New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Natalie Merchant's kicks off a late-summer and fall tour with a performance at the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee tonight, followed by stops in Chicago, New York, Boston, Portland, Washington, DC, and more through December. While on tour, Merchant joins fellow Nonesuch artists Kronos Quartet, Rhiannon Giddens, Sam Amidon, and
Olivia Chaney for a special set at the BAM
Howard Gilman Opera House as part of the Nonesuch at BAM celebration of the label's 50th anniversary. See below for all of the currently scheduled shows.
In advance of tonight's tour launch,
Natalie Merchant spoke with Milwaukee NPR member station WUWM about her music and finding her own voice. You can listen online at wuwm.com. And you'll find an interview with the
Chicago Sun-Times at suntimes.com.
Merchant's new self-titled album out now on Nonesuch Records marks her sixth solo collection. This self-produced album is the work of a mature artist with a clear and distinctive voice. Long appreciated for the depth and substance of her writing, Merchant has never shied away from weighty themes or subjects for her lyrics. She describes the new release as informed "by experience and keen observation," dealing with issues of "love gained and lost, regret, denial, surrender, greed, destructiveness, defeat, and occasional triumph."
Combining three decades of experience in song writing and album making, Merchant's production style is nuanced and pure. Her voice is framed by a balanced blend of electric and acoustic sound throughout with musicianship of exceptional quality. String, brass, and woodwind arrangements mingle with Hammond organ and electric guitar improvisations.
Players include John Medeski, Shawn Pelton, Clark Gayton, Uri Sharlin,
Jesse Murphy, Erik Della Penna, Gabriel Gordon, and guest vocalists Simi Stone,
Elizabeth Mitchell and gospel singer Corliss Stafford.
NATALIE MERCHANT ON TOUR
Sep 10 The Pabst Theatre Milwaukee, WI
Sep 11 Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL
Sep 13 Beacon Theatre New York, NY
Sep 15 Shubert Theatre Boston, MA
Sep 17 Tarrytown
Music Hall Tarrytown, NY
Sep 20 BAM
Howard Gilman Opera House* Brooklyn, NY
Oct 7 Benaroya Hall Seattle, WA
Oct 21 Flynn Center for the Performing Arts Burlington, VT
Oct 23 State Theatre Portland, ME
Oct 25 Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Westhampton Beach, NY
Nov 15 Helzberg Hall Kansas City, MO
Dec 10 Lincoln Theatre Washington, DC
Dec 11 Carnegie
Music Hall of Homestead Munhall, PA
Dec 13 Staller Center Stony Brook, NY
Mar 7 Enlow Recital Hall, Kean University Union, NJ
Mar 20 Purchase College PAC Purchase, NY
Apr 2 Macky Auditorium Concert Hall Boulder, CO
May 1&2 Koerner Hall Toronto, ON
