“You can probably blame my deep obsession with Practical Magical, Hocus Pocus and being surrounded by animals at all times,” Merci Raines says of her decision to run with “Witch Pop” as the term for the music she makes. 

Raines is a Louisiana native raised in Baton Rouge whose music is definitely pop, structurally. But she opts for darker production and her lyrics are informed by independence, resilience and a touch of rebellion. As such, the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, is a fitting inspiration for Raines’ latest single, premiering today (October 25) on OffBeat.com

“Marie Laveau” is, Raines says, “a song about learning to harness your emotions so they can’t be used against you.” She began writing the song a few months ago while reflecting on the way women are treated when they’re too self-determined. “If a woman is too bold or too passionate, even when justified, she’s probably been called crazy,” says Raines. “This song is about taking the energy behind that “crazy” and using it to your advantage. Accepting your raw emotion and turning it into a strength.”

She opted for Laveau for a few reasons. She needed a strong and independent woman to represent the message she is conveying. “As a kid, I thought of her as a fictional character running through the French Quarter casting spells on people, but as an adult I see her and her life story so much differently. I see her as a woman who was likely really intelligent and intuitively powerful, especially for her time. No doubt this is also why she was feared by some.”

At first listen, some may think the song is about casting a spell on a man, spurned-lover style. However, it’s deeper than that. “Even with the dark undertones, I hope that this song at its core is empowering to people who have been hurt and aren’t sure what to do with that pain. Find your strength. Find your magic. Find your Marie Laveau.”

Raines opted to release “Marie Laveau” near Halloween for obvious reasons. The holiday, though, has more personal meaning to her than spooky songwriting. “I think it’s because growing up in a more conservative part of Louisiana, I always felt like an outsider in a lot of ways. Halloween was that one time of year the non-freaks would feel safe to freak out a little bit with you.”

For more information on Merci Raines, visit her official website.