MEG FARELL: STRAP YOUR DAILY LISTENING DEVICES IN. NOW.

The music train is moving faster than ever, and with hoodlums like Radiohead driving it, no one knows where it’s going, what its next move is, or who’s boarding. If you were sitting with your iPod on a bus thinking, I’d love to hear something new, something with a ukulele, with some really interesting inspiration, maybe a hypochondriac type, well not only is that the weirdest coincidence ever, but I have a solution for you.

From the depths of suburbia comes Megg Farrell (pronounced FAIR-ULL), an artist with a ukulele who is deserving of a cult-like following. With a jazzy, hip sound, that cult might attract an eclectic group of individuals, one that might be found in the same subway, making the New York patented apathetic subway faces (mama said if you smile you’ll get mugged). It’s that different.

Along with ukulele, she plays piano, dabbles in guitar and is a “damn good slide whistle.” Among her inspirations are The Beatles’ George Harrison and Janis Joplin. As is somewhat apparent in her work, she learned to sing from listening to the Blues. When asked about her start in music (three years ago) she responded, “…music just sort of fell into my lap. I was going to be an artist for the longest time, that’s what I went to high school for, but ukulele randomly came into my life and along with it songwriting. I've just been addicted.”

Her first show was a spontaneous invitation to a show from Sonic Uke (put the kids to bed before you click that---risqué ukulele picture). When the audience liked them, she kept writing songs. “It’s been an awesome experience because I got to learn how to write songs as I was learning to perform, hand in hand.”

Before Megg Farrell, most people haven’t heard a ukulele played un-Hawaiian-ly and that’s including all the stuff you’ve downloaded off Limewire (yeah, I know you do it), all the stuff you’ve heard while awkwardly waiting on the elevator, and all the CD’s of your childhood (it’s hammer time). Megg claims that the shock factor helps her out if anything. “When a really tall girl whips out a tiny ukulele the first impression is a little silly. And also people aren't used to ukuleles so they immediately think I will play Hawaiian, so it works to my advantage because once I start screaming and howling angst lyrics they all are shocked.” That’s right Megg. You embrace that shock factor.

With shows in Paris and Brooklyn under her belt, it almost makes sense that she has such a unique sound. The list of influences ranged from the “tribal drum mania” of Man Man to the “symphonic masterpieces” of Beirut. The artists who have had an effect on her are the eclectic all you can eat buffet of music. More include Etta James, The Animals, French Disco, M and the Prototypes. From that you might expect a distracted mess, but the sound actually comes together really well. Some of her favorite shows include those she’s played with The Longwood's Cluedo and The Bukowskis. Another was a surprise show she played with the Longwood Boys in France.

More than her music, her lyrics and overall mentality about a job in the arts are something to really be thought about. With many people, things like music or art may seem offbeat or unreliable. When asked about her family and their stance she casually responded, “My family is definitely ok with it because I don't see as musicianship any more offbeat than any other business. These days the idea of a safe job is a myth, do what you love and you'll do fine.” Wise words Mr. Miyagi and MGMT could agree on.

When she’s not singing or songwriting, Megg Farrell works as a white water raft guide or travels. She’s not afraid to have a good time, with a free-spirit, and as Marge Simpson might say, “she throws a gosh-darn good shindig.” (That’s me, making up quotes)

Finding unsigned talent is like finding an animal cracker on the bar floor. When you see it, you know a unfamiliar mustard taste is a possibility, but you can’t resist. The cracker you pass up today could be the iTunes-commercial-everyone-play-a-cover-of-this-and-post -videos-of-it-on-Youtube song of tomorrow. So pick it up before the five-second rule.

http://www.myspace.com/meggfarrellmusic
Facebook group = MeggFarrell....plays ukulele.