Interview: T. Nile and the Children Of Mercey (June 2009)

This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted via email with a bunch of Vancouver/Victoria bands who will be heading out to Toronto in mid June for the NXNE Festival (North By North East Festival). They were selected to play at NXNE by applying via their Sonicbids account. If you're actually reading this and today's date is June 11, 2009, then you can check her out tonight, 9pm at the Railway Club. If not, whatevs.



Please identify yourself(ves) for those reading, what you do in the band, and who else plays in the band

We are T. Nile and the Children Of Mercey.

T. Nile - Banjo, hollow-body electric guitar, harmonicas
Christa Mercey - Drums and percussion
Laura Mercey - Harmonies, keyboard, trumpet
Mike Mercey - Bass, harmonies
Burke Carrol - Pedal steel


Tell us a little bit about the history of your band.

Christa (drums) and i did a duo-tour of Ontario and Quebec last summer. It was quite the (sometimes hilarious) adventure and between playing festivals and shows, we kept on going back to her folks place to "re-fuel".

I was fortunate enough to get to know her family, which are all very musical;
Her dad is Ray Mercey, of the legendary 7-time Juno winning 70s era band called "The Mercey Brothers".

Over the year Christa and I discussed wanting to form a band together and at some point it crossed my mind that her sister and brother would be great additions. Burke Carrol, while not officially a Mercey, looks quite a bit like their uncle Lloyd, (also of the Mercey Bros) so he's become an honorary member of the family.

The musical chemistry is electric with this band, and I'm so excited to play with them again on June the 20th at C'est What.


How would you describe your sound?

A raw-sexy blend of indie-folk, pop, rock, reggae and awesomeness!

We've already been compared to Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, The Police and Paul Simon (from his Graceland days).


You'll be traveling to Toronto to play at NXNE in the middle of June. What makes this festival worth crossing the country for or is it just another show?

It's never just another show... I can't wait to play with C.O.M.

again... we always get so high of the music!

Also it will be the Toronto CD release show for my brand new CD, "The Cabin Song EP", that was released to the public on june 9th (available on ),


What's your favourite song from the 80's?

how to pick just one??

right now I love "Tide Is High" - Blondie


What's the coolest thing you've ever bought?

My Cherry-Red Ibanez hollow-body electric guitar, and Fender Blues Jr. Amp.


For the people who've downloaded your album, tell us why they should check out your live show.

T. Nile and The Children Of Mercey are addictive live. If you come out the show on the 20th, you'll understand why! ;)


Thanks for doing the interview; you have the last word, say what you want to say.

C'est what is the place to be on June 20th @ 9pm! (actually, you might want to get there a little early because word on the street is that it's gonna be packed).



http://myspace.com/tnile
http://tamaranile.com