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It's been awhile since we focused on music out of Columbus, but violinist Megan Palmer sounds like a good spot to commence. Armed with the 12 song "Forget Me Not," Palmer hooked up not long ago with OhioOnline music correspondent Peanuts to go over her career on and off the road and why now was the right time for her first solo recorded effort. |
| OO: |
Are you a native of Columbus? |
| MP: |
"I was born in Cleveland and grew up in Parma. I went to Normandy High and then moved to Columbus to attend Capital University. I am currently living in Columbus." |
| OO: |
How did you get started doing music? |
| MP: |
"When I was a child, I remember going to my grandparents' house where they would have parties and my grandpa and all his musician friends would have a jam session in the basement late into the night. I would sit down there and listen until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. When I was 9, he handed me his father's violin. It was in terrible shape. We got it fixed up and I started playing violin. As I grew older, his influence continued on me when I started experimenting more with jazz, blues and composition. He passed away in 2005." |
| OO: |
Sounds like a good mentor. Did you then join a band? |
| MP: |
"I have been in many bands. I have spent a good deal of time playing violin with Tim Easton. We still do some touring together occasionally, most recently opening for Lucinda Williams in March. I also currently play fiddle in the popular Columbus band, the Spikedrivers." |
| OO: |
What national artists have influenced you? |
| MP: |
"Including Easton and Williams, I have been directly influenced by Sarah Harmer from Canada. Also late legends like Townes Van Zandt, Elliot Smith, Hank Williams and John Lennon." |
| OO: |
Who influenced your writing the most? |
| MP: |
"My music comes from the heart. I call up a variety of styles. My songs are usually directly influenced by events in my life, but I usually adjust the stories to metaphors that make more sense compositionally." |
| OO: |
Any bands on the wish list to split a bill? |
| MP: |
"I would love to play with Wilco. Some of them walked in on me once when I was playing with Fred Haring and the Franklin County All-Stars. Ironically, we were playing one of their tunes 'Casino Queen.' Another group I'd like to play with is the Pretenders." |
| OO: |
Give me some background on the disc. |
| MP: |
"After touring with the Canadian alt-country act, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, it took two years to make. I started working on the disc in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and then finished it off in Columbus, mastering it in New York City. The skeleton of the disc was formed in Hamilton. When the project moved back to Columbus, producer Jeff Ciampa did an amazing job of helping me really communicate where I wanted each song to go. I really believe the disc has a beautiful flow." |
| OO: |
Favorite Ohio venue to play? |
| MP: |
"Little Brother's in Columbus, formerly known as Stache's. Dan Dougan, the club owner, works hard to continually bring good quality music to Columbus as well as promote local musicians and songwriters." |
| OO: |
Long term plans? |
| MP: |
"I am doing some touring solo in September, through New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis and Boston, with the hope that I can take the band on the road soon.
I am also looking into a tour of India sometime in 2007." |
