Artist Spotlight
mer marcum

New York has a special way of pulling people towards a version of themselves they were due to become. For mer marcum, her move from Texas to New York was the beginning of an artistic identity, rather than simply a change of address. Drawing on the unhurried nature of her native Waco, TX and the restless but collaborative and supportive energy of Brooklyn’s DIY scene, she began making alt-folk music with indie rock leanings that rewards close listening. Detailed, intimate, and crafted from her own bedroom studio.

Her newly-released EP You Never Did Anything Wrong is written from the other side of change, taking it’s time to figure out how it feels, then saying it with precision and confidence. In the interview to follow, we chat with Mer about self-producing, the surprisingly supportive world of Brooklyn’s indie scene and the art of pulling back when you're a self-confessed maximalist. Pop on her music and read on.

For someone discovering your music for the first time, how would you best describe it?

Like alt-folk, with some indie rock leanings.

You grew up in Texas and later made the move to Brooklyn, the two places having very different energy and pace. What changed for you creatively once you landed in New York, and do you feel parts of Texas still show up in your music today?

I wasn't really doing the indie musician thing when I was in Texas, I didn't really even know that was an option. So, my project was born in New York thus has been heavily influenced by my time here. But I can't help but write and reflect about my time in Texas, so, yeah, naturally, it's part of my art.

You self-produce much of your music, which isn’t always the easiest path. What made you decide to take that route rather than hand things off to another producer?

Maybe I'm a control freak idk. I like to demo things out by myself and then bring them to other people who are way better than me. I think it makes things more fun for all of us. I love to produce & I love to collaborate! I think everyone should know how to produce, or at least have the language.

A lot of your music feels intimate and detailed, rewarded with close listening. When you’re building a track, do you think about how it will sound through headphones versus speakers?

I mean little moments are so important in my productions, so I guess I’d prefer them to be listened to in headphones. I like how you word it, “rewarded with close listening,” that is awesome. Also, I am a public transit warrior, so I am always only listening to music in headphones.

You’ve built much of your sound from your own bedroom studio. What’s one piece of gear or instrument that has become essential to your process? Is there something you’d struggle to make music without?

I love my Chroma Console from Hologram Electronics…what can’t she do?

Brooklyn has such a dense creative scene. What’s something about the New York music world that surprised you once you became part of it?

Something that continues to surprise and thrill me is how supportive everyone is. There is such a “there’s room enough for all of us” mindset here that makes it feel like a real collective. There is a real DIY ethos and spirit that sets it apart from other music scenes.