Tift Merritt
May 17, 2010
Music fans of Chapel Hill, NC have heard the name Tift Merritt since 1999 or so, when the Houston native started making a name for herself in the alt-country scene there. She released her first album, "Bramble Rose," in 2002 and not long after her charm and talent spread like wildfire throughout the Southeast and then the rest of the country.
In 2004, Merritt returned with "Tambourine, Tambourine," on which she spread her musical wings a bit more by incorporating elements of soulful R&B, belt-it-out rock and country the way you wish it was still played on country radio stations.
After these two delightful roots-rock albums for Lost Highway, Merritt changed course a bit in her career. She relocated to New York. She has also signed with the newly revived Fantasy label and offers up a new batch of songs she wrote during an extended stay in Paris. That album 2008's "Another Country," established Merritt as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter who wasn't afraid to reveal her feelings about life and love.
Merritt now returns with "See You on the Moon." Produced by Grammy Award-winner Tucker Martine, the project took Merritt back to North Carolina to record the album at Overdub Lane Studio. It was a down-to-earth approach recorded to two-inch analog tape and with the musicians all playing together to create a warmth and intimacy that suits Merritt's new songs well. Those players - mostly her band -- include her husband Zeke Hutchins (drums), Jay Brown (bass, vocals), Scott McCall (guitars) and Greg Readling (keys). Also involved in the creative process were Eyvind Kang (violin & viola),
Steve Moore (keys, trombone), Greg Leisz (pedal steel, guitars) and My Morning Jacket's Jim James (backing vocals).
Merritt says the influences on this outing include, "my move to New York City; three band members losing grandmothers in three weeks; the purchase of a 1968 high strung guitar; a fascination with directness; a longing for greater openness in music and personal disposition; and a general boredom with any kind of angst."
Standouts on "See You on the Moon" include "Mixtape," "Engine to Turn," "Six More Days of Rain," "Feel of the World," "All the Reasons We Don't Have to Fight" and "Papercut."
Merritt and her band will be on tour all summer.
- 6/03 Jefferson Theatre, Charlottesville, VA
- 6/04 Visulite Theatre, Charlotte
- 6/05 North Carolina Museum Of Art, Raleigh,
- 6/07 Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis
- 6/08 Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh
- 6/11 WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, Albany, NY
- 6/12 Higher Ground, Burlington, VT
- 6/15 World Cafe Live, Philadelphia
- 6/16 Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
- 6/17 Hiro Ballroom New York
- 6/18 Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
- 6/19 Paradise Rock Club, Boston
- 6/22 Ashland Coffee & Tea, Ashland, VA
- 6/23 The Square Room, Knoxville, TN
- 6/24 The Mercy Lounge, Nashville
- 6/25 Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta
- 6/26 L. L. Bean Discovery Park, Freeport, ME
- 7/02 Performing Arts Center, Westhampton Beach, NY
- 7/16 The Pour House, Charleston, SC
- 7/17 Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre, Wilmington, NC
- 7/22 The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
- 7/24 Down Home, Johnson City, TN
- 7/25 Blue Cow Pavilion, Floyd, VA
- 7/28 TBA, Louisville, KY
- 7/29 The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI
- 7/30 Lincoln Hall, Chicago,
- 7/31 Shank Hall, Milwaukee
- 8/01 Fine Line Music Café, Minneapolis
- 8/13 Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons, CO
More dates to come. For more information, visit www.tiftmerritt.com.