Girl Talk.
Torrey Mercer Talks Career, Life, Feminism and new EP "Girls/Boys"
Outspoken, proud and vocally loud. Torrey Mercer is an emerging force in the queer music movement and an empowering influence on women everywhere. Now with her debut EP finally out in the world, we chatted with the pop artist to ask "Who is Torrey Mercer?". One thing for sure is she's a dynamo that won't be stopped.
Hi Torrey, thanks for chatting with us, and congratulations on the release of the EP "Boys/Girls".
Thank you so much for having me! It's wonderful to connect.
We've been following your work over the past year and a half, but for those who aren't familiar with you and your music how would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am an LGBTQ singer songwriter who openly identifies as bisexual. I would say the reason why I make music is to liberate, and validate the voices of femmes, and LGBTQ individuals that so often go unheard. I believe liberation can come in two forms: positive representation and creative validation through music, and by speaking up for, and standing up for members of the community, and women when the situation calls for it. I want to speak out, and make art for women, femmes, and all members of the LGBTQ community to know that they are not alone in all that they face.
How long have you been making music and how did you get into it?
I have been making music for many years. I'm from San Diego, California, and started in musical theater around age 9, when I auditioned for an outside-of-school play in my local area with a friend. The director of the show pulled me for private lessons, and told my parents that I had potential and that if I received vocal training, it could be something. I guess from there the rest is sort of history. I was the lead singer of several bands as a teenager, and participated in some singing competitions, in addition to my musical theater. Released my first single at age 17, and other songs for several years before realizing my sexuality, and stepping into the artist that I am today.
What's your earliest memory of music and connecting with it?
A lot of my early memory of music comes from my family, pop music of the time, and musical theater soundtracks. I had a love for jazz, motown, and blues from a pretty young age, because we listened to it at home a lot around the holidays. This music has always felt like home to me. I also was of course, like most 90s babies, obsessed with the Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, and many of the pop singers from that time.
Who have been your musical influences over the years?
Great question! My favorite pop singers growing up were Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, and JoJo. I learned several songs by each of them. Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, and Evanescence were also early favorites of mine. Over the years, I've been influenced by a variety of other singers, and songwriters as well, and it's morphed quite a bit over time. Lady Gaga was deeply important to me in my formative teenage years, in addition to Demi Lovato, Christina Perri, Adele, Jessie J, and several others. And of course, upon coming out and realizing my sexuality, I followed and became influenced by many LGBTQ artists: Hayley Kiyoko, Halsey, Kehlani, Janelle Monae, dodie, Troye Sivan. Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey also hold a deep and important place in my heart, especially for their songwriting.
Hi Torrey, thanks for chatting with us, and congratulations on the release of the EP "Boys/Girls".
Thank you so much for having me! It's wonderful to connect.
We've been following your work over the past year and a half, but for those who aren't familiar with you and your music how would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am an LGBTQ singer songwriter who openly identifies as bisexual. I would say the reason why I make music is to liberate, and validate the voices of femmes, and LGBTQ individuals that so often go unheard. I believe liberation can come in two forms: positive representation and creative validation through music, and by speaking up for, and standing up for members of the community, and women when the situation calls for it. I want to speak out, and make art for women, femmes, and all members of the LGBTQ community to know that they are not alone in all that they face.
How long have you been making music and how did you get into it?
I have been making music for many years. I'm from San Diego, California, and started in musical theater around age 9, when I auditioned for an outside-of-school play in my local area with a friend. The director of the show pulled me for private lessons, and told my parents that I had potential and that if I received vocal training, it could be something. I guess from there the rest is sort of history. I was the lead singer of several bands as a teenager, and participated in some singing competitions, in addition to my musical theater. Released my first single at age 17, and other songs for several years before realizing my sexuality, and stepping into the artist that I am today.
What's your earliest memory of music and connecting with it?
A lot of my early memory of music comes from my family, pop music of the time, and musical theater soundtracks. I had a love for jazz, motown, and blues from a pretty young age, because we listened to it at home a lot around the holidays. This music has always felt like home to me. I also was of course, like most 90s babies, obsessed with the Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, and many of the pop singers from that time.
Who have been your musical influences over the years?
Great question! My favorite pop singers growing up were Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, and JoJo. I learned several songs by each of them. Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, and Evanescence were also early favorites of mine. Over the years, I've been influenced by a variety of other singers, and songwriters as well, and it's morphed quite a bit over time. Lady Gaga was deeply important to me in my formative teenage years, in addition to Demi Lovato, Christina Perri, Adele, Jessie J, and several others. And of course, upon coming out and realizing my sexuality, I followed and became influenced by many LGBTQ artists: Hayley Kiyoko, Halsey, Kehlani, Janelle Monae, dodie, Troye Sivan. Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey also hold a deep and important place in my heart, especially for their songwriting.
What is/are the messages you try and include in your music?
Above all, I want people to feel valid. I want to help people see themselves in my music, who might not always get that chance. I aspire to address LGBTQ+ topics, mental health, women's topics, and general life and well-being. Music has the power to transform, and it's really important to me to give these bigger topics a voice.
In your music are strong themes of feminism and empowerment. Why is it important to you as an artist that you include these themes in your work and the music you produce?
Sometimes it can be hard to see from an outside perspective, but the music industry is extremely hard on women. It is incredibly challenging for women to break into any aspect of the music industry, and to be taken seriously doing so. Usually it is overcome with interrogative questions, belittling, and dismissing your contributions. There's been many times through my journey in the music industry where I have lost hope, and just needed that voice to help guide me, and empower me on my journey to keep going. I'm lucky to be living in a time where many great artists are doing exactly that, and I want to be a part of that forward motion, for others. Women and femmes are badasses, exactly as they are, and its important to me that they know that.
"Boys/Girls" the EP was released over time. Was it always the plan to stagger the release of songs? How did that decision and release plan come about and how did it serve the story you wanted to tell?
Yes, that was always the plan! I think it was an interesting journey for sure. Based on the single order, I think it gave people a real chance to get to know me little by little as an artist, and then to be able to put the bigger picture together and see it all as one. Letting people get to know me as an artist, song by song with this project was a fun process.
The EP lends itself to a variety of different genres and sounds. How would you define your musical style?
I have a LOT of musical influences, I don't see myself as the kind of artist who just does "one" thing. Torrey Mercer as a music artist is alternative pop, quirky bright pop, singer/songwriter, and R&B influenced, with some occasional Jazz or Rock undertones. I would truly say I am a pop artist at heart who creates a fusion of all of these sounds. Collectively, they all define who I am as an artist, and I'm excited to give people the chance to continually get to know my sound. I love surprising people.
What surprised you along the way of creating "Boys/Girls". What turns or happy accidents did you encounter that you didn't see coming?
Oh, this happened a few different times. One, the title track was originally going to have a different producer. I was working with someone who I respect, and the sound just wasn't getting where I had hoped it would be. So I ended up asking my guitarist from live shows, Tyler Connaghan, to produce it, and he did such an amazing job, he produced the whole EP. Funny how that can work out sometimes. Also, "Like That" was a bit of a last second add, and was written spring of 2019 with a co-writer friend of mine, Emma Sweeney, who helped me to absolutely nail what we were going for.
What do you hope listeners take away from the EP?
I hope this EP can be a libration for LGBTQ people, and especially LGBTQ femmes. It includes many parts of my past that are quite personal, and how they have come to shape the artist and person that I am now. I hope that LGBTQ femmes can find a way to shape their own experiences in a way that helps them as well.
Have you started writing new material or are you giving yourself some room with the EP now being out?
Oh, definitely. This may be overly optimistic to say, but I currently have about 5 songs pending for release?? I believe I know the name of my next project as well, but that is all coming soon. TBA :)
Above all, I want people to feel valid. I want to help people see themselves in my music, who might not always get that chance. I aspire to address LGBTQ+ topics, mental health, women's topics, and general life and well-being. Music has the power to transform, and it's really important to me to give these bigger topics a voice.
In your music are strong themes of feminism and empowerment. Why is it important to you as an artist that you include these themes in your work and the music you produce?
Sometimes it can be hard to see from an outside perspective, but the music industry is extremely hard on women. It is incredibly challenging for women to break into any aspect of the music industry, and to be taken seriously doing so. Usually it is overcome with interrogative questions, belittling, and dismissing your contributions. There's been many times through my journey in the music industry where I have lost hope, and just needed that voice to help guide me, and empower me on my journey to keep going. I'm lucky to be living in a time where many great artists are doing exactly that, and I want to be a part of that forward motion, for others. Women and femmes are badasses, exactly as they are, and its important to me that they know that.
"Boys/Girls" the EP was released over time. Was it always the plan to stagger the release of songs? How did that decision and release plan come about and how did it serve the story you wanted to tell?
Yes, that was always the plan! I think it was an interesting journey for sure. Based on the single order, I think it gave people a real chance to get to know me little by little as an artist, and then to be able to put the bigger picture together and see it all as one. Letting people get to know me as an artist, song by song with this project was a fun process.
The EP lends itself to a variety of different genres and sounds. How would you define your musical style?
I have a LOT of musical influences, I don't see myself as the kind of artist who just does "one" thing. Torrey Mercer as a music artist is alternative pop, quirky bright pop, singer/songwriter, and R&B influenced, with some occasional Jazz or Rock undertones. I would truly say I am a pop artist at heart who creates a fusion of all of these sounds. Collectively, they all define who I am as an artist, and I'm excited to give people the chance to continually get to know my sound. I love surprising people.
What surprised you along the way of creating "Boys/Girls". What turns or happy accidents did you encounter that you didn't see coming?
Oh, this happened a few different times. One, the title track was originally going to have a different producer. I was working with someone who I respect, and the sound just wasn't getting where I had hoped it would be. So I ended up asking my guitarist from live shows, Tyler Connaghan, to produce it, and he did such an amazing job, he produced the whole EP. Funny how that can work out sometimes. Also, "Like That" was a bit of a last second add, and was written spring of 2019 with a co-writer friend of mine, Emma Sweeney, who helped me to absolutely nail what we were going for.
What do you hope listeners take away from the EP?
I hope this EP can be a libration for LGBTQ people, and especially LGBTQ femmes. It includes many parts of my past that are quite personal, and how they have come to shape the artist and person that I am now. I hope that LGBTQ femmes can find a way to shape their own experiences in a way that helps them as well.
Have you started writing new material or are you giving yourself some room with the EP now being out?
Oh, definitely. This may be overly optimistic to say, but I currently have about 5 songs pending for release?? I believe I know the name of my next project as well, but that is all coming soon. TBA :)
We know you have a tour planned coming up. How long or extensive will the tour be?
I have a West Coast tour planned for June, and it's something I am very excited for. This will be my first time touring the west coast as a solo artist, and I'm lucky to be working with an amazing tour booking company who has helped to ensure that these venues are accessible for all, with gender inclusive bathrooms, and accessibility ramps. At this time we are unsure whether or not we will be postponing the tour due to COVID-19, it is something we are assessing right now, and will decide on soon. But my hope is that it will be a postponement if anything. It is definitely our priority to do our part to keep everyone safe and healthy.
What are you most excited for with the tour?
It will be so amazing to tour with a booking company that specifically caters towards unsigned marginalized, LGBTQ artists. They really do understand my needs as an artist, and the needs of the music listening community as a whole. They really are a perfect fit for my first tour, so I am just excited to meet lots of new faces in the crowds at the shows.
We know you've also played a fair number of Pride Festivals. What's been the most memorable one and what do you enjoy most about those shows?
I must say, the most memorable Pride festival I have played to date was OC Pride's Mainstage last year (June 2019). It was for an audience of about 300 people, and they were so unbelievably kind and supportive. It was surreal to get to meet everyone after the performance, and to see how they've all continued to stay in touch with me since. I hope to be able to play OC Pride again sometime.
Finally, what's next for Torrey Mercer? What's the future direction you hope to head into?
Well, as I said, I do have several songs pending for release that I am very excited about. The overall direction is going to be a project that's a bit more introspective, and personal. I absolutely love "Boys/Girls" as a body of work, and am incredibly proud to have music that makes a statement for the community and for women outwardly and loudly. On this next project, however, I hope to get a little bit more internal, and to address some mental health, and personal obstacles I have worked through, and overcome. More to come on that soon!
I have a West Coast tour planned for June, and it's something I am very excited for. This will be my first time touring the west coast as a solo artist, and I'm lucky to be working with an amazing tour booking company who has helped to ensure that these venues are accessible for all, with gender inclusive bathrooms, and accessibility ramps. At this time we are unsure whether or not we will be postponing the tour due to COVID-19, it is something we are assessing right now, and will decide on soon. But my hope is that it will be a postponement if anything. It is definitely our priority to do our part to keep everyone safe and healthy.
What are you most excited for with the tour?
It will be so amazing to tour with a booking company that specifically caters towards unsigned marginalized, LGBTQ artists. They really do understand my needs as an artist, and the needs of the music listening community as a whole. They really are a perfect fit for my first tour, so I am just excited to meet lots of new faces in the crowds at the shows.
We know you've also played a fair number of Pride Festivals. What's been the most memorable one and what do you enjoy most about those shows?
I must say, the most memorable Pride festival I have played to date was OC Pride's Mainstage last year (June 2019). It was for an audience of about 300 people, and they were so unbelievably kind and supportive. It was surreal to get to meet everyone after the performance, and to see how they've all continued to stay in touch with me since. I hope to be able to play OC Pride again sometime.
Finally, what's next for Torrey Mercer? What's the future direction you hope to head into?
Well, as I said, I do have several songs pending for release that I am very excited about. The overall direction is going to be a project that's a bit more introspective, and personal. I absolutely love "Boys/Girls" as a body of work, and am incredibly proud to have music that makes a statement for the community and for women outwardly and loudly. On this next project, however, I hope to get a little bit more internal, and to address some mental health, and personal obstacles I have worked through, and overcome. More to come on that soon!
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