Mt. Lebanon native performing at Regatta

Mt. Lebanon native Melanie Meriney has returned home from Nashville for a week to perform a mix of country originals at the Pittsburgh EQT Three Rivers Regatta 4:30 p.m. July 3. The 23 year-old graduated from Belmont University with a degree in songwriting. Meriney has released a six song EP “All the Good Songs” and said she hopes to release another by fall. She was nominated for a Nashville Independent Music Award (NIMA) for Best Female Country Artist in 2013.
With pop influences like Stevie Nicks and her main inspiration for pursuing music coming from a Shania Twain concert at age 3, Meriney writes a share of love ballads and country-rock pop songs, but also includes select covers in her setlist.
“I want to play songs that people will connect to. It’s not so much about being catchy, but having relatbility. Music, for me, it’s always been there to validate experiences or give me a new perspective. And as a songwriter that’s something I want to try to do,” she said.
“Writing love songs, well, I’d like to say (I write) both happy and sad love songs. I think it’s more challenging to write happy love songs because when you’re happy you don’t have to go, ‘Oh, I have to go and flesh out all these feelings,’ you’re just kind of living in the moment … but ballads are easy, you know, because it’s kind of like living out a diary.”
She says performing songs live are fun, but she has to often put herself in the mindset of what she was experiencing when she wrote a particular song for the emotions to come through.
“I’m freelancing now, too, collaborating and writing songs for production companies. But in Nashville, in this business, it’s all about connections – who you know,” she said.
Melanie has plenty of potential inspiration awaiting her as she rubs elbows with anyone and everyone as she waits tables to help keep her career in Nashville a viable goal and not just a dream. And working in the food industry has her taking note of what’s for dinner.
“Nashville is a big barbecue town. But I don’t know if anything beats a Primanti’s sandwich.”