From what she saw as something of a career ‘false start’ on the X-Factor, to appearing on the Late Late Show as she establishes herself more permanently through a series of popular online posts and singles grabbing over 4 million views, Megan Burke’s decade long journey with music has been one filled with twists and turns.
“I was only a baba and at the time [I appeared on the X Factor], and the people that I was working with urged me to enter as it was such a popular show then,” Burke recalls. “I was always reluctant because I didn’t really think it would be my thing, but eventually I came around to the idea and thought ‘feck it why not?’ Turns out I should always trust my gut because it is never wrong, and it wasn’t really for me, but it was a great experience to have under the belt.”
“At the time I was very disappointed when I was sent home. I was distraught for a few hours but looking back now I’m glad it didn’t work out. I didn’t know who I was at 20 so I believe a show like this would have chewed me up and spat me out back then. Now would be a whole different story as I am so sure of myself. It really helped me but not in the way you might think. It made me realise what I didn’t want from my career in music, which was as important as figuring out what I did want.”
These days, Burke’s music can be divided firmly into two categories: more formal releases, like recent single ‘For Hours’, and digital only ones for which she garners a heap of online attention, and are much less formally produced.
“Social media releases are a complete solo project,” she says. “I only really need myself for that process. I really need a lot of prep in general, but with single releases I need so much preparation and help. I rely on so many people when I’m releasing a single, and I am very lucky with the people I surround myself with on these projects. It really does take a village – yes, I know that saying is used when raising kids but my music is my baby so I’m gonna use it anyway!”
“The social media stuff has become a really big part of what I do. People message me from all over the world and when I get those messages it makes me want to work harder. It’s a great encouragement for me knowing that people are actively waiting for another release.”
The success of Megan’s various projects took her all the way to national television, which came as something of a shock to her. “It was really great,” she recalls. “I got the call a few days before and I sobbed my eyes out to my mam saying I didn’t want to do it because I was so scared, but eventually she talked me down and I had a ball!”
“I was lucky in the sense that I had performed on the late late show before as a backing vocalist so the lights and set etc didn’t phase me in the slightest. Everyone was so sound and I even got to meet Edel from bewitched, which 6 year old Megan was delighted with!”
As for the latest single, ‘For Hours’ is about “those relationships where you are being constantly disappointed, where you give them chance after chance and they let you down at every possible chance.”
It will lead to bigger things, but not an album. “An EP is definitely coming soon for sure.” Burke says. “Albums are wasteful in this current climate in my opinion, unless you’re Taylor Swift or Harry styles.”
