Conversations with the Inspiring Megan Letts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Letts.

Megan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Every time I get to answer this question, I always have such a flood of gratitude and emotion.

When it comes to performance, growing up, both my parents were pastors in a church with a totally awesome church band. From the time I was 10, I was singing in front of hundreds of people every week, but it never felt like a “performance” per se… it always felt like a celebration and an embodiment of musical expression. I remember thinking “I think I’m gonna do this forever,” and I guess I’m doing just that!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing about this road has been “smooth” however, it has its moments of being incredibly rewarding! I feel like as a strong independent woman, I have had to learn to both stand up for myself and be assertive. Along with that, I have to remind myself that that makes me strong, not *bitchy*. So often in the music industry, both on the management and performance side, women who are opinionated and have a strong point of view can be labeled as catty or bitchy… but guess what ladies! If you are honest, true to yourself and kind to others, let that confidence flag fly! You don’t owe anyone anything, except yourself. Just keep being true to that.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am both a performer and a music industry gal. I’ve been the lead singer and founding member of Denver indie-soul band Mama Magnolia for the last five years (holy smokes it’s been five years)… my bandmates are my family, my best friends, my creative partners, and my musical soulmates. If there is one thing I am proud of when it comes to Mama Magnolia, it would be that we do everything in our power to serve the music we write with humility and love.

As a music industry gal, I do my best to dedicate myself to the bands I work for with that same humility. While juggling 7+ active artists at a time, as well as assisting the general managers in my office, you can imagine that I am no stranger to thinking outside the box and coming up with creative solutions. This is what makes my clock tick. Just as the artists we work for are summoning the energy to express their art, I believe that it is my duty to represent that art in the clearest yet most creative way I can. From the mundane to the complex, as long as I am injecting my vivacious and imaginative energy into each project, I know I am doing the best for not only the artists I represent but the members of the teams I am working with.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I personally boil it down to two things. The first being that for so long, in so many industries and situations, there has only been space for one woman. So, now that the conversations have begun and more space has been created for women to hold leadership positions, oftentimes women still treat other women with that same competitive nature that they did when there was only “one space” available. As strong women, instead of shutting other women out, we should be broadening and opening more spaces for our strong female comrades. I do my best to practice what I preach, and although I know I’m not always successful in supporting each woman who deserves it because I feel threatened, I will do my best to always let other women shine like the bright lights they are!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mamamagnolia.com
• Email: management@mamamagnolia.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/meganlettsmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganlettsmusic/

Image Credit:
Photos by Annie Rose and Ali Jay Multimedia

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