#meaghan farrell

If you have an urge to create something, create it.

Be yourself. All the time.

Don’t do something just to please other people; do it because it is the true you.

Enjoy what you do.

Good stuff. 

Learn more about Meaghan Farrell.

3 years ago I began a project….The Whiskey Social.  Since then it has grown from 4 college students stomping their feet and breaking guitar strings to a collective of talented musicians all joined together for one purpose: To make music that everyone can enjoy and participate in.  These are the Socialites…..

When I was traveling in Europe this year meeting the Felix Fables in London and Nico Ferrari in Paris and jamming with Lucas at Loops Studio, I had this idea.  “Why not bring all the members together and share this community.”  When I was back in Paris sitting on the Seine with a friend exchanging tunes or singing at P’tit Bonheur, I thought, “Why not find a way to share all these magical moments with all the other musicians in my life.”  Life is way too filled with beautiful moments caused by collaborations of artists for me to not share them all. 

So this blog is to post not only about the current Social but about all its members and all our experiences wherever we may be in the world and all the many artists we come in contact with through our own individual voyages.

             The Origins of the Social…..

For as long as I can remember music has meant too much to me.  There are songs that if I listen to them long enough, will transport me completely to a different place emotionally and spiritually with one perfectly placed kick drum.  I remember in high school, if I listened to “Mount Wronclai” by Beirut loud in my headphones I would have a physical reaction.  My muscles would tense and I would get, as I call them, the heeble jeebles all through my body in anticipation of the drums entering at 1:36.  And when they finally arrive, each strike of the tambourine still feels like it is beating on my heart, pumping my blood for me.  My face twists as if in pain when I listen to a song that really hits me.  When I hear a good song its is a full body and soul experience. 

Since the first real performance of my own music, I dreamt of causing any reaction at all in another like the ones I experience with certain music.  I created the first Whiskey Social with this goal in mind.  The first members, Ernest, Jake, Emma, Patrick, & I were always giving the audience every ounce of energy and enthusiasm we could.  I used to say if I hadn’t split my finger open from strumming so hard, it wasn’t a good show.   Soon the audience began to give back and The Whiskey Social became more than a band on stage, it became an experience to be equally shared between each member of the band and audience. 

 When I crossed the ocean and formed the second Whiskey Social in Paris, we had the same goals.  Energy and Enthusiasm and Communication with the audience.  And we succeeded.  That year in Paris, with that Social, helped me learn the real meaning of collaboration.  The experience of the Social expanded, or exploded rather, past our concerts at Le Cavern onto the streets and into the artistic world of Paris.  You could hear us singing our songs along the river almost every night as we exchanged our music for good company and occasionally for a glass of wine.  In Paris, I was able to meet other musicians willing to share a song or two and share a bit of their outlook on life as well.  That year helped me fulfill this dream of music being more than something pretty, but something that can speak to people across borders and not only because they may enjoy it but because they are experiencing it fully and participating as well.  Paris taught me to use music as a wonderful tool in opening up a worldwide exchange of outlooks and ideas.  Communication.

This year was when it all came together.  We had parts of the old Whiskey Social, the influence of the Paris Social, and a new group of Socialites to fill out the new sound.  The band went from 4 to 8 and occasionally 10.  Everyone who had something to offer participated and it lead to the reaction I dreamt of.  People dancing and singing along.  And also more seriously, people really starting to react emotionally to the Social.   I really felt apart of the people we were performing for.   If I could I would have everyone in the audience be in the Social they would be on a tour bus right now.  In my eyes we are all Socialites. 

So.....Here we are…..

Meaghan Farrell, "Lost in My Life", Waitress