Cocomyrrh: Thank you for joining me today, Merce. Your album, Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, has been getting a lot of attention since its release. Let’s dive into your musical journey. What’s your earliest musical memory?
Merce Lemon: I feel like sometimes my memories are confused with photos I’ve seen because my childhood was highly documented. But I would say my earliest memory is falling asleep on the couch at a DIY show that my parents brought me to with huge noise-canceling headphones on my head.
Cocomyrrh: Wow, that sounds like quite the introduction to music! How old were you at that time?
Lemon: Probably three years old. Three or four.
Cocomyrrh: That’s impressive! What do your parents do that they were bringing you to DIY shows?
Lemon: My dad was in a band called the Working Poor for most of my childhood in Pittsburgh, and he also curated films. So he would do a lot of film screenings, often with live music accompanying them. My mom also played in some bands, but they were just huge music lovers. We hosted a lot of bands at our house; they often stayed overnight when they were on tour.
Cocomyrrh: It must have been a vibrant environment growing up. What kind of music were your parents involved in?
Lemon: My dad’s band was sort of freak country. My mom played in a band called Bad Daughters for a time, which was great. The bands coming through were so eclectic. Kimya Dawson stayed with us once because she played at some small DIY spots. There was also a band called Bitchin’ that spray-painted T-shirts in our backyard before a show.
Cocomyrrh: It sounds like music was always a part of your life. Did you ever consider not going into music?
Lemon: Not really. I didn’t consciously think, “I want to be a musician.” I had a huge chunk of time where I didn’t play music because I focused on sports and drawing in high school. I always knew music would be a part of my life, but I never thought I would pursue it seriously until later.
Cocomyrrh: You took a break from performing due to stage fright and returned on your 19th birthday. How did that come about?
Lemon: I moved to Seattle at 17, living with my uncle, who plays music. I had a ton of poems and thought I might turn them into songs if I learned a couple of chords. Someone I knew booked shows at a DIY place in Seattle, and on my 19th birthday, he asked if I wanted to fill in for someone who dropped off the bill. I was terrified but ended up playing a little show for my roommates first. It was scary but felt good to be back.
Cocomyrrh: You were also in bands at a very young age. What were some of those early bands?
Lemon: One of them was an a cappella group I formed with my sister and our best friend. I wrote a lot of the songs, and we had different band names every time we played. Before that, I had a punk band called Two Dragons Black And Red, which was a duo with a friend.
Cocomyrrh: Did you cover any songs in those bands?
Lemon: Yes! I remember covering a Delta 5 song called “Mind Your Own Business,” and in the punk band, we did a version of “We Will Rock You” in Spanish with different lyrics that I learned from my friend’s mom.
Cocomyrrh: You mentioned the difference between writing songs and poetry. How does that play out for you?
Lemon: There’s definitely a difference. I used to write poems and fit them to music, which felt weird and awkward. Now, my songwriting process feels more cohesive. I enjoy adapting poems to melody, like with “Rain,” which was a poem by a friend that I almost used verbatim.
Cocomyrrh: The track “Backyard Lover” has an intriguing balance between grief and hope. How do you approach emotional themes in your songs?
Lemon: I often write about emotional and intense personal experiences. But I think it’s important to infuse hope into those songs. I don’t want to listen to something that drags me down into despair. I believe there’s always humor and lightness even in heavy subjects.
Cocomyrrh: Speaking of lightness, “Birdseed” seems to encapsulate that well. Could you share more about its inspiration?
Lemon: That one might be my happiest song! I wrote it during the pandemic while staring at our cherry tree. I was also obsessed with a cookie recipe full of seeds. The line about my droppings landing where you walk is kind of gross, but I thought it was funny.
Cocomyrrh: Speaking of that cookie recipe, do you have it handy?
Lemon: Yes! It’s really healthy and full of seeds and dates. I think you could even feed it to the birds. I’d love to share it with you!
Cocomyrrh: Birds appear frequently in your work. Do you feel a special kinship with them?
Lemon: Absolutely! I find them fascinating. I was just in a river in Portland watching a bird, and it struck me how incredible it is that they can fly. The crow migrations in Pittsburgh are particularly powerful to witness.
Cocomyrrh: Where did the album title, Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, come from?
Lemon: It’s inspired by a story my friend told me about Michael Hurley. I hope I’m remembering it correctly, but he mentioned looking out his window in Oregon, and that stuck with me. The image felt vivid and connected to the themes of my songs.
Cocomyrrh: You mentioned that “Will You Do Me A Kindness” is a collage of moments and feelings. Is that a common approach for your songwriting?
Lemon: Definitely. I often don’t go into a song with a clear vision. Many songs end up being stitched together from different themes and feelings, which I find really exciting. Sometimes I don’t fully understand what the song is about until later.
Cocomyrrh: After finishing a song, do you often know what it’s about, or is there still a sense of mystery?
Lemon: There’s usually some mystery. I understand what each part brings, but the overall meaning can still elude me. I love when others interpret my songs in their own way. Some are straightforward, like “Blueberry Heaven” and “Crow,” but others have layers.
Cocomyrrh: The song “Foolish And Fast” is particularly striking. Are you often inspired by driving?
Lemon: Yes! It started as a song about running, but it transformed into a driving song. I hadn’t driven much before learning, so I wanted to capture that romantic feeling of driving and interpret it in my own way.
Cocomyrrh: Have you gotten any speeding tickets yet?
Lemon: Oh yes! I got my first speeding ticket not long after I learned to drive. I was going 92 mph on a highway in Ohio, but I’ve been more cautious since then. I think everyone needs to get their one speeding ticket!
Cocomyrrh: If you could recommend an ideal place to listen to Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, where would it be?
Lemon: I love that you think it’s a perfect walking album! That’s how I envision it — walking through a neighborhood, being present in my surroundings, noticing the plants, the woods, and the little details.
Cocomyrrh: I heard you have a special bond with your outdoor cat, Moldy. Can you share a bit about that relationship?
Lemon: Moldy feels more like my roommate than a pet. She was born in a woodshop, and I took her home when she was just a kitten. She’s always been wild and loved going outside. I even got her a tracker because she would sometimes disappear for days, but she always comes back.
Cocomyrrh: It sounds like a unique dynamic. Is Moldy referenced in any of your songs?
Lemon: Yes! She appears in the song “Window,” which is about her being in the window.
Cocomyrrh: What’s your favorite moment on the record?
Lemon: I think my favorite sneaky part is in “Foolish And Fast.” I snuck in some George Jones lyrics there. It’s one of my favorite songs to play, and I love that connection.
Cocomyrrh: Thank you for sharing your journey and insights, Merce! Your album captures a beautiful blend of nature, emotion, and storytelling.
Lemon: Thank you for having me! I loved this conversation.
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