New Englanders Megan From Work are set to conquer their longest set and biggest stage yet on the first day of Boston Calling Music Festival 2025. In just four days, the grunge-pop group, comprised of Megan Simon (singer-songwriter), Joey Martin (bass), Luis Hernandez (lead guitar), and Alex Ruscansky drums), will bring their punchy sound to the Harvard Athletic Complex. Simon sat down with Following Boston correspondent Samantha Davidson to chat about the band's reaction to the news and reveal that lucky festivalgoers will hear some of their unreleased music.

Note: Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity

Following Boston: How would you describe your music and live shows to someone tuning in for the first time? What song would you recommend that they start with?

Megan Simon: That's a great question. Our music is alternative pop rock. Our shows are really high-energy as well. I would say that it's indie rock and pop punk with a heavy dose of pop melodies. I would start with "Girl Suit." That's the first single and the title track of our record that came out last year, and it's a great summation of that kind of power pop that we go for.

FB: I read that the idea for your newest single, "Life Into A Movie," came to you while driving. I love how you use concepts like film and media to take a jab at inauthenticity. What was the creative process like once you brought this idea to the band, and how did this track come to life?

MS: I always come with the guitar part, the lyrics, the melodies, and everything fully written. Then, everybody comes up with their own bass, guitar, and drum parts. This one was our most collaborative one yet. I introduced it to the band last May, so it's been almost a year of working on it together. I was like, "I'm kind of thinking a Killers disco beat." They're always a big reference of mine. I think it was Alex's idea to have that intro because I never know how to start a song.

FB: I'm looking forward to hearing it at Boston Calling. Where were you when you got the news that you'd be playing the festival, and how did you celebrate?

MS: That's a really good question, too. I had a day off of work, and I was just at home, and I got a message from someone saying, "Hey, what's your email?" They're like, "Cool, I'm just asking because I pitched you guys to Boston calling, you might be hearing from them." I tell the band, but it's nothing set in stone. It's just cool to even be considered. The next day, I checked my spam folder luckily, and there it was, the invitation from the day before. I'm like, "We cannot tell anyone because what if they take it back?" And that night, I happened to have a work party, and there's this one coworker who's been so supportive, so I was like, "Well, I'm just gonna tell her." She's like a mother figure; next thing you know, coworkers are approaching me. So that's how I celebrated accidentally.

FB: That's so fun. I love how the place where you got the inspiration for your name is where you got to celebrate the news, a full-circle moment.

MS: I love the service industry so much. I love the community, the culture, and the job itself.

FB: In terms of live music and live shows, what is one of your favorite memories?

MS: One of my favorite memories, in general, is a show we played last October before the Girl Suit release. We played in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and the venue was right on the boardwalk. They had doors to the back that were open, and the ocean air was coming in. There were five shows in town that night, and ours was late enough that a ton of people came afterward. We hadn't planned on it, but we learned a cover of "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit.

FB: Boston Calling will be the biggest festival audience for you guys.

MS:
It's definitely the biggest room, biggest stage, biggest set; we're playing a 40-minute set, and we usually do 25 to 30 at DIY shows. We have a lot of fun stuff planned for it.

FB: How do you prepare for this? If there are any nerves, what do you do to feel ready and and confident for the show?

MS: Preparing for it will make us less nervous because we know we have done the work. We've done two major things. We added another guitarist to play live with us. We're a four-piece in terms of writing and recording, but now we have a fifth member to take over my guitar parts, so I can just do the lead singer thing, which I'm really excited about. We're doing fun stuff with transitions and a cover. We're doing some songs we haven't recorded or performed yet, so our next few singles.

FB: What are your can't-miss set recommendations from the festival? Are there any artists you pull inspiration from or that you're excited to see?

MS: Definitely. As far as local bands go, Rebuilder is definitely one you won't want to miss. I would say Sidebody. They're super cool and very inspiring. I think that Avril Lavigne is one for me. I remember Let Go was the first CD someone gave me as a birthday present. I must have been nine or ten.

FB: That's a really formative moment, your first CD.

MS: Exactly. I'm sitting in the backseat of the car with my CD player, looking out the window and being like, "This is perfectly describing me.'" Like I'm the angstiest 10-year-old in existence. Avril Lavigne was a huge inspiration for those heartfelt, vulnerable songs that still pack that punch with electric guitars and everything. Sheryl Crow, as well. She's so iconic. You will absolutely see me at the Sheryl Crow set. Sheryl's the same day. Sorry, I'm calling her Sheryl like she's my friend. Ms.
Crow.

Buy tickets to the festival here and catch Megan From Work on the Orange Stage from 5:20-6:00pm this Friday.