Magi Merlin

Photo by Feng Jiang

Name, where are you from?
Magi Merlin from Montreal Qc, Canada.

Describe your style in three words?
Sustainable, crafty, often made by Gabriel st-Cyr (@dancewithme_xo).

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Kendrick Lamar at Osheaga, I’m a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar so no matter whether it was at Osheaga or on a street corner it would have been the best gig.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Hiatus Kaiyote and Frank Ocean. These are two artists that have really made an impact on how I view music. Frank for his writing gave me permission to explore things in my music I never thought were possible. As a young writer, I thought you were meant to speak to your own experience only and only sing about love. Having someone speak on other subjects unlocked something for me! Hiatus and frontwoman Nai Palm on their end gave me great insight into what fantastically dynamic harmonies can look and sound like! I use both of those lessons in my music nonstop to this day. It would be cool to be on the same bill as them both.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
In high school I was fully obsessed with K-pop and anime and I think that influenced my sense of style and what music I resonated with later in life. An example of this could be Hyokoh, an alt-indie rock band based in Korea. They became a staple and an inspiration to me and influenced the trajectory of my music. I was also very fascinated by the punk/emo/screamo scene growing up. I wouldn’t say I was a fan but there was something I would always gravitate towards. I’d often find myself on the hardcore side of YouTube watching alt music videos for hours. There was something that I didn’t fully understand and that fascinated the shit out of me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Franklin Ocean, I cannot deny my obsession with him and the influence he had on my writing and on me as a musician in general. I admire him a lot and would love to pick his brain.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’m a bit polarizing in my opinion right now because I feel like I have quite a lot of venues to discover especially in Europe and the UK next month while on tour with Noga Erez. I think I’m into super clean aesthetics like the Phi Center in Montreal. It’s a cool space/art gallery and it's crazy what you're able to create there with lighting and projections. There’s also something really captivating about DIY venues I find. Like the BOG in Montreal for example, being there feels like you are part of a secret or something and that’s always really interesting as an audience member and that always sticks with me.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Kaya Hoax is an incredible beat maker and vocalist from Montreal that is making sick music. I’m so excited for her next release!

Magi Merlin released her new EP 'Gone Girl' on 27th May 2022. Listen, purchase or stream it via bonsound.co/gonegirlYT.