We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghan Kylie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghan below.

Meghan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

On January 13, 2024 I l..drove to my scheduled work day at a nursing home, and could not get myself out of the car. I had realized it was my body telling me that I couldn’t force myself to do that work anymore; at least not full time; at least not in that format.

And so I drove home, reached out to my supervisor, and quit, with no concrete plan.

Since then, I have released my debut album and have been building my new life, piece by piece.

While I have not quite reached “full time hours;” I can say with confidence that I am projected to “get there” by the end of the year.

I knew from an early age that I wanted to pursue music full time, but did not have support from the people in my life to be able to solely focus on my goals. I am very grateful that I ended up receiving both an Associate’s Degree in Music Education/Performance and an ad hoc Bachelor’s in Global Social Welfare and Music, as well as completing all of my Music Therapy Equivalency courses- but it wasn’t until that significant day in January 2024 that I knew that there was no other option.

After receiving my Bachelor’s, I moved to Portland, OR to pursue my music. However, I learned the extremely challenging and important life lesson; you need to have a plan.

After spending a couple years in Portland, I moved back to the east coast to regroup; and that’s when I decided to go back to school for Music Therapy. I then moved to the Philadelphia area to complete my internship. I did that for about a month, and realized that I wasn’t able to finish. I then went back to working in nursing homes and social work related jobs; only to realize a couple years later that I needed to follow my true calling.

And so, at this point, I have a mixed career. I teach voice/piano both through a studio and privately, supplement with caregiving jobs, and practice energy work; among several side projects such as writing music reviews, poetry, and performing in nursing homes.

This is not exactly what I saw my life looking at when I decided to become a singer-songwriter at 15, but it is truly a blessing to be slowly building a career that is made up of all of the things I enjoy!

If I had known what I know now about how the path to my creative career would have to include supplemental work at first and take some time to get going, I probably would have gotten my Bachelor’s in Music Education; but other than that, I try not to focus on changing my past- because I have no control over that! Instead, I do my best to move forward; even on the hard days- because I am finally pursuing what feels authentic to me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When people ask me “How long have you been making music?” even I am not exactly sure!

I typically answer, “My whole life!” From age 5, I began studying piano/keyboard and taking lessons; but I know that even as a young child, I would walk around my parents’ house “making up” songs; and singing about whatever my young heart desired.

The truth about my journey is that I began more seriously creating when I HAD to create. When life got to be too much to bear at times; when it felt like no one allowed space for my voice or creative presence; THAT’S when I knew I had to sing and write and create.

I had a lot of traumatic experiences throughout growing up – and recently was diagnosed with PTSD officially as an adult in my early 30s. When I was about 15 years old; in the height of these experiences, I spent an entire school year writing at least one set of lyrics per day. My songwriting began as improvisation, and so my voice teacher would record my improvised piano/voice songs in her home studio; and I began to very amateurly record my music at home on my computer and post it on my Myspace Music profile (yes it was that era!)

My early songs began as pre-written sets of original lyrics; or as improvisation I never wrote down. Because my music making began as poetry and improvisation, I got a bit of a late start on memorizing written songs. It wasn’t until college that I began seriously memorizing my original songs. Early works included a piano song called “You Don’t Impress Me,” and some others that I recorded at a local studio on piano and voice.

When I moved to Portland, OR after receiving my Bachelor’s, I frequented local shows and open mics, but wasn’t able to land shows of my own. I spent this time diving into writing and developing my indie, pop style; as well as figuring myself out as an artist, and a queer, neurodivergent, unique being.

Life crashed and burned out there, as I simply did not have a plan and was 3,000 miles away from my loved ones on the east coast. So I moved back to Scranton, PA; where I honestly felt trapped, and knew it wasn’t home. I made some wonderful friends, frequented open mics, had a couple shows, and recorded a very amateur EP that I posted on bandcamp.

I eventually moved to Philadelphia, where I *finally* started to play out regularly, and released my debut album, “THIEF.” This album is extremely vulnerable, and was a difficult project to put out; but I am extremely proud of it.

Despite this long and arduous journey, however, I will say that I am most proud of shedding my walls and allowing myself to be authentic and share my story with the world! Throughout my journey, I have done a lot of shadow work; combating many demons to evolve into the artist I am today.

As an artist, I aim to be as authentic as possible, and inspire others- ESPECIALLY fellow LGBTQIA+ creatives to pursue their art.

Life is too short! What makes me the happiest is pursuing what “lights me up,” and I will always encourage others to do the same. What lights me up are: performing; energy work; teaching music lessons; and writing.

I also practice Energy Work and have my Reiki level 1 certification! I am working towards acquiring reiki clients, and plan to continue my training and eventually become a Reiki Master. This is something I am extremely proud of – because I have a lot of spiritual trauma and my spirituality is very important to me.

I also love seniors, and am working towards performing in nursing homes again- and sometimes offer my energy work services for that population as well! I have several small businesses; such as giving oracle readings; private music lessons; and writing professional music reviews.

Overall, I aim to be an artist who inspires and provides relatable music that helps heal others and ignites their own voice. I believe that is my way of healing in our wounded world. That is how I give back. I was once told by a listener that “we have to feel to heal,” and that is certainly my philosophy! I dream of touring the world; allowing others to activate their own healing energy through giving Reiki; and living the life of my dreams.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A Note on Imposter syndrome & Toxic Capitalism:

From an early age, I was fed the message that I had to work hard in order to deserve success; and that no matter how hard I worked, I would not be accepted, and that there was no space for my art in the world..

I grew up in a time where that was the norm; that being a musician wasn’t an approved profession. That there was only ONE path for me to follow.

I grew up in a world where there was never enough space for neurodivergent folks; or anyone who was different. I was fed messages over and over again that led to serious self doubt and imposter syndrome. “You aren’t qualified. You’ll never make it. You aren’t talented enough. If you were, you would have made it by now.”

However, since then I have worked extremely hard to overcome this. It still creeps in, and remnants of these beliefs are prevalent on my debut album, “THIEF.” The title of this project came from the quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” and references the lie that artists don’t deserve success; because they don’t deserve to feel fulfilled in a creative career.

It was my way of saying to fellow artists and the world: “You aren’t alone.” And my way of conveying that message to myself. How can we heal if we don’t admit these truths to ourselves? We *ARE* valid! We ARE worthy. And despite the current state of the world, I will never stop making my art.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of what I do is performing! Sharing my original music with others; and communicating a message of authenticity will always be what I love most.

Also- one time, a kid wearing a trans flag at a queer event came up to me and hadn’t even heard my music- but excitedly asked to buy a signed copy of my debut album. Memories like this will remain with me forever.

For me, that is what it’s all about; inspiring other LGBTQIA+, or neurodivergent artists. Or honestly, anyone – but those encounters are extra special.

The act of simply creating, sharing, and inspiring is enough to make the financial hardship and mental health struggles worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mkbarrett13.wixsite.com/meghankyliemusicetc
• Instagram: @meghankyliemakesmuisc ; @pyrasflame.angelichealing ; @new.tricks.music.lessons
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/MeghanKylieMusic
• Twitter: @megisafire
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/MeghanKylieMusic

Image Credits

Orson Hells (Jules McCorry)

Brie Gold (Ad Astra Presents)

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