Megan's 'Coming Home' kicks off with a performance in Whelan's of Wexford Street, Wednesday 23rd September

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYGF4zYxSmY

Golden hair, golden looks and of course, a golden voice. But don’t underestimate the steely resolve of this girl. For our 2012 Rose of Tralee entrant, a career in the music industry was always the goal she set herself and with the release of her 5 track EP ‘Coming Home’, Megan O’Neill returns to Ireland next week, for a performance at Whelan’s of Wexford Street, Dublin’s renowned live music venue.

So what drives the 25 year old to keep pursuing a career in the music industry when she has a credible DCU degree in Psychology under her belt (apart from her voice and talent as a songwriter)?

“Ah, thanks for the compliments! What keeps me going? I would have to say passion. I love music and I couldn’t imagine my life doing anything else so I've got to give it my best shot now. My song-writing is also like my therapy, my life’s diary in a way and it's helped me through a lot already.

Having gained invaluable experience with the UCD Choral Scholars, Megan always knew solo singing and song-writing was her destiny. Her song ‘Don’t You’ featured on US ABC TV show ‘Nashville’ in December last year. Produced jointly by Lionsgate/ABC, this was the show’s third year to pull huge ratings in the US whilst also proving popular in the UK, where country music is enjoying renewed interest.

Before her move to London, the Kildare songstress relocated to Nashville where her distinctively Irish/country/pop music gained her invaluable collaboration time with some of Nashville’s finest artists. Megan has worked with notable Nashville writers such as Marc Beeson, Billy Austin, John Edwards, Brian Maher, Erik Halbig, Bruce Bouton, Mark Narmore and countless others.

Last year, she signed for management with Irish management company Milestone Management, who also represent well known Irish pop duo ‘Heathers’. Based in London (South West), Megan loves the ‘buzz’ of London.

“It's an amazing city to live in. Full of great people, amazing opportunities and of course a constantly buzzing music scene. I love the craziness of London, but of course I miss Ireland and nothing like the Irish banter so the title of my new EP: ‘Megan O’Neill Coming Home is very apt!”

And the coming month is all about coming home. “I'm here until early October for lots of writing sessions, some radio shows and of course, the Whelan's gig. It's great to be home and be getting the chance to write with some well-known Irish songwriters. I'm also obviously very excited for my first Irish gig, it’s almost a year since I performed here”.

Next month The Kildare Songstress plays at the famous ‘Rising Stars of Country presented by Time Out’ on October 6th and in November,  it looks like Megan is heading back out to sunny Los Angeles for the third time this year.

“I'll be spending a few weeks out there for meetings and more song-writing sessions. I love it out there - almost as much as I love it at home”.

Wednesday 23rd September at Whelan’s of Wexford Street with Taylor’s Lane in support, doors open at 8.30pm. New EP available to buy on iTunes and at the concert.