Interview with Merpire on her latest album “Milk Pool,” writing provocative songs, and her guilty pleasure of listening to “chin music”
Merpire has unveiled her latest album, Milk Pool, against the backdrop of the verdant Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, a location she chose for the album’s release due to its aura of potential. Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt, known as Merpire, is a prominent figure in Melbourne/Naarm’s music scene, having co-founded the streaming event ISOL-AID during the pandemic and previously being part of the indie-pop duo Wilson’s Prom. She is widely recognized as a local support act for touring artists.
With a keen sense of humor that seeps into her music, Merpire’s songs strike a balance between playful and mature, resonating with listeners on a relatable level. Milk Pool, her sophomore album following the well-received Simulation Ride from 2021, showcases her signature indie-rock style characterized by catchy melodies that evoke emotion and comfort.
Explaining the album’s title, Milk Pool, Merpire reveals that it reflects both the serious and humorous aspects of her music. Drawing on a funny anecdote from The Simpsons, she likens herself to “Milpool” to counterbalance her serious approach to music with levity. Metaphorically, Milk Pool represents wading into the unknown, akin to a pool of milk, where one cannot see where they step but must trust in finding inspiration.
Describing her new album as a garden, Merpire envisions a mix of sunflowers symbolizing happiness and openness, alongside dark-petalled flowers like roses, reflecting different emotional tones in the music. Drawing from her experience of releasing her debut album, Merpire has learned to be kinder to herself in the various stages of the album-making process, from writing and recording to promoting and performing.
Reflecting on her favorite second albums, Merpire cites The Shins’ Chutes Too Narrow as a standout example. She also delves into the process of self-directing music videos for the new album, relishing the creative freedom it affords despite budget constraints. In songs like ‘Premonition’ and ‘Bigger,’ Merpire explores themes of desire and passion, noting that writing about early crushes and romantic thrills came naturally to her.
Sharing her guilty pleasure in music, Merpire introduces the concept of “chin music,” referring to songs that evoke a particular physical reaction involving moving one’s chin to sing along, exemplified by bands like Live, Pearl Jam, and Creed. In her music, Merpire effortlessly navigates between light-heartedness and depth, capturing the essence of youthful infatuation and emotional complexity through her lyrics and melodies.