Natalie Anne Merchant was born on October 26, 1963, in Jamestown, New York, USA, as the third of four children. From an early age, she displayed a profound love for music, which would eventually become a defining aspect of her life. Initially, Natalie's aspirations lay elsewhere, and she dreamed of becoming a teacher. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she met Robert Buck in 1981 and became the lead singer for 10,000 Maniacs.
As the band's lead vocalist, Natalie was instrumental in the creation of eight albums, each one showcasing her unique voice and artistic vision. These albums, released between 1982 and 1993, include Human Conflict Number Five, The Secrets of the I Ching, The Wishing Chair, In My Tribe, Blind Man's Zoo, Hope Chest, Our Time in Eden, and MTV Unplugged. Despite the band's commercial success, Natalie's creative trajectory began to diverge from that of her colleagues, ultimately leading to her departure in 1991, although she remained with the group until 1993 and was replaced by Mary Ramsey.
Undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead, Natalie embarked on a solo career, releasing her debut album, Tigerlily, in 1995. This album, characterized by Natalie's breathtaking vocals and piano playing, went on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide. Her subsequent album, Ophelia, released in 1998, further cemented her status as a talented and innovative artist, as it featured the hit single "Kind and Generous."
Natalie continued to push the boundaries of her music, releasing Live in Concert in 1999 and embarking on a folk tour in 2000, which was met with widespread critical acclaim. In November 2001, she released her album Motherland, which marked the culmination of a nearly year-long tour. Throughout her career, Natalie has remained committed to using her platform to make a positive impact, volunteering as a children's arts and crafts teacher at numerous homeless shelters in Harlem and donating to various women's and children's causes.
In 2003, Natalie celebrated a major milestone in her life, as she turned 40, got married for the first time, and gave birth to her first child, Lucia. Her husband, Daniel de la Calle, a personal photographer, shares her passion for the arts, and the couple has divided their time between their homes in Spain, Hawaii, and Japan. Natalie's love for Japan is particularly evident, as she has a deep appreciation for the city of Kyoto, which she regards as her "favorite city in the world."
