In January this year, South Wales/South West UK-based Say It Anyway featuring Loz Nelson, Charlie Parsons, Daniel Baker, and Jordan Dibble, teamed up with their new vocalist, Meg Borges. While the punk rock band has been active in the scene for the past three years, Megan has injected fresh creativity into the group. We caught up with them following the release of their latest track Vampires—the first with the new setup—and they were eager to discuss the new direction their collaboration is taking and what lies ahead for the band.
Say It Anyway Meg Borges - vocals Charlie Parsons – guitars Loz Nelson – guitars Daniel Baker – bass Jordan Dibble – drums
ViQ: Tell us a bit about yourselves! In January, the band underwent a bit of a refresh with the addition of your new lead singer Megan, bringing a new vibe to the group while still maintaining your signature dynamic punk-rock sound. What has been the most significant change since then? And Meg, how would you describe the past half year with the guys?
Daniel: Hey! We’re Say It Anyway, a band made up of members from various parts of South Wales and the South West UK. We started during the dreaded ‘Covid years’ and have been having a blast ever since.
Yeah, we had a major refresh earlier this year with the addition of Meg as the new singer and songwriter, and honestly, it’s been nothing short of amazing! The biggest change since then has been in how we write songs. Before, one of us would pretty much write an entire song and then Kris would add the vocals afterward. But now, it’s a lot more collaborative. With Meg in the mix, she comes up with the lyrics and melody, and we work together to turn it into a Say It Anyway track. It’s been a super fun and refreshing process, bringing a new dynamic to the band.
Meg: Ah it’s been unreal! I’ve been writing songs and lyrics for so long, but now they are no longer stuck in my voice memos and limited to my acoustic! The guys have brought them to life with their creative input and instrumentation!
They are the absolute nicest group of guys, so beyond talented, incredibly creative, and we work really well together. It’s been such a blast – I’m so glad they found me!
Your latest track, Vampires, puts a humorous spin on the timeless theme of immortality. Was there a particular film or music that inspired it? Do you have a favourite vampire-themed story?
Meg: I have to admit… I did have a Twilight faze back in middle school (and before you ask…#TeamEdward lol). I think from then, something has always intrigued me about the dark, gothic, imagery and stereotypes found in vampiric folklore.
And being one of the songs I wrote during a covid lockdown, writing Vampires was an escape for me in a way while also allowing me to process relevant themes of life/death/time/love which felt so fragile then.
In your opinion, how can you turn everyday topics into powerful material, or is there really anything new under the sun when it comes to writing a new song?
Meg: In my opinion, I think it is about going back to the basics of poetry. Metaphors, imagery, and ‘play on words’ are all helpful tools for communicating a powerful message. But make sure to, “keep the main thing the main thing” as they say.
Is there a characteristic element or moment in your creative process that lets you know your audience will love a new track?
Daniel: Honestly, and I think most importantly, we write music for ourselves. We write what makes us happy, what makes us smile, what we would want to listen to. So those moments when we are jamming or working out parts when we all look up in shock that we just produced a moment, a bar, a verse… that magic. That’s it. That’s what we want to achieve. If these moments and sounds transpire to the listeners ears also, bonus!
What do you think keeps punk-rock’s sound timeless, and how can it be evolved to offer something fresh compared to the early 2000s? Does a new punk-rock band even need to bring something different in the first place?
Daniel: Rather than getting bogged down in defining what exactly punk rock is—which can be a slippery slope and is often a matter of opinion—I think it’s important not to approach music with a rigid sense of genre. Aiming to sound like “punk rock” (or any genre) from the get-go can limit creativity and keep you confined within the expectations of what people think that genre should be. For me, that’s a risky approach to making music.
What’s more important is to focus on creating something authentic and passionate. If the music resonates, people will find labels for it—whether that’s punk rock, grindcore, or something entirely different. In the end, genre labels are just a way of categorising sound, but they shouldn’t define your approach to making music. Instead of worrying about bringing something new to punk rock, focus on making good music that’s true to you, and if it happens to be labeled as punk rock, then so be it.
Do you have any plans lined up for the next few years? Can we expect a new track or perhaps an album later this year or next year? What can you share with us at this point?
Daniel: We’re hoping to release at least two new tracks by the end of the year. One of them should hopefully drop in the not-too-distant future. Beyond that, it’s tough to make concrete long-term plans. The music industry can be quite volatile, particularly for a small, independent band like ours. We’re open to whatever comes our way. If someone wants to take us on a huge arena tour, that’s cool, or if someone wants us to play in their parents’ basement, that’s cool too. At the end of the day, we’re ready for anything – big or small – and that’s part of what makes this whole experience fun and unpredictable.
Meg: I got a message from someone saying they loved our song Vampires “even if it’s slightly too happy for me to listen to haha”.
My reply: “Don’t worry, some sad emo-ish is coming…haha!”
Soon. That’s all I will say!
What is something you would never let go of your control, regardless of whether you’re signed to a label or not, when it comes to the songwriting process? Are there any image or sound elements you’re particularly attached to that you wouldn’t want to change?
Daniel: Hmm… probably everything. I don’t think any of us would want to be told what to do creatively, whether we’re signed to a label or not. If someone starts dictating what we should sound like, it just turns into a job—or worse, a hobby that doesn’t pay well. At the risk of sounding cliché, we write what we write because we like it. If that’s taken away from us, then what’s the point? Might as well be stuck in a suit, staring at spreadsheets all day.
Personally, I think it’s great when a band evolves or changes its sound—as long as it’s authentic. I believe most people can tell the difference between a band that’s lost touch with what’s real to them and a band that’s genuinely progressing creatively. So, if we were ever to change, it would have to come from a place of authenticity, not because someone else told us to.
Which platform do you prefer to use to stay in touch with your fans? How important do you consider your online presence and the feedback you receive through these channels?
Daniel: Yeah, we’re definitely not as active on social media as it feels like you’re supposed to be these days. Should we do more? Probably, but the truth is we’re just not in it for the likes or the constant posting of irrelevant content. We prefer to post when we genuinely have something to share—like a release, show, or something important to us. Is that approach bad? I don’t know. We’re not overly concerned with playing the algorithm game.
That said, if someone wants to take over our social media and run it for us in exchange for hugs, we’re totally open to that! Ultimately, we really value connecting with people. If someone wants to email us or send us a message telling us how they feel—whether they love or hate what we’re doing—that’s what we’re here for. We love meeting new people, and for us, that direct communication is way more meaningful than a bunch of likes on a post.
Meg: I’d say Instagram is maybe our preferred platform for staying in touch with our fans! We want our online presence to be authentic to us, intentional, and of high quality (all thanks to Daniel, who’s an absolute boss at all things graphic design!).
Being from California and living in Wales, I definitely see the value that social media brings. We already know that music has the power to connect us, but social media has the special ability to widen that reach even further!
Online presence is so important – it allows us to stay connected with those we meet at our shows, support our friends in the music industry, and hear from those who connect with our music wherever they’re at in the world! We are so grateful for all of the follows, comments, messages, shares, and engagement!
Where do you think the line should be drawn in terms of how much of your life you share on social media? How do you mentally protect yourselves from the effects of excessive online presence?
Daniel: Every individual is different, and I cannot speak for the whole band or anyone else. However, I don’t like my personal life being shared with band life. I have actually come off all personal social media, I feel I just don’t need it in my life right now.
Meg: Yeah, I agree! I feel like that line is really subjective, and different for everyone. But I’d say for myself, if it ever keeps me from being present – that’s my line! I take regular breaks off of social media and find that helps me truly live in and appreciate ‘the now’.
If your music were the tool to save the world from an apocalypse, what would you go into battle with?
Meg: Hmmm…thinking of our music video for this song, all of us in SiA turned into Vampires. So, I guess if the world was in desperate need of saving, we could turn everyone else into vampires too. Then we’d all be immortal…and we’d all survive, right? Idk, that’s the best I’ve got! I’m welcome to better ideas if you’ve got them haha.
Thank you for giving us the chance to get to know you better. Your positive energy is truly infectious. We wish you continued success and many more joyful music-making experiences in the future!
Say It Anyway
- Instagram: Say It Anyway 🌻 (@sayitanywayuk) • Instagram photos and videos
- YouTube: Say It Anyway – Vampires (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)
- Facebook: Say It Anyway | Facebook
- Bandcamp: Music | Say It Anyway (bandcamp.com)
- Spotify: Say It Anyway | Spotify
- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@sayitanywayuk
Photo: Wolfget Media (@wolfget.media)
By: ViQ
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