Biography
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, 2018
Members
—
Megan Sidwell
Lead Vocals / Guitar / Keys
Touring Band:
James McCormack/Jon Lemer
Drums
Iain Archibald
Guitar / Vocals
Cam Archibald
Bass / Vocals
“Country music audiences expect authenticity from artists and it is immediately clear on this album that Sidwell is giving us her all. The songs are emotional and strong and sometimes defiant. They are more country rock than pop, and Sidwell has the voice to handle rock: it has depth and warmth, and great range, and there’s no danger of her disappearing inside the instruments. ”
“Megan has all the characteristics most people in this game are missing - a great voice, great songs, and a grounded sense of purpose - all of which will see her succeed while others fall away.”
Megan Sidwell embodies the perfect balance of an edgy, chuck - wearing rocker with the pure heart of a country belle. Her music forms a unity between the sensibilities of rock and country pop. Her songs bleed infectious pop hooks and country harmonies, with an edge and a dramatic overtone uniquely her own.
Sidwell’s musical identity has been shaped over the years by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Lady A, Hayley Williams and Taylor Swift. She has also opened for international acts Tyler Hilton (US), Kate Voegele (US) and Big Country (Scotland) whilst on their Australian tours.
Born in Tauranga, New Zealand, Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Music from The University of Auckland in 2014 before making the move across the ditch in 2015 to Melbourne, Australia.
Her debut 5 track EP, Forever on a Sunday, was released in October 2013. Produced and mixed by the multi - talented Ben King (Goldenhorse), the EP also features the likes of Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight) on drums and Janek Croydon on pedal steel.
Following the success of her debut EP, Megan released multiple singles including the crowd-funded single, Never Saw it Coming in 2015.
At the 2016 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Sidwell and band took out first place in the Coca-Cola Battle of the Bands, closing out their first appearance in Tamworth with a well-earned performance on the main stage. More appearances followed throughout the year including the Emerging Artist showcase at the Gympie Music Muster.
2017 saw Megan as a grand finalist in the Toyota Star Maker competition in Tamworth. Although unsuccessful, many lessons were learned and she set her eyes upon recording her next record. In the mean-time, Sidwell ventured in to the studio in Melbourne to record the single, Piece of Me, and successfully launched this song to an enthusiastic crowd at The Workers Club, Melbourne. Later that year she traveled to Nashville to start the process of recording her next album with Sam Hawksley.
This seven track album, Right Kind of Wrong, was released in July 2019 and gained positive reviews among radio, print, and fans. It features the single I Got You that debuted at No.2 on the NZ Country Music iTunes charts. Piece of Me was re-recorded for the album and was the second single released off the album in the weeks leading up to the album’s release. This aim was to give the listeners a taste of Megan’s new sound before the release of the full album.
“Megan’s mature song-writing style and vocal ability instantly places her alongside her contemporaries as a songwriter to keep a watch on.”