I found out about this band from The Guardian’s article, 50 New Artist for 2020. I asked Meggie Cousland, the lead singer of the band, some questions and here’s what she had to say.
Q: Your name is Meggie Cousland but the band’s name is the Meggie Brown Band. What made you choose that name?
A: Everything felt brown related at the time. I was writing on brown paper as it was cheap for rolls and rolls. One of my first songs I wrote was called “lily brown” and thought to myself, what’s wrong with brown? I felt very attracted to the name.
Q: The band used to practice at your place, which was a mansion on an isolated area of Southland. Did you think the place was haunted? Sounds kind of creepy.
A: It was Sir Thomas Lipton’s mansion. Yes it was haunted or my brains were haunted. One or the other for sure. 5 acres friendly ghosts. Unforgettable. Sad to have been evicted.
Q: How did it feel to perform live for the first time as a band?
A: Terrible. Didn’t know what I was doing or why. But did it and loved it in the end. And now it’s my happy place.
Q: So when Meggie Brown first started gigging, you soon found yourself supporting Franz Ferdinand. That’s pretty huge. How was the transition going from playing small clubs to a venue with a 4900+ capacity? Overwhelming?
A: It was cool. Want to do it again please. I like both small crowd and big cause people are people and songs are songs.
Q: Meggie Brown is not only diverse in gender but also in sexuality. You must be proud of that. Describe what that means to you as someone who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community.
A: I feel mixed. One hand, I’m so happy and proud. On the other, that’s very normal for me to have genders and specialities around me, For that to be objectified in any way or even noticed reminds me we have a long way to go.
Q: What one word describes each of your band members and how have they changed your life for the better?
A: They haven’t. Just kidding. 1) Greg…Gold…his smile 2) Tom…weasel..his mustache 3) Kayleigh…snacks..she brings good snacks 4) Rachel…hair…I like her hair 5) Nick…stable..finally we have a bassist for keeps!!
Q: Reviews say your band is full of high energy and exudes fun and personality on stage. What do you hope to bring the fans with each performance?
A: There’s so many people in the band that it’s different each time. Can’t really control all, I know it’s a cocktail of humans who have lots of fun together! I hope t bring a tiny bit of escapism from our very serious lives.
Q: Who are some of the band’s biggest musical influences?
A: I think the band members all have different influences which keeps things interesting and keeps it tense at times, I am greedyyyy
Q: “I Said Salute Me” on Spotify released in November ‘19, is this a song about someone not loving you back? The line, “Drop and give me 10” has been on repeat in my head for about a week now.
A: Woohoo…..you got in one
Q: The Guardian’s online news site recently named your band, “50 new artists to watch in 2020”. This is quite an honor. What was the band’s reaction when you saw the article?
A: Not sure, they didn’t say much about it. I think I embarrassed some of them with ketamine references which made the headline. (Whoops) They’re all very sober people you see. Well half of them are. Hoping this interview will get them out of trouble with their mums and dads.
Q: What should your fans look forward to in 2020? Are we going to see an album? Tour in the US?
A: We got this EP still coming out and I want to record more and the US. But ya know how it goes, it depends on who wants us. We’re here to entertain if u want us.
You can find Meggie Brown on Instagram @meggiebrownmusic Facebook: @MeggieBrown Spotify: Meggie Brown and where streaming is available.
This band is surely one to watch out for in 2020. Stay tuned for interviews from Jessy Covets & her band Peachy McQueen, Pretty Vacant, Jason “Hoss” Hicks and Andrea Von Kampen.
Until then…Your Music Stylist – Linda Dias
Music To Your Ears 