Jeff Merchant doesn’t usually write cute, sweet, happy love songs — although some of his tunes are undeniably charming and whimsical. Merchant’s songs are carefully crafted and thought-provoking. He writes about serious subjects and of life's hardships in a catchy, melodic way, where the melodies, themselves, take off some of the edge.

He is a purveyor of slickly arranged orchestral indie-pop with jazz and folk undertones. Merchant’s "window rolled down" CD is one remarkably smooth listen, carrying the listener effortlessly along from auspicious start to fine finish.

 This Los Angeles-based songwriter is best known as a member of the cult fave psycho-eclectic group, the Lullabies – which also features the notable and nationally renowned Stew & Heidi Rodewald (of The Negro Problem) and Michael Whitmore (Listing Ship). Their debut CD, "Lullabies’ Lullaby" released in 2004, received national radio airplay, made a few top-10 lists and is even being played in some European cafes.

Merchant was also front man for the quirky alt-pop L.A. band, PG-13, known for its inspired and clever interpretation of Willy Wonka’s “Pure Imagination” and for inventive songs about 99 cent stores and other urban realities - with an EP release on the French label, Z&Zoé Records. He also co-fronted the moody, orchestral pop sensibilities of a band called MetaTonic which utilized flute, violin and step bells as part of its sound. And he created the legendary alternative songwriter showcase known as, "Broken Mic", which held a regular residency at the world famous nightclub, Spaceland in Silverlake.

 Not only does Merchant’s new CD have fellow Lullabies members playing on some of the tracks, it also features members of Brian Wilson’s band, Stew’s band, and Shivaree,
as well as Listing Ship and other distinguished Silverlake/Los Angeles musicians.
And Stew produced two of the tracks on this CD.

 Multi-influenced, not trying to sound like anyone else, Jeff Merchant doesn’t identify with any particular musical style or genre. He’s more interested in well-written, compelling songs that have both a strong melody and a message.

 What started as a modest home recording eventually grew into a more significant project utilizing the expertise of others, including the wizardry of Michael Rozon, whose mixing and recording enhancements bring out the spirit of the songs, and the creative contributions of everyone involved, making this CD a more realized vision.

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