Daily Discovery: Megan Slankard, “Bones Live Forever”

Megan Slankard by Christopher Howard 600x400

Videos by American Songwriter

ARTIST: Megan Slankard

SONG: Bones Live Forever

BIRTHDATE: June 6 (historically, a pretty action-filled date)

HOMETOWN: I grew up in a little town outside of Tracy, CA. I remember the smell of fields full of rotting cantaloupes, fields that were continuously buzzed by shaky little airplanes blown around in the wind like little birds. I spent a lot of warm summer nights lying on the ground with my dog, in a back yard full of a sky that went on for days. There were actual stars there! We had a little farm with a lot of pets (sheep, a pig, chickens). There was a big orchard, and a garden (which the sheep eventually ate…)

CURRENT LOCATION: San Francisco, CA (as well as many cozy couches and guest beds across the US)

AMBITIONS: I would like to tour the world with my band, playing songs we wrote together, continuing to feel happy and inspired. Oh, and I would also like to learn how to do the Hustle.

TURN-OFFS: A-holes.

TURN-ONS: Genuine, open-minded people with dreams and senses of humor. Good cheese. Animals, showing love by leaning against my legs. Low wattage tube amps.

DREAM GIG: Anything that involves Paul McCartney, Prince, The Foo Fighters, or the Firefly Music Festival in DE.

FAVORITE LYRIC:
“Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup. They slither while they pass. They slip away across the universe.” Across the Universe – The Beatles.

Also, I love Graceland, (in its entirety), by Paul Simon.

CRAZIEST PERSON I KNOW: I come from a long line of crazies. My parents and siblings are inventive, hardworking, creative crazies. I wear the badge proudly. At times, it does inspire some funny looks from others.

SONG I WISH I WROTE: “Golden Slumbers” by the Beatles. (It’s the best lullaby I’ve ever heard.) “The Final Countdown” by Europe. (Does there need to be a reason?) “What a Wonderful World” by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. (This song reminds me that we humans have a softer side. It sounds like something kids say before they have too many grown up things to worry about.)

5 PEOPLE I’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Tom Waits, and David Attenborough, and I think it should be a pot luck. I would really be interested to see what Tom would bring.

MY FAVORITE CONCERT EXPERIENCE: My favorite concert, after all these years, still has to be my first – I was 10 years old: Ringo Star and the All Star Band at The Chronicle Pavilion. As an avid Beatles fan, I begged my parents to take me, and even though we were way back in the nosebleeds, I felt every note that was played that night was changing my life in some way.

I have seen many other epic shows, since then, that were also life changing, but most recently, Jamie Cullum at The Fillmore in SF. Mind-blowing. I’m serious: hot damn.

I WROTE THIS SONG with two of the amazing musicians in my band (Danny Blau, and Kyle Caprista) for my new album, Running on Machinery (to be released on May 19, 2015). This was the first time I had really done much collaborating; it was scary to create directly in front of people, but amazingly fun. I’ve been playing in a band with these same guys (along with my other two bandmates: James DePrato and Jeff Symonds) for about 7 years now. They’re my brothers. It feels good to be a part of something that is inspiring and trustworthy. I am a lucky girl.

 

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