Singer/songwriter Megan Paullet on touring, songwriting, playing Picklesburgh, and putting her dog in her music reel
Megan Paullet has been in a groove with creating connections with her fans. Her recent single, “I Just Wanna Stay Home,” is a fun dance pop homage to not going out. She’s been impressing crowds all over Pittsburgh, from Picklesburgh to Pens games. Her exciting live shows feature a full band with a horn section.
Over a phone interview, I talked with Megan about touring, songwriting, playing Picklesburgh, and putting her dog in her music reel.
Band members: Megan Paullet (Vocals, Piano, Guitar), Antonio Pagano (Guitar), Heyd Reyes (Bass), Brendan Kennelty (Drums), Herbie Hunkele (Trumpet), Joey Caporali (Saxophone), David Vevers (Trombone). Featured on “I Just Wanna Stay Home”: Justin Klunk (Saxophone), Chris Volpini (Bass), Jamie Peck (Producer).
Starting Out
Josh: When did you start singing and performing?
Megan: I didn’t really start to get into performing until the end of high school. I used to have really bad stage fright when I was younger. I kind of had to get over the whole stage fright thing if I wanted to be involved in theater, and that’s what allowed me to step out of my comfort zone. I joined my first band when I was in college.
Touring
Josh: You went on tour last year. How was it?
M: I did, yeah. I went on my first solo tour out west. Last year I played over 200 shows in 14 states and four countries, so it was the biggest year that I’ve had so far.
Playing Live
Josh: I saw you play at the Pittsburgh Winery. That was an incredible set.
M: Thank you.
Josh: What’s it like playing with a full horn section?
M: Oh my gosh, it’s incredible. I have always been a big fan of very full sounds. You know, Herbie Hunkele on trumpet, we’ve got David Vevers on trombone, Joey Caporali on sax. They have a great chemistry among themselves. That allows for the band as a whole unit to have that chemistry as well. I spent a really long time trying to find it.
Josh: So can people expect a lot of dancing at a Megan Paullet show?
M: (Laughs) Yeah. It’s very groove forward. I might be a little biased, but I find that it’s hard not to move to the sets.
Performing National Anthems at Pens games
Josh: You perform a lot of national anthems, from Pens games to the Washington Wizards. How does that feel each time?
M: Oh my gosh, I didn’t expect to get into that as much as I am. I had the opportunity to work with the Penguins for the first time a couple of years ago. Then I got the call from the Washington Wizards, and they were like, ‘Can you come down and do this?’ And then on tour last year I got a call to sing the anthem at Cheyenne’s Frontier Days in Wyoming, which is like the largest outdoor rodeo in the world.
Josh: Maybe one day you’ll sing at the Super Bowl.
M: You know, that would be super cool.
Playing Picklesburgh
Josh: What’s it like playing Picklesburgh?
M: It’s probably one of my favorites to play. This past year was our third time. I talked with a woman who was visiting from Washington state, and she was like, ‘I just had to come for the pickle festival.’ When else would we have the chance to connect with people from the other side of the country? Flyspace Productions were great to work with.
Josh: Do you partake in all the pickles when you’re there?
M: (Laughs) I do, yeah. I’m not as big of a pickle connoisseur as some people, but it’s fun.
Original Songs
Josh: Your song “Closure,” is very vulnerable. Do you always go to the piano when you start your songwriting?
M: It really depends. I actually started writing “Closure” when I was in my car. I was driving and recording voice notes on my phone. And when I got to the piano, I wrote things out.
Josh: Were you surprised with how much it took off? I think it resonated with a lot of people.
M: Yeah, I guess. You never know how people are gonna respond to anything that you put out into the world. Being vulnerable with people gives them the courage to be vulnerable. And sometimes, that’s all someone really needs. A space where they feel that their experiences are valid, that their feelings are valid, that they’re heard, that they’re seen and what they’re going through. Whether that’s, you know, the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one.
Josh: Your recent single “I Just Wanna Stay Home” is such a catchy song. I’ve had it stuck in my head.
M: (laughs) Oh yeah it’s so funny, I was on a cruise contract with another band and got stuck at the airport. I spent like nine or ten hours in the airport just thinking about how much I wanted to be at home. I just started writing it down. I was just kind of humming to myself.
Josh: (laughs) So many people can relate to it.
M: There’s so many songs that are about going out. There’s no anthem for introverts out there—people who just wanna stay at home and drink hot chocolate on the couch or, you know, have a glass of wine. I figured I would write the introvert anthem.
Josh: Have you played it live yet?
M: Oh yes, it’s a crowd favorite. It’s so much fun. I would say between that and the theme from The Magic School Bus are probably our two most popular tunes. The Magic School Bus theme has a special place in my heart just because that was one of my favorite shows when I was growing up.
Josh: You have an eclectic taste in music. Did you grow up with your parents introducing you to that kind of music?
M: My dad is who I owe all of my musical influences to. He played anything and everything: Frank Zappa, Frank Sinatra, Blue Oyster Cult, Janis Joplin, The Black Keys. My dad is the reason that I am the musician that I am today. I owe everything to him.
Josh: The Black Keys are playing Stage AE in August. I can’t wait.
M: Yes, I am hopeful that I can be there for that.
Josh: You should open for them.
M: That would be super cool. If you guys are reading this article, let’s chat.
Putting her dog in her music reel
Josh: Is that your dog in the music reel for “I Just Wanna Stay Home”?
M: (Laughs) Yes. That was a very happy accident. I had to unexpectedly take Zuko with me and I was like, ‘All right, let’s see what I can get done in an hour.’ Everybody’s like, ‘Where’s the full video of your dog?’ And I’m like, ‘I didn’t make a full video.’
What’s next?
Josh: So what’s coming up?
M: The new single is coming up at the end of March. We are slated to release an EP at the beginning of the summer. There’s just a lot of really cool things happening for the band this year. A lot of momentum that we’re kind of riding after a very busy end of the year. So I’m just really excited to see where things continue to go.
Josh: Are you looking forward to spring?
M: (Laughs) Oh yes, I got a kayak last summer. I’m waiting for the weather to warm up so I can take my kayak out on the river and see if Zuko’s a fan of the water. Just being out in nature feels like a breath of fresh air, literally.
For the latest on Megan’s upcoming shows and new music, visit her website and keep up with her on Instagram and Facebook!
Check out last month’s band of the month article here!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
