Meryl Streek brings us the second single from his anticipated third album incoming and he’s not clowning around (oh yes he is!). It’s a great up tempo tune with his usual unique style and another great video to match with a slight dig at certain echelons of the music press (not LTW of course). Read on…
New single, ‘Rags To Riches’ is about taking opportunities as they come and trying things in life while you can. Time is important and what you do with it is crucial. Meryl Streek explains, “I took a chance with this project and if I had never taken the jump I wouldn’t be here right now. Things aren’t always as hard as they seem. It’s about having the courage to let go of people holding you back and encouraging yourself that you can do it.”
Following recent lead single, ‘Rotten Fruit’ which tackled media control, the deadening onslaught of fake news across our screens, and the stream of fear emitting from the palm of our hands, Meryl Streek has earned early support from the likes of Louder, Kerrang!, Louder Than War, Far Out Magazine, Hot Press and more. This new single is also complete with a video. Shot in the home of Meryl’s youngest fan ‘Mini Meryl’ with the help of his friends and family, the video shows Meryl Streek dressed as a clown in a birthday setting subconsciously mirroring how social media and the modern world operate.
Speaking of the video he says, “I really feel for emerging bands and artists right now; it takes a lot of vulnerability to put yourself out there when online ‘critics’ who are usually just projecting their own unhappiness, are waiting to tear you down. The clown in the video represents that struggle: he’s doing his absolute best, but the kids just aren’t interested.”
In addition, new documentary Rage Against the Dying of the Light premiered at Galway’s Pálás Cinema on Thursday, July 9, as part of the Galway Film Fleadh. The 67-minute film follows Meryl Streek on tour, capturing his uncompromising music, unflinching activism and remarkable resilience in a powerful portrait of protest, empathy and defiance. Featuring contributions from John Robb, Deb Grant, Pete Holidai and Oliver Ackerman, the documentary is set for wider release in early 2027.
To push his music to new places, featured artists are not something Meryl Streek has previously shied away from. His last record, Songs For The Deceased featured collaborative artists such as Cal Graham (The Chisel), Kingsley Hall (Benefits) and Oliver Ackerman (A Place to Bury Strangements). To help Streek tell his stories on this upcoming album, other musicians, speakers and comedians have joined the choir. ‘Rotten Fruit’ features Steve Ignorant of anarcho art collective CRASS. ‘Depression’ begins with words from music lover and late friend Liam Norton, accompanied by the guitars of Pete Holidai from The Radiators From Space. Comedian Phil Jupitus lends his voice and words to the outro of ‘The Chancer’. ‘Housing For All’ contains audio from Derelict Ireland campaigners Frank and Jude. Venn Records owner and Gallows guitarist Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard joins Vinny McCreith (Adibishi Shank) on the hard hitting ‘Bullet’. Phil Wyer (Owl Sounds) also lends some guitars throughout the record as well as Sophie Porter (Other Half). Finally, to send the album home, there’s a three minute spoken word piece from viral sensation Frankie McNamara, best known for his Instagram series and book ‘Meditations for the Anxious Mind’.
Much like a teacher, Meryl Streek is sharing his knowledge and experience, uncovering ugly truths yet pressing for change. Compassion, resilience, and the importance for community – lessons that are often overlooked in school. In his Irish counterpart, Sinead O’Connor’s 1990 protest song ‘Black Boys on Mopeds’, the late singer delivers the line, “To say what you feel is to dig your own grave”. Now Meryl Streek is holding the shovel.
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