Meredith McHenry has a dynamic and versatile solo act, thanks to a musical device.

“Who the fuck is Meredith McHenry?” This was printed on a banner made for her by a Monterey bartender.

The answer is that Meredith McHenry is an engaging singer-songwriter with a solo act well worth checking out. But like the layers of sound McHenry orchestrates on her looper, there is more to her story.

We can deconstruct the layers by focusing on her original single “Water’s Edge,” a fast-paced, folksy tune that takes the listener on an emotional roller coaster as it describes being in an abusive relationship and the fear of leaving it. The song showcases both the bigness of her voice and her flair for clever lyrics. McHenry takes advantage of her musical instincts as she repeats, “Lord please help me…” until reaching an a cappella crescendo. “Water’s Edge” has all the makings of a pop-folk radio hit.

But there’s a difference between the studio version and her solo act. “Your vision is going through someone else’s ear and filter,” McHenry explains.

Knowing how to play the piano and guitar would change all that, and also allow McHenry to play music full time instead of relying on her band’s schedule. As McHenry puts it, however, she’s “really bad at being really bad at something.” So she did not take the time to learn how to play.

Then the pandemic happened. McHenry used this “forced pause” to teach herself the piano and guitar by livestreaming her practice sessions on Facebook. McHenry was surprised that her fans came to support her.

“It was awkward and halting and really uncomfortable,” she confesses.

The investment paid off.

One of McHenry’s most memorable gigs was the debut of “Water’s Edge” as a solo act on her looper at a performing arts center in Livermore. The device provides backing music. McHenry was finally able to perform the tune as she originally envisioned, as a soloist.

“I never thought I would be able to do that,” she reflects. “I thought I would have to rely on other people to interpret my ideas for as long as I was writing. So that was really powerful for me.”

McHenry also engages in the long-lost art of banter, making the audience feel included. Loop back to the top – who is Meredith McHenry? – and you know she is a musician whose solo act is worth a listen.

Meredith McHenry performs 1pm Sunday, June 16 at Twisted Roots, 12 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley; and 5pm Tuesday, June 18 at Monterey Plaza Hotel, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. No cover. meredithmchenry.com.