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In The Spotlight // MERCI

‘In The Spotlight’ offers the chance to get to know the acts we are most excited for in 2021.

Merci

You’ve heard about some of the artists that we’re most excited for this year. Now, get ready to hear from the artists themselves as we shine a spotlight on their personality, the year just past, and their most anticipated musical artists.

This week, we catch up with Merci. The D.C.-based alt quintet comprises of Seth Coggeshall, Nick Jones, Colby Witko, Justin Mason, and Jack Dunigan, and in their time in the industry they’ve only released five singles; each, though, has been just as good as the last. The band have just released their debut EP, Subtle Fiction I, which forms as a narration of both the highs and lows in life. The EP features the self-reflective, optimistic hit Never Coming Back, which was written in the motif of realising what you truly want and strive for; their newest track City Haircut has also caught the attention of listeners. The single is “a song about those nights when you’ve had and said too much,” shared the band, and it is accompanied by a creative, psychedelia-esque music video that almost reflects the jumbled thoughts. Within Subtle Fiction I, there’s a little something for everyone as it features both energetic and mellow melodies, highlighting Merci’s range and showcasing their utter brilliance. Merci have used creative yet blunt lyricism, and they’ve combined this with instrumentals that you don’t define a genre: they’re as upbeat as we see in The 1975’s music, but they’ve got an edge that every alt/pop-punk band, ever, use. It’s creative, it stands out, and it makes you feel good, providing a little bit of self-reflection.

Following the release of the EP, we wanted to get inside the band’s heads to learn a bit more about their thought processes, and we’ve managed to fall even more in love with them…

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

Fresh inspiration: whether it be life events or new music that makes you want to push yourself.

Are there any behind-the-scenes stories of recording your Subtle Fiction I EP that you can share with us?

While Seth was tracking vocals, he had photos of Sia, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey taped up in the vocal booth for inspiration.

How would you describe the project to someone at a dinner party that’s never heard of you?

If My Chemical Romance, Lana Del Rey, and Haim were DJing a party.

What advice would you give to your pre-lockdown self?

Find a hobby.

How would you sum up your 2020 in one sentence?

Good and bad, all for the same reason.

Name one thing you can’t imagine your life without.

Music.

What is the most useless talent you have?

Music.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2021?

To get in front of live audiences again.

Which artists excite you the most this year?

Dominic Fike.

And finally, what does your music say about you?

We’d run in a fist fight.