Natalie Merchant

Natalie Merchant

Natalie Merchant is an American singer-songwriter from Jamestown, New York. Born in 1963, she is known for her distinctive voice and for lyrics that are often thoughtful in tone. Her work spans folk, folk pop, americana, chamber pop and pop.

10,000 Maniacs

Merchant begins her career at 17 with the folk-rock group 10,000 Maniacs, where she soon becomes the creative centre of the band. The group signs to Elektra in 1985 and builds its profile with albums including In My Tribe and Blind Man’s Zoo. Merchant announces her departure before the release of Our Time in Eden in 1992 and leaves after the band’s MTV Unplugged appearance in 1994.

Solo career

Her solo debut, Tigerlily, arrives in 1995 and becomes a major commercial success, with “Carnival” among its best-known songs. The album sells more than five million copies in the United States. Ophelia follows in 1998 and reaches platinum status; during this period she is also associated with the Lilith Fair tour. A live album appears in 1999, strengthening her solo reputation.

Merchant releases Motherland in 2001 and later starts her own label, putting out The House Carpenter’s Daughter in 2003, an album rooted in folk tradition. After a break, she issues two retrospective collections before Leave Your Sleep in 2010, a project based on children’s poetry. In 2014 she releases a self-titled album that returns her to a more mainstream sound.

Labels and wider work

Her releases are associated with Myth America and Indian Love Bride Music. Outside music, Merchant is active in social causes including animal rights and domestic violence.