Pittsburgh musician Merce Lemon released her new album, Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, today via Darling; stream it below. In our Notable Releases review, we wrote, “Merce Lemon took a break from music amid Covid lockdown and after the release of her 2020 album Moonth, immersing herself in the natural world. That world, in turn, left its marks on her new album, Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, where birds, their nests and feathers, woods, leaves, and water loom large; it’s also haunted by the death of her best friend friend when she was 15, who recurs in the lyrics. Merce cites Lucinda Williams among her influences, and she and her bandmates flesh out these songs with pedal steel, fiddle, and harmonica to sweeten their stirring, vulnerable indie folk. Standout track ‘Crow’ gets roughened up further with squalling guitar riffs, as does ‘Backyard Lover,’ which builds to a refrain of ‘you fucking liar,’ one of the album’s emotional peaks. Having made more indie pop-styled music in the past, Merce also worked with a new backing band on Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, and it feels like both a step forward and a signpost to where she might go next.” Stream it below.
To celebrate the release of Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, Merce made us a list of the influences behind it. Read her picks and commentary below.
MERCE LEMON ON THE INFLUENCES BEHIND WATCH ME DRIVE THEM DOGS WILD
1. George Jones
I wasn’t listening to a lot of music when writing this record but I’m always listening to George… the king of country. Of melodies that break your heart and piece it back together. I’ve listened to George Jones since I was a little kid, blasting on tape from the speakers of my parents car. Probably two thirds of the records I own are George because my dad and our friend Jim Lingo keep picking me up copies from Jerry’s Records, fueling my obsession.
2. One Hundred Dollars – “Hell’s a Place”
My mom’s friend gave me a duplicated tape of this band when I was in high school. I didn’t know what any of the songs were called but I listened to the album so much I memorized all the words. This song specifically left quite an impression on me, and maybe had something to do with how “Slipknot” came to be.
3. Joanna Newsom – The Milk-Eyed Mender
Another long time hero. Even if it’s been years I can almost sing along to the whole of this album. Her lyricism and melody has been a constant inspiration to my songwriting. She creates worlds and lets us in.
4. The Replacements – “If Only You Were Lonely”
A true bop. Always aspiring to write catchy scratchy songs like this. Plays like a movie in your head when you listen to it.
5. Barbara Manning
I got to sit in on a performance Barbara Manning did at WRCT years ago and I was so struck by her guitar playing and rawness she brought. I’ve been a fan of hers since high school, another staple in my parents collection that got passed on to me.
6. The Working Poor
This is the band my dad played in for most of my life in Pittsburgh. Alan Lewandowski is a genius songwriter and teller of stories. I’ve been watching them perform since before I could walk or talk or sing, so I imagine a lot of these songs have been inspired by them without me even realizing.
7. Lucinda Williams – World Without Tears
This is one of my favorite Lucinda albums. Raw and emotional with heavy guitar and powerful singing. I think my whole band was listening to this album a lot before we recorded.
8. Lana Del Rey
I remember walking the streets of NYC with my parents and my dad popped into a record store and came out with Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die on CD for me. Been listening to her ever since. I am a melody freak and Lana is the queen of it.
9. The Be Good Tanyas – Hello Love
This is one of those records that I’m almost always in the mood for. Also has one of my favorite Neil Young covers of “For the Turnstiles.” I don’t think I have a song without harmonies on the album, and this album is covered in them, too.
10. Slint
We listen to the album Spiderland on tour a lot in the car. Puts me in a trance when I need to finish a long drive.
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Merce will be on tour starting in October, including an NYC show at Baby’s All Right on October 5 with Greg Freeman and hemlock. See all dates below.
MERCE LEMON: 2024 TOUR DATES
10/3/24 Catskill, NY The Avalon Lounge w/ Babehoven and Greg Freeman
10/4/24 Burlington, VT Radio Bean w/ Greg Freeman
10/5/24 Brooklyn, NY Baby’s All Right w/ Greg Freeman and hemlock
10/6/24 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s w/ Greg Freeman and mary saint mary
10/8/24 Chicago, IL Sleeping Village w/ Red PK and Dusk
10/18/24 Pittsburgh, PA Bottlerocket Social Hall w/ hemlock