Beneath the gentle patter of rain at a bustling Scottish festival, Karen from the Scottish Music Network found a cosy spot to chat with Kylie and Daisy, the dynamic duo behind Mercy Girl. From the very start, the conversation was filled with laughter as they joked about the relentless drizzle – Daisy teasing that the rain felt like the festival’s unofficial fifth band member. Apparently, the downpour did wonders for their nerves, too, as any pre-performance jitters were quickly replaced by a frantic search for waterproof gear!
As mugs of hot tea warmed their hands, talk turned to the story behind Mercy Girl’s name. Kylie shared that it was their bandmate Davy who first suggested it, and after a bit of playful debate, it just “felt immediately right”. There’s a special warmth to the name, Kylie explained – a sense of coming home to Scotland. Daisy jumped in with a grin, recalling how they almost went with “San Francisco” as their band name. While the idea made them smile, it ultimately didn’t stick. “We didn’t dislike it enough to actually use it,” Daisy admitted with a laugh.
Reminiscing about their recent festival set, both Kylie and Daisy described the experience as electrifying and deeply rewarding. Daisy’s highlight? Spotting her mum beaming in the crowd! Meanwhile, Kylie joked that the rain had “washed away” any lingering nerves, but in the best way possible. The festival crowd was treated to the very first live performance of their latest single, “Punisher”, which had just been released the week before. The response, they said, was fantastic – fans on their spring tour had already embraced the new track with open arms.
When asked about musical inspirations, the conversation lit up. Daisy is drawn to the swirling sounds of psychedelic rock legends like Warpaint and Pink Floyd – plus, she cheekily adds, the mysterious vibes of “haunted buildings”. Kylie balances things out with her love for sparkling pop but also brings in grittier influences from industrial and noise rock. That unique blend, they both agreed, is what gives Mercy Girl their distinct sound.
Looking ahead, it’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting summer for Mercy Girl. The band is set to play at several festivals, including Switzerland’s Festival de la Cité de Lausanne, the Hampton Festival in Canada, and a much-anticipated appearance at Liverpool’s Frogfest in August. Both Kylie and Daisy admitted it still feels surreal to hear their songs on BBC radio. Daisy confessed that it’s “a wee bit weird” listening to announcers talk about them, while Kylie described it as “crazy” to think how far their music has travelled.
One of their proudest moments? Selling out Glasgow’s beloved Hug and Pint venue this past April. Kylie described it as a real turning point: “Going from a small, cosy venue to a much bigger one sold out almost exactly a year later – it felt poetic,” she shared, reflecting on the band’s growing momentum.
And the good news for fans: there’s plenty more to come! Daisy hinted at new music already in the works, promising that “Mercy Girl will return”. There are even more gigs on the horizon, including a special Halloween show supporting Maroo in October, and, with a wink, they teased some secret plans for 2027.
As the clouds finally started to part and the sun peeked through, Kylie and Daisy wrapped up their chat with Karen, excited to catch sets from festival favourites Alice Faye and Soapbox before calling it a day. No matter the weather, one thing is clear – Mercy Girl’s future is shining bright.
Interview by Karen Edmond
Photograph by James Edmond Photography
