Unveiling the Heartfelt Narratives of Meg Smith’s “Emotional Punching Bag"
Photo By Rommel Nunez
IN A REALM WHERE AUTHENTICITY INTERTWINES WITH CATCHY MELODIES, Meg Smith emerges as a rising artist whose music navigates the intricacies of human emotions. Her latest single "Emotional Punching Bag" resonates as a poignant anthem, revealing a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
With a dynamic blend of pop and alternative genres, Smith's music is an exploration of relatable themes presented through unique and specific narratives. Stepping beyond musical boundaries, she opens up about her approach to translating emotions into her work, crafting a seamless synergy between sound and visuals. As she gears up for upcoming shows, including ours at Union Pool August 25th, and the release of new music, Meg Smith's unwavering commitment to authenticity shines as an inspiring beacon for fellow musicians striving to create from the heart.
Read below to learn about the stories behind her music, her artistic journey, and her perspective on navigating the ever-evolving music industry.
LUNA: How has this summer been treating you?
SMITH: Great! I’ve been playing a ton of shows and making songs I’m really proud of.
LUNA: Your recent interview with Melodic Magazine gave us a glimpse into your creative process and the inspiration behind your latest single. Could you elaborate on the emotional journey that led to "Emotional Punching Bag" and how this song captures those feelings?
SMITH: ‘Emotional Punching Bag’ is a song that I never expected to write. I came into that songwriting session having no idea what to write about. So naturally, me & my co writers just started to chat and gossip. I was telling them about a friend I’d recently broken up with, who would always talk down to me and snap at me. Walking on eggshells is an understatement - I always tried to make myself smaller around them. But everyone has their limits. I’m terrified of confrontation, but I had to say something! I couldn’t be their emotional punching bag anymore. I had to start punching back.
LUNA: "Emotional Punching Bag" addresses vulnerability and personal struggles. How do you navigate the line between sharing your own experiences through your music while still creating relatable and universally resonant songs?
SMITH: I think there’s a misconception that writing songs that are very personal & specific, means they won’t be relatable to others. ‘All Too Well’ by Taylor Swift is a perfect example of this. The whole song has so many specific details - the scarf, driving upstate, dancing in the refrigerator light. And yet it’s one of the most relatable songs in the world. I think those details capture a feeling that’s universal.
In ‘emotional punching bag’ I start the song by saying “Remember outside of the restaurant, when you called me stupid?”. You might not know what it’s like to be called stupid outside of a Mexican restaurant, and then have to spend the rest of the night pretending everything’s fine. But everyone knows what it’s like to be hurt by something someone said, and not know how to stand up for yourself.
LUNA: Your music often blends elements of pop and alternative genres - how have you seen your music evolve overtime?
SMITH: I’ve definitely become more experimental over time. I used to be scared of not having one specific sound throughout all of my songs. But I think experimenting in different genres is what makes my music fun! I love pop, rock, alternative, country, folk - everything! So why wouldn’t I want to write a folk singer- songwriter ballad one day, then a country pop song the next?
LUNA: Your visuals are always so on point - how do you approach the visual aspect of your music, and how important is the connection between the visual and sonic aspects in conveying your music?
SMITH: The visuals are so important to me! The second I finish writing a song, I start thinking about the music video or cover art. But it’s hard being an independent artist and not having all the resources I’d like. So I definitely have to get creative with it!
In the ‘emotional punching bag’ video, I just ordered a bunch of cheap costumes and danced around a studio. For ‘Joni’, we used my friend's karaoke bar and built a whole concept around that!
LUNA: Looking at new music, what do you hope your listeners take away from your music? Are there specific emotions or reflections you intend to evoke?
SMITH: When people listen to my music, I want them to feel 2 things: 1-to feel like you wanna scream the lyrics while driving ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ style, and 2- to feel like you’re not alone. It’s a magical feeling to hear a song and be like “oh my god I’m not the only one who feels that way!” I want to create that feeling for others.
LUNA: What do you like most about translating your music into a live setting?
SMITH: I love everything about playing live! I love dancing with everyone in the crowd. I love when fans make me friendship bracelets and talk to me after the show. I love that no matter how big the crowd is, I feel like I’m playing a sold out show at Madison Square Garden.
LUNA: You've mentioned the importance of staying true to yourself as an artist. How do you maintain authenticity in an industry that can often be influenced by trends?
SMITH: It’s definitely a challenge with how important social media is. It’s hard not to get swept up in whatever style is trending at the moment. But my favorite artists are the ones who make music that feels authentic to them, no matter what’s trending. What helps me is referencing songs from the past, from Joni Mitchell to Shania Twain. Instead of focusing on what’s trendy right at this moment, focusing on songs that stand the test of time.
LUNA: What advice would you offer to other aspiring musicians, young women in particular, who are striving for the same authenticity?
SMITH: Some criticism is helpful, and some is not. Some people will think you’re unoriginal, others will think you’re too different. Everyone will have an opinion on what you do and the music you make, so take the critiques that feel helpful, and leave the rest behind.
LUNA: What intentions do you have for the upcoming months?
SMITH: I’m so excited to go on tour this Fall! So far I have tours lined up with The Astronomers in September, and Windser in October. I also have about an album's worth of music I can’t wait to share. For the first time, I’m unafraid to release music that feels insanely authentic to me. It’s really scary, but so exciting.
