Thursday 18 June 2020

Life on Lockdown

So... 2020. WHAT is going on. We've all been hearing these words a lot lately, but these truly are "unprecedented times" we are living in, and life has been turned upside down for all of us. For me, I moved in with my sister and her family just before the lockdown was fully imposed. I am very lucky and grateful to be surrounded by my loving family. 

We spent the first few weeks muddling along, getting things set up for working from home and home-schooling the kids, and drinking copious amounts of wine each evening to cope with the shock of what was unfolding before us on the news. Of course, it didn't take long before I decided it was time to write a song - partly to document such a monumentous time (at least of my own, somewhat limited experience of it), also as a way to express all the overwhelm, and the distraction of having a project to focus on. I wasn't sure at first what the mood of the song would/should be, but the first verse came very quickly - and when the line about pyjamas slipped out, I knew it was going to have a lighthearted slant :)

I played the work-in-progress for my niece and nephew and they loved it, and even helped me finish a line I was struggling with. Legends. I thought it would be a great project to get them involved in the video (and much more interesting to watch than just me playing it)! They really stepped up to the mark, and we pretty much shot it all in a day. They took it all in their stride, performed without hesitation, and I'm sure it comes across that we had a lot of fun!

The final verse has a more serious tone, and I really wanted to honour even a few of the amazing acts of kindness that have come out in this difficult time, with communities coming together to support each other. Big thanks to everyone who allowed me to use their image, including Mary Taylor, Keighley Bus Company and Gills Top Care Home, to name just a few - all are credited at the end of the video. Check it out here:


One positive that has come out of lockdown for me has been a real return to music. I've taken somewhat of a hiatus over the past two years, but the last few months I've been writing again, making videos (including this one for a fantastic Leeds-based band I joined last year called The State of Georgia), gigging on my sister's driveway (for VE Day and every Thursday evening after the clap for our carers), and finishing my next album off remotely with my producer Patrick. I've been loving every second of making music again, and I can't wait to share some new sounds with you all. Watch this space...

Stay safe everyone, and remember to be kind to others, and to yourself. 

Love, Meghann x


P.S. Here's my favourite photo from our VE Day gig - my niece and nephew both rocked the mic on their own a few times, and this is us performing "Life on Lockdown" live together. So proud of them!