By Alissa Arunarsirakul // November 4, 2020
merci, mercy made a ginormous splash with her enrapturing debut earlier this year, and we can safely say she’s made 2020 much more bearable. Although the Australian newcomer is only 19 years old, she’s mastered an infectious alternative pop soundscape that will never grow old. Exploring themes of cynicism and growing pains, merci, mercy is more than pleased to present her debut EP, no thank you, no thanks.
On no thank you, no thanks, merci, mercy reflected,
“It was quite a therapeutic process for me to write these songs and I hope they might connect with people who have been through similar experiences.”
To celebrate the release of her new music, we recently chatted with merci, mercy about loneliness, living abroad, and of course, no thank you, no thanks.
HH: You may only be 19 years old, but your music has resonated with people across the entire world. How does it feel to know that you have listeners in so many countries?
MM: It is so crazy because I was so worried at first that no one would like what I was singing about or even get it. So many people have been so nice about my music though and have told me stories of how it has gotten them through rough times during this pandemic. That was my only wish… to help people through my music. It makes me feel so special.
HH: no thank you, no thanks is easily one of the best debut EPs we’ve heard yet. Can you describe the creative process behind this project?
MM: I just wrote songs about how I was feeling at the time as an 18-year-old who just moved to Sydney. I had no friends so I was super lonely and unable to connect to people other than my family. That’s when I relied on alcohol to give me the confidence to go out and talk to people but instead it made me worse. It’s a story of all the relationships between me, myself and I, my mental health, alcohol, and others.
HH: From “Tequila & Lemonade” to “The Very Very End,” no thank you, no thanks takes us on a sonic journey through your beautifully magnificent mind. What was it like for you to open up to your listeners with this EP?
MM: It was extremely easy for me to open up as my sister has always made me feel like there is nothing wrong with telling everyone how you feel. Without my sister, I would have gone crazy. In reality, it should not be crazy to open up to your friends and your family about how you are feeling. My goal is to make people feel okay to open up about their problems and also for people to be open to listen about their loved ones’ problems.
HH: We’ve been absolutely loving the lyric videos you’ve been releasing. What’s it like working with Bianca Bosso on the creative direction?
MM: Bianca Bosso is absolutely amazing. I don’t know how she did it, but she did it. She somehow knew me inside out without even meeting me. Everything she had done has left me in awe. She made me feel beautiful, which has always been something I have struggled with. I love her and her work, and I always will.
HH: You’ve dyed your hair quite a few times, but which color would you say most suits you?
MM: I actually have no idea but maybe I would say a light purple. My mind changes all the time. The reason I change my hair so often is because I need change often or my mind feels like it could explode. I cannot explain it, but I wish I could.
HH: What are some of your favorite memories from living abroad in Asia?
MM: I loved living abroad in Asia because I felt so independent. I would take the subway to school and from school to home and it was so easy. Most people were extremely friendly even without me speaking Mandarin or people speaking English. My favorite place to visit was the Maccas near my complex because every time I came in they knew to get the menu out and it was always such a good time.
HH: If you could collaborate with anyone in the music industry, who would you pick?
MM: I would love to collaborate with Flume, because I have loved him for so long and he was my first vinyl purchase.
HH: What are your three hidden hits?
MM: I’m into two Australian artists at the moment: May-A and Genesis Owusu.
The Hidden Hits 