Profile: Weyes Blood
Weyes Blood, born Natalie Laura Mering, is an alternative musician who has recently released an album in November 2022: And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow. Mering first made her name in 2011 with the release of the album, The Outside Room; this album received great acclaim, with multiple critics praising its ambition. Her sound is often referred to as hypnotizing. She creates this effect by incorporating instruments, such as the organ, to create a specific atmosphere in her music. From the start, it was clear that Weyes Blood had a unique sound and she wasn’t afraid to explore.
With a history in Christian faith, much of Mering’s work is influenced by the music of holy places and classical music, centering around the idea of God. Many influential classical composers and pieces have deep religious roots and attempt to reflect the feeling of being connected to God. Mering tries to maintain some aspects of that feeling, in her work, and her efforts pay off; there is an evident ethereal quality to her music and style. It took Mering a while to get her name out there, but once she did, it was a short road to praise and recognition. After releasing In 2019, Mering released Titanic Rising, which quickly rose in popularity, allowing it top spots in several year-end lists. The album’s lyrics and music display a sorrow and longing for a time passed. The central theme of the album that Mering attempts to show is life in modern day society and climate change. These themes aren’t uncommon in her work, as her newest album, And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, tells a similar story of despair. To promote her album, Mering went on a tour in 2023.
The tour was a great success, receiving great critical commendation for her performance. Mering went across the country and internationally for this tour, seeing a larger fan base, support, and crowds than she had ever seen before. The final performance of her tour is on June 3rd, in Australia. Mering isn’t planning on stopping anytime soon as she has booked venues and concerts all the way into November.. Her angelic voice and sincerity impacted large audiences around the world. The tour allowed for large platforms, like The Rolling Stones and The Guardian, to note her excellence on stage.
Weyes Blood has a distinct and poignant vision for herself and her music. She describes her music as beautiful and feminine. She has a big future ahead of her, continuing to bring people together through her relatable, sorrowful music.
By Chloé Ghazal