Sue Merchant is an award-winning English grassroots 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 style of songwriting emphasises storytelling, melody and vocal intimacy, characterised by an understated guitar style and a melancholic, introspective vocal delivery.  

Sue's work is recognised for its emotional depth and poetic lyrics tackling raw, intense, and emotive subjects including love, loss, regret, and other real-life struggles, as well as social issues such as war, addiction, and domestic violence.  Her Discography, Reflections from the Edge is a thought-provoking Compilation Album and Prequel EP Collection comprising 21 original songs, inspired and influenced by 'personal experiences and observations' reminiscent of the 1960's and 70's  folk music revival era Sue grew up in.

Accolades include:  *  Winner in the prestigous 2006 UKSC International Songwriting Contest.  Song: Fool - Folk & Country Genre. 
*  Honorable Mention in the 2006 Billboard World Song Contest.  Song: Fool.
*  Finalist in the 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest.  Song: Suzanne, I can't - Folk & Country Genre.

Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Country, Americana, Acoustic.
Label: Indie/Independent  PRS: CAE/IPI 593311353. 
 
Location: Somerset, South West UK.
Favourite Artists: Leonard Cohen & Joni Mitchell.

Current Status: Sue has since retired from the music scene/industry and has moved on to new creative chapters.  From the first note to the final verse, the journey has been a challenging, rewarding and unforgettable one.  She is grateful to all those who have supported her along the way and to everyone who continues to listen to and share her songs. 

Sue's legacy, Reflections from the Edge, represents her completed body of work and remains available for streaming and downloading on Apple Music  

Reflections from the Edge
16 Track Compilation Album.
Running Time: 57 minutes

1. Fool: 3.10
2. Water over Stone: 2.50
3. To the Lighthouse: 3.21
4. The Harbour: 3.21
5. Virtually Unreal: 3.31
6. From 'Too Late': 4.52
7. Virginia in the Fall: 3.29
8. I can feel: 3.42
9. Suzanne, I can't: 4.14
10. Hey Drew: 4.24
11. Vignette from the Edge: 3.26
12: Sarah, sing me the Blues: 4.08
13. Breaking Icicles: 3.25
14. Stage Plays: 2.56
15. The Game: 3.11
16. In Africa: 3.05



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"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 
 

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* Winner: 2006 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk & Country Genre.  * Honorable Mention: 2006 Billboard World Song Contest.

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*  Semi Finalist: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter & Acoustic Folk Genres.  

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* Highly Commended: 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk/Country Genre.  

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*  Semi Finalist: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre.  

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* Semi Finalist: 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk/Country Genre.  

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* Semi Finalist: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer Songwriter Genre.  

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* Semi Finalist: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre.  

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* Highly Commended: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre.

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* Finalist: 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk/Country Genre.

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* Highly Commended: 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk/Country Genre.  

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* Semi Finalist: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest.  Singer-Songwriter Genre.  

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* Highly Commended: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest. - Singer-Songwriter Genre.

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* Highly Commended: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest. - Singer-Songwriter Genre.

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* Highly Commended: 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk/Country Genre 

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* Semi Finalist: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest.  Singer-Songwriter Genre.

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* Highly Commended: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Acoustic Folk Genre.  

Reflections from the Edge - Prequel
5 Track EP. Running Time: 24 Minutes

1. Those who Lose: 4.10
2. Playtime in the City: 4.56
3. The Homecoming: 4.18
4. J'Attends: 3.49
5. Witness: 7.15



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* Semi Finalist: 2007 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Folk/Country Genre.  

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* Commended Entry: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre. 

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* Commended Entry: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre. 

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* Commended Entry: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre. 

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* Commended Entry: 2025 UKSC International Songwriting Contest - Singer-Songwriter Genre. 

Sue is Proud to Support  

Throughout India, animals including dogs, cows, cats and donkeys live on the streets. Most cities don't have hospitals for owner-less animals, which means injured or ill animals often die from treatable conditions. But in Udaipur, a call to Animal Aid Unlimited (AAU) helpline saves a life!



Animal Aid Unlimited is a leading street animal rescue centre in India. Their hospital and sanctuary are home to more than 4,500 rescued and recovering animals each year and is a globally recognised charitable organisation. While its physical rescue operations are focused on Udaipur, Rajasthan, it has gained international attention and support through its viral You Tube Channel and Social Media presence, which document its compassion driven animal rescue and educational endeavours and has inspired the Udaipur community to care for the lives of all animals - A message which has resonated with millions of people worldwide.

Check out AAU's awe-inspiring  Unlimited Unleashed  campaign and please consider making a Donation Thank you.

 

© 2026. Lyrics & Melodies by Sue Merchant. Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar.  Hon. Member: Guild of International Songwriters & Composers.   Hon Dip Mus: World Music Foundation. 
Label: Indie/Independent.  Performing Rights Society ID: CAE/IPI 593311353.  All site content copyright protected.  All Rights Reserved. 

UKSC International Song Contest  In Association with BRIT Trust, Guild of International Songwriters & Composers, Music Aid International, World Music Foundation, The Commonwealth Song Contest, British Songwriter Awards.

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