Megan Barker – Friend Like That

By starrymag | September 26, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My earliest roots were country, but I spent a lot of time listening to pop music growing up. I also had a HEAVY blues phase that never ended. So, my style is somewhere in all that.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) John Mayer & Keith Urban are my biggest influences.

 

Q) Your father wrote songs for many music legends. What advice did he give you when you first started in the music industry?

A) To always write from the heart. Take constructive criticism, but never doubt my gut.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Friend Like That.”

A) I got together with one of my favorite writers, Kelly McKay, and my super-talented friend, Tyler Flowers. I told them I wanted to write a song about all the things I want to find in a good best friend. Tyler started playing this really cool groove. Kelly started talking about Monica and Rachel (from “Friends”). That was it. I played the song out a few times thinking it was too silly for anyone to take seriously. To my pleasant surprise, people loved it!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) People love to laugh, and the song has some pretty fun moments. I think also people relate because everyone wants to find their “friend like that!”

 

Q) How did you come to connect with Kelly McKay and Tyler Flowers to pen the single?

A) Kelly and I have been writing songs together since 2016. We met through SongTown, a wonderful online community of songwriters created by famed songwriters Marty Dodson and Clay Mills. I met Tyler through social media. I was looking for a partner for a gig and he was recommended to me! We hit it off instantly. He’s an incredible musician and singer. Check out his original music!

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Doing karaoke with some of the best female country artists in Nashville, in my opinion, is the best representation of what this song is about. Female empowerment. Let’s hang. Let’s support each other. Let’s eat Taco Bell. Come with me to my hot yoga class because I am NOT going alone. I hope the viewers can feel the love that all of us girls felt that day while shooting.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I’ve got two processes. Before I became a CO-writer, I always started a song with a guitar riff and the lyrics would follow. Now that I co-write daily, for myself and other artists, I usually bring in a hook or an idea of some kind and we build the song around that.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I’m pretty much a co-producer on everything that I’ve released. One of the privileges of being an independent artist is having creative control. I have so many ideas all the time and I’ve always been super hands-on in every aspect of my music. I truly love every part of the process.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) You never know what’s around the corner!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I played some amazing shows in Ireland and Northern Ireland in Fall of 2019, and I am making my way back in a few weeks. Those are some of my favorite shows I’ve ever played! The people were incredible, and they are so passionate about music. I can’t wait to get back there.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) John Mayer, Keith Urban.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Jo Smith is incredible, and she’s got a new record coming out in October. Check out “Wyoming” featuring Vince Gill.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) We all crave connection as humans and nowadays it’s at our fingertips 24/7. I love being able to share a new song or some fun news and share in the excitement with my friends and followers. What could be better?!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you from the bottom of my heart! From whatever point you joined in on the journey, I’m so grateful you’re here. We’re just getting started. <3