My name is Merlot, and I’m a New York based artist and model! I moved to the city about 3 years ago from Boston, where I attended Berklee College Of Music. I studied vocals & saxophone there, with a major in music business.

   Music was always an integral part of my life for as long as I could remember. I remember growing up listening to my mom play smooth jazz around the house, or classic R&B like Anita Baker or Marvin Gaye. The first album I ever bought was John Legend’s debut, “Get Lifted”. I was in awe of the soulfulness in his voice, and that record still inspires me to this day. 

   As a queer artist, I’m grateful to be living in a city so inspiring and all-encompassing as NYC. I’ve come up through the nightlife scene, and have been endlessly driven by all the creativity and originality I witness on a night to night basis. My other inspirations include artists like Erykah Badu, or even Mykki Blanco.

   I had been working on tracks for a while, but I released my first single, “Bad For You” in January this year. Since then I have filmed the music video for the single, and have been in the studio making a ton of new music and working on new ideas. I actually debuted my music video at Museum of Sex on the 14th, and it will be available on all platforms on the 28th. Before my music video premier, I actually got the chance to go into the studio with Jasper and take a few portraits. It was really special because I wanted a way to immortalize the occasion and I’m grateful I have these photos to look back on one of the best nights of my life, where so many people showed to support my art and everything I had been working so hard on.   

   I am excited for the future of my sound and the evolution of my style, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what I have in store!

You can follow Merlot on Instagram or listen to their single here.