Check out our interview with musician, songwriter and actor Kyle Meagher whose 2019 visual album, Beats in a Bagel Shop has racked up close to 1,000,000 streams as well as being awarded silver at the Global Music Awards and being nominated for “Best Musical” at the Orlando Film Festival.
Kyle began learning how to play music at an early age and has spent most of his life performing and acting.When he was 10, he was recruited by the AMTI Agency in Ottawa which led to a number of television and film opportunities including Murdoch Mysteries, the Odd Squad, 7 Hills and a recurring role in the hit CBC/Netflix series Anne With An E. The first song Kyle ever wrote, “Nowhere,” became a hit in the U.S. climbing to #3 on Radio Disney and helped land him performances on stage across North America with the likes of Alec Benjamin, Bryce Vine, Why Don’t We and Mike Posner among others.
Follow Kyle @thekylemeagher
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Hi Kyle, please tell us a little about you?
I’m Kyle Meagher, and I am an actor and a musician!! Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, I’m also a hockey player and I just turned 18!
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
I definitely can say that my mom has had the biggest impact on my life. She’s my biggest supporter, and she’s always there for every concert, watches every movie, listens to every new song draft, and lets me know when I’m doing something right or wrong. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.
How did you get started in the business?
I started acting professionally when I was about 12, because I had seen a sign for an open call at my acting agency (AMTI) and I decided to give it a shot! It was a funny story, because I had a hockey game and didn’t want to be late so when I showed up, I saw that there was a line-up of about 200 people and was going to leave but Lou, the husband of my agent, Angie, who owns the agency, stopped me at the door and asked where I was going. When I told him, he laughed and put me at the front of the line so I wouldn’t have to wait and one thing led to another, and I was chosen to be a part of the agency! I eventually booked parts on projects such as Anne with an E, Murdoch Mysteries, and other shows and movies!!
My professional music career actually launched because of my acting, as I was asked to contribute a song to the soundtrack of a TV show I was working on, and I ended up enjoying it, which led to me talking to some people in the industry. The rest is history!!!
Did you go to music school?
Yes, I have taken music lessons since I was about 3 years old. I took piano, drums, saxophone and guitar. I have never done any post-secondary musical learning, but I have done many private lessons and even was part of a rock band when I was younger.
Do you ever get nervous when performing or filming for a show/movie?
Oh, all the time. I think it’s good to have a little bit of nervousness because it really motivates me to do my best!! For music concerts, it’s usually the hours right before I get on stage when I do some deep breathing and warm ups but once I’m on stage and the crowd gets going, it just seems to disappear! For filming, I’m not usually too nervous, but it can definitely be nerve-wracking when I’m auditioning! I’m also pretty hyped going into the room and the nervousness seems to melt away when you see the casting directors who are usually amazing and fun to work with.
What is your next goal as a musician?
I want to put out another visual EP. I love to create a story that is a visual representation of the lyrical story within my songs. My main goal as a musician is just to make music that has an impact on people. As long as I can keep achieving that with every song I put out, I will be more than satisfied!!
Now tell us about your new video for “Know Better?”
Know Better is an extension of my visual EP Beats in a Bagel Shop I made about a year ago! In that set of videos, it details a break-up story with a girlfriend, played by Bella Martinez, and my best friend, played by Dalila Bela, who helped me through the break-up. In the “Know Better” video, the story picks up months after the terrible break-up and I start to wonder what Bella is doing; so I text her and she ghosts me. It makes me realize why we broke up the first time and I say to myself “I should have Known Better that she is No Better”.
What is the message behind this video/song?
Sometimes our visions of people in our heads differ from what is actually there. So I guess the message would be not to romanticize the past, instead focus on what’s right in front of you!
How was working with Bella Martinez in the video?
It was interesting this time around due to the pandemic but Bella is a pro and she is a great actress, and lots of fun to work with! We had to work across borders and we filmed in our own homes. Being so distant, we had a number of online calls where we planned out the videos and mimicked the style of my previous music video for “Beats in a Bagel Shop.”
Despite the difficulties in distance, I think it turned out great and the lyrics behind the song actually lent itself well to working long distance.
Do you have plans to do any online concert or live videos for your fans?
I have already done a couple of online concerts and instagram lives and I am actually in the works of planning a virtual concert!!! I’ll be doing a concert through Sessions Live on September 12, 2020. You’ll be able to register and get all the details through my Instagram @thekylemeagher in the next couple of weeks.
What we can expect of Kyle Meagher in 2020?
Right now I am preparing for another single release and I have another visual album planned, hopefully for the fall if filming will still allow for it. At this time, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa are just opening up for filming so we are in planning phases at this time.
How’s a typical day in your life?
I get up, and I usually make a list of things I need to accomplish that day to make sure I don’t forget anything. Before the pandemic, life was a bit more chaotic because I never knew what city I would be in but now, with less travel, it’s more structured. Usually the list contains things like finish off a music demo I have been working on to send to my manager, record a new cover, rehearse for a performance, record a self-tape audition that I have been asked for, update my fans and my website, or have meetings and complete interviews like these!! Every day is pretty much a work day but it’s work I enjoy doing so it blends between having fun and working. I try to get as much of that done as early as possible in the day so that when I’m done all that, I usually relax and watch some TV, write songs and have dinner with my family or meet up with some friends!! Then I go to bed, and rinse and repeat!
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
I think just lounging around under the hot summer sun at my cottage seems like the ideal Sunday for me. When it’s winter though, I like to curl up indoors with a nice book and relax!
What is your favorite healthy food?
Bananas. The amount of bananas I eat in one day would actually probably make it an unhealthy food though!
And your favorite cheat food?
Chocolate. Pretty much any type of chocolate. Chocolate bar, chocolate chip cookie, brownie, you name it!
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
For me, I feel like if someone told me they didn’t like dogs I’d see that as a little bit of a red flag. I mean, if you don’t like dogs, no big deal, but if it’s between a new girlfriend and my dog Scotty, I know who I’m choosing haha!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I really hope to grow as an artist in both music and acting. I love doing visual albums because I can explore both so I’ll definitely be focused there. I love writing songs that fit together and helping to produce visual albums because I learn about writing, producing, directing, camera work and editing in addition to the music and acting components, which help me to grow as a person. I love making an impact through my writing, music and acting so hopefully I can make some more award-winning productions. I would also love to explore starring in a musical film or TV series!
How would you describe your fashion style?
I’m definitely closer to a grunge kind of look! I typically wear a lot of dark clothing, ripped jeans and layered looks. It’s comfortable yet stylish.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media really has changed the world, both in a positive and negative way. I see the people online who are using their platforms to do amazing things but it also makes the negative people extremely visible. For me, social media is a way I can connect with fans and get close to them – some of whom have actually become trusted friends to me that I know will give me good advice. I can use it to support the causes I believe in and I feel it’s a positive tool where people can share ideas, get information at your fingertips and get to know different people in all corners of the world.
Where can we follow you?
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @thekylemeagher, on Youtube as Kyle Meagher and at my website www.kylemeagher.com!!
Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky
This quote inspires me to take chances I wouldn’t normally take, plus it’s from one of my hockey idols!!
Song: I have a ton of favourite songs so it’s hard to pick just one!! Although, I am a huge fan of “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes if I had to pick just one!! The lyrics are very raw and personal and it’s an amazing song.
Movie: Good Will Hunting is one of my all-time favourite movies!!
Travel Destination: I would love to travel to Europe someday!!! Just take time, see all the sights that the continent has to offer!!
Food: For me it’s gotta be fajitas. It’s been my family’s go-to celebration dinner for as long as I can remember (like we always eat fajitas as birthday dinners), and of course it tastes pretty good too. Close second would have to be sushi though!!!
Sports team: Ottawa Senators!!! I’m a huge hockey fan, and of course I’ve gotta represent my hometown team!!!
Photo Credit: Julie Robichaud Photography
