Green Man Spotlight: Melin Melyn
Melin Melyn are the newest outfit on a conveyor belt of left-of-centre Cymru bands marked as ones to watch. Blurring the lines between folk, rock, pop, and psychedelia, the Cardiff-based six-piece have teased us with breezy new singles 'Mwydryn' and 'Dewin Dwl'; both multilingual numbers that have garnered them a burgeoning reputation and famous fans such as comedian Elis James. As they prepare for a few weeks on the festival circuit, we caught up with Melin Melyn in the first of our Green Man Spotlight series…
Festival season is upon us and Green Man is nearly here. Is this your first time playing the festival? Are you excited?
Yes, it's our first time and we can't wait. I'm giddy with excitement. To be completely honest, when the band got together in 2019 the ultimate ambition was to one day play at Green Man. To be offered to play there so early on in our career is an absolute dream! The same for End of the Road, to be on the poster with so many of our favourite bands seems like it's a mistake or a typo. I hope it isn't. That would be a shame. I've bought a tent and a torch and everything.
Is there anyone on the line-up you'd suggest we check out?
Of course, so many. Our friends from Cardiff - Boy Azooga and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard always bring a hell of a show, so don't miss them! Also, our friend Teddy Hunter recently won the Green Man Rising Competition, so go and check her out, she's fantastic. Seeing as there are so many other bands, I'll only name ones that I haven't yet seen play live; Thundercat, Hen Ogledd, Aoife Ness Frances, Kokoroko, Los Bitchos, Yard Sale… oh dear, the list goes on! We had the pleasure of supporting a band a few times in our early days; Golden Dregs, they're brilliant too.
What are some of your favourite festival memories?
Sitting on the ferris wheel at Green Man and EOTR.
Hypothetically speaking, you can handpick your dream festival - what are you naming it, where is it being held, and who is playing?
How about, On the moon. Zero Gravity Festival. Competition style. Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos have to sing to hold on to their wealth. If they don't impress the crowd we give all of their money to people who actually need it. And then they have to stay on the moon and find their own way back. I'm sure they'd find a way.
Lastly, what is the plan for the rest of the year?
We've got a lot to look forward to with the festivals and the release of the EP. We've got a few gigs in the pipeline and some tours being offered our way. We're looking forward to those opportunities after the year we've had. We're also looking forward to getting back into the studio to record more songs!