If you’re like me and you like to be in the know about rising indie-rock queens, you’re going to love Meg Elsier. A Berklee College of Music grad currently based in Nashville, Meg dropped her debut album Spittake last year—a raw, genre-blurring record praised by DIY Magazine, Ones to Watch, and CLASH for its vulnerability and storytelling.
Now, she’s gearing up to release the deluxe edition of Spittake on July 25 via Bright Antenna Records. “It’s a look under the hood,” Meg says of the expanded project. “These B-sides, demos—this deluxe—is a celebration of all the little choices that made the album what it is. It’s a practice in vulnerability. I wanted to show how much beauty can exist in the unfinished and imperfect.”
The deluxe edition features 17 tracks total, including never-before-heard demos, B-sides, and a live recording. The first single, “sportscar [scrapped],” dropped June 18, right as Meg wrapped up a tour opening for Blondshell. She quickly jumped into another mini-tour alongside longtime friend and fellow artist Liz Cooper, kicking things off in Brooklyn at Union Pool—where I caught her before the show.
How are you feeling before the show?
I always feel nervous. Like, stomach hurts, throat closing up, full allergic reaction. And then you get on stage and you’re fine.
You just opened for Blondshell—how was that tour?
So fucking awesome. The rooms were cool as hell, the cities were awesome. Her fans were very…music forward. They came early. They ate it up.
You and Liz are switching off who goes first on this tour—do you prefer opening or closing?
I really don’t care. If you go first, you get to hang after and watch the set without feeling the nerves. It’s like the euphoria of canceling a plan—you know that relief. But playing last is great too, because the crowd’s warmed up and everyone’s stoked. So they’re both fucking awesome.
Are you playing any unreleased songs from the deluxe Spittake tonight?
We’re doing one from the deluxe and three that are just new. Plus a couple covers.
Your last show before the deluxe release is in Nashville, where you live. Got plans for the month leading up to it?
Yeah—we’re moving to New York City. So I’m clearing out my house and preparing my cat mentally, physically, emotionally.
What made you decide to finally make the move? I remember you once said you didn’t feel ready for NYC.
Yeah. When I left school it was like: LA, New York, or Nashville. I could actually afford rent in Nashville. I think I would’ve been eaten up by New York at that time. I’m just a slow-and-low person, and I needed time to figure out who I was and what I wanted to sound like. Now I’m ready. I’m also from the Northeast, and I want to get back. So many friends here.
What are you most excited about in NYC?
The dancing. The music. The venues. The plays. The Broadway.
Do you have a favorite musical?
Phantom of the Opera was the first one I fell in love with. I love Evita, and Spring Awakening.
You’ve talked about wanting your shows to feel theatrical. Are there any elements of that in tonight’s show? Or is that more of a future vision?
Definitely more of a future thing. For these shows it’s just me, Hayden, and Jashaun as a trio. Hayden’s been my partner for 10 years, and Jashaun’s been one of my closest friends since I moved to Nashville. Right now we’re just fucking around and having fun—it’s only our second tour. But in the future? I want sets. I want costumes. Costumes are just way more fun. Like, why live in reality? I like playing a different character, diving into someone else’s world.
Are there artists doing that now who inspire you?
Björk is like…the bible. Japanese Breakfast is doing gorgeous sets. And I think about Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball all the time. There’s something so beautiful about a flashy show with lights and strict performance. I just love immersive, visual worlds. It helps tell the story.
What do you hope people take away from your show tonight?
That I’m a freak, and they’re freaks, and we’re all freaks—and we had a great time being freaks together.
And honestly? Mission accomplished. After Meg greeted me with an immediate hug, watching her perform felt like seeing a friend live out their dream—and have a blast doing it. The set was full of warmth and humor: joking with her bandmates, intro-ing songs with little bits, and pouring everything into her performance.
She covered Gwen Stefani’s “Cool” and completely nailed it—her voice fit the song so well, it felt like it belonged in her catalog. She wore cowboy boots, red “I <3 NY” shorts, and a sheer lace top that read “God” and “Dog.” Oh, and the most effortlessly messy bun I’ve ever seen. She’s just cool. Freaky cool.
I’m pretty sure I was standing next to some of her New York friends who were beaming with pride, and it warmed my heart. I can’t wait for the deluxe. I can’t wait for her to move to New York. And I really can’t wait to see her on a huge stage one day—set pieces, costumes, and all.
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