Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody McArthur.
Hi Melody, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first started out in a rural community with little resources so my first exposures to performing, were local talent shows and pageants. We had one radio station, and all they played was country music. So naturally, my first exposures were to that style of music & songwriting which is what I gravitate toward as an artist today.
I was in university taking psychology toward a degree about six months short of graduation and feeling detached, disconnected and physically unwell. I started to think maybe it was because I wasn’t paying any attention to my creative side or expressing myself artistically as my whole life was about academics for six years.
I had a song book full of songs and decided to research a producer who has worked with people. I knew personally who were having some success in the industry. That is when I met Tomas Brabec, my first producer and mentor who taught me a lot about music creation, distribution and release planning.
In 2019 I took a five week entrepreneurial, small business music industry program called AE West in Calgary, Alberta, Canada that taught me a lot about the ins and outs of owning and operating your own music business.
Since putting out my first album in 2014 I have released 6 albums and am set to release my 7th album May 2026 titled The Gospel Truth.
I believe I have found my most authentic voice, songwriting style and genre in the Americana/Country/Roots music and a profound love for musical theater and acting.
How did I get here? By taking risks, taking chances, not knowing the outcome and going for it anyway but most of all, believing in myself and often doing it afraid.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would call it less of a smooth road and more of a rollercoaster-backroad with no map or gps.
However, I wouldn’t change a thing as it all makes me the songwriter I am today. With all the missteps, miscalculations and mistakes I can now write music that resonates with many people of many walks of life and their experiences.
I’ve had a lot of challenges in learning the business aspect but I’ve always wanted to be an empowered artist, so I took the time and invested the money to learn.
Navigating the need for relationship building when you’ve had a lot of bad experiences has been a challenge I’ve had to overcome. Ultimately, you just need to find your people, and you’ll find yourself.
Learning and understanding that most things aren’t really all about the talent, but sometimes about, the popularity, who you know, how you present yourself and what you value above others can all impact your success so learning what success means to me has been the most challenging but rewarding part of the journey so I can be content with my artistic contributions to society.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Melody McArthur is a multi-award-winning and internationally recognized singer,
songwriter, and actor from Alberta, Canada who has taken the music and theatre world
by storm. A powerful voice and penchant for emotionally-driven performances, she’s
released six full-length albums and is set to release her seventh, The Gospel Truth, in
2026. McArthur’s also captivated theatre audiences as the former lead in the hit touring
musical Bear Grease, including during its off-Broadway debut summer of 2025. A
self-made artist who writes her music and crafts her brand, McArthur’s work has
garnered national and international recognition, including honours from Edify
Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 and a 2025 Horison Alumni Award from the University of
Alberta. McArthur is set to star in the World Premiere of Tomson Highway’s musical
“Rose” at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario March-April 2026.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The magic happens outside the comfort zone. All my success has been a result of risk taking.
I go for it because I do not know (even if what the person on the other end of an audition, application, or award nomination is looking for and it could be me.
Risk=Reward and Growth, which as an artist/entrepreneur is always something you want to be doing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melodymcarthur.ca
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodymcarthurmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodymcarthurmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/melodymcarthurmusic
