Mereki, the Australian/English Indie-Pop princess, is spreading kindness one song at a time, literally. Mereki created Merekis Clubhouse in 2016 as a platform for creativity and a space for up-and-coming female artists. The Clubhouse motto “Be Kind” grew into a nonprofit of its own and now hosts annual benefit concerts that help raise money for charities. Music still drives the source of inspiration for Mereki with her most recent single “Presence” which dropped in December. Jejune got the chance to talk to Mereki about her work inside and outside of the studio.

Where are you based?
I split my time between London and the English countryside.

What got you interested in music?
I’ve been humming a tune since I was a baby, so I guess being born?

You recently dropped a new single "Presence," what was the inspiration behind the indie pop ballad?
Eckhart Tolle’s book ‘A New Earth’ was a big inspiration behind the lyrics, and the beat was inspired by the band Blur.

What message did you want the audience to receive?
I wanted this song to be an anthem for coming back into the present moment, where everything is always perfect. I wanted to share the good mental health and divinity that finding Presence gives to me.

In the music video you play a princess trapped in her own mind, was this just a character or does it express how you feel in real life? What inspired this aesthetic?
I think we can all relate to feeling trapped inside our own minds from time to time, so this was definitely a personal viewpoint. And I believe that everyone is their own kind of princess, including me. :) The aesthetic was inspired by Jacque Demy’s ‘Peau d’ane’ ( ‘Donkey Skin’ in English) — aesthetically one of my favorite movies of all time.

What is the symbolism of the blue guy?
To me, the blue man is my "Presence," always next to me or in front of me or behind me, and then at the end we finally come together on the quad bike symbolizing that I have finally become one with my presence. BUT, I think the blue man is whoever you want him to be, he could also just be surrealism having a laugh.

We love that she broke free on a 4-wheeler. So badass! Why was it important that she escaped this way? Did she/you get your happily-ever-after?
Yeah, the forward movement of the quad bike and togetherness of the princess and blue man represents finding personal freedom within and our ability to escape what plagues us by utilizing Presence. The princess got her happily-ever-after and you can too. :)

Jejune loves that you have started your own music community that helps give back to the world. Can you tell us a bit about Mereki’s Clubhouse Be Kind and what started it?
My friend Lael Neal, a fellow fairy and musician, came to visit me at work one day and we got chatting about how there were no social groups with good intentions in LA. It kind of began there and I started hosting a monthly club night with three rules: 1. Be Kind 2. Be Kind 3. Be Kind. My friend Denise Love Hewett would DJ and a variety of female artists would perform. Simultaneously, I started organizing dinners at a local women's shelter and inviting music industry friends to come and cook. Then came the magical annual holiday benefit concert, which I’m really hoping makes a come-back in 2023!

Can you tell us a bit about your annual Be Kind holiday benefit concert? What inspired this?
Oh, it’s so fun. I organize a house band and then get a bunch of different artists to come and sing a holiday song each, we run an auction, and raise money for charity. Everyone mucks in, and it’s just really special. I think I just really wanted to help and thought, well, I know a lot of musicians!

How was your 2022 concert?
Sadly, there’s been no concert since the pandemonium, but I’m really hoping to find a new community here in the UK to work with on one this year!

We love that this year you held a Presents for Presence fundraiser campaign this holiday season in partnership with Happy Baby Community. Can you tell us a bit more about the Happy Baby Community and why you decided to partner with them?
Ever since leaving LA, I’d been looking for meaningful charities to work with and a wonderful woman named Caroline Muir connected me with the Happy Baby Community. They do such great work supporting women and children asylum seekers. I was so happy to raise a little money and awareness around their beautiful organization.

With the constant wars going on these days, there is an increase in refugees. What would you like to see most to help these people?
I’d like to see more compassion and care within our community, and more government financial support and infrastructure.

It has been a crazy past few years. How have you been staying positive?
Trying to get into nature each day helps, and page openings from books by Eckhart, Yung Pueblo or Yrsa Daly-Ward every morning helps too. Insight timer has a lot of wonderful meditations, and I think really limiting my intake of mass media makes a difference. Seeking the answers inside of myself instead has been life-changing. I feel very positive and hopeful for the new world.

What does 2023 look like for you? Is there anything you are excited for? We know you have a new single "Twin Flame" coming out. Can you tell us anything about that?
Lots and lots of new music! I feel like I’ve been inside the catapult being pulled back for a while now and this year I’m letting go and propelling into the skies, hoping to land on a cloud pillow.

What is your motto in life?
Be Kind. :)

To learn more about Mereki, please follow the links below:
https://www.merekimusic.com/
Instagram: @mereki

bunbunrecords.com

Mereki - The Indie-Pop Princess For Positive Change