Chasing The Beautiful Sadness Of Music
Growing up, Megan King didn’t think she was an exceptional musician. Despite being in band and choir from a young age, she had never been told she was any good.
“I enjoyed singing. When I was young, my grandma was my biggest influence. She played piano and took me under her wing.
“I thought I was OK, but it’s like when you’re watching ‘American Idol’ and all those people think they’re great, but they’re actually awful. I didn’t know if I was actually a good singer, or if I was the only one who thought so.”
A Wawasee High School graduate originally from North Webster, King said her affirmation came in the form of a school talent show. She sang while a friend played piano to Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel.”
“We finished, and the whole auditorium sat silent,” explained King. “Then everyone started clapping. They had no idea I could sing.”
Now 32, King has taught herself guitar and piano, is still singing as well as writing her own music. She even has few albums under her belt. Her latest, “Lion Heart,” was released in 2012 after being recorded and produced at Java Jive Studios near Nashville, Tenn.
“I wanted my third album to be a quality product,” explained King, who worked with session musicians like drummer Brian MacLeod, who has played with Sheryl Crow among other artists.
“It was definitely an investment, almost as much as what it cost to buy a car, but they really got my music,” she said.
King’s music is a little bit Americana, a little bit folk and a little bit alternative. Mostly it is her expression of shining a light in dark places, she says. Although many of her lyrics explore fear, pain, or trial, they also express hope.
“Music is definitely a healing experience,” said King. “It’s my therapy.”
A manager of clinical operations at Biomet in Warsaw, King plays solo shows as well as with a back-up band throughout the area. She’ll play at the Jay County Fair in Portland, Ind. with her band from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, July 13, in the Farmer’s Building.
“My ultimate goal is to become a songwriter,” said King. “I like performing, but I love the process of writing a song.
“I’m always chasing after the feeling to connect with art and music. It’s why I write music, to connect with that beautiful sadness.”
King’s album “Lion Heart” is available on iTunes and Amazon. For more information about her music, go to her website.