Merz (musician)
Encyclopedia
Merz is an English
multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter
. He has released three album
s.
, England, he grew up in Wakefield & Huddersfield
, Yorkshire
. He moved to London
in 1992.
in 1999 in the UK Singles Chart
with "Many Weathers Apart" and "Lovely Daughter". Later that same year, his eponymous debut album
was released on Epic Records
. The album combined elements of electronica with strains of folk and drew critical
acclaim. However the commercial success which had been predicted by many in the music industry and press failed to materialise, and Merz withdrew from his recording contract
with Epic's parent company, Sony BMG, in 2000.
His second album, Loveheart, surfaced five years later on the independent Grönland
label
. Whilst it also won plaudits and was well-received in the music press, it escaped the hype that surrounded the first album.
Since Loveheart was released, Merz toured Europe with The Earlies, playing all over the world at festivals as diverse as UK's Green Man, Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland and SXSW in USA. More acclaim followed in the US, where the track ‘Dangerous Heady Love Scheme’ was iTunes Single of the Week, and ‘Postcard From A Darkstar’ was also Single of the Week with influential LA radio station KCRW.
Merz spent much time travelling around England the consecutive few years, and this restless spirit set the tone for his third album Moi et Mon Camion (2008). Named after a West Country removal firm who have moved Conrad and his wife's belongings several times. The album itself was written on the move, as Merz was relocating from Bristol, to Plymouth then subsequently to Bath. The album features two collaborations with Paul Hartnoll
of Orbital
.
The recording of the album also happened on the move, in numerous different locations. From Peter Gabriel’s Real World studios just outside Bath, to the Rockfield Studios in Wales, the Yorkshire Moors and even outside in the woods. Conrad was joined by a few notable musicians for this record. Charlie Jones, some time bass player with Robert Plant & Jimmy Page and Goldfrapp helped out, as did Clive Deamer, drummer for Portishead and Roni Size. The Earlies also join Conrad for a guest spot, singing backing vocals on ‘Call Me’, dropping in on their way back from playing at Glastonbury Festival. This 3rd album also gained Merz much critical acclaim.
Merz currently divides his time between the Swiss
Alps
, where his wife resides, and being on the road with his concert tours.
Merz's parents, David and Lois Lambert, live in Chingeltei district, Ulaanbaatar
, Mongolia
, where his father works at the Hartford Institute of Mongolia and his mother for the United Nations
.
"Eerie and hypnotic, with exquisite melodies and evocative arrangements, this is a treasure chest of emotion."
"Distinctive and enchanting."
"Original, sculpted (and) emotionally powerful(...) The sad, yearning nature of the project is evident from opener Postcard From A Dark Star, and Lambert's overt talent unfolds through a procession of whimsical ornamentation (howling winds, tinkling harpsichords, eerie bells) and dynamic songwriting"
"Lyrical candour and dreamlike soundscapes, (...) one of this year's most hopeful records."
"wide-ranging influences aside, what makes this record special is its inventive, contemporary approach to some very beautiful and accessible songs. Oh, and Merz's heartbreakingly evocative voice helps a bit… It's a winner, kids"
"After a six year absence, Merz fans (like the heavily influenced Chris Martin), had almost given up on him. Loveheart, in typically understated style, quietly announces that he's back. The man behind 1999 hit single Many Weathers Apart still has that distinct mix of singer/songwriter, fairytale melodies and electronic beats. Dangerous Heady Love Scheme sounds like a music box. Warm Cigarette Room laments his cosy domesticity to a claustrophobic heartbeat, and My Name Is Sad and At Sea cements Merz's reputation as a master of modern folk. Just a shame Chris Martin had to rip him off."
It’s Lambert’s extraordinary voice that unifies the album – high and pure, rough-edged and wise. His songs are more timeless than modern and honed to a fine emotional candour."
"If this record consisted in its entirety of just the few seconds of ethereal backing vocals at the end of Call Me, I would still consider it a likely candidate for album of the year. It’s that special. (...) Lambert’s hypnotic voice and irresistible melodies that hold the attention. Only two questions remain: why isn’t he much, much more famous, and why did he name this album after a removal truck?"
"If (like me) this is your first encounter with Merz, you might be amazed that you haven't heard him before. Moi et Mon Camion requires close attention, rarely shouting loud enough to make him a mainstream proposition. But why complain when it's often akin to being whispered a beautiful secret?"
"Gorgeous harmonies and a lovely, lucid (if slightly unnerving) guitar riff frame this ballad (...) As befits the subject matter, it’s tense and fraught – yet sprung with expectation and the hope of a new beginning. It bodes extremely well for his forthcoming third album, Moi Et Mon Camion."
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He has released three album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s.
Early life
Born Conrad Ewart Lambert in DorsetDorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, England, he grew up in Wakefield & Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. He moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1992.
Career
Merz had two minor hitsHit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
in 1999 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
with "Many Weathers Apart" and "Lovely Daughter". Later that same year, his eponymous debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
was released on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. The album combined elements of electronica with strains of folk and drew critical
Music journalism
Music journalism is criticism and reportage about music. It began in the eighteenth century as comment on what is now thought of as 'classical music'. This aspect of music journalism, today often referred to as music criticism , comprises the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of...
acclaim. However the commercial success which had been predicted by many in the music industry and press failed to materialise, and Merz withdrew from his recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Epic's parent company, Sony BMG, in 2000.
His second album, Loveheart, surfaced five years later on the independent Grönland
Grönland Records
Grönland Records is an independent record label originally founded in London, England, which relocated to Berlin, Germany in 2009. "Grönland" refers both to the country and the label's founder, Herbert Grönemeyer.-Origin:...
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. Whilst it also won plaudits and was well-received in the music press, it escaped the hype that surrounded the first album.
Since Loveheart was released, Merz toured Europe with The Earlies, playing all over the world at festivals as diverse as UK's Green Man, Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland and SXSW in USA. More acclaim followed in the US, where the track ‘Dangerous Heady Love Scheme’ was iTunes Single of the Week, and ‘Postcard From A Darkstar’ was also Single of the Week with influential LA radio station KCRW.
Merz spent much time travelling around England the consecutive few years, and this restless spirit set the tone for his third album Moi et Mon Camion (2008). Named after a West Country removal firm who have moved Conrad and his wife's belongings several times. The album itself was written on the move, as Merz was relocating from Bristol, to Plymouth then subsequently to Bath. The album features two collaborations with Paul Hartnoll
Paul Hartnoll
Paul Hartnoll is one of two brothers , who made up the electronic dance act Orbital.-History:...
of Orbital
Orbital (band)
Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
.
The recording of the album also happened on the move, in numerous different locations. From Peter Gabriel’s Real World studios just outside Bath, to the Rockfield Studios in Wales, the Yorkshire Moors and even outside in the woods. Conrad was joined by a few notable musicians for this record. Charlie Jones, some time bass player with Robert Plant & Jimmy Page and Goldfrapp helped out, as did Clive Deamer, drummer for Portishead and Roni Size. The Earlies also join Conrad for a guest spot, singing backing vocals on ‘Call Me’, dropping in on their way back from playing at Glastonbury Festival. This 3rd album also gained Merz much critical acclaim.
Merz currently divides his time between the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
, where his wife resides, and being on the road with his concert tours.
Merz's parents, David and Lois Lambert, live in Chingeltei district, Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....
, Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, where his father works at the Hartford Institute of Mongolia and his mother for the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Albums
- Merz (1999), Epic RecordsEpic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
- Loveheart (October 2005), GrönlandGrönland RecordsGrönland Records is an independent record label originally founded in London, England, which relocated to Berlin, Germany in 2009. "Grönland" refers both to the country and the label's founder, Herbert Grönemeyer.-Origin:...
- Moi et Mon Camion (2008), Grönland
- No Compass Will Find Home (2011)
EPs
- "CC Conscious EP" (Oct' 1998)
- "Lotus EP" (March 2000)
- "Daytrotter Session" (Jan 2009)
- Postcard From A Dark Star EP (January 2006), Grönland
- Silver Tree EP (June 2006)
Loveheart (2005) reviews
"An album of rare musical intelligence, illuminated by intriguing arrangements…there's no doubt he's a significant if eccentric talent""Eerie and hypnotic, with exquisite melodies and evocative arrangements, this is a treasure chest of emotion."
"Distinctive and enchanting."
"Original, sculpted (and) emotionally powerful(...) The sad, yearning nature of the project is evident from opener Postcard From A Dark Star, and Lambert's overt talent unfolds through a procession of whimsical ornamentation (howling winds, tinkling harpsichords, eerie bells) and dynamic songwriting"
"Lyrical candour and dreamlike soundscapes, (...) one of this year's most hopeful records."
"wide-ranging influences aside, what makes this record special is its inventive, contemporary approach to some very beautiful and accessible songs. Oh, and Merz's heartbreakingly evocative voice helps a bit… It's a winner, kids"
"After a six year absence, Merz fans (like the heavily influenced Chris Martin), had almost given up on him. Loveheart, in typically understated style, quietly announces that he's back. The man behind 1999 hit single Many Weathers Apart still has that distinct mix of singer/songwriter, fairytale melodies and electronic beats. Dangerous Heady Love Scheme sounds like a music box. Warm Cigarette Room laments his cosy domesticity to a claustrophobic heartbeat, and My Name Is Sad and At Sea cements Merz's reputation as a master of modern folk. Just a shame Chris Martin had to rip him off."
Moi Et Mon Camion (2008) reviews
"... trust Conrad Lambert, AKA Merz, to pen a darkly romantic album that could soundtrack the tragic yet uplifting tale of an eviction as directed by Wim Wenders. (...)It’s Lambert’s extraordinary voice that unifies the album – high and pure, rough-edged and wise. His songs are more timeless than modern and honed to a fine emotional candour."
"If this record consisted in its entirety of just the few seconds of ethereal backing vocals at the end of Call Me, I would still consider it a likely candidate for album of the year. It’s that special. (...) Lambert’s hypnotic voice and irresistible melodies that hold the attention. Only two questions remain: why isn’t he much, much more famous, and why did he name this album after a removal truck?"
"If (like me) this is your first encounter with Merz, you might be amazed that you haven't heard him before. Moi et Mon Camion requires close attention, rarely shouting loud enough to make him a mainstream proposition. But why complain when it's often akin to being whispered a beautiful secret?"
"Gorgeous harmonies and a lovely, lucid (if slightly unnerving) guitar riff frame this ballad (...) As befits the subject matter, it’s tense and fraught – yet sprung with expectation and the hope of a new beginning. It bodes extremely well for his forthcoming third album, Moi Et Mon Camion."
External links
- Merz site
- http://www.groenland.com/2006/artists_merz.aspMerz at GrönlandGrönland RecordsGrönland Records is an independent record label originally founded in London, England, which relocated to Berlin, Germany in 2009. "Grönland" refers both to the country and the label's founder, Herbert Grönemeyer.-Origin:...
] - Merz Myspace page