a bucket list item. On the artist side of things, I just want to get out in front of as many ears as I can! I’m not quite sure what that will look like, but it likely involves playing some new stages and visiting some new places!