Megan Hammond '22 Takes the Stage at Lollapalooza

Photom.e.h. showed off her talent (and her nails) at Lollapalooza as part of the festival's Chicago Made Music Showcase. Photo by Kaelah Serrano.
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Megan Hammond '22, known professionally as m.e.h., took the stage at Lollapalooza’s Chicago Made Music Showcase on Sunday, August 4.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Megan Hammond, known professionally as m.e.h., took the stage at Lollapalooza’s Chicago Made Music Showcase on Sunday, August 4, which happened to be her 24th birthday. Since moving to Chicago in 2018 for Columbia’s Contemporary, Jazz, and Popular Music (BMus) program, Hammond has garnered attention with her distinctive fusion of neo-soul and pop, highlighted by her unforgettable vocal performances.  

Her genre-defying sound has earned her growing recognition in the music industry, including a recent interview with WBEZ. As a Columbia alum, Hammond continues to make waves with her innovative and vulnerable approach to music. We asked m.e.h. about her artistic journey and the experiences that made her the performer she is today. 

Hi Megan! Congratulations on your amazing year. How are you feeling after playing Lollapalooza on your 24th birthday? 
I feel absolutely incredible. I feel like my years of hard work are paying off and I am so grateful! 

You carry yourself like you’ve been doing this for years. What’s your first memory of performing? 
I started gigging professionally around my hometown of Annapolis, Md., when I was 14 or 15. I worked closely with the one and only Jeremy Ragsdale. He was the best vocal coach ever and is still a very close family friend. 

When did you know that music was going to be your career? 
I knew I wanted to do music ever since I was a kid, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until high school. 

How do you feel about the current pop music scene?
For a while, I felt like it was a lot of the same stuff, but now we’re starting to see a lot more fresh-sounding records. I’m super happy to hear more originality coming back. 

Who are you listening to these days? 
I’m into Faye Webster, Cruel Santino, Floetry, Khruangbin, and a few others. Their music is really inspiring! 

Tell us more about your band. You all went to Columbia, right? 
We sure did. I love each and every one of my band members. Hannah Pope is our guitarist and also the frontwoman of an 8–10-piece blues band. Andrew King is our bassist, and he’s incredible and just the sweetest. Taylor O’Neal, our drummer, is the newest member and brings the greatest vibe to the group. I am beyond thankful to have such a powerhouse band. 

Your style is super cool. What’s your favorite fashion decade? 
I’d have to say a mix of the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s! My style is heavily influenced by groups and people like OutKast, Erykah Badu, and David Bowie. 

What’s your go-to fashion piece or accessory?
It’s funny because I have so many different pieces I gravitate toward, but I think a good bag is something that will always catch my attention first. 

Aside from music, what else do you enjoy doing?
I love cooking, baking, and knitting. I used to enjoy digital art, too, but I stepped away from it for a bit. I’d like to get back into it. 

Who at Columbia contributed most to your success? 
Cassandra O’Neal was a huge part of my success. She taught me so many things in and outside of music, and I don’t know what I would do without her support, even now. Gary Yerkins’ Songwriting class taught me a lot, and Phillip Seward pushed me to put in a lot of work to see the results I’m experiencing now. Typhanie Coller was a professor of mine my first year, and her music class definitely aided in my success. 

What can you tell us about your upcoming releases? 
My EP, “coup de grâce,” which translates to “the final blow” in French. The title represents the two songs in the EP, which both signify different endings in my life. “Thrill Is Gone” marks the end of my first long-term relationship, while “Release” reflects my struggle with anxiety and self-acceptance. Both songs are raw, vulnerable, and meant to evoke strong emotions. Matt Sterling and I worked hard on these tracks for months, and I truly believe it was worth the wait. 

Any upcoming performances we should know about? 
Yes! We have a residency at Dorian’s in Wicker Park once a month through the end of the year. Our next shows are on August 24, with two sets: one at 9 p.m. and another at 11 p.m. 

Do you have any advice for new Columbia students starting this fall?
With anything you do in life, you are what you put into it. If I hadn’t put in the work while I was in school, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So, don’t give up, even when it gets hard. Get really bad in order to get really good! And remember, nothing happens overnight. 

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