Q&A: Merci, Mercy’s New EP ‘Like An Orchid’ Blossoms With New Single
SYDNEY-BASED ALT-POP STAR — Merci, Mercy dazzles folks across oceans. Her last three singles have been on a loop stuck in our heads, leaving us buzzing for the release of her newest EP, Like An Orchid. Her personality shines through everything she touches, from Instagram interviews to her entrancing eye-catching music videos.
In all her music, Merci, Mercy tackles the topics that live in and outside of our head. Her style is effervescent and joyful, contrasted with serious subject matter. In her music, Merci, Mercy addresses the struggles of life in all aspects, from the complications of relationships to the difficulties of anxiety, with graceful lyricism.
In 2024, Merci, Mercy will set out to headline shows across Australia. The rooms will be sure to sing along to her newest single, “Silver Lining,” with its enjoyably catching melody. The artist has just teased the internet with an acoustic version of the single, and we can’t decide which one we love more.
Merci, Mercy’s personality bubbled through the screen when we chatted with her to discuss the upcoming release. Read the interview below.
LUNA: Congrats on your newest releases and announcement of your third EP, Like An Orchid. What was your process for choosing the single release order?
MERCY: Well, actually, “Silver Lining” wasn't gonna be on the EP at all. I wrote it, like, three or four months ago, not even. And then it was what I wanted for the album. But then everyone loved it so much that it made the EP. The others were written last year and too cool to not release any sooner. The second single … I just loved that song so much, because it's called “Lonely and Horny.” And I thought that'd be really funny. Everyone's always like, “Oh, it must be sexy.” It's not — it's really not.
LUNA: Yes, that song falls into the category of misleading girlboss song titles and is actually an inside look at the sorrows of womanhood. Do you have a favorite of the three?
MERCY: Obviously, “Silver Lining.” Just because, I mean, it speaks for itself. It's incredible.
LUNA: Do you have a favorite line from that latest single, “Silver Lining”?
MERCY: Probably the first one: “I scratch my nose and my eyes go wide.” When I wrote it I was like, “Oh my god, I'm so talented.” And it felt so good. I was like, “Yes!”
LUNA: What is your songwriting process now, and how has it developed over the last three EPs?
MERCY: I feel like a lot has changed… Over time people start to give their opinion more frequently, which can sometimes lead to self-doubt, so…
LUNA: You mention that “Silver Lining” is reflective of your experience coping with social anxiety. Do most of your songs come from personal experiences, or is anything hypothetical or fantasy-based?
MERCY: Yeah, most of the time [they come] from my own experience. I think one time I wrote a song called “Something You Like” … about people in my life who have been put down by men in relationships, and where they felt like they couldn't get out of an abusive relationship with stuff like that. That's the only time I've written from other people’s perspective.
LUNA: “Silver Lining” was created with collaborators — what is the difference between writing alone versus intentional collabs?
MERCY: It really depends on what kind of mood I'm in. If I'm really anxious and feel like I'm not going to be able to write anything, I like to have at least a line prepared so that I'm not just sitting on a couch [without] anything. I think I prefer when it's just me and the producer in the studio, then he can sometimes help with melodies or like [give] me a line or … a word that will give me what I'm missing. Because [there’s] another person there.
LUNA: What was the inspiration for the upcoming EP?
MERCY: There was a concept at one point in time, okay. I made a PowerPoint about it. Yeah, lovely. I think that just goes out the window when there are so many hands involved. it's about being mentally ill and in a relationship — that's it.
LUNA: I think a lot of people can relate to that. And a lot of people have a hard time putting their experiences into words. It's almost like martyrdom for these artists to be like, “Don't worry, I got it. Let me write it for you.” You artists sometimes need a break. Someone needs to write something for you. So thank you for your service.
MERCY: Anytime.
LUNA: The lyric video is reminiscent of The Powerpuff Girls — was this intentional?
MERCY: Well, because I have a new logo — my boyfriend did a rough draft of it. And then somebody at the label who does graphic design did a proper draft, and then it accidentally looked like The Powerpuff Girls.
But then it works out because I feel like I'm just naturally such a cute person. I've always been just cute. I feel like as soon as you draw me in a cute style [I’m] automatically like a Powerpuff Girl.
LUNA: Were there any other particular external media forms that provided inspiration for this EP?
MERCY: I watch a lot of movies but I've been into anime a lot. So maybe that has secretly inspired it subconsciously.
LUNA: If you had to pick a movie, since you've seen so many, that would be a good pairing with the EP, would you be able to pick one?
MERCY: Oh my god. Yeah, actually. Howl’s Moving Castle.
LUNA: What do you visualize when you write songs and make music?
MERCY: I really just think in words, mainly, not visualizations, when songwriting.
LUNA: What does that brainstorming session look like?
MERCY: Normally I really struggle with that, because my brain can feel so fried from being mentally ill that it’s hard to start that creative process. But most of the time, my ideas come when I've had a few glasses of wine and I've listened to the song about 15 times in a row. And that– You know… something will come.
LUNA: You’ll be playing some gigs later this year, and this January you're set to headline some shows. Which song are you most excited to play live?
MERCY: Well, I'm excited to play “If You Had Any Friends” when that comes out. I’m excited to play that because I feel like it's gonna be so good. It's gonna hit so hard.
LUNA: Last time you spoke with Luna in 2021 you said, “Merci, Mercy is somebody who will push the barriers of talking about mental health and … will make you have a good time while listening to her.” Would this still describe you as an artist?
MERCY: Well, the person who wrote that sounds very smart. I think I would still say the same, that it’s still all about mental health and I’m still working on figuring it out.
LUNA: What do you hope to accomplish in 2024 as an artist?
MERCY: Probably happiness, I reckon. Joy. And playing more shows.
LUNA: Do you have a goal venue or show location?
MERCY: I probably have to say San Francisco because my two brothers lived there.
LUNA: That’d be awesome — we hope to catch you when you come!
