The Santa Barbara Independent profiles Tift in advance of her appearance on the Gray/LaMontagne tour:

Merritt’s new album, See You On the Moon, puts her at the head of the class of contemporary singer-songwriters, and although she’s been mislabeled as a country artist (all the way to being nominated for a Best Country Album Grammy award in 2004), she’s closer to Dusty Springfield than to Tammy Wynette, and as a writer she’s more in the tradition of soul great Dan Penn than George Jones. “Mixtape,” the single from Moon that’s been getting the most attention, is a perfect indie summer jam, and carries itself with the slinky, unforgettable syncopation of classic pop.