6th November 2023
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Merciful Sound is an independent student-led label operating within the music department of the University of Liverpool. Every part of the label is run by students, from artist management to the acts signed on to the label itself.
Each year Merciful Sounds signs two artists, for 2024/25 this is Fire Exit, an all-girl alternative rock band and Maria a new acoustic folk artist. Merciful Sound invited me down to their first artist showcase of the year to have a chat with both acts about signing on to the label and their future plans.
Merciful Sound are running an open mic on the 24th of January, head over to their Instagram for more information! Click here!
What does having this deal with Merciful Sound mean to you?
For me, it’s definitely the push that I needed. I feel like it can be quite hard as an acoustic singer-songwriter to find the right venues. The venues obviously are there, but it’s about the right promotion and the right size all kinds of stuff.
I think it’s just helpful for everything really, the social media aspect and promotion I’ve struggled with by myself. It’s such a big part of being a musician now, but it’s very intimidating to put yourself out there. So it’s really good to have that support. Especially with a whole team of people behind you.
It really does mean a lot to me and for me, it’s made this year look completely different to how I thought it would.
What are you most looking forward to doing while working with Merciful Sound?
Probably releasing music because I haven’t released anything yet. It’s been great getting in the studio and again just having that team around me. It’s just really exciting, and I’ve got an EP coming out in May.
How important is it to have this support coming from inside the uni rather than an outside influence?
It’s really important because it’s people your age, and it’s about building those connections. Everyone’s a musician, so it’s different from having external people who may not understand it in the same way. There are always people around who get your music, and you feel like they are really listening.
Ok, so Letterboxd style top 4 but with albums, so top four albums of all time.
Okay, I need to think about that! Definitely, Carole King’s Tapestry and then Blue by Joni Mitchell, I just think is the best. Then probably I speak because I can by Laura Marling she’s got so so many albums, but she was like my age when she released it which is insane.
Honestly, I don’t think I have a fourth, just those three! They’re all incredible, and they are definitely the first ones that come to mind.
So I that you’ve probably just listed a few of your influences but who are your biggest influences on songwriting and you on stage? I know you said Joni Mitchell during your set!
Yes, definitely she’s the big one and Laura Marling as well. I guess for me the folk-rock of the late 60s when bands started to get more electric instruments in and had more of a hybrid blend. So Fairport Convention and Pentangle were just very revolutionary in their approach.
A lot of contemporary folk as well, but most of that is rooted in the older stuff as well.
You have answered this a bit already! Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you’re really excited about?
Yeah, so the EP is the biggest one! The first single is going to be called My Mother’s Daughter, which is hopefully coming out in the very near future. That’s the big one, but also through Merciful Sound, some more gigs and stuff like that.
I have a silly last question, but I do ask everyone, so if you could have anyone come to a gig dead or alive who would it be? You can have as much time as you need to think about this one!
Hmmm, that’s a really hard one! I don’t think I’d want a big musical inspiration there, in all honesty. This is a bit boring, but I think one of my old guitar teachers. I hope they would be proud, and I would love for them to see me now.
What does having this deal with Merciful Sound mean to you?
Izzie – I think it’s made us feel more confident in ourselves as a band. We were doing it for fun, and the fact that other people think we could be something has inspired us a lot. I think we’re taking it a lot more seriously! It’s also made us more confident in our songwriting and performing.
Sophie – It’s also made us more confident about recording stuff and finances. We can pretty much do what we like to just play music and express ourselves. We can record it and release it when we want which is great.
Chloe – It’s nice as well because it’s obviously an all-girl band, it’s good to get female-led music out there. It’s a big step that Merciful Sound is signing all-girl groups.
What are you most looking forward to doing while working with Merciful Sound?
Molly – The EP is the big thing!
All the band agree.
Izzie — Also music videos that’s so cool, I’m really excited about that!
How important is it to have this support coming from inside the uni rather than an outside influence?
Chloe – I guess it’s really important because it’s people who have known our music since the start. They’ve seen what Fire Exit where and how far we’ve come. I feel like they can appreciate and understand our music a lot more.
Sophie – It’s also nice to work with people our own age, it doesn’t feel patronising or anything. I feel like it can be sometimes with other people.
Ok, so Letterboxd style top 4 but with albums, so top four albums of all time. You guys can each give an album or each pick four, I don’t mind.
Molly – I’m definitely saying Visions of a Life by Wolf Alice. (Everyone in the band says they were going to pick that.)
Chloe – The Wet Leg album what’s it called?
The whole band – It’s just called Wet Leg!
Izzie — Maybe The Record by Boygenius I don’t know if everyone agrees!
Sophie – No I’d definitely say it is!
Molly — I think something Amyl and the Sniffers. Maybe Comfort to Me by Amyl and the Sniffers.
You have answered this a bit already! Do you have any projects or shows coming up that you’re really excited about? You can say the EP!
Whole Band — Definitely the EP!
Chloe — We’ve got a gig in London, which I’m really excited about.
Izzie — It’s our first gig in London, and we’re putting it on ourselves rather than through a promoter!
I have a silly last question, but I do ask everyone, so if you could have anyone come to a gig dead or alive, who would it be? You can have as much time as you need to think about this one!
Chloe — Ellie from Wolf Alice
Izzie — I would say for myself Willow Smith because I’m obsessed!
Chloe — It would be pretty cool if Van McCann from Catfish came to a Fire Exit show!
Sophie — My parents!
Molly — Actually, if Simon Stafford came to one of our gigs that would be the ultimate win.
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Header Image credit: Harvey Bolton
