Within the quiet, cascading corners of Pittsburgh lies a community – essentially one large family – that spans neighborhoods and generations.
Upon this foundation, Merce Lemon built her latest album: ‘Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild’. These are earnest songs, of belonging and longing, in which romantic and familial love rip into and out of themselves in a flurry of reckoning. There is a fierceness, a persistence in this vulnerability, that is matched by the wildness of her band.
Merce took a step back from music in 2020, after releasing her debut album ‘Moonth’, to reassess. “[Music] was just something I’d always done, and I didn't want to lose the magic of that – but I was just having less fun.” In this time of restless confusion, she got back to her roots.
“I got dirty and slept outside most of the summer. I learned a lot about plants and farming, just writing for myself, and in that time I slowly accumulated songs.” A creative hunger, supported by her community, had been newly fertilized. From this rediscovery, imbued with the vitality of earth’s green magic, ‘Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild’ sprouted forth.
Recorded and mixed by Alex Farrar at Drop of Sun Studios
Produced by Alex Farrar, Colin Miller, and Merce Lemon
Mastered by Adam McDaniel
Merce Lemon: Vocals and rhythm guitar (except on "Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild")
Reid Magette: Guitar and vocals on "Foolish and Fast"
Ben Brody: Bass, harmonica on "Blueberry Heaven", and vocals on "Window"
Pat Coyle: Drums & misc. percussion and harmonies
Spencer Smith: Piano and synth
Colin Miller: Bojo on "Window", "Rain", and "Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild"
Xandy Chelmis: Pedal Steel on "Birdseed" and "Backyard Lover"
Landon George: Fiddle on "Birdseed" and bowed cymbal on "Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild"
Alex Farrar: Rhythm guitar on "Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild"
Band photo taken by Nikhil Rao
Front and back cover photographed by Greg Freeman
Designed by Merce Lemon and Greg Freeman
All lyrics by Merce Lemon except "Rain" (adapted from a poem written by Justin Lubecki)
