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, built around guitars, bass, drums, synths and samplers. Their music takes in influences like Broken Social Scene, Death Cab for Cutie and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. The band began in Leeds as a solo recording project and gradually grew into its current six-piece lineup.
Longer bio (100 words)
Mechanical Owl are a six-piece indie rock band from Mold, North Wales. With three guitars, bass, drums, synths and samplers, their songs mix melodic indie rock with quieter, more electronic elements. Early reviews picked up on everything from folk and jangly guitars to Sigur Rós and Thom Yorke. The band began in Leeds in the late 2000s as Mike Payne’s solo recording project, with early tracks receiving plays from Steve Lamacq, Adam Walton and Bethan Elfyn, as well as sessions for BBC Radio Wales. The self-produced album Winter Songs followed in 2015, with new singles in 2024 and 2026.
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