MILK POOL was one of our favourite releases of this year, and last week I was lucky enough to slide into Merpire’s DM’s and take a deep dive into this release, her evolving goals for her music and what she’s got planned for 2026!!
Suzie: Thanks so much for chatting with me today. So 2025 brought the release of your second album, MILK POOL. That feels like a good place to start – how did it feel putting that out into the world?
Merpire: Yes! It was really, really fun thank you!
I’d released my first record, Simulation Ride in lockdown so just being able to go out and physically celebrate beyond just refreshing streaming services to see if it was live was a huge win.
I had a few cute celebrations with friends and fans, like a first listen of the vinyl at High Note in Northcote, went vinyl-dropping to local Naarm record shops, had a vinyl party at Soundmerch in Collingwood who distribute all my merch and a small album launch tour.
It’s very easy for me to just be like, “that was cool” and move on. Not because I’m not proud of it or anything, I’m just not naturally a “look at me come and celebrate me!” kind of person haha!*
*which makes is tricky being an artist sometimes!!
Suzie: I love this. I’m going to come back to that “that was cool and move on” frame of mind shortly. Did you find the creative process was different for MILK POOL as well, not just necessarily with being out of lockdown but doing this for the second time?
Merpire: It was different, yes. With songwriting and music production, the more I do it and get internal rewards like joy and playful curiosity, and of course external praise, the more confident I’ve become to dig even deeper within myself to find what wants to come out.
Given the luxury of time I had to make MILK POOL too meant nurturing working relationships, developing trust to experiment further. I worked with three different producers across different songs this time. James Seymour was the main producer who also produced Simulation Ride and having worked together over many years meant we had a very special connection to create. My best friend Elizabeth M. Drummond produced Rosanna with me. I love her brain and she took it to a beautifully dark and desperate place
With MILK POOL, I went out on a limb and reached out to two dream engineers – James Dring who produced Bigger with me and Ali Chant mixed the record. I was over the moon (and surprised) they wanted to do it and their involvement really elevated it!
Suzie: How did I not know that (about Rosanna)? I think that’s my favourite song on the album. Also I’m so here for reaching out to dream people you want to work with! I’ve decided life meets you at your level of audacity sometimes and it’s actually amazing what you can do if you just ask!
Jumping back to what you said before about having the “that was cool and move on” attitude. You’ve spoken recently about your changing goals and dreams within the music industry, and I guess a desire to engage more mindfully and slowly with it. Can you expand a little on that? Is it to enable you to keep that great mindset of “that was cool and move on” and to allow yourself time, like with MILK POOL to be creating what you really want to, in the way you want to without I guess always chasing something?
Sorry that’s such a long question.
Merpire: Haha nah this is great!!
It’s about nurturing what I love about making and releasing music and being more forgiving of myself when not feeling up to the parts that don’t feel right.
I thought for a long time the parts that didn’t feel right or that I wasn’t enjoying meant that I was being lazy in that area, was only up for the fun and not the work I found hard which made me think I wasn’t up for a career in music like I thought I was. But in fact, I was just done pushing against my personality and work ethic to make myself “fit” into what social media capitalisation demanded from me as an artist trying to reach an audience in this day and age.
It honestly feels like what I imagine escaping a mind-altering cult feels – you’re taught to glorify the worth and worship certain things (streaming numbers, any numbers really) something doesn’t feel right but you seem to be the only one not coping, then there’s small whispers amongst other members and it turns you’re not the only one and it’s not a one-size fits all.
Or like a school that only teaches in one way to people who have many ways of learning because there’s not one type of person!!!
So slowly, I’m learning to un-care about what’s not within my control – I know that with a sick marketing team there are certain things you can somewhat control but I’m just not willing to spend thousands on it anymore when I’m not making anywhere near as much as I would need to spend
AND
I know there’s lots of free ways I can reach potential fans like social media stuff but again, the purpose of me slowing down and getting back to what feels good – creating, playing shows, meaningful dm conversations is helping me understand WHERE I want to continue working hard – making music, nurturing relationships, writing grants and leave behind what honestly hurt my whole being – to be a slave to social media in hope of reaching fans I’ll never even get to play for.
I’d rather spend time nurturing “fan growth” by respecting myself and my artistry first. Without that, there’s nothing sustainable. And hey, I think even if I was making enough money to make time for intense social media, I still wouldn’t do it because it doesn’t feel good and that’s ok.
(End scene. Could go on forever!!)
Actually one more sentence – My approach now is basically the opposite of what most industry are looking for in an artist and that kind of excites me.
Suzie: Oof, I relate to this so hard. I’m the kind of person that feels if I don’t give something my all, I’m not doing it properly and it’s been a constant battle to reframe that. I read a lovely thing about someone saying “my post got 200 views and I image that as 200 people sat in my living room listening to what I have to say” and I try to hold on to things like when I start to get sucked in.
I think it’s great there’s more artists like you who are speaking out about this too and making people realise there’s more than one way to be successful (whatever that means). I love that you’re excited by it too, I think maintain your love for what you do is far more important.
And agree, I could talk about this for hours but I’m mindful you need to get back to your day.
I just had two more questions.
Firstly, you’ve spoken a lot about collaboration in the past and I know you’ve done some huge projects on this. Is this still something you’re focused on and how do you see this fitting into your work moving forward?
And finally, what does 2026 look like for you musically?
Merpire: Looove!! Ok..
- Yesss, collaborating is continuing. In the last month I’ve written and recorded songs (something I’ve only just realised!) with three different brilliant songwriters – Elizabeth M. Drummond (we clearly can’t stay away from each other, our writing just feels like witchcraft and sorcery every time!), Vince Mcintyre (Fan Girl) and Lewis Coleman.
- I’ve got a bunch of other songs, including a country-esque record I’ve been tinkering away at over the years and 2026 is the year I’m going to record and experiment lots for what I want to release next, Merpire or otherwise.
It’s very exciting to look forward and see only free expression. I think some people would say “woah, don’t talk about new stuff yet, MILK POOL hasn’t been out that long” but there’s room to do both.
I’ve got a bunch of shows lined up for the first half of next year and am going to continue writing and recording at the same time. So maybe I’m not slowing down!!! I’m just doing it the way I want which feels like slowing down… interesting. Mindset is so powerful!
And of course, working my day jobs that I love! Very lucky
Suzie: Ooh, I’m excited for the country-esque record.
And definitely not slowing down, just doing it on your own terms!
Anyway, I’m absolutely going to let you get back to that day job now, thank you again for chatting. I really appreciate the depth and honesty of your responses!
Merpire: Aw thank you Suzie, I really enjoyed it!!!
About Merpire
Merpire is the musical project of Melbourne-based artist Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt. Known for her evocative indie-pop sound, she blends introspective lyrics with lush instrumentation. Her debut album, Simulation Ride, earned acclaim for its raw honesty and vulnerability. Merpire’s live performances have captivated audiences both in Australia and internationally, including tours with acts like Pillow Queens. Her latest work, MILK POOL continues to explore themes of intimacy and self-discovery.
You can listen to MILK POOL here.
And find out more about Merpire here.