If you’ve been a fan of Americana Music for a while or are just starting to get into the genre, AmericanaMusic.com “Artists You Should Know” are some wildly talented artists we think you should know. An artist you should definitely place on your radar is Megan Burtt. With vocal sensibilities that crescendo into a whispering vibrato, Megan Burtt’s ability to pull in the listener is equally complemented by her skillful songwriting and Joni Mitchell-like exotic chord progressions. Here’s our interview with her. Be sure to add her to your playlist.

Where did you grow up and where do you call home now?

I grew up in Denver, CO, been in a town or two or three since then and currently back in Denver!

How have the life experiences of where you lived affected your songwriting or the songs you choose to record?

Someone once told me that I sound like “Colorado”. I never quite knew what that meant, but maybe spending much of my life looking at mountains every day infused some sort of humility in my songs. I took a turn in Mississippi and Nashville. I’ve always loved songs that sound rooted into our American music history – the blues. I have a lot of lyrics about the idea that I’ve never really found “home” and about a life after this one, so I suppose the songs I record have an element of wanderlust woven through them too.

What artists/songwriters have impacted or influenced your work the most?

It’s always been the girls, I’d say. In the beginning it was Joni (Mitchell) and Bonnie Raitt. Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin and I spent some life together. Gillian Welch and Kathleen Edwards during the college season. These days I found favorites in Laura Marling, Laura Mvula, and Madison Cunningham.

When you perform, what do you hope is your audience’s biggest takeaway?

“Let’s go the next time she’s playing”

Tell me a little bit about your latest project?

As of August of 2023, I just finished masters on a new album! Twelve songs – phew! It was a big pandemic project. It was definitely the most challenging album I’ve made so far. It was recorded in a couple different studios and with a lot of players. It was a lot of doing and re-doing and re-writing. A lot of the tracks were recorded by friends in other states who then emailed their parts over. I really let myself go in and in and in again until I felt like we got it right. I let myself record songs that feel so honest that I questioned if they should
be left on a hard drive, but inevitably decided to say out loud the things people might just be quietly feeling. I really stepped out on the vulnerability limb on this one. I’m planning to drop singles over the fall and winter with a spring release.

What was different or unique about your approach to this last project as compared to previous ones?

I co-produced this one, whereas I had a producer in the past. I started producing records a handful of years ago for other artists and so this was my turn to be in the driver’s seat and call the shots. I wanted to know what it sounded like when I was making final decisions. This is the first album where that’s happened. I feel pretty good about the outcome.

Was there ever a time you felt like you wanted to quit making music?

Well, if the question is really “have you ever wanted to quit making music your career?” the answer is, yes, all the time. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who loves the business end of this thing. But once you are trying to make money off your art you’re in the business of music. I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing songs – it’s how I make sense of the world and how I console myself.

What is your funniest or favorite “on the road” story when touring?

Definitely can’t tell you that, it’s too inappropriate. But I loved the time I was playing in Vietnam and someone who lived in a small town where my grandparents live randomly showed up. It was the best reminder of this small little world we live in. I have a lot of good tales from the prison tours I’ve been doing for 13 years.

Who or what keeps you grounded the most?

Holistic and alternative health care is my biggest hobby.. spending time cooking a healthy meal or baking a gluten-free treat, going for a walk, organizing my supplements, getting on the PEMF bed and doing some kind of detox
routine really does the trick these days. Rock and roll, ha ha.

What advice would you give artists just starting out?
Your songs are your legacy and ONLY that which you can build a career on. If you only have time to do one thing, let it be to write songs.