by: Anthony Violanti (page G3)

Natalie Merchant admits that Jamestown and Western New York were a major influence on her music. "The thing that set 10,000 Maniacs apart is that we were a rural band, from a small rural community," she said this week in a telephone interview. "I definitely am a rural New Yorker; that's one identity I can claim as my own. I grew up in Westfield and Jamestown. It will always be a big part of my life."

Merchant has talked to national publications about the economic and social problems of the area, but she also has a soft spot for the land. "I think that Western New York is physically beautiful. I'm glad I grew up in an area that has the four seasons; the lakes and the forests are beautiful. The thing that I saw, though, was the decline of the local economy, and the time I was born, the mid-'60s, was the time of the decline. But Jamestown still has some industry and tourism and still is a beautiful community."

Merchant left the Maniacs two years ago and wishes the band well as it is about to release a new album with Mary Ramsey and former original member John Lombardo joining the band. "Mary is a really talented string player and a good singer; the things she did with John Lombardo, I thought were great," Merchant said.

"The passion of 10,000 Maniacs didn't end just because I'm not in the band anymore. They don't have to stop and I understand why they want to continue."

Merchant is thriving in her solo career. Tigerlily, her first solo album, released this year, has sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is on tour and plays a sold-out show Monday at 8 p.m. in Shea's Performing Arts Center. Innocence Mission opens. Long a social activist, she may speak against commercial logging in Allegany State Park.