The Tonight Show
Natalie and her guitarist, Erik Della Penna gave a special performance of “These Are Days” with The Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Following that performance, they did an encore acoustic performance of her song, “Motherland.”
These Three Songs
Natalie spoke to John Wilson of BBC Radio 4 for the new podcast These Three.
Hudson Valley Votes!
Hudson Valley Votes! assembled the largest group of people at a political rally in the history of their region to give their support to progressive Democratic candidates in this year’s local, state and federal elections. Natalie helped to organize the event and shared the stage with fellow Hudson Valley artists and activists: Eve Ensler, Rachael Yamagata, Paul Rudd, The Felice Brothers, The National, Dar Williams, Bruce Molsky, Mary Stewart Masterson, The Resistance Revival Chorus, and many more.
Hopes and Dreams: The Lullaby Project
Natalie has contributed a track to the Hopes & Dreams: The Lullaby Project album. This collection of beautiful songs was inspired by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute’s Lullaby Project, through which expectant and new mothers collaborated with professional songwriters to compose lullabies for their babies. Participating arists include: Rhiannon Giddens, Rosanne Cash, Angelique Kidjo, Fiona Apple, and others.
United We Swing
Natalie has collaborated with Wynton Marsalis and his Septet for the benefit album, United We Swing: Best of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Galas. Recorded live between 2003 and 2007, the album features a diverse group of artists joining Wynton Marsalis and his band to perform jazz and blues-infected versions of their repertoire.
Lúnasa Collaboration
Natalie and the Irish instrumental band Lúnasa first collaborated on her 2010 release Leave Your Sleep. Lúnasa is currently celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new album and tour. Cas is available now via the band’s online store with Natalie as featured vocalist on the traditional ballad,“The Bonny Light Horseman.” Natalie will be performing live with the band at select gigs in the US and Ireland.
Wonder: The Film
We’re incredibly excited for the release of Wonder, a beautiful and moving film about acceptance, based on the novel of the same name by R.J. Palacio. The film is directed by Stephen Chbosky and stars Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson as the parents of a young boy (portrayed by Jacob Tremblay) struggling to overcome a facial difference. The film will be released on November 17, 2017 by Lionsgate.
Author R.J. Palacio has often credited Natalie’s song “Wonder” from Tigerlily (featured in the soundtrack) as the inspiration for her best-selling book.
The Natalie Merchant Collection
Nonesuch Records releases The Natalie Merchant Collection, a deluxe ten-CD box set with a 100-page hard-cover lyric and photo book curated by Natalie, on June 23, 2017.
Kronos Quartet: Folk Songs
Kronos Quartet has joined forces with four Nonesuch labelmates: Sam Amidon, Olivia Chaney, Rhiannon Giddens, and Natalie Merchant to release Folk Songs. This collection of traditional songs with contemporary arrangements features Natalie singing two ballads, “Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier” and “The Butcher’s Boy.”
Girls Inc.
Natalie helped to organize and attended the 2016 Girls Inc. of Ulster & Dutchess Counties Leadership Scholarship Awards Ceremony on June 6, 2016 at The Old Dutch Reformed Church in Kingston, NY.