Today’s spotlight artist has always had a love for music. We chatted with Neah McMeen about her love for music, her debut project, and everything in between.

Growing up in a small town in Kansas, McMeen began singing from an early age, performing the National Anthem at local games and even singing with a band around her hometown. At the time, music was simply something she loved to do, but deep down, the dream of becoming an artist was always there. “I remember going to every concert and thinking like, ‘Oh, maybe, I hope they pull me up on stage so I can sing,’” she shared.

Growing up in a small town, pursuing music professionally didn’t necessarily feel like something that could actually happen. McMeen remembers watching shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent, dreaming about one day having an opportunity to showcase her own voice.

“To be honest with you, no,” she shared when asked if she thought music could actually become her career. “I remember growing up, I’d always watch American Idol, America’s Got Talent, stuff like that. […] I’m from such a small town, and it’s definitely hard to get noticed from a small town.”

Still, there were plenty of artists who made the dream feel possible. Taylor Swift’s Fearless album had a major impact on the songstress, while Carrie Underwood’s journey from a small town to American Idol particularly resonated with her. She also grew up covering Adele songs for her family and friends.

“I would for sure say Taylor Swift. Fearless album and everything like that, I am just so obsessed with her songwriting,” McMeen shared. “I would also say Carrie Underwood. I just remember watching her auditions with American Idol […] and she’s from a small town. That was giving me hope in a way.”

Today, her influences continue to be dominated by female artists, including Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Emily Ann Roberts, Gracie Abrams, and Olivia Rodrigo. “My whole vibe is for the girls,” she shared.

The Turning Point:

Although music had always been a dream, McMeen attended the University of Kansas and started focusing on becoming a dental hygienist, while music became something that felt more far-fetched.

“I kind of lost my passion for music a little bit just because it seemed out of reach,” she shared. Then, one phone call changed everything. A family friend from her hometown reached out about recording demos, ultimately bringing McMeen to Nashville. While recording, the producer working on the songs saw something in both her voice and personality and invited her back to Music City to record more music.

Those sessions eventually became McMeen’s first four releases. Although she didn’t write the songs herself, the experience gave her an opportunity to begin building an audience and helped her realize exactly what she wanted to do next. “After having some songs out that I didn’t write, I really felt like, for my audience and my fans and even to myself, that I want to write my own songs, my own words and own feelings,” she shared, adding, “I have always wanted to songwrite, but I was in my own way,” she admitted. “I thought I could just sing, and I don’t know, songwriting just felt like I couldn’t reach it.”

In one of her first co-write sessions, she got the bug for songwriting. “It was so much fun and just gave me hope for what I could do,” she shared. “It was such a freeing process just because I’ve had so much built up that I wanted to write out and write in a song. I just didn’t know how to.”

With a new confidence in her songwriting, McMeen made the decision to spend a year in Nashville writing, networking, finding collaborators, and discovering who she wanted to be as an artist. Moving to Music City alone wasn’t always easy, but the experience ultimately helped shape her. “It was definitely very scary, but it was very eye-opening and really shaped me into who I am right now,” she shared.

Today:

Flash forward to today, and McMeen is finally sharing music that feels entirely her own.

At the beginning of the year, the songstress created a goal board, writing down her desire to release a full project that showcased not only her voice, but her songwriting and who she truly was as an artist. Now, she’s officially accomplished that goal with her debut EP, Love Letter. “Everything about the EP is just so me and genuine, and I hope everyone can see that,” she shared.

Each song on the project stems from personal experiences, giving the artist the opportunity to turn what she’s been going through into music. At just 22 years old, the singer-songwriter is embracing the messiness that comes with figuring out life, relationships, and everything in between. “All the songs are from a personal experience, and it was very therapeutic for me to just get all of it out there in song,” she shared.

Over the last year, McMeen has also continued to find her footing as a songwriter, working with different co-writers and learning something new each time she steps into a writing room. “I am 22, so we are figuring out all the things,” she joked. “I definitely like to write about some boys sometimes, which I feel like that’s where the Taylor Swift influence comes in.”

Ultimately, the songs on Love Letter were chosen because together, they represent exactly where McMeen is in her life right now. While each track is special to her, she currently names “Friend Zone” as her favorite on the project.

Looking ahead, fans won’t have to wait long for even more music. McMeen already has another single on the way, with plenty more she hopes to accomplish in the coming year. Along with continuing to release music, the rising artist is manifesting opportunities to open for other artists, play bigger shows, and perform at festivals. Stay tuned for more from the songstress!

Connect:

To keep up with Neah McMeen, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Neah McMeen’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.