Merpire

Last updated

Merpire
Birth nameRhiannon Atkinson-Howatt
Born Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active2017–present
Labels ADA
Member of Rat!hammock
Website merpiremusic.com

Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt, known professionally as Merpire, is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Melbourne. She began releasing music independently in 2017 and has since released one extended play, Endless Chatter (2018), and two studio albums, Simulation Ride (2021) and Milk Pool (2025). She is also a touring member of indie rock band Rat!hammock.

Contents

Career

Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt grew up in Sydney and began writing songs in high school. [1] In 2015, she won the Telstra Road to Discovery talent competition, being awarded a trip to Nashville, Tennessee and a marketing arrangement with Mushroom Records. [2] She moved to Melbourne a few years later to be surrounded by a more dedicated music scene. [1] In 2018, she released her debut extended play, Endless Chatter. [3]

In the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Atkinson-Howatt founded Isol-Aid, a live-streamed music festival on Instagram which 80 artists participated in over one weekend in its inaugural year. [1] She stepped back after its third iteration, to focus on the recording of her debut album, Simulation Ride. [1] It was produced by James Seymour, her romantic partner at the time. [1] The album released in 2021 to critical acclaim. [2]

Atkinson-Howatt is long-time friends with the Melbourne indie rock band Rat!hammock, [4] and has regularly joined them on stage since 2022. [2]

Atkinson-Howatt released her second studio album, Milk Pool, in 2025. [2] It features a darker pop and alternative rock sound compared to Simulation Ride, written during a relationship breakdown. [5] Its title is in reference to a gag on The Simpsons . [2]

Influences

Speaking about the influences for her guitar writing, she cites the bands Creed, Nickelback, Pearl Jam and Nirvana. [6] Her lyrics are inspired by experiences with social anxiety and her relationships. [7]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hughes, Mia (26 July 2021). "Merpire: 'The songs I've been writing wouldn't be there without the anxiety that I feel'". NME . Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Jenke, Tyler (3 July 2025). "'I Never Know What I'm Doing': Merpire Embraces Vulnerability And Humour For New Album, 'Milk Pool'". The Music . Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  3. ↑ McNally, Liam. "Merpire Is Heading To By The Meadow". Forte. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  4. ↑ Rose, Anna (30 October 2019). "Merpire prides herself on her captivating live sets". Beat . Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  5. ↑ Teder, Camryn (8 July 2025). "Merpire pays homage to friendship in the scuzzy garage rock track 'Fishing'". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  6. ↑ Prescott, Shaun (28 July 2025). "'It was already broken, but now we're seeing how broken and how evil it really is': Merpire on the rise of AI bands, and the recording of her new dream pop opus Milk Pool". Guitar World . Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  7. ↑ Rogers, Kieran (29 July 2021). "Who TF is Merpire?". Clout. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
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