Entertainment

Meghan Trainor: I hope everyone sings my songs – my dream is to be like Ed Sheeran

She arrived with the bubblegum-pop infused All About That Bass but Meghan Trainor is more than just a one-trick pony. Ahead of the release of her third studio album, she spoke to Joe Nerssessian

Meghan Trainor's third album is due out later this year
Meghan Trainor's third album is due out later this year Meghan Trainor's third album is due out later this year

MEGHAN Trainor is used to collaborating with the likes of John Legend, Ariana Grande and Charlie Puth – but for her upcoming album she drafted in her parents, brother and fiance to make it a family affair.

Some people might find it awkward to sing about needing sweet love in the morning as your father does backing vocals. Not US pop star Trainor.

"It's kind of weird," the 24-year-old laughs. "But we all got over that. We're not saying anything dirty, so a toddler could sing it and it's just like a sweet song. A good brushing-your-teeth song, you know, featuring my dad."

It was 2014 when Trainor's bubblegum-pop flexing All About That Bass, littered with influences from hip-hop, country, soul and rock, shot her to international fame. Addressing positive body image, it was used by Vogue magazine to confirm that society is officially "in the era of the big booty".

Trainor was just out of her teens at the time of its release but had already written, recorded, performed and produced three independently released albums between the ages of 15 and 17.

Her upcoming album, of which she refuses to disclose the title, is not the first time she has collaborated with family. As a youngster, she formed an all-purpose party band alongside her aunt, younger brother and father, Gary, on keyboards.

Then there was her 2016 track, Mom, featuring vocals from her mother, Kelli, which she released as a Mother's Day present. Roping in her father, who also plays piano and organs on one track, was recognition for his support throughout the years.

"He is so proud of my first album and when I was growing up I decided I would produce myself and he would help me... it's kind of like a big thank you."

However, the presence of her family and fiancee, Spy Kids actor Daryl Sabara, didn't stop Trainor barking orders when she had to.

"Everyone knows I was the buster there, everyone knows," she says.

She met Sabara after Chloe Grace Moretz introduced the two in 2016 and they were engaged after 18 months when he proposed to her on her 24th birthday in December.

"We said 'I love you' in week one," she says. "It took a minute – he did it first. He said, 'I'm enamoured with you'. I was like, 'What does that mean? Just say it'."

After just a month, she wrote him a song, titled Marry Me, so Trainor definitely doesn't do things by halves.

"We knew early, it's that cheesy line 'when you know, you know'."

Trainor began her career as a songwriter, with credits for Jennifer Lopez, Fifth Harmony and Jason Derulo, and sees Ed Sheeran as someone she wants to compete with as a prolific writer. Her songs are her "babies", she jokes, and she has plenty left over from the album.

"We love them so much and we're like, 'Ohh, you're gonna drop that one?' My mum is on the mission, she's looking at every artist, like Zara Larsson needs to sing this, this is what needs to happen. I hope everyone sings my songs – that would be my dream, to be like Ed Sheeran."

Writing is her therapy and she wants the world to hear her music – particularly the new album which includes a track reminding men of respect. It's a timely theme, given the MeToo and Time's Up campaigns.

"It wasn't like I was reading the news and I was like, 'We've gotta write a song for them," she reflects.

But she says of the women who are coming out and speaking out: "I'm very proud of them and I hope this song helps some of them, encourages them to keep doing what they are doing."

As a young woman in the music industry, she says she is surrounded by female peers "taking over the charts" and includes a special shoutout to Camila Cabello.

None-the-less, Trainor certainly thinks there is more to come in terms of revelations in the industry, although she hasn't experienced anything directly herself.

"I can only imagine the stories that haven't been told. It's everywhere, and if it feels like it's more in the movie business, that's because it hasn't come out in the music industry yet."

Never afraid to delve into her personal side, she's been very open about her struggles with anxiety and was surprised at first about the reaction from fans.

"I think it's 'cause we have so many things to decide... all day long, even down to what we are about to post online and I think that's killing us.

"I think that's giving us anxiety and I took a break from social media for a minute and got back to working on me and my health, and started thinking about only positive things and that really cured me."

:: Meghan Trainor's first single, No Excuses, from her upcoming album is out now.