SOUND ADVICE
MERLOT Made Us a Playlist to Match Her Post-Op Vibes
MERLOT, photographed by Spencer Clark.
This is SOUND ADVICE, a weekly destination for playlists curated by Interview’s friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gathered playlists from Kuntfetish, Somewhere Special, and Rosalía. This week’s installment comes from NYC-based artist MERLOT, whose returning from a nearly four-year hiatus with her upcoming single “Butterfly,” a syrupy R&B track celebrating the warmth of new love releasing next month. Fresh out of the operating room, she made us a genre-spanning playlist of baddie-friendly bops and joined us to answer a few questions about early musical memories, NYC venues, and her brand new face.
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Where do you dance? Anywhere that’s playing early 2000’s hip-hop and R&B. I’ll plan months in advance to make it to a “nostalgia” based party.
Who do you trust most with the aux? Probably my favorite DJ in NYC, Anthony Dicap (@anthonydicap). I trust his judgement more than my own.
What song do you have on repeat during recovery? Maybe not on repeat, but I couldn’t stop singing along to “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” on oxycodone that first week. Church kids – if you know, you know
Name your favorite artist no one knows about: The rapper “Big Momma” NEVER got her flowers after releasing one of the best hip-hop projects of the 2000’s, no lie. “Creepin” is 10 years old and hasn’t left my rotation.
What are you DoorDashing to the studio? Sushi! It’s always sushi.
What was the first record you ever bought? “Get Lifted” by John Legend was the first secular album I owned and it raised me. I don’t know if I would’ve pursued music without it.
Name three things you always have on you at the function: First and foremost, lip gloss and it HAS to be Fenty. Then a reliable amount of nicotine in some form, and a hair tie for those sweaty nights.
Dream collab, dead or alive? Right now it’s probably Pabllo Vittar! She’s such a sweetheart, and Brazil has shown me so much love. No one would be able to handle our joint-slay.
Which Sex and the City character do you identify with? Oof, unfortunately I’m probably the Carrie. I’m an only child and a Leo, so I empathize with her self-centered behavior. Also I would kill for her closet.
Where are the afters? Whoever’s apartment is the least at-risk for a noise complaint. There’s nothing spookier than a quiet afters…
What does your notes app look like? I genuinely haven’t written anything in my notes app other than song lyrics & ideas since I’ve ever owned an iPhone. I want to start documenting my dreams though.
What album is playing in heaven? “The Best Of Anita Baker” by, of course, Anita Baker.
Go-to karaoke song? “Love Song” by The Cure, except I’m singing it exactly like Candice Glover did on season 12 of American Idol.
Fuck Marry Kill: NYC venues. Kill Knockdown Center, Fuck Bossa Nova Civic Club, Marry Jean’s!
What’s a music taste red flag? When people categorize everything a black musician makes as R&B.
Bluetooth or wired headphones? Wired always… I lose everything. Plus technology peaked years ago, and I’m not looking for more technological convenience than I already have.
The world is ending. What are you wearing? Well it’s 65 degrees in late November, so at the moment I’m answering this email wearing sweatpants & a Playboy sweater – but if tonight was my last night out, I’m wearing a vintage Roberto Cavalli slip dress!
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Hair: Dom Forletta
Makeup: Cyler Daigle
Styling: Gabriel Held Vintage
