There’s a certain freedom that comes with a good dance-pop song, and for three or four minutes, whatever has been bothering you doesn’t seem quite as important. You can forget about work, stop checking your phone, leave your worries behind and enjoy yourself without needing a particularly good reason. That’s the feeling Sydney-based independent artist MEGZ wants to capture with her latest single. It’s a confident, playful and energetic addition to her growing catalogue, but behind the song’s carefree attitude is an artist who’s been pushing herself creatively and discovering just how much she’s capable of achieving independently.
Speaking with Eat This Music, MEGZ expresses that it’s “absolutely amazing to finally have the single out and see everyone getting to experience what has been months of hard work behind the scenes, all coming together into one massive project,” she says. “The launch party and live performances leading up to the release were incredible too. Seeing people already singing along to the lyrics after hearing the song for the first time is such an amazing feeling and something I’ll never take for granted!”
It’s an uncomplicated ambition, but that doesn’t make it unimportant. There’s a tendency to judge music by how deeply it explores heartbreak, relationships or personal struggles, as though a song needs to carry some enormous emotional burden to have something worthwhile to say. Sometimes, though, choosing to enjoy yourself is a perfectly reasonable message. And that’s where “On My Body” finds its purpose. Rather than dwelling on the circumstances that originally inspired it, MEGZ has chosen to focus on the freedom that comes with letting go. The song is about embracing yourself, enjoying the company of somebody else and allowing yourself to exist in the moment without worrying about what happens next.
“I think when you’re in the middle of creating something, you’re so focused on what’s next and making sure every little detail is right that you don’t always stop to appreciate just how much work has gone into it,” Megz continues. “Now that it’s finally out, I can sit back and really appreciate the time, effort and everyone involved in bringing it all together. It’s been such a journey, and seeing the final product out there makes every single bit of hard work worth it!”
Although MEGZ remains firmly within the dance-pop territory she’s been developing, she wanted to experiment with a faster tempo and a different approach to her vocals. Instead of relying entirely on the powerful singing that has characterised some of her previous material, she began exploring rhythmic delivery, conversational passages and chant-like hooks designed to encourage audience participation.
“I think it’s shown me just how far I’m willing to push myself when it’s something I’m truly passionate about, but also what I’m capable of when I put my mind to something,” Megz continues. “There’s been so much happening behind the scenes, countless hours of work and moments where I’ve really had to dig deep and keep going, even when things got hectic. It’s taught me that when I have a vision and really believe in something, there’s no limit to what I can achieve if I’m willing to put in the work. It’s definitely pushed me to my limits at times, but looking back, it’s all been so worth it!”
That distinction is important because it reveals an artist thinking about how her music works beyond the recording studio. A memorable dance-pop song doesn’t necessarily need the most complicated vocal arrangement or the biggest possible production. Sometimes, the right phrase delivered at the right moment can be more effective than another elaborate chorus.
“I think I’ve grown so much throughout this whole process, both personally and creatively. The song initially came from a personal experience, but as it developed, it really became about living in the moment, letting go and enjoying life.”
MEGZ spent considerable time experimenting with different melodic ideas before settling on the final chorus. Interestingly, she explained that writing melodies wasn’t particularly difficult for her. The challenge was finding something that felt different from her earlier releases without sacrificing the immediate appeal she wanted the song to have. It’s a balancing act that plenty of pop artists encounter: how do you develop your sound while keeping the qualities that made people interested in your music in the first place?
“‘On My Body’ started from a personal experience, but as the song developed, it became so much more about living in the moment, embracing yourself and letting go. I’m naturally a really positive, carefree person, and I wanted to bring that energy into my music,” she says. “I wanted to create something that makes people feel good, feel confident and, most importantly, makes them want to get up and dance! There’s definitely a fun, playful and confident side to the track, but I also wanted it to have that feeling of freedom where you can switch off from everything going on around you, forget about your worries and just enjoy yourself. Sometimes you don’t need to overthink things – you just need a good song, good energy and a dance floor! That’s really what I wanted ‘On My Body’ to represent.”
For MEGZ, the answer appears to involve experimentation without completely abandoning her instincts. There’s also something to be said for the way she’s approached the release itself. Before “On My Body” officially arrived on streaming platforms, she had already been performing it at events around Sydney, including boat parties on Sydney Harbour. That gave her an opportunity to see how people responded to the song in precisely the environment it was designed for.
“Creatively, I also wanted to experiment with a different approach to writing. Rather than relying solely on big, powerful vocals, I wanted something more rhythmic, with catchy chants and almost anthemic moments,” Megz continues. “It’s more conversational in parts, almost like I’m speaking directly to the listener and telling them a story. I really enjoyed playing around with that style and creating something that still feels like me, but has a different edge to it.””
For an independent artist, that kind of reaction can be particularly meaningful. Streaming numbers and social media engagement might provide useful indicators of a song’s reach, but watching somebody respond to your music in person offers something those measurements can’t necessarily capture.
“Honestly, I just want people to have fun with it!” Megz says about her song. “Life can get pretty hectic, and I think sometimes we all need a reminder to let go, stop overthinking and enjoy the moment. I want the song to make people feel confident, carefree and empowered in their own way. Whether they’re getting ready for a night out, driving with the music turned all the way up or dancing with their friends, I want it to bring a little bit of happiness and energy into their day. If people can connect with it, have a laugh and let loose, then I’ve done what I set out to do!”
You can read the entire interview here.
