Ever since the Biebs was discovered online, YouTube has become a vital platform for the aspiring 21st-century pop star. Few match the success of Megan Nicole, who, since uploading her cover of King of Leon’s ‘Use Sombody’ five years ago, has amassed 2.7 million subscribers and 518 million views on the site.
“It’s still insane to me. I can’t believe that from me posting these videos that I’m able to do what I love,” the 21-year-old Texan says, recalling how the hobby became a routine when she hit 100,000 subscribers.
The instant fan base hasn’t made her immune from music industry issues. An ill-fated major label deal kept her original music on the shelves for years. She’s gone the indie route, self-releasing her debut EP Escape in October.
“Technically, it’s my third album, but the first to get out to the world,” she says. “A lot of people know me for upbeat, lighthearted pop songs, but I show a little more serious side on some of the tunes.”
No VPN? Listen to Megan Nicole on Xiami.
She raves about the songwriting sessions, where she unplugged from “the outside world and Twitter-verse,” to discover her musical voice in the mountains on the edge of Los Angeles.
“It’s still pop, but more band driven,” she says, rattling off influences like early Michelle Branch and Avril Lavigne. “There’s a lot of cool music programmed, but I wanted to start off with real drums, real bassists and real faces.”
The band will be tagging along for her December 13 show at the Mixing Room & Muse, which also features sets by STORM Festival favorite OM. Nicole’s excited to be back in China, where her viral success has crossed with over two million views on Youku. Three years ago, she packed Yuyintang alongside other YouTube sensations Jason Chen and Tiffany Alvord.
“I’m going to play all the songs from Escape and some covers, which are a lot of fun, because it becomes one big sing-along party,” she says. “At the end of the day, I hope people can walk out, smile and have an awesome time.”
// Dec 13, 8pm, RMB160. Mixing Room & Muse, tickets.
*******WIN!!!!!********
We have a pair of tickets to Megan Nicole’s show to give away. Simply e-mail win@urbanatomy.com with the subject ‘Megan Nicole’ by Dec 9 for your chance to win.
0 User Comments