Singer/songwriter Tift Merritt doesn't consider herself a country artist; however, she was nominated for a 2005 Grammy Award for Best Country Album in February and her music is most often described by critics as country.
She cites Carole King, Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams and Dusty Springfield as influences for her blend of folk, rock, blues and country music. The State News recently talked to Merritt about her music and why it's considered country.
State News: Are you OK with people saying your music is country?
Tift Merritt: I don't know ... I'm not some big mainstream star, so if people are hearing about me through anything, I consider that good.
SN: Why do you think your music is labeled as country even though you think otherwise?
TM: We got nominated for country album of the year because the industry doesn't have a place for roots music right now — I play earthy rock 'n' roll. I focus on storytelling and lyrically driven rock 'n' roll and soul. I think it's more of a statement about the need for the music industry to pigeonhole things that I get characterized as country.
SN: Do you put a lot of yourself into your music? Are the songs personal?
TM: There is a lot of myself in what I do. I write about urgent things I have to say, but it's not like a journal entry. It does have its own heart and soul in it.
SN: How would you compare your live performance to your album?
TM: In our live shows, I like to come off stage being physically tired. I like all live shows to cover all the bases; the moments are wild and free. I'm pretty all out live.
SN: How is "Tambourine" (Merritt's latest album) different from "Bramble Rose" (Merritt's first album)?
TM: They are different sets of experiences. I'm pushing for somewhere new with every record or poem that I write. When I wrote "Tambourine," I had been on the road for a long time. I wanted to make the record that long and genuine. This album is a lot of fun to take on the road.
SN: What was it like being nominated for a Grammy?
TM: It was absolutely a surprise, I wasn't expecting it. You don't let the industry define you, but it was a great gesture for the industry to honor someone like myself, a niche artist. We all felt really wonderful about it. There isn't really a wrong way to be nominated.
SN: What's next? Are you working on another album?
TM: I'm planning on getting into the studio early next year. I'm just trying to be better than what I did before, a different set of songs and experiences, just like usual.
