Sydney singer/songwriter Merpire has released her new album, Milk Pool. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Merpire is the moniker of Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt and Milk Pool is her second album. It's described as an "evocative exploration of queer identity, emotional transformation, and the quiet power of feminine resilience."
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
She worked closely with collaborators like James Dring (Sorry, Soccer Mommy), Elizabeth M. Drummond, and Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding, Perfume Genius) on Milk Pool.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I still hold the javelin record at my high school.
I have an uncanny ability to guess people’s middle names on the first try. 70% of the time it works every time. Just ask the members of the Australian band supporting Oasis on their Australian tour this year, Ball Park Music.
My olfactory senses are quite sensitive and I often write songs that mention a scent attached to a memory or feeling.
How would you describe your music?
Sneaky - it’ll elicit a rollercoaster of emotions before you’ve had time to name the feeling. It’s dynamic - dramatic, crunchy powerhouse chords with vocals to match in one song, and a vulnerable, quiet vocal and roomy acoustic guitar the next song. It’s for people who like to daydream they’re in their own movie. For lovers of lyrics, guitars, creepy but lush production, unpredictable chord progressions and melodies.
Who are your musical inspirations?
All of these artists and bands inspire my production choices too. Japanese Breakfast, Sasami, Marika Hackman, Porches, NewDad, Mitski, Wombo, Jaysom.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I think the first big gig might’ve been Red Hot Chilli Peppers in 2002. I remember my parents giving me the morning off school so I could line up for tickets at the ticket booth with my friends. I was 14 or 15.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I think it was Angel Olsen’s Burn Your Fire For No Witness.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’ll go with the first song that comes to mind - Danger in Fives by Wombo. I cannot wait for their new album.
Favourite lyric of all time?
What a wonderful yet torturous question, there’s too many to choose from. It’s impossible to pick one above any other, but in recent years, I can’t go past most of Fontaine D.C.’s lyrics. And I’m not just saying this because they’re Irish! The first time I heard their song I Love You, I was glued to it with obsession. Not many songs grab me like that, lyrics and mood at once. Their sophisticated lyrics are refreshing. This one line in particular always sticks out as genius writing to me – "And I loved you like a penny loves the pocket of a priest, And I'll love you 'til the grass around my gravestone is deceased."
If it’s my own favourite lyric – "There's a memory, burying itself into the coat I wear, smoking up a feeling. I think your sister knows, she insists on hugging for the last time and pats me like a canine." It’s from the song Canine from my new record.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wow, ok. I’m glad I had time to think about this one. My instinct says, Heroes by David Bowie. It’s one of the most juxtaposed sounding songs to me, fit to match almost any emotion. Hopeful and hopeless at the same time. Tragic and romantic. Fist-pumping the air with tears streaming down your face.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Across all the socials. I write back to every message if you want to say Hi. This link will take you to vinyl, videos, mailing list.
Thanks for having me, loved this! Merpire x
Alan Corr
