Bruno Merz (born September 23, 1976) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. Merz formed a folk music, shoegaze band in Hamilton, New Zealand with siblings and friends called 'Rain' before moving to France in 1999. From there on he went to Amsterdam where he lived for eight years. He currently resides in Leeds in the United Kingdom. The song Nine Sixteen was chosen for Starbucks and iTunes Pick of the Week campaign and distributed in Starbucks stores throughout the United States. In 2006 Merz's home-recorded album 'Through Darkness into Day' was released. According to his official website he is currently working on a studio EP with producer Juno Jimmink called 'Departing from Crowds'. He comes from a Dutch family that emigrated to New Zealand in the 1950's.