From the moment Mermaid started releasing singles back in 2020 it was clear that the Los Angeles duo was destined to flourish. Laying the groundwork for what would become their sumptuous debut LP — released three years later as Iridescence — they proceeded to shirk genre constraints and delighted in baffling those who tried to define their relationship in heteronormative terms. For those still confused let this be your final reminder: the single most important constant of the music created by Brittany Campbell and Candace Quarrels is its gushing vocalization of their love for one another.
The pair started 2023 with a series of appearances at LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC-centered events, including a show-stopping performance at QueerSound and The Echo for Out Of Mind Fest. Unveiling both released and unreleased tracks of their forthcoming album as well as introducing audiences to the enchanting ambiance effortlessly generated by their songs.
They also arrived to support Australian singer/songwriter Forest Claudette for their show at Genghis Cohen — winning over the crowd in the same way they’ve managed to woo their expanding pool of fans. Whether you’ve been lucky enough to catch Mermaid live or remain happily awed by Iridescence, which transcends everything from sleek R&B and gossamer ballads to moody alt-rock and riot-grrrl punchiness, it’s hard not to be giddy about the future of this burgeoning duo.
Adding to their illustrious artistry they’ve recently shared a visual album version of Iridescence. One that arrives as a patchwork of previously released music and lyric videos (directed by Campbell, Alexa Viscius, Ryan Baxley, and Laura Gordon), the 40-minute film furnishes Mermaid’s sprawling melodic and emotional soundscapes with intimate snapshots delivered with a decidedly punk aesthetic. The project was a stunningly brilliant execution of their artistic vision and speaks to the wealth of creativity the pair wields as artists and performers.
Coincidentally, Mermaid kicked off the new year with a viral music video, although this time not their own. Rather, they had a cameo in Green Day‘s music video for “Bobby Sox,” a serendipitous incident that led them to reveal they’d also appeared in a Backstreet Boys film as early as 2020. So obviously, the big question for Campbell and Quarrels going into 2024 is what famous band will be graced by their presence next?
Whatever form their sophomore effort takes — be it an EP or another full-length release — you can bet it will revolve around their fluttering harmonies, an unabashed smashing of genre pigeonholing, and their passionately openhearted lyricism. In the interim, you can soak in the visual album Campbell and Quarrels shared as an accompaniment to the record.
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Words: Steven Ward
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