Words: Eerie Rose Photographs: Jeanie Jean

What a week it has been for Meryl Streek! The release of a third album, a big headline slot at the iconic 100 club, record store shows and signings up and down the country…and, to top it all off, many chart placements including 4th place on the Official Independent Album Breakers chart. ‘Stories They Don’t Teach You At School’ has been met with a great reception, and we were fortunate enough to get to chat to the artist to find out a little more about it’s message.

Accompanying photographs for this article are from the show at The 100 club, taken by the incredibly talented Jeanie Jean who has just released a book of photography from years of documenting the DIY music scene. The exhibition runs until November 1st at the Museum of Youth Culture, where you can also purchase the book (once it’s restocked after a sell-out launch party!) with a portion of the proceeds going to Music Venue Trust. You might just spot some shots from past 5.18 shows in there…you’ll have to go take a look!

The first time I had the pleasure of catching a live set of yours, it was at bearded theory festival in 2024. The stage was set into woodland, and it felt really poignant to be taken out of this peace-and-love type energy to being hit with some absolutely incredible political and poignant music that really reminded the crowd that whilst the festival was intended to be fun, we can’t ignore all of the chaos in the world and pretend it doesn’t exist. What’s the main message you want someone to leave your set with, if they could take one thing?

Playing those shows can be tough sometimes because I also don’t want to steal away the fun for people but I guess at the same time people must get some kind of kick out of being screamed at in the middle of the afternoon with something really intense or I probably wouldn’t be here still doing it. My message is simple really be aware of what’s happening in the world around you as we’re living in very scary times.

How does your experiences in bands as a young musician shape the way you create work today?

It’s taught me not to take shit in this industry and that 95% of people working within it are pricks.

I’m thankful I got the early start on figuring that out.

How do you stay motivated to create art during the difficult times we exist in? Art has the power to change the world, but do you have any ways that help remind you of this during the artistic process?

I simply look out the window and see a million things happening that anger me. The Media, social media, politicians talking out their arse, 80,000 people in emergency accommodation, I can’t understand anyone singing about anything else as I’m that invested in what I do.

What was the recording process like? As a self proclaimed one man band, how do you balance having control over the elements of your art vs knowing when to collaborate?

I absolutely love the control and not having to depend on 3 other people it’s my own madness and my own late nights working away on music. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to working with other people in a band type basis I get more done flying solo and can’t seem to stop making new music. Collaborations will always be apart of this project though.

There’s some amazing features on this record, used in your style of audio collage. How did these come about, and how did you go about selecting the right people to fit the tracks?

I generally look for like minded people and that’s really how it starts just people who share good messages and try do their bit on giving out like me. And of course most of these people will be from bands or art projects I’ve grown up liking or live currently. All hands on deck.

If you could describe the album in three words what would they be?

Intense. Beautiful. Bleak.

‘Stories They Don’t Teach You At School’ is available in record stores and on streaming platforms now. Follow Meryl Streek on instagram to stay up to date with live shows.