The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
the b-side
Thursday, December 1, 2016 — 3B
If you have any interest in
fashion, you are likely familiar
with Mallory Merk, whether you
know it or not. The 16-year-old
Louisiana native has been featured
in the likes of Teen Vogue and
Refinery29, with an Instagram
presence deserving of that kind of
attention. Raking in 35 thousand
followers
as
of
Wednesday,
she has accumulated a photo
repertoire like no other, featuring
everything from bold street-style
snaps to candids with her bud,
A$AP Rocky. A unique middle
ground between dainty redhead
and groundbreaking tomboy, it
would appear that Merk’s outward
appearance is what propelled her
into ubiquity.
There is more to every story
than meets the eye, though. In the
case of Miss Mallory Merk, music
is what bubbles between the lines.
“I first started making music
when I got my first family
computer,” she said in an interview.
“I was probably about 10. I used to
make voice memos on my phone
and edit them in GarageBand.”
I know what you may be
thinking, and the answer is no.
Merk is not another pretty face
with a platform and a hobby. She
released her debut EP, MM & HH,
this past August at the age of 15.
Produced by Dallas band Herrick
& Hooley, each song’s bluesy
undertones and quippy, youthful
lyrics feel practically hypnotic. The
entire project possesses a depth
that one would never expect from
a member of today’s supposedly
scatterbrained youth.
“My inspiration for MM & HH
came from all over my life, coming
of age,” Merk said. “ ‘Puppy Love’
was all about literal puppy love.
‘Gold’ was about my questioning
if I’m ready or even worthy of
what I’ve been given in this life. I
always think, why me? MM & HH
was about trusting myself and my
art. Hunter Lewis from Herrick &
Hooley told me once that without
Alabama Shakes and Bryson Tiller
there would be no MM & HH. I
thought that was pretty funny, but
it’s really true. I also draw a lot of
inspiration from Amy Winehouse,
Frank Ocean and ’90s R&B. ”
There is still an elephant in the
room: under what genre, if any,
does MM & HH fit?
“I have a term for my music I’m
trying to coin,” she said, laughing.
“It’s Trazz. Trap-Jazz music.”
All elements of this narrative
point to one conclusion: Merk
means business. The model and
songstress is not old enough to buy
lottery tickets, yet her resume is
unparalleled.
“My modeling career really
kicked off after I modeled for
Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 2 zine
when I had just turned 14,” Merk
said. “I was so happy to be launched
into the fashion world in such a
beautiful way. My favorite memory
as a model was probably having my
face done by Pat McGrath and her
team for the first time. It was really
a dream come true. She’s a queen
and an amazing artist and soul.”
It may be difficult to imagine
a teenager juggling one career of
such brevity (read: Kanye West
and Pat McGrath) while trying to
kickstart another. According to
Merk, however, her two passions
live hand-in-hand.
“Modeling has played a huge
role in my music career,” she said.
“When I do a shoot or editorial I
like to push for the client to write
about my music or to plug my
talent and true passion in one way
or another. Also, modeling was the
original way that my face got out
there and so popular, so I have my
looks and ability to put my whole
heart into everything I do to thank
for the success of my music.”
Now, wait just a minute. What
about school? Do kids still do that
in 2016? Apparently, the answer is
yes. Though we may never know
how, Merk confirms that she finds
time to attend an ordinary public
high school.
“Balancing high school with
studio time and everything else is
really challenging,” she said. “To
be honest, it’s almost impossible.
If I can get real for a second,
something is always lost, whether
that be relationships, friendships,
family time, schoolwork or a
creative outlet. Lately, I’ve been
feeling my friends slip away, my
real friends. I miss them. I miss
my family. I feel like I don’t talk to
them enough.”
How, then, does our fiery-haired
protagonist find the strength to
move forward?
“Balancing isn’t the word,” she
said, “It’s a pendulum. Swinging
back and forth from being mentally
healthy
and
making
music,
modeling, doing schoolwork and
seeing family to the opposite. Every
day is a balancing act for me, it’s
very tiring. That’s why I meditate,
pray and align my chakras to keep
my head in the right place.”
Merk is certainly cut from a
special cloth — a “Jane” of many
trades, if you will. If she has come
this far already, one can only
imagine what she will be capable
of later in life.
“In the future, you can expect
the unexpected. Expect something
you’ve never heard before. Expect
my whole heart through my music.
Expect my whole personality
through my modeling. And always
expect great things, so you can be
happy upon receiving art that’s
better than great.”
The story of Mallory Merk has
only just begun.
ARTIST
PROFILE
IN
MALLORY MERK
Malllory Merk (middle) is a musician and model from Louisiana.
TESS GARCIA
Daily Arts Writer
MUSIC NOTEBOOK
Last
summer,
I
managed
to
find
myself
cross-legged
on a dock, overlooking the
hazy emerald mountains that
surround
New
Hampshire’s
Lake
Winnipesaukee.
Sitting
amid
12
other
students,
I
awaited the start of an academic
class that focused on the “uses
of the erotic.” Did I attend this
class because I assumed it’d be
largely sexual in nature? Maybe.
Nevertheless, in 90 minutes, the
word “erotic” took on new, much
more profound, meaning. The
class utilized Audre Lorde’s 1974
essay “Uses of the Erotic: The
Erotic as Power,” in which she
boldly defines the erotic as “a
measure between the beginnings
of our sense of self and the chaos
of our strongest feelings.”
After familiarizing the class
with Lorde’s definition, our
instructor
requested
we
go
around and name what came
to mind when we heard the
word “erotic.” Immediately, the
seductive beats of Chet Faker’s
song “Cigarettes and Chocolate”
flowed into my brain.
I’ve
always
chased
the
goosebumps,
the
body-
inhabiting emotion that music
sends through me. I vividly recall
being the only kid in the fourth
grade choir who volunteered to
sing the alto part of “Carol of the
Bells”(you may know this part as
the “ding, dongs”). While all my
peers begged to sing the popular
melody “Hark, how the bells!
Sweet, silver bells,” I preferred
dwelling in the harmony; it was
easier to get lost the depths
of the blending voices, in the
depths of my own feeling.
It goes without saying that
nine-year-old me did not identify
my soul-stirring response to
harmony as “erotic.” But, as
Lorde describes the erotic, music
has always been “a reminder of
my capacity for feeling.” Thus,
I turn to music to enhance
the feeling of my everyday
experiences. Music holds the
potential to summon the erotic,
and illuminate our lives with
what Lorde identifies as the
“kind of energy that heightens
our senses and strengthens all of
(our) experiences.”
The value in the erotic, and
music’s ability to access it,
stretches
beyond
individual
experience. One of its uses,
according to Lorde, is uniting
those who share moments of its
electric emotion. She accents the
erotic’s ability to “be the basis for
understanding much of what is
not shared between us.” Emotion
is humanity’s common ground,
but it’s rare we allow ourselves to
indulge in such rawness together.
I crave that rawness, though,
and utilize music to ease the
human
connection-hindering
fear of displaying intense feeling.
For
instance,
“Rivers
and
Roads” by The Head and the
Heart has been the deliberate
soundtrack to multiple “endings”
in my life. The wistful harmonies
of the chorus, “rivers ‘til I reach
you” fueled the collective tears
of my high school friend group
before graduation — but only
after the classic, “NO oh my GOD,
this song makes me cry” remark.
Though just a playful plea, it
revealed the power music has
over us, as well as our aversion to
the vulnerability of the erotic.
Shared
erotic
connection
doesn’t have to be somber, though.
We’ve all been at that lackluster
party that makes an 360 degree
revitalization when that one
guy puts on “Mr. Brightside.”
Suddenly, the room is bouncing
in nostalgic camaraderie to the
tune of its infamous guitar intro.
The night is heroically saved, and
The Killers’ energy miraculously
carries over into the night, alive
even when that one girl (me)
turns on “Macarena.”
Be it getting goosebumps at
a choir concert, sobbing to the
cliche “Rivers and Roads,” or
head-banging to a dancefloor
classic, both music and the erotic
come in many forms — sort of like
love. Lorde explains, “the very
word erotic comes from the Greek
word eros, the personification
of love in all its aspects.” When
we realize the erotic within
ourselves, we’re realizing our
deepest capacities for love — love
for ourselves and love for others.
That tingly, wide-eyed magic
that music ignites in me defies
logic — it’s like momentarily
falling
in
love
—
and
it’s
frighteningly vulnerable to feel
so deeply. But when I find myself
scared
away,
uninspired
or
settling, I know I have Chet Faker
to tune me back into the erotic
— Audre Lorde’s erotic — that I
discovered on that dock last June.
AVERY FRIEDMAN
Daily Arts Writer
Finding the erotic subtext in Chet
Faker and The Head and the Heart
Chasing the goosebumps and emotions that music sends through me
Rumor has it we’re ordering Pizza House. Baked and
Buzzed have relegated me to be the Designated Orderer.
Morale low. THERE SHE IS. Looking good Lizzie.
Why does cartoon Lizzie have boobs? Is that really
necessary? Remind me to never get bangs. And she
has an iBook? Slow down. Little brother is spying
on her in the bathroom?! This is some Freudian
sh*t.
WAIT ... this is JUNIOR high? SHE IS
DEFINITELY 20 IN THIS MOVIE. Mrs.
McGuire looks like a young Meryl Streep.
Gordo’s here! The original Chase Matthews.
Gordo means fat in Spanish. This teacher at
this “graduation” just referenced Ebola. Disney
is always ahead of the curve. I remember being
nervous for Lizzie the first time I watched her give
her commencement speech. Now I’m in college and
I’m laughing. Capital One ad in the airport?! I see you,
propaganda. God, the little brother is still creepy. Two weeks in
Rome?! With a high school principal whom the students have yet to meet? Sounds good. Buzzed thought
the dad was hot at first, but now disagrees. I SEE FROSTED TIPS! Ethan is here! Gordo’s hair looks like
mine. Why is the popular girl wearing a khaki pantsuit? Secretary Clinton? Disney was ahead, I’m telling
you. Alright, look at the hotel room. It is covered in marble. IN COMES PAOLO! Kisses?! Oh, right, this is
Europe. They’re drinking Pellegrino now. Imperialism lives. This milkshake is thick like Paolo’s accent
should be, but is not. OK, wait. Paolo is kind of hot. This isn’t fair, the pretty girls get everything. Curse you
Hillary (Duff, not Clinton, who already has that in the bag).
“You’re such a good friend.” Oof. Poor Gordo. MY FAVORITE SCENE IS HERE. THE FASHION
SCENE. IT IS TIME FOR THE IGLOO DRESS. Baked just said, “I think this movie exaggerates.” This
screenplay was definitely forged from a Mad Lib book. In Rome, everything is marble. Did you know?
Hold up. Lizzie’s family literally just got on a plane to visit her. She is only gone for two weeks. Joanne
the Scammer would’ve swindled the heck out of this little girl. Also to be noted: no way did Hillary Duff
receive any form of dialect lessons for her Italian alter ego, Isabella. But oh, my, is she steamy. It’s been
revealed! Paolo is a diva! What a pickle he and Lizzie are in. One second, why doesn’t Gordo want to get
with Isabella?
PERFORMANCE TIME. Paolo can’t sing! Ha ha! Girls rule, boys drool, in every country! The emblem
of modern Italian culture has been dismantled. Turns out Buzzed sang this song in the high school talent
show. I am happy and you should be, too. Lizzie and Gordo are “sneaking away.” KISS! KISS! (I know they
kiss.) She kissed him and he threw up the rock horns in response. Why has no boy ever thrown up the
rock horns for me? - Tess Garcia, Daily Arts Writer
“The Lizzie McGuire
Movie”
in this series, three daily arts writers
in varying states of mind do the same
activity and write about their experiences.
this week’s event:
Don’t remember this intro. Looks like some Agent Cody Banks and Cadet Kelly
shit. Oh wait never mind it’s just Lizzie McGuire’s mean af little bro. “The tide
is high” just came on and I highkey wanna dance and sing but I’m too
high and don’t know all the lyrics TBH. The cartoon version of
Lizzie has small boobs #why. I only saw this movie once
in theaters in 2003 so this is hella nostalgic. Wait
Lizzie has an iBook??? Damn the movie
really is from 2003. Also why is her
brother spying on her, like that’s
some demented Hitchcockian voy-
eurism shit. Live action and animation
mixed make me uncomfy. Gordo, what a homie
#thatjewfrotho. LIZZIE’s TEACHER JUST MADE
A REFERENCE TO EBOLA WHAAT. Lmao Lizzie looks
like she’s 40 but she’s graduating from eighth grade AND she’s
going to Rome?? Lizzie’s graduation speech is cringeworthy af. Fun
fact: the woman who plays Ms Ungermeyer voiced Lois from Family
Guy. She’s such a savage in this movie. Buzzed thought Lizzie’s dad was hot lol.
The plane scene is cute, I’m surprised Gordo and Lizzie never smashed. Lol I just
remembered when Lizzie first sees Paolo and he says in a shaky Italian accent “Isabella??”
Europeans are so funny. The dialogue is corny as heck. But the cinematography’s not terrible.
Wait isn’t Paolo like 20?! Kinda pedophilic if you ask me. Is his bodyguard always there? Bored said
everyone’s sunglasses looked horrible before 2009. Exposition scenes are the worst. Paolo is such a shallow
motherfucker, he is the original fuccboi. I’m laughing at everything SOMEBODY HELP ME. Never mind,
Lizzie just said Paolo is 17, I still see several red flags. Gordo is so hardcore friendzoned. The soundtrack is
bomb, 8.5/10 would recommend. I think this movie exaggerates the effects of mainstream media too much.
My friend just said Paolo looks like Fez from That ’70s Show and I TOTALLY AGREE. Wait Lizzie just did
a cartwheel handstand, stop the FUCKING panini presses. Damn Ms Ungermeyer and the bodyguard are
lowkey fuckin, I feel like she wears the [CENSORED] in this relationship. Paolo’s line delivery is so FLAT.
His Broken English is making my insides explode. Oh they’re singing the slow version of This is What
Dreams Are Made Of fuck me up. Love the last performance, like Lizzie singing with the brunette version
of herself is amazing. The kiss between Gordo and Lizzie was weak as hell but it’s ok cuz they’re both awk-
ward! What a journey it’s been you guys.
-Daily Arts Writer
Damn I love this song … “The tide is high but I’m holding on.”
Sing it cartoon Lizzie. High key though bless Hillary Duff for not
becoming a trainwreck like some of the other Disney channel stars.
I used to play the game boy version of Lizzie McGuire and it was
fun as hell.
Why the fuck is Lizzie going to Rome for her 8th grade
graduation I wasn’t even allowed to leave my neighborhood in 8th
grade. Her dad is hot ?? maybe ?? I hate that Miranda is not in this
movie. Bored is noticing stuff that I cannot pick up on but that’s OK
she’s doing well. Gordo definitely smoked pot in junior high. Real
question though: Where does Lizzie McGuire live?
I’m some Franzia and beers deep … Lizzie and Gordo need
some too. Also Paolo is definitely 18 something years old and that
is just pedophilia-ish right there. Also Paolo, to be honest, I totally
would. Why can’t I go to some foreign country and look like an
international pop star that’s so unfair. Drinking Pellegrino water,
Gordo? That’s some bougie ass shit. Crap, we devoured that feta
bread. Also, Lizzie is walking around the streets of Rome at 14 by
herself, but I would high key be shitting my pants with my braces
and American eagle shirt. THIS SOUNDTRACK IS BOMB WTF.
Gordo is a good friend too, like why does no one go for the nice boys
anymore ? Baked loves mentioning that Gordo is Jewish. Should I
put alcohol in my Pizza House milkshake?
Palo is a poser and I feel like I am the cartoon version of Lizzie
Mcguire. This movie kind of has no point but maybe I’m just being
cynical? Lizzie has a hot outfit on and Baked says, “she looks hot for
an eighth grader,” and when did this turn so sexual? lol she falls on
baked.buzzed.bored.
the red carpet. This movie is way faster when you are drunk. Damn Lizzie is in such a pickle with Paolo rn.
God dammit Paolo you suck cheers to Lizzie and Isabella #girlsruntheworld Just remember they are singing
in the Colosseum HOW. LIZZIE IS SINGING WITH THE BRUNETTE VERSION OF HERSELF GOALS,
MAN, GOALS. But, is this is what dreams are made of? The booty shake IS the best part of the entire film.
THEY KISS I REPEAT LIZZIE AND GORDO kISs. -Daily Arts Writer