One of the brightest underground House artists Meg Ward steps into our spotlight to take part in our ‘For The Record’ feature.
Born in Leeds but raised in Newcastle, well sort of. Meg Ward has been championed by the likes of Patrick Topping and Richy Ahmed, but as all fledglings must do she’s broke away from Geordie scene and now resides in London, ready for the next chapter of her promising career.
Raised on a menu of indie, disco and everything in between, Ward made her moves in clubs like Cosmic Ballroom in Newcastle where she really began to make a name for herself. Her introduction to producing certainly was welcomed with warm arms by many, her exciting, energetic style catching the eye of Radio 1 stars Annie Mac and Jaguar. Labels have also bought into Meg’s contemporary House sound that blurs genres, Southern Fried Records, HE.SHE.THEY, Needwant and Shall Not Fade have all signed the now Londoner and the future is set to be bright for Meg Ward.
We sat down recently with Meg to chat about all things past, present and future. Her upcoming show at Rise Festival alongside Bicep, Chris Stussy, LF SYSTEM, Oden & Fatzo (Live), Sonny Fodera and more on December 16th in Les Deux Alpes, France (tickets here) is set to be monumental moment, here’s what went down…
KOTT: Hi Meg, thanks for taking some time out to speak with us! Whereabouts in the world are you right now?
Meg: Hello! My pleasure. I’m in my home in London relaxing after a busy week.
KOTT: So let’s get to it. Can you tell us about your start in the music world? How did you get into music and DJing?
Meg: I started off promoting in clubs I used to attend frequently whilst at uni in Newcastle. I felt inspired by being at multiple events every week, and decided I would love to start DJing myself. I’ve always loved dance music but Newcastle grew my love into a passion.
KOTT: You cut your cloth up in Newcastle. Is it a good place to be a creative sort these days?
Meg: Newcastle has a great underground scene. A lot of community lead, grassroots underground parties that really make you feel part of something. The city itself is beautiful and full of life, which is perfect for fueling any creative fire.
KOTT: Where did you get your first break, and how did it go?
Meg: I’m not sure I have a memorable first ‘break’ –my music productions started to gain traction during lockdown, so my first moment I felt like I could make a career out of this was when Annie Mac played my tune for the first time on Radio 1. That is a feeling I’ll never forget.
KOTT: You’re playing at Rise Festival next month. What are you most looking forward to at the festival, and have you got anything special planned?
Meg: I am, so exciting! I’m looking forward to the infectious vibes in the mountains and getting to play my music up there. I always have something special planned, but for this in particular, expect the unexpected…
KOTT: Are you much of a skier/snowboarder? Apline festivals are so different from what most people are used to; how will you spend your spare time while you’re away?
Meg: Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a skier, but I can ski! Catch me on the green and blue slopes skidding about and falling over. I do love it though, it’s a great feeling skiing down mountains and I’ll be spending my time there trying to get a bit better at it.
KOTT: What one track never leaves your bag/USB?
Meg: Mason vs Princess Superstar – Perfect (exceeder). It’s one of the tunes I’ve always had and always will have on my USB. I wouldn’t say it’s a staple in my sets, but it’s certainly a song that brings so much happiness to me and I do play it from time to time. It gets the crowd hyped.
KOTT: On a production tip, you’ve been releasing on the likes of Shall Not Fade, &Friends, Trick and more recently Fatboy Slim’s ‘Southern Fried. How do you go about making music, and who’s inspired you in the studio?
Meg: I haven’t had any production lessons or anything, just spent a lot of time teaching myself, enhancing my skills and developing new ways to create. I wouldn’t say there’s a right way to make music, and I think that’s what inspires me. You can make something completely in your own way. I use music to express my thoughts and feelings, so every day something different inspires me.
KOTT: How did ‘Troubles’ come about? Was it always meant to land on Southern Fried Records, and have you had any time with Norman?
Meg: I created Troubles when I first moved to London, which is why the song is so chaotic haha. I never made it with the intention of it being signed to a label, but southern fried was 100% the perfect fit for it. I met Norman when I supported him on his UK tour this year at the Cardiff leg. It was such a great show and he’s such a sound geezer!
KOTT: We want to speak to you about being a female in the business right now. How have you found it? Has it become a safer, more accepting scene as far as behind the decks and away from the crowd?
Meg: I wouldn’t say it’s come far since I started DJing (I started out in 2018 so not much time for any drastic change there). I feel safer when I play at venues that have more women/ gender nc people on the lineup and working behind the scenes. There are a lot of parties that are very male-centric, and lad culture focused that make me feel uncomfortable. I don’t feel included in those spaces, backstage or behind the decks. But that’s fine, there are a LOT of inclusive spaces out there. The more I am involved in parties like that, the better.
KOTT: What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers?
Meg: Keep creating, keep working, keep learning and evolving. Don’t be afraid to try something new if you feel stuck with where you are at the minute. Explore genres when making music. Even if you never release that stuff, you’ll learn a lot about different processes in production.
KOTT: Who else in your vision of sight, both as DJs or Producers, should we be looking out for in 2024?
Meg: I reckon next year is going to be Charlie Boon’s year to shine. He’s had some really great releases, and he has some really exciting stuff this year. Also, Ammara has been on everyone’s radar for a while, but I reckon she’s going to blow up next year. Keep an eye out for both of them absolutely flying in 2024.
KOTT: A fun question to finish on Meg: what was the first record/tape/CD/mp3 you remember buying?
Meg: It was BUSTED’s first album (self-titled). I remember begging my mum to get me it in a shop and having it on repeat every night for years. I loved my boybands xo
Thanks to Meg for taking part in our ‘For The Record’ you can follow her on Instagram here and Facebook here.
