Image Credit: Alex Wickenden

While preparing for their milestone tour as well as the release of their upcoming album, titled Problematic Passions, the UK band Mellor has done right by their fans, who wait anxiously to watch them play live, and shared their latest rocking single named ‘Gargoyle Groove’. 

Stream / Download ‘Gargoyle Groove’

Unafraid of pouring their personality into their music, Mellor has written a likable track–released via triple B Records–that has plenty in common with many classic indie rock tracks, namely a cohesive composition that retains a rebellious attitude. It’s one of those tracks that sounds like it came together during a spontaneous jam session, and to that end, we asked them how ‘Gargoyle Groove’ came to be born and more.

‘Gargoyle Groove’ is an attention-grabbing name for a song, what inspired it?

When we’re in the early process of writing a song, we sometimes give tracks a random title just as a reference. It just so happens that ‘Gargoyle Groove’ was a temporary name that stuck. We just couldn’t see the track as anything else! The only other random name that has stuck in the past was a song called ‘Helsinki’.

Where do you find the ideas for your conceptual lyrics?

Anything and everything. TV, film, news, or just down to the imagination. Gargoyle Groove was written after watching Scorsese’s Shutter Island. Although it’s not really about the film, it certainly set the tone for the track.

Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?

As a kid growing up, there was a good mix of musical genres around the house, but typical of the time Britpop was a regular fixture. I always gravitated towards Blur and I think it had a lot to do with how their tracks were put together. As a kid, I just knew I liked the sound of it, but Stephen Street on those records, particularly Parklife and Great Escape, created a real unique atmosphere with different sounds and instrumentation.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

It’s different every time, which is why I love songwriting. A song could start with something as minuscule as one good lyric or a guitar lick. Every now and then you just get one big idea in your head from nowhere and you almost learn the chords and melodies from your own head.

What gets your creative juices flowing?

I like to watch a lot of films or read short stories. I often write when I’m stressed or feeling under the weather so most inspiration just comes from how I’m feeling.

As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?

How long have you got? I think the music industry needs a real kick up the arse and start taking some risks again. I feel a lot of mainstream music is more like science than art these days. There are formulas that work for the masses and that’s what they’re sticking to. I think there’s so much talent knocking about that simply doesn’t get enough exposure. A&R needs to get back into those independent music venues and stop trawling through whatever page has the most likes and follows.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

As much as I love playing live, I’m a studio recluse. You can’t beat the creative process. One minute a song doesn’t exist, the next it does. I just love it. Maybe if we got onto some bigger stages it might level out, who knows?

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

We’ve had people cover our songs, that’s always nice to hear. I love that people enjoy a song enough to put their own spin on it. To be honest, whenever people in the crowd sing along it’s always a great feeling.

What’s on your current playlist?

I try to listen to something different every day, old and new, though I have been listening to a lot of late ‘80s/early ‘90s rock recently. A lot of Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, etc. I’ve been getting into Yard Act as well, great band and clever lyrics.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?

We’ve got the album coming out November 11th with a few surrounding dates. Beyond that, we want to get involved with as many festivals as possible next year. Who knows, we might dive straight into album 2!

Famous last words?

We’re going to headline Glasto next year, watch this space…

Mellor Tour Dates 2022:

20th October – 33 Oldham Street, Manchester

21st October – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh

27th October – The Star, Guildford

3rd November – Sidney & Matilde, Sheffield

4th November – Old Blue Last, London

5th November – River Studios, Southampton

10th November – Dead Wax Digbeth, Birmingham

11th November –  Purple Turtle, Reading

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