Artist info
Genre
Indie, Pop, Rock
Sounds like
Angel Olsen, Soccer Mommy, Slow Pulp, Mitski, Marika Hackman, Middle Kids
band members
Rhiannon - vocals/electric guitar Bec - electric guitar Mimi - electric bass James - keys/synths/acoustic guitar Jess - drums
Influences
Bat For Lashes, Mitski, Phantogram, Angel Olsen, Perfume Genius, Rat!Hammock
Unearthed artists we like
Montaigne, GINGER AND THE GHOST, Thelma Plum, Food Court, emma louise, Bad Pony, The Growl, BEC SANDRIDGE, Liv Cartledge, Violet, Lucy Lowe, Feelds, Slowcoaching, Hannah Cameron, Tesse, RAT!hammock, Loni Rae Thomson
Website
Bio
Merpire, the moniker of Melbourne-based artist Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt writes music living somewhere between the rom-com and horror movie sections in her mind.
Off the back of her independent, debut EP release in 2018 Merpire signed to indie management company Fright Night Music, showcased at Bigsound and sold out her Endless Chatter EP tour. By the end of 2019, Merpire had accrued an impressive list of supports including Julia Jacklin, Paul Dempsey, Angie McMahon, Didirri, Olympia and Gengahr (UK).
Merpire’s captivating and predominantly female band has landed her a slew of Australian festivals (A festival called PANAMA, Brunswick Music Fest and featuring with Rat!hammock at Laneway) with their live show flowing between intimate pop ballads and fully immersive alt-indie heart-shakers
With three national tours cancelled due to the pandemic, Merpire continues her ever-present resilience. 2020 instead saw Merpire co-founding the online streaming festival ISOL-AID, writing and releasing a prom-themed EP as new band Wilson’s Prom with her producer and band mate James Seymour as well as finalising her debut album ‘Simulation Ride’, which has just been signed to ADA Records. The album was completely co-produced and mixed alongside James Seymour whilst living out the theme within the album - looking for positivity in anxiety. Merpire continues on her enchanting upward trajectory while her eagerly awaiting fans can expect new music in early 2021.
Review
Merpire has been responsible for a couple of my absolute favourite songs of the past two years, so I'm glad she's back to nab the three-peat. As usual, my heart feels more full after hearing this. Can't wait for the album.
Merpire has been responsible for a couple of my absolute favourite songs of the past two years, so I'm glad she's back to nab the three-peat. As usual, my heart feels more full after hearing this. Can't wait for the album.
Review
How have I not reviewed this one yet? It's been on repeat in my head since Merpire dropped it. Burning, yearning songwriting and playing that comes apart at the seams from all the internal push and pull.
How have I not reviewed this one yet? It's been on repeat in my head since Merpire dropped it. Burning, yearning songwriting and playing that comes apart at the seams from all the internal push and pull.
Review
That imagery at the start is really powerful. Great metaphors, great songwriting.
That imagery at the start is really powerful. Great metaphors, great songwriting.