Q&A: mer marcum on the Emotional Catharsis of Her Newest Offering “stay away!”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
MER MARCUM IS DONE PLAYING IS SAFE - After establishing herself in the Brooklyn indie scene with an "alt-folk" sensitivity and a DIY heart, the Waco-born artist and producer is turning up the volume. Her latest single, “stay away!,” serves as a jagged, indie-rock "north star" for her upcoming debut EP, You Never Did Anything Wrong, a project rooted in the radical act of giving yourself permission to be a work in progress.
The EP’s title was inspired by a haunting epitaph on a pet’s grave in a Nan Goldin photograph, a sentiment that marcum has transformed into a seven-track exploration of childhood wounds, toxic dynamics, and the eventual "sigh of relief" that comes with forgiveness. Whether she’s dissecting a parasitic relationship with metaphors of ants and honey or self-producing tracks in the wake of her Berklee NYC training, marcum’s music feels like a private conversation whispered over a wall of distorted guitars.
As she prepares to take the stage at Mercury Lounge and head toward a busy SXSW season, mer marcum chatted with us to discuss the freedom of getting loud, the irony of her EP title and the manifestations she’s chasing this spring.
LUNA: “stay away!” captures the push and pull of a parasitic relationship. When did you first recognize that this dynamic wasn’t sustainable?
MER MARCUM: Well, I wrote this song almost 4 years ago about a situation happening then, so I’ve had a lot of time to reflect and let hindsight talk.
LUNA: You describe the relationship as “sweet and sticky, attracting ants.” How do you land on metaphors that feel so specific yet universal?
MER MARCUM: It’s one of the many fun challenges of being an artist: getting to come up with creative ways to name familiar emotions. These metaphors come out of writing and consuming other people’s writing constantly.
LUNA: This EP marks a shift from your folk-rooted singer-songwriter sound into something more indie-rock and forceful. What gave you permission to get louder?
MER MARCUM: The permission came from the freedom that assurance in myself and my artistry brought. When you know who you are and what you’re all about you can make whatever you want and it’ll align with the overall vision!
LUNA: Did the sonic evolution happen naturally, or was it a conscious break from your past work?
MER MARCUM: “stay away!” is actually “older” than any other song I have out in terms of when I wrote and recorded it. But I felt that this song was special and belonged to a body of intentional work rather than just a one-off single. So, in a lot of ways this song became a north star for the rest of the EP, being an inspiration for the loud + soft dynamic interplay and the instrumentation and production approach.
LUNA: The EP title, You Never Did Anything Wrong, feels layered, maybe even ironic. Who is that phrase really for?
MER MARCUM: It’s really for me and for anyone else who is hard on themselves for being imperfect and carries childhood wounds with them. The title is based on the epitaph on the grave of a pet cemetery where Nan Goldin’s cat, Milky, is buried. I see myself in her.
LUNA: You’re stepping onto bigger stages like Mercury Lounge, SXSW, and sold-out NYC shows. How does performing these more emotionally raw songs live change their meaning for you?
MER MARCUM: Honestly, when I’m performing I’m not always thinking about the meaning of the song I’m singing. I’m thinking about putting on a good show and feeling the energy of the audience. Empath! Except for sometimes when I do really start thinking about what I’m saying and it’s super extremely emotionally charged—those moments feel out of body and special, albeit uncommon.
LUNA: If listeners take one feeling or realization away from this EP, what do you hope it is?
MER MARCUM: Plow around the stump! <3
LUNA: What intentions do you have for this upcoming spring season?
MER MARCUM: My manifestations:
Play live as much as possible (tour perhaps?)
Start recording my next project
Get rid of all my possessions
Be proud of myself for all the work I’ve done
