Merlin Bronques
| Merlin Bronques | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Merlin |
| Born | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Origin | Aylmer, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Industrial rock, rap |
| Occupation(s) | photographer, musician |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Associated acts | Ma, NAM:LIVE! |
| Website |
lastnightsparty |
Merlin Bronques is an American musician, artist and photoblogger. He is best known as the nightlife personality behind the website lastnightsparty.com. Based in New York, he is the site’s founder and sole photographer and travels frequently to photograph events and nightlife.
Early years
Bronques was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and grew up partly in Montreal[1] and Aylmer, Quebec, Canada.
Career
Music
As a musician, he enjoyed popularity during the mid-1990s under the moniker Merlin. His 1993 self-produced first album A Noise Supreme was a blend of industrial rock and rap: "acid-dipped/metal/jazz/grunge fusion" according to Billboard.[2] The album received critical praise and generated a fanbase in Canada, partly due to MuchMusic airplay of the video for the single "Pusher."
In 1996, Merlin released the album Merlin's Arcade, "a most enjoyable slice of ear candy" according to AllMusic.[3] The single "The Playboy Interview" also received some airplay on MuchMusic. He also founded the pop-rock band Ma, whose album Cool Chicks and Other Babes drew comparisons to Weezer. Perhaps in reaction to criticism that his new sound was a dramatic departure from his industrial/rap origins, Merlin released the industrial album Viddy Well Little Brother in 1997. In 2001, he released his major-label debut Milkbar Stereo.
He later formed the group NAM:LIVE!, which he disbanded after finding success as a nightlife photographer.[4] He claims to have no formal training and was first introduced to photography by his father who is a studio photographer.[5]
LastNightsParty.com
Bronques's photoblog, LastNightsParty.com, offers a behind-the-scenes look into the most exclusive parties around the world. It was launched in 2004.[1] LastNightsParty.com’s galleries of hipsters, models, and the fashion community has a global audience. LastNightsParty is also an Abrams book released worldwide. Bronques's photographs have been praised for their ability to capture the "energy" of a party.[6]
A book of his photographs, lastnightsparty: Where Were You Last Night? (ISBN 9780810949027), was published in 2006.
Bronques later launched LastNightsParty.tv as a source of video and blog content.
References
- 1 2 Smith, Caspar Llewellyn (17 September 2006). "Creature of the night". The Guardian (UK). London. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
Bronques was born in Brooklyn but raised in Montreal, Canada, only returning to New York eight years ago (he is very vague about his actual age).
- ↑ LeBlanc, Larry (4 Feb 1995). "Canada: Who's Who". Billboard: 80–82.
- ↑ "Merlin's Arcade (review)". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ↑ Ryzik, Melena Z. (30 October 2005). "You Glitter in Nighttown". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
As for his personal life, he reveals little, preferring to be vague about his income (he hasn't had a day job in his six years in New York), his sexuality and his age. 'People that are older party too,' he said. 'So put that I'm 42. That'll look cool.'
- ↑ Gothamist Article
- ↑ Duran, Jose D (Jul 2, 2010). "Q&A with LastNightsParty Photographer Merlin Bronques". Miami New Times.