Meghan Trainor is only 20 years old, but she has accomplished what few others have. Her debut single, “All About That Bass,” has risen to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and as of press time, has stayed atop the charts for three straight weeks. Her success is worldwide as well; she just returned from Australia, where her single also made it to #1. She’s topped the charts in Canada, New Zealand and the UK as well.
Trainor, a Massachusetts native, started writing her own music at the age of 11. She signed to a record label as a songwriter while she was still in high school, and moved to Nashville to pursue her dreams a little over a year ago. L.A. Reid, CEO of Epic Records, discovered her and immediately had her signed to his label.
The last few months have been a whirlwind for Trainor, who recently released a four-song extended play, called “Title,” and her second single for radio airplay called “Dear Future Husband.” Both are available for purchase now.
Meghan Trainor is coming to Florida to perform during Come Out with Pride Orlando’s 10th anniversary week, as part of the Pride in Concert series, sponsored by WXXL 106.7 FM. She will be performing at The Abbey (100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando) on Wednesday, October 8 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. A meet and greet option, which includes a photograph and autograph, costs $105. All ticket options can be purchased by going to comeoutwithpride.com.
I had a chance to talk to Meghan Trainor in the run-up to Come Out with Pride Orlando’s 10th anniversary week.
How excited are you that your debut single has become the #1 song in the country?
I’m so excited and so grateful. It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to make music that the world loves.
What are some of the highlights of the past few months for you? Tell us about the cool places you’ve been to and the fun things you’ve experienced.
Australia was my first overseas trip. It was amazing, I got to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and perform on The X Factor. Meeting Jimmy Fallon and Ellen DeGeneres in the same week was life-changing too! Performing at the iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas was another highlight; it was my first performance in an arena and an amazing experience.
You’ll be in Orlando for Come Out with Pride very soon. What is the one big thing you want to do or see while you’re here?
I’m excited to meet more fans and take more selfies with the crowd!
How much of a priority do you place on supporting LGBT rights?
It’s so important! You should love who you want to love. The LGBT community has always been so supportive of me and I am so happy to be performing at Orlando Pride.
What are your musical influences, and why?
Soul and soca. I love all genres but I notice that when I write for myself, I try to make modern pop versions with those two influences, as it’s what I grew up listening to.
Tell us about your debut EP and the songs that are on it.
My EP represents the concepts I wanted to express when I first signed my record deal and was told I would get to sing for the world and share my message. “Close Your Eyes” is similar in message to “All About That Bass” but even more serious. I wanted to create a special live moment with my crowd. I only got to perform it once so far, at the iHeartRadio Festival, but it was really special. “Title” is about getting the respect you deserve, and I didn’t know that before. I [didn’t master] that in school, but I hope other girls know how special they are and that they all deserve to be taken on dates. “Dear Future Husband” is a fun take on a similar idea and a shoutout to my future husband.
How easy is it for you to write a song?
It comes pretty easily lately but it’s gotten a lot easier with time and practice. The last song I wrote took eight minutes. When I told my father I wanted to be a songwriter, he said, “Once you write 200 songs, write 500. When you write 500, write 500 more.” And I passed those marks!
For more information on Meghan Trainor, follow her updates in real time by “liking” her page on facebook at facebook.com/meghantrainorsongs.
