Interview By: Emma Hintz
Photos By: Dan Franco
1. You just released your first single of 2023, "Little Too Much," on February 16th, can you tell us a little bit about the writing process as well as the release process?
My songwriting draws primarily on personal experiences or observations - "Little Too Much" is based on those awkward 'ex' encounters that reignite old feelings. For me, these types of moments bring up a mix of emotions that are perfect for writing a breakup banger. "Little Too Much" was born from what I like to call a "studio therapy" session. During this "session," I gave Benzi Edelson (producer) and Lily Hormel (co-writer) the rundown of what I was feeling/experiencing at the time. They connected with the idea and helped me bring the song to its full potential by creating a breakup song we can all dance and cry to. I am extremely grateful to get to work with them and other talented people in the industry.
2. Do you think residing in New York currently and growing up in San Francisco has had an impact on your overall sound?
I think growing up in San Francisco is a really expansive experience, and musically there are a lot of really talented people. It actually has a history of some of the best songwriters; for example, the recent Grammy winner for Song of the Year, Bonnie Raitt, lives in the Bay Area. I think San Francisco also is a very entrepreneurial and creative city. New York has added many layers of complexity to my life that influence my writing. I have written songs about people I don't know but see on the subway, for example. Every corner of New York seems to have a story.
How does the music scene differ in each city?
New York is much more vibrant because the city is always on; I could literally go to a show almost every night of the week here. And being at the Clive Davis Institute at NYU, many of my friends are also amazing musicians, producers, and artists. The music industry in San Francisco is more sparse, with not as many producers, etc., perhaps because it is so close to Los Angeles. When I am in San Francisco, I focus more on living my life and creating experiences that will likely find their way into my songs.
3. Who are some of your biggest inspirations currently?
I really enjoy listening to Noah Cyrus, Sabrina Carpenter, Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, and Billie Eilish; Dua Lipa is a huge inspiration in terms of how she built her career. From a writing perspective, I really respect Lizzy McAlpine, Gracie Abrams, Gigi, Finneas, and Taylor Swift.
4. Any plans to tour in the near future?
I hope to tour someday soon; my favorite part of music is performing live. I do several gigs in the New York area and plan to expand out of that market at some point soon.
5. You are approaching the release of your debut EP coming out this spring; what can people expect from the EP and the future of Mercer Henderson as a musician?
We are just beginning to speak about the EP. I have over 30 songs written that are part of the consideration set. I want to hone in on a theme and then build the song list to create an experience for the listener. More info on that is coming soon!
6. Any last words for the readers at home?
Thanks to everyone showing love to "Little Too Much," Everything you do as fans, from likes to streams, is essential for emerging artists. I am grateful for all of you!!
Keep up with Mercer Henderson here.
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