Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith “Phee” Avery.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember — I was that toddler crawling up onto the stage after church to grab the mic and sing. By my pre-teens, I was writing poetry and had several pieces published in real books, which was when I first realized storytelling was in my DNA.
After high school, I moved to Los Angeles to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The Musicians Institute in Hollywood. I interned with World Audience Management and Warner Brothers Records, where I learned how the creative and business sides of entertainment intertwine.
Eventually, I returned to Denver, where my daughter was born, and continued performing. Around that time, my passion for the blues began to emerge — though my album New Paradigm isn’t a blues record, it does feature one blues cover, Feelin’ Good, which marked the beginning of that connection. Soon after, I returned to L.A. again and sold out my show at the Whisky A Go-Go.
From there, everything began to align. I completed The Unknown, which went on to earn a traditional publishing contract, and began developing Agent X, now evolved into Serena Vale. I also created my acting reel, bringing my visual storytelling to life.
Today, I’m back in Colorado building The Urban Hideout — a barbershop and speakeasy-style blues lounge that represents every part of who I am. I created it to give myself the freedom to continue my pursuits in entertainment while creating a community hub for other creatives in Colorado. It’s becoming a home for artistry, collaboration, and growth — hosting writers’ workshops, musician meetups, and open mic nights, with live blues and local events soon to follow.
I’m continuing to write, record, and act — and The Urban Hideout is the foundation that allows all of it to thrive. It’s not just a space; it’s a movement built on creativity, connection, and the freedom to build something meaningful from the ground up.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. There’s been nothing smooth about it. Every step has been a hurdle — constant pitching, self-selling, and starting over more times than I can count. And honestly, that’s the business. I’ve accepted that those challenges never really end.
I’ve intentionally taken on difficult paths to set myself up for long-term stability — to keep my trajectory as a storyteller and entertainer while building a space that others can grow from, too. Along the way, I went through ten years of custody court battles and a divorce that tested every bit of focus I had.
On top of that, I’ve dealt with people using my trademark name “Phee,” something I’m only now able to address legally with the help of an entertainment attorney. When I first started going by Phee, there was no one else using it — and that experience taught me that due diligence goes a long way.
It’s been hard, but I don’t see struggle as a setback. It’s just part of the process of creating something real.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Urban Hideout Ltd. is more than a barbershop — it’s a cultural hub. In the front of the house, we provide precision haircuts and grooming services built on craftsmanship, consistency, and connection. Then, tucked away behind — where no one would ever expect — is a full courtyard and bar lounge area: a hidden speakeasy-style blues room designed for creativity, conversation, and community.
I created The Urban Hideout to give myself the freedom to continue my pursuits in entertainment while establishing a home base for other artists and entrepreneurs in Colorado. It’s a 1920s-inspired barbershop with a backroom that blends the spirit of an underground blues lounge with the welcoming energy of a neighborhood gathering place. We’re already hosting writers’ workshops, with musician meetups, open mic nights, and live blues performances soon to follow.
What sets us apart is authenticity. Everything about The Urban Hideout — from the black-and-gold branding to the “Standard of Excellence” we uphold — is rooted in integrity, grit, and genuine craftsmanship. I’ve built it from the ground up without shortcuts, government loans, or major investors. It’s a space born out of perseverance and purpose.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that The Urban Hideout stands for something bigger than a business. It’s about building a home for artistry and empowerment — a place where people can come to look good, feel good, and be part of something real.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people are surprised to learn how structured I really am. Everything I do might look wild, creative, and effortless from the outside — but behind it is a lot of planning, late nights, and spreadsheets. I don’t wait around for inspiration; I build systems that let creativity show up when it’s supposed to.
Another thing that tends to surprise people is how self-contained my process is. I’ve built and managed everything on my own — my music, my writing, my business, my brand — before ever having a full team or major backing. That independence has been both the hardest and most empowering part of my story. People don’t always realize how independent this whole thing has been. I’ve built every part of my career — my music, my writing, my acting, my business — by hand, without a team or big backing. That’s changing now, but the foundation was all blood, sweat, and Google Docs.
And honestly, for someone who performs, sings, writes thrillers, and runs a community hub, I’m actually pretty private. I need quiet to recharge. I love the noise and chaos when it’s time to create — but when it’s over, I disappear. That balance is what keeps me grounded enough to do it all again.
Pricing:
- https://www.amazon.com/Meredith-Phee-Avery/dp/B0F6GM19WM
- https://theurbanhideoutltd.com/
- https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-paradigm/1612351080
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meredithpheeavery.wordpress.com/ ; https://pheetm.wordpress.com/ ; https://theurbanhideoutltd.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithpheeavery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeredithPheeAvery/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithpheeavery/
- Twitter: https://x.com/papayaphee
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeredithPheeAvery/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-urban-hideout-lakewood
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/papayaphee
