Merpire reveals captivating single 'Lately' + announces upcoming Australian Festival performances
Off the back of her most career-defining year yet, transfixing nom de guerre Merpire is thrilled to be kicking off the new year with some brand new music and a run of Festival appearances across the country. #merpiremusic @merpiremusic
The brainchild of Melbourne based artist Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt, Merpire released her debut EP Endless Chatter back in June, signed to indie management company Fright Night Music in August and showcased at Australia's premier industry conference Bigsound in September; each step garnering an incremental following of avid fans in her wake. By the end of the year, Merpire had sold out her biggest headline show to date, supported some huge Australian acts including Angie McMahon, Didirri, Olympia, Phantastic Ferniture and Oh Pep! and appeared on a handful of Australian Festival line ups including By The Banks and New Year's Evie. Now, Merpire is thrilled to be kicking off the New Year with a banging new single 'Lately' set for release Friday 1 March, with a run of coveted Festival performances to follow.
An initial slow burner, 'Lately' quickly unfolds into a dense layering of organic and digital instrumentation that tinkers with elements of indie-rock and garage subtleties whilst maintaining Merpire's signature pop sparkle. Aching vocal pleas and minimalist production implode into bursts of sonorous guitar breaks, driving percussion and fuzzed-out synths making for a cathartic play of restraint and release. Recorded, produced and mixed with bandmate and Feelds frontman James Seymour, 'Lately' stirs feelings of love lost and closure found in magic moments of danceable introspection.
To accompany the single Merpire enlisted in-demand video director and good mate Nick McKk to help bring to life her video concept, which was born when Meprire returned home from a shopping expedition to purchase necessities for her new bedroom, but instead returned home with a funky pair of roller skates, "I thought teaching myself to roller-skate for the video would be a great representation for the meaning of the song - moving on, unsteady on my feet but going at it full pelt anyway."
Featuring members of Feelds, Alexander Biggs, Alex Lahey and Slowcoaching a Merpire live show is a playful tease between intimate pop ballads and fully immersive indie-rock breakouts. The band's impressive and predominantly female live line-up lead by the imitable Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt continue to captivate audiences far and wide with their powerful and versatile performances that are a joy to behold. Catch Merpire for an exquisite selection of full band shows this Festival season alongside some renowned local and international acts at A Festival Called Panama, Brunswick Music Festival, By The Meadow and Bendigo Autumn Music.
Upcoming Festival Performances
Saturday 9 March - Sunday 10 March
A Festival Called Panama, Lone Star Valley TAS
Friday 15 March
Brunswick Music Festival, Melbourne VIC
Friday 29 March 29 - Sunday 31 March
By The Meadow, Bambra VIC
Friday 26 April - Sunday 28 April
Bendigo Autumn Music, Bendigo VIC
All tickets from www.merpiremusic.com
An initial slow burner, 'Lately' quickly unfolds into a dense layering of organic and digital instrumentation that tinkers with elements of indie-rock and garage subtleties whilst maintaining Merpire's signature pop sparkle. Aching vocal pleas and minimalist production implode into bursts of sonorous guitar breaks, driving percussion and fuzzed-out synths making for a cathartic play of restraint and release. Recorded, produced and mixed with bandmate and Feelds frontman James Seymour, 'Lately' stirs feelings of love lost and closure found in magic moments of danceable introspection.
To accompany the single Merpire enlisted in-demand video director and good mate Nick McKk to help bring to life her video concept, which was born when Meprire returned home from a shopping expedition to purchase necessities for her new bedroom, but instead returned home with a funky pair of roller skates, "I thought teaching myself to roller-skate for the video would be a great representation for the meaning of the song - moving on, unsteady on my feet but going at it full pelt anyway."
Featuring members of Feelds, Alexander Biggs, Alex Lahey and Slowcoaching a Merpire live show is a playful tease between intimate pop ballads and fully immersive indie-rock breakouts. The band's impressive and predominantly female live line-up lead by the imitable Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt continue to captivate audiences far and wide with their powerful and versatile performances that are a joy to behold. Catch Merpire for an exquisite selection of full band shows this Festival season alongside some renowned local and international acts at A Festival Called Panama, Brunswick Music Festival, By The Meadow and Bendigo Autumn Music.
Upcoming Festival Performances
Saturday 9 March - Sunday 10 March
A Festival Called Panama, Lone Star Valley TAS
Friday 15 March
Brunswick Music Festival, Melbourne VIC
Friday 29 March 29 - Sunday 31 March
By The Meadow, Bambra VIC
Friday 26 April - Sunday 28 April
Bendigo Autumn Music, Bendigo VIC
All tickets from www.merpiremusic.com