MEGAN SLANKARD

Though only in her 20's, singer-songwriter Megan Slankard has independently sold nearly 30,000 copies of four independently released CDs. Megan’s newest release, A Token Of The Wreckage (Spring 2011), is "an edgy alt-rock release that is a breath of fresh air" (Maverick Magazine), “gleaming, grooving, and gritty” (Minor 7th), with "thoughtful construction and clever wordplay" (Performer Magazine). The CD, which was recorded with help from David Bryson (Counting Crows) and Jerry Becker (Train), held a spot in the 10-best selling albums on CD Baby for weeks. In addition to 12 new songs, the CD also includes Megan’s first official music video, written and directed by Matthew Ward. The video has earned 18,000 plays on Vimeo and You Tube combined. In spring 2011, in support of her new CD, the singer-songwriter toured her way across the US, driving 20,000 miles in 7 months. Megan returned home to San Francisco, CA in December to play a sold out show with her band in the grand ballroom of the venerable Swedish American Hall. “ …every track on Wreckage is a work of art: strong melodies, literate lyrics, engaging vocal harmonies, dazzling accompaniment, and a killer rhythm section.” (Minor 7th) Megan’s recordings have been gaining substantial industry attention: she won the 2011 IMA Vox Populi for “The Happy Birthday” a song from her newest CD, as well as the 2009 IMA Vox Populi for her cover of Paul Simon’s song “America”. Megan earned the January 2009 Top 5 artist in the Famecast.com Competition and was selected as a finalist in the 2009 and 2008 Musician’s Atlas/Borders Books Independent Music Awards. Additionally, she was selected as a semi-finalist in Discmaker’s 2007 Independent Music World Series and the 2007 International Songwriting Competition. Megan and her music have appeared on TLC’s “What Not To Wear”, which generated purchases by TV viewers that placed her 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 a year later, bringing “Freaky Little Story” and her third release, “A Little Extra Sun” back into the Top-10. "An artist who truly understands her style, her vocal ability and her overall sound, and she pursues all that with as much passion and intensity as humanly possible." (Maverick) In addition to TV, Megan’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 also showcased in Boston (NEMO) and Toronto (NXNE), toured three times as support for David Knopfler through Germany and England, and performed at the international festival InGuitar in Zurich (Switzerland). Megan starts writing new songs this winter for her next album release (tbd).