Singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant shot to fame as the lead vocalist for the indie-folk band 10,000 Maniacs, then left the band at the height of their popularity to build a successful solo career. She sits down with Guy to talk about the political concerns that animate her work; what a dinner with Allen Ginsberg and Philip Glass taught her about creativity; how a degenerative spinal disease almost ended her artistic career; and her newest project honoring a late Italian poet who’s been nearly erased from history.

Natalie’s ninth studio album is called Keep Your Courage.

Links from the Show:

These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs
Carnival by Natalie Merchant
It’s A-Coming, the song Natalie sings in this episode
Buy Keep Your Courage

For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

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Natalie Merchant: Loneliness is My Signal to "Get Busy" and Create 48:27 Share

The Great Creators with Guy Raz

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Natalie Merchant: Loneliness is My Signal to "Get Busy" and Create