Merz (musician)

Merz

Merz (Conrad Lambert) performing at Joe's Pub, New York City, 17 September 2008
Background information
Birth name Conrad Ewart Lambert
Origin Dorset, England
Genres Alternative, electronica, folk
Years active 1999–present
Labels Epic (1999–2000)
Grönland (2005–2008)
Accidental (2013–present)
Website merz.co.uk

Merz (born Conrad Ewart Lambert in Dorset, England) is an English multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He has released five albums.

Biography

Born Conrad Ewart Lambert in Dorset, England, he grew up in Wakefield & Huddersfield, Yorkshire. He moved to London in 1992.

Merz had two minor hits in 1999 in the UK Singles Chart with "Many Weathers Apart" and "Lovely Daughter".[1] 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.[2] 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 Festival, 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, 'Toy' and 'Credo' were all Today's Top Tune for 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 to Bath then subsequently to Bern, Switzerland. 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 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 sing backing vocals on 'Call Me'. This 3rd album also gained Merz much critical acclaim.

In 2012 Merz finished recording his fourth album No Compass Will Find Home collaborating with Matthew Herbert on the production and mix. It was released in UK January 2013 by Accidental Records. Again the UK press praised the album, The Sunday Times making it Album of the Week and calling it a 'must buy' record. The Xynthia EP was released around the same time containing additional songs and a Dimlite remix of "The Hunting Owl".

On 27 September 2013 Merz, along with musicians Shahzad Ismaily and Julian Sartorius, performed a show in London consisting of only one song: "Many Weathers Apart". Variations and improvisations on elements of the original song and its ten different remixes were incorporated into a forty-minute set. It marked 15 years since the original release of the song.

In November 2013 a 'Drum and Vocal Rendition' of Merz's album No Compass WIll Find Home was released by drummer/percussionist Julian Sartorius. Only the vocals from the original album were used to re-create the songs in drum and percussion arrangements. This record was released by Merz and Sartorius's respective labels Accidental Records and Everest Records.

In January 2015, his announced the release of his new album with Pledgemusic,[3] with a first song, Suite Mercy. In November 2015 Accidental Records released the fifth Merz album 'Thinking Like A Mountain', mixed by Matthew Herbert and featuring notable musicians Shahzad Ismaily, Julian Sartorius, Dimlite, Gyda Valtysdottir and Ewan Pearson. Mojo Magazine called it “Merz’s brave new beginning”. The Ransom Note wrote “Merz has now reached a stage where he is a master of his art”

Merz has also co-written and appeared as a vocalist on albums by Leo Abrahams, Dive Index, Dan Le Sac, Tythe, Anne Marie Almedal, Kutti MC.

He is currently based in Bern, Switzerland.

Discography

Albums

EPs

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 361. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ↑ Album: Merz by Andy Gill of The Independent on Sunday, 14 October 2005
  3. ↑ Merz on Pledgemusic
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