Katrin-Merili - Beautiful Things (EP) + 10 Questions

Paris-based, Estonian soul artist Katrin-Merili is proud to share her debut EP ‘Beautiful Things’. Releasing on Friday 30th August, the project sees her channel the soulful energy of Yebba, Moonchild and Donny Hathaway, weaving her vocal around future-facing, blues-laced instrumentals to create a distinctive brand of Nordic neo-soul.

A rising name in the Parisian soul-jazz crossover scene, Katrin has spent the last eight years in the French capital collaborating and building a name for herself, supporting the likes of Roy Ayres at the revered New Morning jazz club. Her path in Paris led to her meeting co-producer Sacha Arnaud, who was able to help Katrin bring her musical vision to life alongside the vibrant presence of talented French musicians including Noé Berne (Nine Sparks Riot) and Remi Klein (Voyou).

‘Beautiful Things’ is a project consisting of five intimate stories centred around femininity, identity, and mental health, touching upon Katrin’s experience of being split between two countries, and supporting her mother through her battle with breast cancer. Due to the deeply personal subject material, Katrin wanted to be as involved as possible across the project, creating her own visual world to accompany the music, she shares: “I decided to self-produce the EP independently to be able to follow through with my original vision and to make something really personal. I am fully present in all the aspects of the creation, from writing the lyrics to styling, MUA, self-portraits, artworks and collages. Every song is a personal piece of my life and an invite to join me on my journey of self-discovery.”

Lead single ‘Hold My Body’ reflected on a long distance relationship, and the power of love to surpass geographical boundaries, finding widespread support from the likes of Wonderland and Wordplay Magazine. Follow up ‘Overjoyed’ explored a moment of joy experienced by Katrin after helping someone else, and serves as a reminder of how rewarding helping those around us can be. Creating a joyous, old-school soul feel akin to Donny Hathaway or Marvin Gaye, complete with wurlitzer organs, grooving bass and carefully arranged choral sections, Katrin shares: “I wanted for it to sound as warm and human as it felt when I wrote it. In the production process we worked on mixing the old school feel with more of a modern sound, and this song took us the longest production-wise to get the right feeling, as it’s all live instrumentation.”

Katrin-Merili sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I started singing from an early age. Or as my mom likes to say, I started singing before I started talking. It quickly became something that I was good at and that I constantly wanted to do. Singing teachers wanted to train me individually and I won my first local singing competition at the age of 5 and recorded my voice in a studio for a children’s music album at the age of 7. Also in Estonia, most kids start to sing in choirs from an early age and we have many vocals competitions for little ones. I was naturally good at it, I loved it and it has been my passion ever since. Now, singing as an adult is also a way to connect with my inner child and her dreams.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

There are so many but if I have to point out someone, I would say Robert Glasper  because ever since I heard his Black Radio album, it changed the way I saw modern jazz music and that there are no boundaries when it comes to mixing different genres to create sound that reflects our current times. I would also love to harmonise with other vocalists I admire like Yebba, Lianne La Havas or Cleo Sol. Also working with Jacob Collier because I absolutely love his energy and it would surely be incredibly fun and musically enlightening.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

I am mainly focused on my own project at the moment but I recorded a few tracks with French double bass player Gabriel Pierre on his latest album Until Now featuring rapper Emcee Agora, mixing an explosive jazz group with soulful vocals and French hip-hop in the style of RH Factor. Some concerts are coming up with this project this year. A few other collaborations are cooking that I will announce soon when the time is right.

4. How would you describe your sound?

It doesn’t really fit into any specific box. The closest term would be neo soul as i am mixing soul with jazz and RnB but in the end it really is a big mix of all of my influences, from early 2000s pop music to my jazz studies, from the ABBA albums my mom listened on repeat or the traditional Estonian folk music i sang in choirs for years. I guess in the end it is a mix of all that makes it sound like me.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Opening up for Roy Ayers during three days in the renowned New Morning jazz club in Paris was really amazing. Meeting such a legend and pioneer is an honour I can't put into words, he paved the way for us and is still one of the most sampled artists.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I’d say go for it and it is never too late. Don’t listen to the haters and follow your vision. I’m 31 and releasing my first EP, it took me a long time to really believe that i could do it. The beginning is always scary but there is never a perfect time or don’t count on an easy way in by waiting to be discovered. Go for it yourself, make mistakes as early as you can, learn from them and follow your heart. If you love what you do and your message is honest, there will always be people who will be inspired and who will join you on your journey.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I am lucky to have many talented friends who make incredible music that I'm absolutely obsessed with. I’d recommend checking out India Naia, an American RnB singer based in Paris and Karmen Rõivassepp with an angelic voice from Estonia who is my current favourite jazz singer. I’m also a fan of the musicians on my album who have projects that are shaping the new french alt jazz scene like Daida, Jesa, Bada-Bada, Lord$.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Raye-Genesis, Jorja Smith-Falling or Flying (Reimagined), Cleo Sol- Heaven & Gold (both albums), Olivia Dean-Messy and Victoria Monét-Jaguar II.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I love to draw, sketch, paint, scrapbook, make art in general or go to one of the many museums of Paris. As an introverted person it’s my way to relax and recharge when my social battery runs out. Also reading a book in a park, going to my favourite bookstore Shakespeare and Co or the cinema. Just walking around in Paris helps me gather my thoughts and find inspiration, there is always something to see.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Warm tea (or steam) to hydrate my vocal cords, comfy clothes and my analogue film camera for taking pictures.