Dreams Last

Natalie Merchant: Still Shining, Never Fading

The other night, as my friend went to put on her PJs and hop into bed,  we started thinking about Natalie Merchant—wondering if she’d quietly slipped into the background after her ’90s heyday with 10,000 Maniacs and her soul-stirring solo work. Turns out, she’s as vibrant as ever. Natalie Merchant is out there, still creating, performing, and making a difference with that unmistakable voice and heart.

As of November 2025, Natalie is on an intimate acoustic tour across the Northeast U.S. with longtime collaborator and guitarist Erik Della Penna, running November 1–24, 2025. She’s playing cozy rooms—think Tarrytown Music Hall and Provincetown Town Hall—bringing her 40-year catalog to life. Expect gems from her latest album, Keep Your Courage (2023, Nonesuch Records), a gorgeous collection about love and human connection that many consider among her best. Sample the hauntingly beautiful track “Come On, Aphrodite.”

But Natalie’s not just about the music—she’s out there changing the world, too. In 2025 she partnered with the National Head Start Association to champion arts and early learning for nearly 800,000 kids and families. She’s also lending her voice to environmental causes—like appearing at a Beyond Plastics virtual fundraising gala to fight plastic pollution. And she’s part of a Joni Mitchell tribute project, sharing a stunning cover of “All I Want” Listen: Natalie Merchant Talks Joni Mitchell on 'Sheroes' | Nonesuch Records

From her iconic NPR Tiny Desk Concert (recently highlighted in Vulture’s roundup of the 50 best Tiny Desks) to performing children’s songs in Italy at Fondazione Prada, Natalie Merchant is as vibrant as ever. She’s been busy being her incredible self—blending music, activism, and heart in a way only she can. Keep shining, Natalie!

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