Upper Township Teen Collaborates With Grammy-Nominated Producer

OCEAN CITY, NJ — An Ocean City High School student is showcasing her musical talents with the debut of her first EP.

Méabh Stanford, 16, of Upper Township, wrote all six songs on her EP titled, “make it be me,” in addition to singing and playing guitar and piano.

Stanford stepped into the studio with Grammy-nominated producer, Saint Luke, as she recorded the album this summer.

The collaboration came through her vocal coach, Stevi Leigh, who has worked as a recording artist and has industry connections, Stanford told Patch.

“It was an amazing experience to work with him,” Stanford said. “He understood my vision and was able to execute my wishes perfectly.”

Though Stanford has been passionate about music since childhood, she says it was Taylor Swift who inspired her to write her own songs.

“My music is alternative-pop, leaning towards the writing style of artists like Taylor Swift or Phoebe Bridgers, but produced more similarly to artists like Lorde or Samia,” Stanford said.

Most of the inspiration for her new songs came from films and novels, and hopes listeners walk away with a renewed appreciation for how these works continue to inspire generations of people.

One of Stanford’s favorite songs on the EP, “Glory Days,” is filled with references from Kurt Vonnegut’s novel “Slaughterhouse Five” and told from the perspective of the novel’s protagonist.

Click here to find “make it be me” on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or other streaming services. Follow Stanford on Facebook for more updates about her music and upcoming performances.

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