Episode 255: Natalie Merchant
“Sister Tilly” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) LISTEN: APPLE · SPOTIFY · AMAZON· OTHER APPS Natalie Merchant is an award-winning singer and songwriter from upstate New York. She was the lead singer of the band 10,000 Maniacs until she left in 1993. And then, as a solo artist, […] The post Episode 255: Natalie Merchant appeared first on Song Exploder.
Natalie Merchant is an award-winning singer and songwriter from upstate New York. She was the lead singer of the band 10,000 Maniacs until she left in 1993. And then, as a solo artist, she’s put out nine albums over the last 30 years. Between 10,000 Maniacs and her solo work, she’s had multiple multi-platinum records.
In April 2023, Natalie put out her first album of new songs in nine years. It’s called Keep Your Courage. And for this episode, she talked to me about the song “Sister Tilly.” It’s a eulogy for a fictional character – a woman who represents the generation of women who influenced her. Women who were activists in the 1960s and 70s, when she was growing up.
You can buy or stream “Sister Tilly” here.
Illustration by Carlos Lerma.
For a transcript of this episode, click here.
footnotes:
“Waterloo Sunset” – The Kinks song
Sally Grossman
Bob Dylan
Gabriel Kahane – arranger
Led Zeppelin
Jimmy Page
Joan Didion
Alex Sopp – flute
Eleanor Norton – cello
Ravi Shankar
Sitar
Ashram
TanpuraThe post Episode 255: Natalie Merchant appeared first on Song Exploder.
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