P r  o  f  i  l  e


Sue Merchant is an English singer songwriter and musician. She is especially known for her sincere crafting of songs and her pure and unguarded vocal delivery, which communicates an elegance and directness that resonates with both intimacy and candour. Inspired by real people and actual events and impassioned in her most formative years by such icons as Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen; it’s perhaps no surprise that remnants of such powerful early influences are still reflected in Sue's songwriting today. 

Achieving recognition in the music industry in 2006 with her critically acclaimed and Award winning composition Fool ; industry credits include 1st Place Honours BRIT Trust International Song writing Contest 2006. Honours List recipient in Billboard's World Song writing Contest of 2006. 1st Place Honours Stonewall Society Pride in the Arts Award 2007 and formal Accreditation by the World Music Foundation for 'Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting'.

At her most proactive in the 80's, Sue withdrew from the music scene following a series of personal tragedies. The Artist's re-emergence in 2006 saw the authorised release of her master demo disc, Fool and the release of her first commercial album, Reflections from the Edge - Part 1 in 2009. 

The genre 'New Folk' refers to the music of folk artists who, partly inspired by Bob Dylan's, shift away from political songwriting, moved away from the activist, protester set and started writing about their own personal experiences.  'New Folk' encompasses those who approach their acoustic - orientated music as personal, heartfelt expression.

C  O  M  M  E  N  T  S  

"Deep, dark and so full of meaning!" Yorkshire, United Kingdom  -   "Haunting - Music like yours is why I listen to folk - you clearly spoke to my heart." Montana, USA  -  "Melancholy bliss - the imagery is wonderful."
Los Angeles, USA 

"My mind sheds a tear at the depth of this song." Middlesex, United Kingdom  -  "An original, provocative performer - a Great piece!" Czech Republic  -  "An instant classic - I was mesmerized by the track."  Ireland  - "Beautiful depth. I believe the voice and that's a gift."
Maryland, USA

"Such a beautiful song with a trancing quality - I wanted to stop it but I couldn't."  Wisconsin, USA "Gorgeous vocal - expressive and buttery smooth. Her articulation is wonderful and crisp allowing the listener to engage with the story. She is the one to tell it as she conveys the emotion beautifully."
Maine, USA

"You can feel her power and her pain and her raw emotion. I had to listen to this a second time, eyes closed just to feel the song fully - and I wept. It is absolutely beautiful."
Woodstock, Illinois, USA

"Wondrous Poetry - Flawless!" Hollywood, California, USA  -  "Since Joni Mitchell, there haven't been that many singer songwriters that got my attention the way Joni did until I got the chance to review this track!" Rotterdam, Netherlands

"You capture the hopelessness and sadness of the lyric while still finding warmth and sympathy as a balancing act against the dark thoughts - a moving song!" Germany  -  "This is song writing at a very high level and performed with the delicate touch of a refined artist."
Oranjestad, AW

"I believed everything she sang and felt it .. a wonderful performance." London, United Kingdom  -  "You are such a powerful presence; your performance is so honest."  Nashville, USA  -  "So much thought and intensity .. your lyrics are stunning." 
Cape Town, South Africa

"She breaks my heart; she conveys the story and the emotion of a whole life in a few words." Oklahoma, USA  -  "The restrained performance of a veteran .. the distinctive vocal made me listen to every word." 
Australia

"I haven't heard anyone this gracefully jaded since Marianne Faithfull sang 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan'... the first thing I did when it was over was play it again!" 
Ireland

"A powerful story combined with a precise performance and arrangement makes this a 'must hear!"
Grand Prairie, Texas, USA

"Super original .. anytime you can write a song that makes someone feel like it's a soundtrack to their life - you know you have done something really special." 
Vancouver, Canada  - "Deeply moving and delivered with utter sincerity." 
Illinois, USA

C u  r  r  e  n  t    R  e  l  e  a  s  e  s

17 January 2012
Playtime in the City (Re-Mix)
Gold Master Single/Digital Media Format


17th June 2011
Fool
(Includes Authentic Cello) EP
3 Track Gold Master/Digital Media Format


19th April 2010
Reflections from the Edge - Part 1
10 Track Deluxe Compact Disc
 

9th April 2009
Reflections from the Edge - Part 1
10 Track Gold Master/Digital Media Format


1st January 2006
Fool
10 Track Glass Mastered Demo Disc
(Out of Stock)

C  r   e   d   i   t   s

 Words & Music by Sue Merchant
Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar

Viv Lynham
Soprano Counter/Harmony Vocals

Chris Sampson
Cello

Nigel Smith
Piano/Keyboards

Mark Barnwell
Classical Guitar

Martin Selwood
Keyboards

Chris Foden
Elec'/Acoustic/Classical/Bass Guitar

Olly Winters Owen
Piano/Keyboards

Dawn Walters
Piano/Harmony Vocals

Danny Corrick
 Percussion  

P r   o     R   e   v   i   e   w   s

"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 clichéd 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, especially here in the UK but Merchant separates herself from the pack with genuine talent and sincere artistry. Our Rating: 9/10" 
Adam Harrington/Whisperin & Hollerin


"Merchant's original song composition demonstrates the talent and dedication it takes to write a 'Hit Song' " Billboard

"A sensitivity way beyond pop ear candy and pandering." Jeff Severson/CBS Records

"The title 'Fool' doesn't begin to capture the dimensions in this lyric. Merchant is clearly an excellent writer." Great American Song 

"An acoustic folk masterpiece from an artist who pulls no punches." Keith 'MuzikMan' Hannaleck

  "Beautiful and haunting melodies" Eaton Music Publishing

"Merchant has a voice that can grab hold of you and make you feel." Collected Sounds

  D I   S   C   O   G   R   A   P   H   Y

 2006 - 2012


Available In Digital Media Format

P l a y t i m e  i n  t h e  C i t y ( R e - M i x )

Single / Digital Media / Premium MP3
Released 17 January 2012

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Available In Digital Media Format

Fo o l  ( I n c l u d e s  A u t h e n t i c  C e l l o )

3 Track EP / Digital Media / Premium MP3 
Released: 17 June 2011

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Available On Deluxe Compact Disc

R e f l e c t i o n s  f r o m  t h e  E d g e
P a r t  1

10 Track Album / Deluxe Compact Disc
Released: 19 April 2010

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Available In Digital Media Format

R e f l e c t i o n s  f r o m  t h e  E d g e
P a r t  1

10 Track Album / Digital Media / Premium MP3
Released: 9 April 2009


 
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