m.e.h. is an artist challenging vulnerability while looking at it through a whimsical lens. She transforms learning about her self into explorative, child-like wonder that captivates and audience. through her honey smooth, deep vocals, to her graceful movements on stage, me.eh. challenges what it means to have fun while performing and sharpening your craft.

On August 23, m.e.h. sat down with Imani Warren at Dorian’s, where she has a residency every last Saturday of the month, for an intimate moment to unearth the profound honesty and vulnerability that is m.e.h.

In this interview, she deconstructs what makes her band thrive and push boundaries within there sound as not only a unit but as individuals. She dives into the nuance of home as someone not originally from Chicago. Finding geographical space and commnity while leaving space for mental health and growth comes to the forefront of the conversation.

If you like m.e.h, check out their newest single “trust fall” out on all platforms. To hear “trust fall” live catch m.e.h at Dorian’s on September 26th, tickets sold at the door.

by Imani Warren

Transcribed by Max Mika

I: Welcome to The Silver Cherry Interviews. I’m Imani and I’m here with…

[Vana White hands]

M: (in words and title card)

M.E.H.

[intro sequence]

{00:23}

I: Welcome welcome welcome! How are you doing today?

M: I’m good. How are you?

I: I’m so good. I am so glad you’re here! And tell our audience where we are right now.

M: We are at Dorian’s. [face note]

I: Yes, and tell me how Dorian’s is significant to you.

M: Dorian’s is,,, the place that the band and I had our-- I guess the start of our first, most consistent gig. And, I don’t know, it’s… For me, being here is just so huge because it’s a huge part, I think, of our, my, artist identity.

I: Yeah, I can really see that. Your connectivity to the space is really transparent.

[both softly smile]

I love it. And tell me more about your residency. I saw-- Did you have a residency at Moxy?

M: Yes! I diiiiiidddd.

I: Yeah!

M: Yesss.

I: Yeah tell me about that.

M: Yeah! So, I think Moxy happened, um, I can’t remember exactly if it was prior to the first time we played at Dorian’s. Um, I think it might have been? And I really wanted a residency, like, I was like, “I think it would be really fun to play somewhere consistently and have a consistent gig.” Not only for me, but the band and, like, you know, um-- And Moxy was great! They were so kind to us, like that was awesome. I believe that we did that for-- we did that twice. Um, and then…

I: How’d you get connected there?

M: You know? That’s a great question! I think that honestly my manager, like I had my manager, reach out to them. They were very receptive and wanted to work with us, so that’s kind of how that started, and, yeah…

I: I’ve heard you mention your manager a couple times. You guys must be really close.

M: Yes! No, yes, yes. Um, actually, we worked together for about three and a half, four years. We are no longer working together but, um, Karina Hernandez is amazing, um, and I respect her so much, so, yeah.

I: That’s so beautiful. I love seeing the way that, like, relationships can grow and change as you continue to grow, and change.

M: Mhmm! Yeah.

I: Okay, well, then looking at your first Dorian’s residency, how was that? Like, the process of getting into it, having that responsibility, what was it like dipping your toes into that?

M: Well, I’ll honestly start with the first time we played here, cuz I think that that honestly was a catalyst for, kind of, the residency being a thing. It was, I believe, December 2023 and it was like-- I don’t know. I was so excited because I had wanted to play here so-- for so long. Um, cuz it’s such a legendary venue, and I think it’s really important to have venues like this. Especially venues that are, you know, I feel like paying artists fairly and respecting them for their time, and having such an amazing staff that is always so kind and so respectful.

I: So kind today, even! It’s been wonderful. [heart hands]

M: Yes! It’s like just, the energy here is-- is beautiful and I think the people here do make that-- make that so much more present.

The first time we played here it was a 2-hour set and, I don’t know… I was-- [grins] I was so happy and I was like, “Oh my god we’re hereee!” And it was such a great turnout, and, you know, we really impressed the [pauses for modesty]-- the people here. I don’t wanna say too much [looks up with a smile], but…

I: Aye, you showed out!

M: You know, to the point where it became a thing where he [manager] kind of asked us, “Hey would you guys want to do,,, a residency?” [voice softens slightly] I was like, “Oh my god, yes! I’ve been wanting to do a residency like, for real, like in a place like this.”

Moxy’s awesome, too, but it’s like a hotel setting? So it’s very different. It’s like, people come here to see music, versus, like, people kind of passing through just happen to see music. I think that is a huge differentiation between like, you know, why people are coming. Like, even if they’re people who have never heard of me before, it’s beautiful that music can be shared in a way of like, you could just walk into this place that you know there’s gonna be good music but you don’t know who it is.

{04:11}

I: Right.

M: …and I think that bringing back discovery to music is so important.

I: And I think having those dependable discovery platforms is what matters.

M: Yes.

I: Like Dorian’s, like being able to say-- For meee? Like, it’s The Whistler…

[both smile with their eyes]

M: Yeesss.

I: Like I know I can go in here and I can have a good time!

M: Exactly.

I: Okay, well, tell me more about how you choose a set list here at Dorian’s. I know, like, it’s kind of jazzy, you’re kind of jazzy, like: How do you choose what you play? what you don’t play? Tell me more about that.

M: Yeah! So, as you know, uh, a lot of the set list is my original music. So, it kind of like, you know, we do my It’s All Starting To Make Sense Now (2025 album), we do my older music. Sometimes we don’t do all of my older songs. Sometimes I add new ones. It really just depends. You know, as I’m kind of making songs, I want to test them, see what they sound like with the band. I always-- I always have, you know, kind of switched them out. Um, but as far as covers go, I feel like I really do curate the covers.

Um, I have always, like growing up, like, I used to burn my friends CDs and-- and stuff like that. Like I would make… I remember in high school, I was giving all my friends, like, different burnt CDs. I-- And I think that, through that, then when streaming came I started making playlists.

I: So you’ve been doin this.

M: I’ve been-- Youtube to MP3 was my, like-- I was on there, okay…

I: Youtube to MP3. Google it, right now.

M: … burning on the CD like I-- I, yeah. That was me!

I think that kind of moving that into a space like this is so awesome, because then I can kind of just, like-- You know, songs that have influenced me, songs that inspire me.

I: [soft, realizing gasp] It’s like you’re burning a playlist every night…

[understanding eye lock]

M: YES! And then I think about, like, my band, and the kind of players they are. Like, “Ooh, this would be really awesome, you know, to hear this baseline or to hear this drum line, or to hear like Hannah do this on the guitar.” Like, I think it’s so interesting, you know, because I’m thinking of songs not just from a vocalist standpoint but I’m always thinking about, like, my band.

{06:08}

I: Yeahhh. And what fortifies that relationship with your band? How did you kind of find them and how do you maintain that strong connection?

M: Yeah, um… We all met, honestly, different times, like in school.

I: Okay.

M: So, Hannah was first and, um, I met her in 2018 -- cuz we all went to Columbia -- and uh, we literally just met and we started just playing like duos together and,, I just, I love Hannah. Like shes’s,,, incredible.

I: And tell everybody, what does she play for you?

M: Hannah plays the guitar. So yea, Hannah Pope, she’s awesome. She’s also the frontwoman of her own 10 piece blues band.

I: Nice! Woah!

M: Yeah. She is incredible. Um, and then the second person I met was Andrew. Um, Andrew King is,,, [shakes head gently] unlike anyone that I’ve ever met. Like he-- The way that he plays the bass is like-- It-- It’s honestly very transformative. I think that he plays the bass like he’s literally doing a guitar solo sometimes. Like he plays chords on the bass, you know? And he plays a five string bass which is really unique. You know, like, most bassists they play four string bases. So, but yeah we met in, twentyyyy twenty? 2020-2021? And he played for my, um, senior recital and he played the upright bass then too, and that was like, [excited, double handed, outward wave] that was how that happened.

I: [similar gesture] That was your moment.

[both smile]

M: Yesss! And then Carson on the keys-- I met him when he was 17 and now he’s like, 23? 24?

I: [nod and smile] Very nice.

M: So I started playing with him and we had-- Like he had to get the X’s written on his hand cuz he wasn’t 21.

I: [chuckles] To come in [to the venues]? Yeah. Like Steve Lacy in The Internet!

M: Yes!

[both laughing]

We literally-- Yeah we met him at a, like, a later time, but he’s got like a pretty prevalent social media presence, and, um, he does a lot of talk box videos, but I had always, like--

I: Oh, wait! Is that like the thing? [puts imaginary tube to lips]

M: Yes! They put it in the-- [same gesture] Yes, yes.

I: That’s dope.

M: He’s incredible. So, I mean, and I was just begging him every year like, “I know you’re not ready yet, but when you want to join the band, please.” And, finally, he is an official member.

I: [huge smile] Oh my gosh.

M: And then Paris is the drummer. He is the newest addition. Also met him at Columbia, but didn’t really get close with him. He’s my little siblings age, so he’s 23. So, we met and became closer at a later time when I needed a fill in, and I was like, “Oh my god, like he’s incredible. He’s a great person.” And yeah, he was the missing link, honestly.

I: I just love that. I love how much-- You seem so fond of them! You know?

M: [soft smile] Yeah.

{[08:38]}

I: I really, I feel like dynamics can be so hard to up-- to upkeep in any dynamic, but when you add more people and layers and years and everything… How do you maintain-- as like, the leader of that group of people -- how do you maintain the positive energy and the positive nature to keep going? keep making positive music?

M: [gaze down for half a beat] I don’t know. I feel like I’m always just,,, uplifting everyone, you know? Like I know how hard life is, and I think that just being able to be with each other and, you know, I don't know.

Make-- make each other feel so strong [*hands clutching air, pulling down to the stomach], and make each other feel

[pull]

like we are the

[pull] most

[pull -- tone raising with emphasis]

powerful people in the room you know?

Like, they’ve all worked so hard to get to where they’ve gotten, and it just-- to be able to even play an instrument, and, I feel like,,, transport people to another world, like, is such a gift. And I think that being able to make sure that they know that about themselves and make sure they understand, like, how important what they’re doing is, just for, [soft chuckle and smile] the good of the world. Um, and just kind of making sure to spread that positivity is like, I think, how, we all stay grounded, and, you know, kind of, keep pushing each other forward.

I: [grinning] Ahh, as {m.e.h.’s sign being} a Leo I bet you would say that. Like, I love that energy! [*similar grabbing of the air, but up to the chest from the stomach]

You know? Uplifting everyone individually. It feels so good.

M: Exactly.

{09:53}

I: Uh, okay! And tell me more about where you’re from, and how that is, in relation to where you {then} move to Chicago. You know, did you come here for a specific reason? Why’d you choose Chicago over somewhere else?

M: Yes! So, um, I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. I lived in PG County, Odenton…

I: Oh, so you’re tea. I hear about PG County.

M: Oh yesss, yes. [grinning]

I: I hear {they’re/there’s} tea there.

m.e.h. and Imani Warren by Taylor Reynolds at Dorian’s

M: Yes, and then I moved to the Chesapeake Bay. I grew up going to my grandma’s house in Baltimore, like, every single weekend. So, I honestly feel like I kind of grew up in Baltimore, too

I: Lobster? tailing?

M: Every-- Everything. Crabs!

I: Craaabs! [smiles]

M: Crabs is a big one. Lobster’s amazing, too, but yes, crabs. Maryland is,,, that girl. Like Old Bay…

I: [bright grin] That’s so cool

M: [stoked] Yes!!!

So, um, honestly it was kind of random how I ended up in Chicago. Um, I-- My dream school was Berkley, in Boston, and I got into Berkley! But, they didn’t give me any money, and it would have been, like, a quarter million dollars to go there. So, I was like, [head tilting /negative] “Well, no.” And then I toured a bunch of conservatories in New York. But, honestly, like I think that, it is a very dated way that conservatories kind of run their audition processes. Like, I am a tenor, slash baritone, and they don’t-- Like some conservatories, specifically Juilliard, turned me away because they said that ‘women can’t audition as tenors’ and I thought that that was really weird.

I: What year??

M: That was in 2018.

I: Wow. That seems like a really dated answer.

M: I know. And I was like, “That is super weird…” Because, like, what do you-- what do you say?

I: Also, that’s just your voice?? [sarcastic chuckle]

M: Right? Like obviously, like, there’s contraltos, which is technically like, I guess, tenor in ‘women’s form’, but even so, like, if you’re singing lower than, like, I guess the average contralto, like where do you land?

I: But there’s also men who are sopranos…

M: You know???

I: Like Kurt Hummel from Glee.

M: Exactly. So I feel like-- I don’t know.

I: Mhmm.

M: So, that was weird.

I: That’s crazy.

M: And I was like, “You know what, maybe I don’t want to go to, like, strictly a conservatory. Maybe I should seek, like, art school. Like, I want to be able to do a lot of stuff.” And Columbia was just,,, sending me all types of mail. And I was like, “Well, I never thought about Chicago,” and then we came out here I was like, “Oh yeah. I’m gonna come here.”

[chuckle and joyful smile]

{11:56}

I: Oh my gosh. [lit up for this question] Okay:

What was the thing that kinda sealed the deal for you?

M: Just, Chicago… I think that it’s so cool. Like touring the campus and then seeing Buddy Guy’s Legends, you know, or like Jazz Showcase, and just all the culture. I mean, I grew up on a lot of house music, too. So, obviously knowing that about Chicago, I’m-- you know, the birthplace of house -- I have always been drawn,,, just to the energy that {emits} from the city.

I: [thoughtfully, agreeing nod] Yeah.

M: I feel like I’ve always thought that Chicago was so awesome, but I just never thought that I would end up here, you know? You don’t really think about it until you’re here, and then you’re like, “Wow. I wanna be here.”

[both grinning]

And that’s kind of how it happened, yeah.

I: I hear your deep respect for the city.

M: Yes, I love it here. I think that Chicago is so beautiful. There’s so much culture. There’s so many different stories being told, just everywhere, in the city.

I: Yeah.

M: And I think that it’s so inspiring being here.

{12:43}

I: The city loves you, m.e.h. :)

M: [nearly blushing]

Yes! Thank you.

[earnest smile]

I love the city back. :)

I: Right? And speaking of, I’m from St. Louis, Missouri, actually.

M: Oh, yeesss!

I: [very seriously] You know who else is from St. Louis, Missouri?

M: Who?

I: Smino

M: Exactly.

[double smirk]

I: And what did you do for Smino? [points and pulls wrist back]

M: [reciprocates]

I: You opened for him.

M: I diiiiiiddd!!!

I: At Metro!

M: Yessss!!!

I: Oh my god, I literally had to fan out with you about that.

M: [head back belly laugh]

I: I just think that’s so cool. I just love Smino so much. I want to know about like, how that -- working with Midwestern artists -- has that changed your perception of the Midwest as well? Are there some other places, like St. Louis, you know, other places than Chicago as well?

M: I think that it’s really funny because,,, I think that Chicago has a love-hate relationship with,,, transplants. Because I think-- you know?

I: Mmm. You’re so truuueeeee!!!

M: You know what I mean? Like I-- I think it’s one of those like dual-edged swords. It’s like-- It’s really nice when people come to the city, but at the same time, I think that sometimes Chicago, specifically the music scene can be a little like, “Okay, well, we made it out of Chicago, like, you didn’t. Like, you just came here.” And I think-- I don’t know. I think we’re all in community. It’s like, a lot of people move around a lot, you know? Like, I don’t-- I think it’s-- I think we should embrace differences because if everybody was coming here or if everybody was like, sounding the same and being from the same place, like that’s no fun. Like wouldn’t you want there to be, like, diversity in all types of ways? You know? And I think that, just like Smino, I feel like I bring something unique to the city that, you know, people aren’t really familiar with. And I think that’s so fun because I can add, you know, my East Coast flair, you know, to the Chicago scene and give it something different.

I: And that actually just brought me to chills, [showing arm hairs] like, literally, because I completely agree with that especially being from St. Louis and seeing Smino and seeing artists like, working with Noname, working with Saba and them having their own collective. Like for me, that puts me in a place, because sometimes you can feel so out of place as a Midwesterner not in Chicago. And so that’s why, like, Smino can be such a-- like a-- like a hail mary [waves both hands] you know? Like he’s the one, he’s the one who did it. And, I don’t know, it can feel really good for other artists to feel that way, too, like coming from the East Coast and-- and having your own style, your own way.

M: Yeah.

I: Yeah and speaking of your style, I really love all of the imagery that’s coming out with your next single.

[both grinning]

M: [softly] Ohh, thank youuu!

I: Yeah, I want to know more about the connection of the imagery and your single, more about the content and what that’s-- like, how that goes together.

M: Yeah. Um, honestly, this next song, I think truly embodies, kind of, me coming into…

[breath]

I don’t know, coming into a space where instead of looking at like, you know, my ADHD and my anxiety and depression and all of these things as like ailments, it’s kind of just, like embracing those parts of me? And I think there are so many moments in my life where I’m constantly thinking like, “Oh,” like, “I want to do this thing so badly,” but you know, there’s a lot of executive dysfunction I think people don’t really understand about those kinds of, like, mental, um, situations?

I: [both hands moving in one circle] I don't think they consider it!

M: I don’t think so, and I think, you know, everybody thinks it’s so fun to have ADHD apparently, like on social media.

I: Or like “sillyyy” [ironic double peace sign] yeah.

[both roll eyes]

M: I think it’s very debilitating to have some of these, like, learning disabilities I think in general. But at the end of the day, like, I think that you can take that power back and make it work for you. And I think I’m learning every day of how to make this, these things, work for me and different systems that I can implement in my life to make my day-to-day better. But ultimately, I do think that relinquishing the shame behind it is something that has been really helping me. Because it’s like, you know, I could feel really bad about me not doing something that I wanted to do, or I could just,,, try again tomorrow, you know? And-- and remind myself, like, it’s okay. Like, you know you’re doing the best that you can.

{16:33}

I: Mhmm. Is that kind of where that imagery comes from like that fun, almost clown imagery?

M: Yes! Because I-- I think I’m really interested in like, jesters. And I kind of took some like, inspiration from the character Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter. So I like, had my makeup artist do a little star on my face, um. Because I think it’s really profound to me, like the imagery of jesters anyways, because, you know, they basically like, work for-- you know, they work for kings and queens and they’re always the one that has to, you know… I feel like they are dealing with like, the most sadness, cuz they basically have to do something for someone that doesn’t respect them, day in and day out, with a smile on their face. And I think that that really resonated with me because I feel like I resonate with the fact that like, I’m constantly, always showing up to places like, feeling like I have to be this thing. And especially with like, the ADHD and all of the different things I go through. It’s like, “Megan, you can keep pushing through. You can keep pushing through.” And I think that that’s why I was like, let me-- I think that kind of like, imagery of like the clown and the jester sat right with me in the way that it connects with how I feel, like in the way that I’m showing up in spaces. It’s like I’m always feeling like I’m putting on this face, but deep down I’m like, trying to figure out…

I: You’re like, the saddest one.

[both nod]

M: Right, and how to navigate through, like, some very difficult things that happen in life, you know?

I: And so you feel like the song-- Do you feel like it kind of helps you navigate, or is it more like an exploration of what that looks like inside before you go on that journey?

M: I honestly think, like, a mixture of both. Like I’m-- I feel like I’m constantly exploring, like, “What does it look like to feel-- To be at the other side of this thing?”

I: Yeah, just to consider it even.

M: Right, but I think that-- New perspective that I have found is like, trying to just embrace the journey as it is, and not really expect the dest-- like not have huge expectations of what the destination should be.

I: Mmm. [nodding]

M: Cuz I think that being able to just like, allow yourself to enjoy the journey, even though it might not be what you were hoping, it-- I think that it is very humbling and it also just allows you to slow down and just be like, “Okay, it’s okay! We’re gonna do this,” like, “don’t have to be so hard on yourself.” You know?

I: And it seems like it’s kind of making, um, for better or for worse, like lighthearted{ness} of the really tough situations of having to be “The Happy” for everybody.

M: Yes. [nods and grins with conviction]

I: The Source.

M: Yes, exactly!

I: Yeah. I’m excited to hear it! You made me more excited to hear it just now. I want to know -- I haven’t heard it yet, obviously -- if it had, like, a movie, what kind of sound-- like what movie would it be?

M: I’m thinking Kill Bill. [after very little deliberation]

I: MMM!

M: I’m goin Kill Bill.

I: Okay. [nodding]

M: I love my girl Uma Thurman. [astutely] I don’t like Quentin Tarantino, but who does?

I: [straight-faced nodding]

M: Uma Thurman, she carried. I mean, she’s such like, a powerful woman in that, and just a powerful woman in general, but just the way that she got up from the coma, taught herself how to walk again, and then literally just like, started taking out everyone that murdered her family. [throws hands and eyes up] Like, I don’t know-- Like, period! We need “Trustfall” in that movie.

[both smiling]

I: So “Trustfall” is giving Kill Bill, and that could be-- that could be on that soundtrack.

M: Yeah.

I: I have one final question. This is always my wrap-up question.

M: Yeah!

{19:47}

I: I wanna know: Where do you see yourself in about 6 months? It’s around February of next year, Valentines Day vibes, 2027…

M: Yes!

I: Where do you see yourself?

M: Wow, 6 months…

I: Yeah.

M: Um, I see myself… uh, taking more time to, just, I don’t know! Like take care of myself and, and check in with myself and spend more time with my friends and, you know, maybe there's something on the horizon [looks to camera]… that I can’t talk about

I: [looks to camera, gasps, hands cover mouth]

M: But big things, big things on the way. But I think that just being very present in my journey and my people and in just, taking it one day at a time.

I: Mhmm. I love that you can fully exist in a ‘6 months from now’ and be confident in that.

[both smile wide]

M: Yeah!

I: That feels really good

M: Yeah. :)

I: Aw, it’s been so wonderful talking with you today.

M: Yeesss! Thank you so much! This has been amazing.

I: Yes, I’m glad. And I’m so glad that you enjoyed everything and it was just so wonderful to hear your answers.

Do you have any other final thought{s} to say?

[outro music: “Trustfall” by m.e.h. begins]

M: Stream “Trustfall”! {out as of publishing!}

[both giggle]

On all platforms! And, um, more music, very soon.

I: Very, very soon. Well, [looks to camera] thank you so much for coming on today m.e.h., and This was The Silver Cherry Interviews. Stay tuned for the next one!

[both cheese, m.e.h. waves]

M: Bye!

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