Megan Slankard

"Nearly everyone who encounters this attractive and sophisticated singer-songwriter agrees that she has 'star' written all over her," says Acoustic Guitar Magazine about Megan Slankard. "She forges a distinctive sound with her smooth and courageous vocal dynamics, intelligent and diverse song styles, and sheer infectious enthusiasm." Megan Slankard has sold nearly 20,000 copies of her three CDs. She self-produced her first CD at age eighteen, produced her third with help from Counting Crow's guitarist Dan Vickrey, and is currently working on a new project. Last year Slankard formed a new alt-rock band with an edgier sound which is already getting the industry’s attention: she was selected as a semi-finalist in Discmaker’s 2007 Independent Music World Series and the 2007 International Songwriting Competition and a finalist in the 2008 Musician’s Atlas/Borders Books Independent Music Awards. "Like the murderous rabbit from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', San Franciscan acoustic folk-rock troubadour Megan Slankard has a cute, wouldn't-hurt-a-fly appearance that gives little indication of the power she commands. Rather than maiming with claw and fang, though, she kills the listener softly with her heartfelt lyrics, her bold, radio-ready voice and her memorable chart-wooing melodies.” [Metro Santa Cruz, 2007] Slankard and her music have appeared on TLC’s “What Not To Wear”, which generated purchases by TV viewers that placed her second CD “Freaky Little Story” on the #5 spot on Amazon.com CD sales charts and on the Top-10 Rock Bestseller list on CDBaby.com. Because of the episode’s popularity, the show’s producers featured her in a follow-up episode, bringing her back onto the Top-10 with “Freaky Little Story”. Upon its release months later, “A Little Extra Sun” also reached the Top-10 sales chart. Her songs have also earned over 180,000 plays on MySpace.com, and “Freaky Little Story” remains a Top-20 all time Rock Bestseller on CDBaby.com to this day. “Slankard’s vocal style is so distinctive that simply naming influences (Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette) doesn’t do it justice. Her vocal melodies are immediately arresting, she uses hip-hop phrasing and whisper-to-roar dynamics like a pro, and she never lets her impeccable technique eclipse the emotion she pours into her performances.” [Acoustic Guitar Magazine] Slankard’s music has also been featured on San Francisco AAA station KFOG's compilation CD. She has been featured in Rockgrl Magazine, Owl Magazine, The Synthesis, Fresh Tracks and Women In Rock, in addition to Acoustic Guitar magazine – whose editors named “Freaky Little Story” one of their top albums of 2005. She was a final selection artist for RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned Artists Volume 3 compilation CD; an A&R Online featured artist; a Song and Film Spotlight artist; and, an Acoustic Cafe featured artist on the “One to Watch” syndicated radio program (sponsored by the USA Songwriting Competition). Slankard also co-wrote and performed on the title track of Dire Straits founding member David Knopfler's new record, “Ship of Dreams”. Megan has performed in over 100 cities in five different countries, including at showcases in Boston (NEMO) and Toronto (NXNE), on three tours as support for David Knopfler (Germany and England), and at the international festival InGuitar in Zurich (Switzerland). She will resume touring after the completion of the new CD.