Magi Merlin
Magi Merlin (pronounced MADGE-eye) grew up in Saint-Lazare, Canada. A place that may sound unfamiliar to you, but it is a lot closer to home than you realize. A suburb like all others. The epitome of normalcy. Unless of course you replace white with black, straight with queer, then, normalcy is challenged. This, amongst other subjects – such as the impact of capitalism on art, nepotism, the relationship one has to taking pleasure in belonging to those things while rejecting them all —, is what fuels Magi Merlin's creative universe.
Magi Merlin (pronounced MADGE-eye) grew up in Saint-Lazare, Canada. A place that may sound unfamiliar to you, but it is a lot closer to home than you realize. A suburb like all others. The epitome of normalcy. Unless of course you replace white with black, straight with queer, then, normalcy is challenged. This, amongst other subjects – such as the impact of capitalism on art, nepotism, the relationship one has to taking pleasure in belonging to those things while rejecting them all —, is what fuels Magi Merlin's creative universe.
It would not be entirely accurate to refer to her as only a singer or a songwriter. Music is indeed at the core of her artistry, but her world expands beyond the medium. It is one that is equally visual as it is auditory, one that is continuously shaped through collaborations with producers such as Funkywhat, designers, photographers, video directors and even film directors: Magi Merlin recently made her acting debut with a role in the movie Mile End Kicks from writer-director Chandler Levack (I Like Movies), alongside lead Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria), Devon Bostick (Oppenheimer), Stanley Simons (The Iron Claw) and Juliette Gariépy (Red Rooms).
This fall, Magi Merlin will return with the double single Bip / 9volt : two complementary, cathartic songs. One is docile, clever, and a bit sad as it goes on about acquiring confidence in coping with womanhood. The other is fierce and is meant to give you the energy to make the difference in a world that definitely needs it. They represent two sides of the same coin, share the same BPM, and are a great reflection of Magi's artistic versatility.
It’s now been two years since her critically-acclaimed, audacious 2022 EP Gone Girl came out. Drawing influences from 90’s house, drum and bass, Motown and hip hop, the EP was praised by Bandcamp Daily, Complex, Nylon, CBC Music, The FADER and The Line of Best Fit. It also allowed Magi Merlin to support Noga Erez on a European tour and Omar Apollo in Mexico City. Since its release, she performed at several festivals including Osheaga, Montreal Jazz Fest & Treefort Festival.
Out this fall, Bip /9volt provides a glimpse of what's to come from Magi Merlin in the next year or so, after having spent the last two years in the studio exploring and refining her craft.
- Winner in the category Musical Breakthrough of the Year, Gala Dynastie (2023)
- Winner in the category Rap/ Hip Hop EP of the year for Gone Girl at the GAMIQ (2022).
- Nominated in the category Breakthrough artist of the year at the GAMIQ (2022).
Still, despite its danceable qualities, Gone Girl exudes the rage and exasperation that many Black women feel in today’s climate. With this EP, Merlin perfectly marries the complexity of her experiences to the groove of the beat.
BandcampIt's soulful, funky, irreverent and gritty.
Kelsey Adams, CBCMerlin made it clear that she is here to stay.
Exclaim!Redoutablement efficace.
Philippe Renaud, Le DevoirCette jeune artiste fait tant de progrès, en si peu de temps, qu’il est permis de croire à une éclosion internationale dans un avenir proche.
Alain Brunet, PAN M 360Honest, brazen, and laced with wit.
The Line of Best Fit