Summary Profile
Sue Merchant is an English indie singer-songwriter known for her sincere crafting of songs, and her unguarded vocal delivery which communicates a directness that resonates with both intimacy and candour. Her songs are inspired by real people and events and she consequently approaches her acoustic orientated music as personal, heartfelt expression.
Primary Genre: Singer-Songwriter.
Secondary Genres: Folk, New Folk, Country, Americana, Acoustic.
Style: An emotionally charged and thought provoking blend of original songs, influenced by personal experience.
Industry Awards include:
1st Place Honours: UKSC BRIT Trust International Songwriting Contest.
1st Place Honours: LGB Pride in the Arts Awards.
Billboard Honours List.
Accreditation by the World Music Foundation for Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting.
"Although her music definitely falls into the folk category, singer songwriter, Sue Merchant more closely recalls the after-dark broodiness of indie goddess, Nico than her reported influences of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez.
Like Nico, Merchant takes you on a sombre journey, one that is coloured by the spectre of death and romantic loss. It's not easy listening to music this raw and emotional. When Merchant sings "A photograph of you hung in my dreams" on 'Virginia in the Fall', you can feel the slow beat of a longing heart.
Merchant is a poet, but not just with her words. Her singing itself, weaves its own black magic and you are compelled to listen to her words. Her guitar playing, sparse and intimate, paints vivid images. On the title track, Merchant haunts the ears with both her lyrics of regret and her downbeat, melancholic voice.
Without any false sentimentalism or cliched lyrics, Merchant makes us weep. As with the best Leonard Cohen records, it's the type of song that you listen to with the curtains closed. There's a saturation of singer songwriters these days, especially here in the UK, but Merchant easily separates herself from the pack with genuine talent and sincere artistry.
Our Rating: 9/10"
Adam Harrington/Whisperin & Hollerin
Reflections from the Edge - 16 Original Songs. Genres: Folk, New Folk, Country, Americana, Acoustic
Fool
Water over Stone
To the Lighthouse
The Harbour
Virtually Unreal
From 'Too Late'
Virginia in the Fall
I can feel
Suzanne, I can't
Hey Drew
Vignette from the Edge
Sarah, sing me the Blues
Breaking Icicles
Stage Plays
The Game
In Africa
