How Magi Merlin created her own kind of “broken R&B”
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In this episode of Q with Tom Power, Montreal-based artist Magi Merlin discusses her genre-defying sound, which she calls 'broken R&B'—a fusion of punk, R&B, neo-soul, electronic, and indie rock that embraces imperfection and human error. Speaking with guest host Garvia Bailey, Merlin reflects on her creative process, her long collaboration with producer Funky What, and the influence of artists like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, and UK indie bands from the 2010s. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in music, especially in an era dominated by AI and heavily polished vocals, advocating for the beauty in mistakes and raw human expression. Merlin also addresses the weight of artistic responsibility, arguing that while musicians can reflect and uplift the world, real change begins locally—through small, personal acts of connection and courage. Her debut album, Powerhouse, set for release in July, is a celebration of human complexity, contradiction, and inner strength.
Embrace imperfection in your art—mistakes are proof of humanity.
Your voice matters, even if you don’t have millions of listeners.
Artistic identity can be built by blending diverse influences without genre constraints.
True power comes from self-awareness and recognizing the complexity within yourself and others.
Change starts locally—small actions like talking to a neighbor or volunteering matter.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing Magi Merlin and the Concept of 'Broken R&B'
“I really do love human mistakes, you know. I really like it when there's – you're able to really identify that a person was – the one who touched something.”
The Origins of Magi Merlin’s Sound
Merlin discusses her creative roots, her decade-long collaboration with producer Funky What, and how her sound emerged organically from a wide range of influences including Funkadelic, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, and UK indie rock from the 2010s.
Embracing Imperfection in Music and Life
“A mistake is not a big deal. Yes, exactly. You're human.”
Artistic Responsibility and the Power of Small Actions
“It's not one person's responsibility, you know? What would you tell someone who is feeling disillusioned or like their voice doesn't matter? Well, it always matters.”
Teasing the Debut Album 'Powerhouse'
Merlin reveals details about her upcoming debut album, Powerhouse, describing it as a reflection of human complexity—ego, fear, contradiction, and inner strength—emphasizing that every person is a powerhouse.
“It's not one person's responsibility, you know? What would you tell someone who is feeling disillusioned or like their voice doesn't matter? Well, it always matters.”
“I really do love human mistakes, you know. I really like it when there's – you're able to really identify that a person was – the one who touched something.”
“You're not living in a vacuum. And like, even if you're not reaching millions of people, you're still a neighbor, you're still a sibling...”
Host
Guest
Magi Merlin
person
Garvia Bailey
person
CBC
organization
Tom Power
person
Funky What
person
Popstar
media
Shopify
organization
Powerhouse
media
D'Angelo
person
Erykah Badu
person
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