Megan Slankard

Artist Information

Biography

Though only in her 20's, singer-songwriter Megan Slankard has independently sold nearly 30,000 copies of four independently released CDs. Megan’s newest release, A Token Of The Wreckage (Spring 2011), is "an edgy alt-rock release that is a breath of fresh air" (Maverick Magazine), “gleaming, grooving, and gritty” (Minor 7th), with "thoughtful construction and clever wordplay" (Performer Magazine). The CD, which was recorded with help from David Bryson (Counting Crows) and Jerry Becker (Train), held a spot in the 10-best selling albums on CD Baby for weeks. In addition to 12 new songs, the CD also includes Megan’s first official music video, written and directed by Matthew Ward. The video has earned over 17,000 plays on Vimeo and You Tube combined.

In spring 2011, in support of her new CD, the singer-songwriter toured her way across the US, driving 20,000 miles in 7 months. Megan returned home to San Francisco, CA in December to play a sold out show with her band in the grand ballroom of the venerable Swedish American Hall.

“…every track on Wreckage is a work of art: strong melodies, literate lyrics, engaging vocal harmonies, dazzling accompaniment, and a killer rhythm section.” (Minor 7th)

Megan’s recordings have been gaining substantial industry attention: she won the 2011 IMA Vox Populi for “The Happy Birthday” a song from her newest CD, as well as the 2009 IMA Vox Populi for her cover of Paul Simon’s song “America”. Megan earned the January 2009 Top 5 artist in the Famecast.com Competition and was selected as a finalist in the 2009 and 2008 Musician’s Atlas/Borders Books Independent Music Awards. Additionally, she was selected as a semi-finalist in Discmaker’s 2007 Independent Music World Series and the 2007 International Songwriting Competition.

Megan and her music have appeared on TLC’s “What Not To Wear”, which generated purchases by TV viewers that placed her CD “Freaky Little Story” on the #5 spot on Amazon.com CD sales charts and on the Top-10 Rock Bestseller list on CDBaby.com. Because of the episode’s popularity, the show’s producers featured her in a follow-up episode a year later, bringing “Freaky Little Story” and her third release, “A Little Extra Sun” back into the Top-10.??

"An artist who truly understands her style, her vocal ability and her overall sound, and she pursues all that with as much passion and intensity as humanly possible." (Maverick)

In addition to TV, Megan’s music has also been featured on San Francisco AAA station KFOG's compilation CD. She has been featured in Rockgrl Magazine, Owl Magazine, The Synthesis, Fresh Tracks and Women In Rock, in addition to Acoustic Guitar magazine – whose editors named “Freaky Little Story” one of their top albums of 2005. She was a final selection artist for RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned Artists Volume 3 compilation CD; an A&R Online featured artist; a Song and Film Spotlight artist; and, an Acoustic Cafe featured artist on the “One to Watch” syndicated radio program (sponsored by the USA Songwriting Competition). Slankard also co-wrote and performed on the title track of Dire Straits founding member David Knopfler's new record, “Ship of Dreams”.??

Megan has also showcased in Boston (NEMO) and Toronto (NXNE), toured three times as support for David Knopfler through Germany and England, and performed at the international festival InGuitar in Zurich (Switzerland).

Megan starts writing new songs this winter for her next album release (tbd).

Instrumentation

Kyle Caprista - Drums, Vocals
James Deprato - Guitars, Vocals
Jeff Symonds - Bass, Vocals
Danny Blau - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
Megan Slankard - Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin

Discography

A Token Of The Wreckage (March 2011)
A Little Extra Sun (September 2005)
Freaky Little Story (September 2003)
Lady is a Pirate (August 2001)

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• You and Your Bright Ideas
  Listen  
• A Token of the Wreckage
  Listen  
• My Obsession with Bees
  Listen  
• My Hallelujah
  Listen  
• Soundtrack
  Listen  
• Riley
  Listen  
• Our Little Secret
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Sails
• You and Your Bright Ideas
• Soundtrack
• And Lala Too
• My Hallelujah
• The Happy Birthday

Video

Megan Slankard performs "Token of the Wreckage" with Jeff Campbell

A Token of the Wreckage OFFICIAL

Photo Gallery

Press

• Songwriter Review [+ Show ]
  

  “Nearly everyone who encounters this attractive and sophisticated singer-songwriter agrees that she ...“Nearly everyone who encounters this attractive and sophisticated singer-songwriter agrees that she has ‘star’ written all over her...She forges a distinctive sound with her smooth and courageous vocal dynamics, intelligent and diverse song styles, and sheer infectious enthusiasm.”
  
  -- Acoustic Guitar Magazine (August, 2006)

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "It’s a good sign when the first three songs of a record have you wondering “why haven’t I heard of ..."It’s a good sign when the first three songs of a record have you wondering “why haven’t I heard of this group before?” Such is the case with Freaky Little Story, the second release by 20-year-old Megan Slankard but her first with the Megan Slankard Band. Lady is a Pirate, Slankard’s impressive 2001 mostly acoustic home recording, showcased her vocal and songwriting talent but only hinted at her production skills. With the addition of drummer Ian Stambaugh, bassist Dave Moffat, guitarist Mike Hsieh, and co-producer Chris Holmes, radio-ready tunes like “Dirty Wings” and “Lose Me” groove and lift off. Throwing such curveballs as the DJ scratching and sampling on “Mockingbird” and the gorgeous cello lines on “Addy’s Tatoo,” the band lets the songs breathe and build beyond the confines of conventional pop song structures. The finely tuned arrangements don’t distract from the songs so much as cast them in their best light. Slankard’s vocal style is so distinctive that simply naming influences (Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette) don’t do it justice. Her vocal melodies are immediately arresting, she uses hip-hop phrasing and whisper-to-roar dynamics like a pro, and she never lets her impeccable technique eclipse the emotion she pour into her performances.
  
  –Drew Pierce, Acoustic Guitar, September 2004
  

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Slankard possesses a range beyond her years. The fact that she can pull off high notes that sound e..."Slankard possesses a range beyond her years. The fact that she can pull off high notes that sound ethereal, and dip low into an earthy, smoldering growl indicates a level of versatility that will take her farther than her peers. Slankard's vocal risk-taking pushes her out of both the singer/songwriter and pop-star formulas, and showcases her own talent. ... Slankard's newest album reinforces her progress so far and promises a long-standing career in music for a talented young singer."
  
  Yvonne Chan, PerformerMag.com, January 2005

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "What Megan Slankard is selling on her self-produced album, Freaky Little Story, is bottled excitem..."What Megan Slankard is selling on her self-produced album, Freaky Little Story, is bottled excitement... On ‘Too Bad You’ and ‘Dirty Wings’ close your eyes, it could be Sheryl with her foot on the gas. In between comes ‘Mocking Bird’ where she sounds sexier than Shania but it's a latent sexiness, more powerful because it's suggested. Her [music] is made all the more alluring by a real hunger, she's a girl with places to go. ‘Addy's Tattoo’ is breathless but it is also free from the cynicism born of experience...
  
  The album may well be entering a crowded market but its core radio friendliness sits neatly alongside the slightly quirky; ‘Lose Me’ is the kind of song Rickie Lee Jones sang at her peak. Freaky Little Story is a real find, an album packed with the kind of melodies that shift records by the vanload but it will also satisfy those who think commercial success is akin to summoning Beelzebub, which is a pretty neat trick."
  MM, Maverick magazine, April 2004

• Performance Review
  

  "...Ridiculously talented..." Marijke Rowland, Modesto Bee, April 2004

• Performance Review [+ Show ]
  

  "This seemingly innocent 20-year-old singer-songwriter has surprised audiences and critics across th..."This seemingly innocent 20-year-old singer-songwriter has surprised audiences and critics across the country with her smooth, bluesy compositions. A breath of fresh air in the world of female pop singers, Slankard's sound is vibrant, emotional, and very addicting."
  Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 2004
  

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Great voice, great songs, great album [freaky little story] -- and if there's any justice in the wo..."Great voice, great songs, great album [freaky little story] -- and if there's any justice in the world, a great future."
  Jamie Field, Musical Discoveries, February 2004

• CD Review
  

  "[Megan Slankard's "a little extra sun" is] a remarkable five song goodie bag..." Dec 2005

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "[Freaky Little Story] has lots of magic moments – lots of goose bumps, lots of evidence of hard wor..."[Freaky Little Story] has lots of magic moments – lots of goose bumps, lots of evidence of hard work... The vocals and harmonies are wonderful... love the arrangements... very exciting."
  David Knopfler (Dire Straits)

• College review - November, 2006 [+ Show ]
  

  Everyone loved having her on campus. We truly enjoyed meeting her and listening to her. Thank You Me...Everyone loved having her on campus. We truly enjoyed meeting her and listening to her. Thank You Megan Slankard for a great performance!

Setlist

Each performance consists of all original music from her four CDs, new unreleased songs, and an occasional cover.
The length of each performance varies and can be from 30 minutes to 2 + hours.

Basic Requirements

Calendar