Name of the band: Lemolo
Year in which it is established: 2009
Name of the members and composition: Meagan Grandall (songwriter, keys, guitar,
vocals)
Band’s hometown: Seattle, WA
Discs or ep: (names and quantity)
The Kaleidoscope, 2012
Red Right Return, 2015
Swansea, 2019
Mad World, single, 2020
1.- Why dreampop?
When I first started my band and began writing songs, I honestly had never
heard of the genre “Dream Pop”. I have always sought to make music that speaks to
my heart and soul, using the instruments around me. And stylistically I have always
been drawn to darker and more haunting moods. I never knew how to categorize my
own music at first, but a few years into making music under the name Lemolo, a local
music journalist here in Seattle described my music as “Dream Pop” and I was grateful
to finally have a name for my sound.
2.- How did you meet (if there are several) and if you are a soloist: How did you start
your creative solo process?
I began playing piano when I was three years old and grew up loving and
studying music. When I entered high school, I taught myself guitar and started to learnabout the joys of writing songs. I entered myself into every open mic performance I
could find, and wrote songs and played music any chance I could get. It wasn’t until I
graduated from college (with a degree in environmental science) that I decided to give
music a real chance and formed my band and started performing as Lemolo. And I
have been making music independently and serving as my own record label ever since.
Music has always been an amazing outlet for me on a personal level, and I’m very
grateful to have had the opportunity to play and write music throughout my life.
3.- Where do you frequently create (your) music? In which space (s)? And how do you
invest your (their) times in creation?
I typically write songs when I am home alone in my bedroom studio space. I
feel the most comfortable writing when I am solitary, because I feel comfortable
letting my ideas flow without worry of judgement. Songwriting has always been a
personal therapeutic outlet for me, similar to writing in a diary. So it makes sense that I
like to write in my “musical diary” during my alone time. And my songs are always very
personal about my own life and personal experience, which can feel quite vulnerable
at times. Sometimes it is hard to then go and share my songs, but I always try to find a
way to have the courage to do it.
4.- Do you (s) already have live concerts? What are the most important and where did
they go?
I have been performing and touring since 2009, playing many concerts regularly
throughout the year. I started performing in coffee shops and at open mics, and now
have played in all of the major theaters and concert venues in Seattle. I have toured
the US multiple times, and also had the opportunity to tour throughout Europe in 2015. That was such a highlight for me! I absolutely dream of touring more, especially
in South America one day. I have always operated independently and done my own
booking and funded my own tours, which is why there is still work to be done to be
able to play more and visit new cities. I hope we can meet one day!
5.- What do you think is the ep or hit song of your band and why?
I don’t feel that I’ve ever really had a “hit song”, but there is a lot about my long
music career that I feel very proud of. I feel the most proud of my newest album,
Swansea, which was just released in the fall of 2019. It was produced by Nathan
Yaccino who also plays drums and percussion with me during my live shows. He is an
amazing producer and I am so proud of our collaboration on my new album. I think I
was able to really grow with my songwriting, and Nathan encouraged me to try new
things and expand my horizons on many levels with the music.
I also feel very proud that I just sang guest vocals on the newest Pearl Jam
album, Gigaton, as the first female vocalist on any official Pearl Jam release. You can
hear me on the song, “Take the Long Way”.
6.- What references did you take to create your music?
There are so many amazing artists who inspire me. Some of my favorite artists
are Radiohead, Daughter, Elliott Smith, Emily Haines, Cat Power and Feist. And I am a
huge fan of fellow Seattle artist Sophia Duccini.
7.- Any anecdote in a band or soloist’s live performance or show
My favorite show was when I performed last fall for my hometown album
release show at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. The space is stunningly gorgeous with a
6 second natural reverb and huge vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. I had the
honor of performing with a string trio and rearranging my music in a unique way for
the space. It was such a beautiful experience to perform and sing in the cathedral, and
really was a dream come true for me. I still think about it often!
8.- What do you enjoy most of your music?
The highlight of a career in music for me is the songwriting process. The simple
moments of sitting down and writing songs and letting out my thoughts and feelings
are so joyful for me, and so rewarding. I can find a bliss in those moments unlike I can
find anywhere else in life.
9.- What do you think about the creation of the Dream Dream pop platform? Do you
think (s) that this space is necessary?
I am very excited about this new platform, because it is so important to shine a
light on independent artists and musicians who are hustling to create. It can be such a
difficult road to be a professional artist, with a seemingly endless array of challenges.
Every ounce of support is so welcome and so necessary for independent art to stay
alive and to flourish, so I appreciate you personally for making this happen.
9.- A message that you want (want) to deliver or free words from the band to the
readers
Please continue to support your favorite musicians and artists directly,
especially during these difficult times with the Covid-19 Pandemic. Your support of
independent music means the world. And to all of the fellow artist out there, the world
needs more beautiful music, so keep on keeping on! xo
Click to music from Lemolo: