While Natalie Merchant is regarded as one of the defining voices of the 90s singer-songwriter scene, her career has never remained fixed in one specific era. Like all true artists, Merchant has followed her voice and muse wherever it takes her. For Merchant, this has meant fronting the band 10,000 Maniacs, going solo, and ultimately becoming an activist for the arts.
Natalie Merchant was born in 1963 to an Italian American family. Musicianship was seemingly in her family line: Her paternal grandfather enjoyed playing string instruments such as the accordion, mandolin, and guitar. It was this same grandfather who chose to immigrate to the United States from Sicily. His family name was Mercante before it was changed to Merchant upon arriving in America.
As a child, Merchant loved listening to music. Her mother was a supporter of the symphony, so she grew up on classical music. However, she didn’t originally plan to become a musician herself. Then, she began singing for a band called Still Life. The group would go on to become 10,000 Maniacs— an alternative rock band that helped usher in the 90s rock sound.
Merchant’s first solo album was released in 1995. The record, called Tigerlily, was a departure from 10,000 Maniac’s alternative rock sound. It yielded hits such as “Carnival,” “Wonder,” and “Jealousy.” By 2001, the album had gone two-time platinum. After the release of Tigerlily, Merchant went on to record eight more solo records. Her most recent album, Keep Your Courage, was released earlier this year after a nine-year recording gap.
While Merchant helped hone the 90s singer-songwriter and alternative-rock movements, her legacy has traveled far beyond this space. Not only has Merchant influenced the following generations’ sound through her work as a musician, but she has also had a tremendous impact on how the arts are made accessible to the wider public through her career as an activist.
Merchant has been a dedicated activist for decades. In 2007, she was appointed to serve a five-year term on the New York State Council on the Arts. Later, she served as the Artist-in-Residence of the Head Start Program in Troy, New York. During that time, she created an immersive arts curriculum for preschoolers. Today, Merchant is in the midst of serving a six-year term on the board of trustees for The American Folklife Center at The Library of Congress.
At fifty-nine years old, Merchant’s legacy is still very much in the making. Through the music she creates and the passion she brings to social causes, Merchant continues to work to create a world in which creative expression is thriving— and accessible to all people.
Natalli Marie Amato
Natalli Amato is a music and lifestyle journalist from Sackets Harbor, New York. Her bylines include Rolling Stone, Vice, and The Boot. She is also the author of several collections of poetry.