Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Merila
Hi Monica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Monica Merila, the front woman for an indie band that rocks: Eldest Daughter.
Growing up, I was exposed to music through my parents. My dad loved female songwriters like Jewel, Alanis Morisette, P!nk, and The Chicks. My mom loved pop powerhouses like Gwen Stefani and Beyonce and Shakira and Fergie. We’d drive around our small Minnesota town and I’d harmonize along to the tracks from the back seat.
I always knew I wanted to be a songwriter and performer.
So I started piano lessons at 5 years old, and although I loathed “Hot Cross Buns,” after a couple of years I could play songs from my favorite musicals and cover my favorite rock songs.
I spent hours and hours singing and playing on our old and out-of-tune piano. And I loved every second of it.
I used to write jingles for major brands and show them to my family, in a desperate attempt to prove that I could make it in the industry.
I would participate in every talent show, play piano and cantor for my school’s church services, and try and convince my friends to start a rock band.
But somewhere between being a child and growing up, my love for music started to feel silly.
So, music became something that only ever occupied private space and dreams.
And eventually, even that private space was compromised when the noise of adulthood and all its demands creeped in to every quiet moment.
But the voice never quite went away.
I would go to local shows and literally think, “Damn it, if only I hadn’t given up, I could be doing this. I know I could do this.”
So I never stopped writing songs. I never stopped playing piano at home. I started playing the guitar. And one day, I went to a Minneapolis/St. Paul singer-songwriter round hosted by Taylor James Donskey, where I saw my friend play a few original songs.
And I found a place that felt safe enough for me to try.
So, in July of 2023, I tried.
I signed up to play in a singer-songwriter round.
I took the private songs that had stayed hidden in my dream world and shared them with a Wednesday night crowd at the 331 Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
It was terrifying, but it was just the beginning.
A month later, my fiancé introduced me to Austin Reid, who would immediately become my music family.
Eldest Daughter was born
Flash forward a little over a year, Austin Reid is my dear friend and lead guitarist. And our Eldest Daughter family has grown. We’re now also joined by our bassist/gear guru/producer, Sonja Quartz Leaf, and damn good drummer, Isaac Feia.
I’m so enamored and inspired by these people. We’re Eldest Daughter. We’re the Minneapolis band that rocks.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been a lot of bumps, but I try to keep them small and appreciate the attention they demand.
The first bump was fear. It took a while to stop fighting back tears on stage. My ego was fragile, my stage presence was timid, and my anxiety was high. Not to mention, I barely knew how to play guitar when I first started performing. But after a year of playing out, I’m as comfortable on stage as I am at home.
The second bump was time. We all work full-time jobs. Music immediately became a priority and a second full-time job. This squeezed out free time for me. I’m behind on every TV show. But the real challenge is not having that empty space for creativity to bubble up. I find that it still grows in the cracks of the concrete like a flower, but I would love to open up a field of time for creativity to bloom. We’re slowly getting there, and a consistent schedule has been key to this.
The third bump was integration with the rest of the band. While each of us is completely lovely, we also bring our own set of quirks. It’s like maintaining a bunch of different dating relationships. There’s immediate intimacy with band members who were once strangers, balanced with a need for space and creative freedom, and we’ve got also got a job to do, but at the same time, we want this to be fun as well-woof! All of these interpersonal considerations are hard to balance.
The fourth bump is going to be the process of releasing and promoting music. We just recorded our first EP independently, and we’re distributing it independently as well. Stay tuned. Our debut record “Cactus Magnet” is set to drop before year’s end.
Lots of bumps, some bigger and more notable than others. But I think a smooth road can be boring and sleepy anyways
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For a long time, I was a musician who didn’t do music. That felt hollow and empty. It was a broken promise to my spirit.
And certainly, I’m still much more than a musician. I love being married to my lovely husband. I also love my 9-5 job. I love hanging out with my cats and taking a dog for a walk. I love hanging out with my friends and family. I am so grateful for all of the other parts of my life that inspire me, support me, and nourish me.
I used to believe that music had to be all or nothing, that if I wanted to do music, I’d have to empty the rest of my life.
But, now I know that music makes the rest of my life fuller.
So if you’re someone who feels called to pursue a passion, please do it. Risk it. Try it. Cry it out. Phone a friend. Share your heart. Express yourself. The world is better for it.
And if you’re an eldest child, or an indie rock lover, or just on the hunt for new music, keep a lookout for our debut EP: Cactus Magnet. We can’t wait to share our music with the world.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Obviously, my whole band: Austin Reid, Sonja Quartz Leaf, Isaac Feia. My husband, Maxwell Merila. My younger siblings, Rinny, John, and Nick. My parents, Eric and Wanda, and their new spouses, Matthew and Deanne. My grandparents. My aunt. My closest friends/biggest fans, Meghan Laengle, Cassie Burke and Sophie Watson, and Lindsey Howe. I’d also like to thank literally anyone else who has ever (or will ever) come to a show to hear us play. You make our dreams come true.
Contact Info:
- Website: eldestdaughterband.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/eldestdaughterband
- Youtube: youtube.com/@EldestDaughterBand
