Press pack
Bio, photographs, quotes and links. Take what you need, no need to ask.
Everything here is cleared for use. Photo credits where known are listed with each image. Anything else: mechanicalowl@hotmail.co.uk.
One line
Mechanical Owl are an indie rock band from Mold, North Wales.
Short bio (50 words)
Mechanical Owl are a six-piece indie rock band from Mold, North Wales. Started in Leeds in the late 2000s as a solo recording project, the band picked up BBC radio support, released the self-produced album Winter Songs, and returned in 2024 with new singles and a new line-up.
Longer bio (100 words)
Mechanical Owl are a six-piece indie rock band from Mold, North Wales. The project began in Leeds in the late 2000s with the Snowdonia EP, written and played entirely by Mike Payne, which won support from Steve Lamacq, Adam Walton and Bethan Elfyn and sessions for BBC Radio Wales. The self-produced album Winter Songs followed in 2015, placing fifth in MiMR's albums of the year. After a break for family and a Computer Science Masters, four new singles arrived in November 2024, and FOCUS Wales 2026 marked the band's first show in over two years with a new line-up and new material.
Line-up
- Mike Vocals, guitar, sampler
- Meirion Guitar, backing vocals
- Tim Guitar
- Andy Bass
- Steffan Drums
- Maff Synths, sampler
Photographs
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Releases
What the press said
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“Expertly merges everything that has ever come before; folk, electro and jingly-jangly guitars included.”
Artrocker -
“Every single sound has a purpose… leaving you sonically drunk.”
Link2Wales -
“Think Sigur Rós soundscapes and synths coupled with Thom Yorke's delivery.”
Ben Davis, Evening Leader -
“Each song sounds well-crafted but familiar, poppy yet unique. Dangerously good.”
Sandman Magazine -
“This EP is nothing short of genius.”
Leeds Music Scene -
“Smile inducing, strong and melancholic.”
Amelia's Magazine -
“Filling the void between the intelligent indie and electronic scene.”
Mark Birtles, Traffic Magazine
Contact and links
- Press and general mechanicalowl@hotmail.co.uk
- Booking mechanicalowl@hotmail.co.uk
- Tech spec Line list, stage plot and requirements