DJ, Producer and Mega Wavy label head Meg Ward officially entered our playlist in 2022 with her beast of a track, ‘Have Ur Love.’ It was the soundtrack to only the most chaotic nights that summer. Now this week she is here with two tracks that are immediate cannon for this month’s Pride sets.

The EP is entitled 69 Percent with the title track featuring a massive bouncy beat paired with a sultry, Charli XCX-vibe vocal. On the B side you’ll find ‘What are we doing?’ which sees the Yorkshire-born DJ open up about a relationship and get personal. 69 Percent marks Meg’s return to the queer label HE.SHE.THEY. and has already been championed by the likes of HAAi and Jaguar. Loverboy caught up with Meg to find out more about the EP and how she plans to celebrate Pride this year…

Meg, congratulations on this new EP, just in time for Pride month. How long have you been sitting on these songs waiting for the right timing? Has the waiting been difficult?!
Thank u! Very good timing indeed. I made the tracks late last year, so haven’t been waiting too long at all!

How did they come to you?
Honestly not too sure, I get inspired in so many little ways that it all just came together naturally.

What energy/message/vibe do you want these songs to bring to Pride this year?
Chaos + party vibes is my vibe, I guess. I can’t say the lyrics ‘69 percent and I put it all on red’ have any heart felt pride meaning.

’69 Percent’ goes in hard on that beat but mixes it with pop. Can you tell us about your balance between pop and dance.
I love pop music and always have. I’m a true pop girlie. I hate when people say they don’t like pop music, and see ‘pop’ as a taboo. I’ve also always loved leftfield electronic music that is boundary pushing and unique. Finding the right balance for me is mainly just using my gut instinct and doing what feels right for that track.

‘What are we doing?’ is more personal and about you being in a relationship. How is it for you writing these more intimate tracks?
I think lyrics come to me in many ways. This one in particular was a personal experience about a stagnant relationship. Writing this at the time was a form of diary entry mixed with personal therapy. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to the lyrics.

 

I originally just looked at the title and was like, ‘The message in this title could be used for many people. Friends getting ready for a night out. The community protecting LGBT+ rights.’ Who else needs to be asked ‘What are we doing?’
So true. I love that interpretation. To be honest we all need to ask ourselves that. What are we doing?

This EP is coming out via HE.SHE.THEY. Why was it important to release this EP with them?
After I made the EP, HE.SHE.THEY. was the first label I sent it to. I knew it made perfect sense to have the tracks come out on this label. It’s raunchy, queer and boundary pushing. Everything that HE.SHE.THEY. is too. Match made in heaven if you ask me.

You’ve worked with several different labels. Can you tell us about your experiences navigating professionally in and out of queer spaces?
I always have more fulfilling experiences working with queer people. It’s something I’ve learned to accept, as working with straight people is unfortunately inevitable in music. I try to work with as many queer artists and queer-led companies as possible. It feels right, it’s inspiring and being part of the community is important to me.

I also wanted to give a special shout out to your track ‘Have Ur Love.’ Lethal. What is your favourite memory from releasing that and how did its release change things for you?
Glad you love that track! I genuinely didn’t expect it to go off as much as it did. Everyone loved it. I still hear it being played out now. I think that release definitely made me more respected in the underground. DJs love it.

How will you be spending Pride this year?
London Pride? IDK, I need someone to invite me to some parties…Margate Pride in August? DJing the afterparty b2b Jaguar 🙂

Who is your PRIDE hero?
Marsha P. Johnson obv. Stonewall was a fuckin riot.

What is your ultimate PRIDE anthem and why?
This year? ‘BOY CRAZY’ by Kesha. Can’t get it out of my head and the video is a masterpiece. Had it on repeat.

Lastly we are named after the biggest selling single of 2001 and always ask what is your favourite Mariah Carey song?
‘Emotions’. The beat, the hook, the vocals. Full on bop that I play to get me in the mood x

Meg’s 69 Percent EP is out now via HE.SHE.THEY.