Welsh alt-pop artist Megan Wyn is back with her heartfelt new single, Hold Me, a track born from heartbreak and honesty. As she gears up for a summer of festivals and a major support slot with Alanis Morissette in Cardiff, Megan reflects on her journey from Anglesey to Manchester. In this exclusive Q&A, she opens up about songwriting, stage nerves, and the stories behind her music.
1. You were born in Anglesey and now live in Manchester—when did you make the move?
I moved to Manchester just after finishing secondary school, so about three and a half years ago now. I was around 16 or 17 at the time.
2. Do you feel like Manchester has influenced your music?
Definitely. I don’t go into the studio trying to sound like Manchester, but living in such a creative, culturally rich place can’t help but leave its mark.
3. How did you first get into music?
I’ve always sung. My parents are huge music fans, even though they don’t play any instruments themselves. I started opera lessons in my teens, joined a choir, and that gave me the confidence to sing in front of people.
4. That’s an unusual route into alt-pop—do you still sing opera at all?
Only at home now! But it was such an important part of my journey—it taught me how to perform.
5. When did you start writing your own songs?
I picked up a guitar during lockdown and just started teaching myself. I’d always written poetry, so songwriting was a natural progression for me.
6. Do lyrics or music come first for you?
Always lyrics. I know that sounds odd to a lot of musicians, but because I started with poetry, the words always come first for me.
7. Do you write alone or collaborate with others?
It depends on the song. Sometimes I write everything myself, and sometimes I work with my producer, Alex Quinn. He’s great at helping me get all the ideas out of my head when I need that.
8. Your new single, Hold Me, is quite emotional—what’s the story behind it?
I wrote Hold Me a few years ago after a romance ended and I realised the guy I was in love with was actually in love with someone else. It’s about how we lose ourselves to love and still keep choosing it, even when it breaks our hearts.
9. How long does it usually take you to write a song?
If I sit down properly, I can usually finish a song in a day. But sometimes I’ll write a lyric on tour and then come back to it a month later and build the song from there.
10. What’s the process like once a song is written—how does it become a single?
I tend to live with a demo for a while before going into the studio. I want to know what I’d change before I record it. With Hold Me, a lot of the final version actually comes from the original demo.
11. Do you find inspiration mostly from your own life?
Yes, nearly always. I sometimes write from things people tell me, but most of my music feels like my personal diary.
12. You’ve supported some big acts—how has that shaped your career?
Supporting acts like The K’s and now Alanis Morissette has been amazing. I love doing things the old-school way—gigging, building a following, and connecting with audiences face-to-face.
13. You mentioned AI earlier—do you think it has a place in songwriting?
I’m not totally against it, but it feels a bit weird to me. I’d rather stick with my own experiences and ideas for now.
14. Do you still get nervous before going on stage?
Every single time! But I’ve learned how to manage it. Once I step on stage, the nerves disappear. It’s the waiting that gets to me.
15. Have you got a busy summer ahead?
Yes, it’s jam-packed! I’ve just done The Great Escape, and next up is The Alternative Escape, then festivals like Isle of Wight, Edge Fest, and of course, supporting Alanis in Cardiff. Plus, there’ll be loads of new music coming out.
16. What are your favourite parts of being in the music scene right now?
The community, especially in Manchester. Most of my friends here are musicians, and it’s lovely seeing each other at festivals—it feels very wholesome and supportive.
17. What can fans expect from you next?
More music, more live shows, and hopefully some headline gigs by the end of the year. I’m really excited to share the songs I’ve been working on—they’re the most personal I’ve ever written.