Megan Wilde

Saying Megan Wilde is wild is absolutely true albeit a tad lame. Instead, let's say Wilde could very well become a musical force with which to be reckoned. Chicago-born Wilde is more than just a pretty face . . . although, hey, her looks sure don't hurt either, mmmkay?

Megan Wilde: Girls Rock-slide0
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"Wildfire EP" (Back cover)
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Wilde is a singer-songwriter/keyboardist who actually studied classical music at the Interlochen Academy of Fine Arts. It was there that she was reportedly “seduced by the powerful and brazen voices of R & B and blues singers.” Her most obvious idols include Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Etta James. Soon after she became a part of the Chicago blues scene where she was soon dubbed “Baby Blues”.

She toured the country learning about different musical artists and genres and eventually settled in Seattle, Washington. It was in Seattle that she worked with Grammy nominated Howie Weinberg to lay down the sounds to her 4-track debut disc the Wildfire EP.

Wilde stresses: “No auto-tune was used in the making of this album. It’s music with real instrumentation. I like pop quality music but I think its time has come to an end for now. It seems as if people are turning towards original songwriting with actual instruments and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

The listener can certainly tell as Wilde energetically leads the way on lead vocals, Wurlitzer and piano on a recording that is a blend of funk, indie-rock, R & B and soul. She is backed by an assortment of other artists including Harry Wirth (bass) , Anthony Burns (drums), organist Roger Wood (The Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder) and Esther Rose Bentson and Peacemaker Nation on backing vocals.

The EP opens on a clever cover of the Willie Dixon classic dirty blues song “Spoonful”. It’s familiar yet refreshing. Trevor Boone and Jakael Tristam are featured on guitar.

Her first original song here is "Runaway Romeo". It’s one of those “two young lovers with nothin’ better to do”—(thanks Steve Miller) -- but get into trouble with the law. She makes the tuneful tale her own though complete with harmonies inspired by the Raylettes, it includes Larson Haakenstad on guitar.

The titular “Wildfire” follows. Written as a modern blues rock piece, Wilde says it is ‘guaranteed to get your feet moving and fingers snapping.” Thomas Hunter and Jimmy James appear on guitar.

The closing cut is “Make You Mine”. This is perhaps the best song here. Co-written by Wilde, this uptempo end-note has elements of blues, pop and soul. Haakenstad and James encore on guitar.

Wilde must be aware of the show biz axiom: “Always leave them wanting more” and definitely does so here. With but four songs on this EP, Megan Wilde’s Wildfire EP—due out May 19, 2015— reveals but a “Spoonful” of her true talent. - The Examiner

Chicago native and Seattle based indie rocker Megan Wilde is a breath of fresh air on the music scene with the release on May 19 of her new EP, Wildfire. From the first blistering riffs of "Spoonful" to the final soulful notes of "Make You Mine," featuring the amazing organ work of Roger Wood (The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder), Wilde shows that she has arrived in a big way.

Seattle Music Insider declared her a "soul powerhouse" and the Stranger described her sound as "robust and bodacious." AXS cannot disagree with these assessments and adds that this powerful reincarnation of Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Etta James is the next "Queen of Soul."

With a powerful soulful voice full of strength and power, Wilde truly manifests that sound on the second track, "Runaway Romeo" and brings it home with track 3 "Wildfire," the title cut. Wilde has so much talent oozing out of the EP that expectations will be high for any future releases.

Wilde studied classical music at Interlochen Academy of Fine Arts, which gave her a strong understanding of the art of making music, but her heart was pulled in the direction of R&B and the blues. Every note on Wildfire shows that she made the right choice.

While growing up in Chicago, she tried out the local blues scene, earning the nickname "Baby Blues." She set out traveling around the country and eventually wound up in Seattle where she started recording her new EP at one of Seattle's best studios, London Bridge. The EP was mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Howie Weinberg. Wilde produced, composed and arranged all of the material on the EP (with the exception of "Spoonful"), and also added the amazing Wurlitzer, the piano and of course, those powerful vocals.

Wilde described the title cut as as a scorching modern blues rock song that is "guaranteed to get your feet moving and your fingers snapping." As for her career, Wilde tells us that "It's been a busy and creative year. A lot of time was spent on the production of this EP and the upcoming album." As far as AXS is concerned, it shows. In addition, her work on perfecting her sound included Wilde conducting a choir in the studio, working with a choreographer and writing the screenplays for her music videos. With that type of preparation, it is no surprise that she sold out her first concert in her hometown.

According to Wilde, "No auto-tune was used in the making of this album, It's music with real instrumentation. I like high quality pop music, but I think listeners are yearning for music created from the hearts and minds of musicians - instead of computers. It seems as if People are gravitating towards original songwriting with real instrumentation, and I'm excited to be a part of it." AXS could not agree more, and highly recommends the debut EP Wildfire by Megan Wilde. It just may be the biggest release of 2015.

For more information of Wilde, follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook page, as well as her music video for Runaway Romeo, which recently debuted on The Winehouse Mag website. - AXS