Today we are unveiling the new video from Welsh indie legends Melys, it accompanies their latest single ‘Santa Cruz’ which was released digitally last November. With swooning vocals underpinned by shimmering guitars and an insistent beat, it’s taken from the band’s brand-new album which will be released in the spring of 2025.
‘Santa Cruz’ was written and inspired by a recent trip to California where Andrea and Paul realised a long-held dream of driving the Pacific coast highway from San Diego to San Francisco.
‘Santa Cruz’ is about coming from a background of low expectation and ambition, of being told you would never be good enough or in the right social circles to realise ambition or dreams, of being told to stay in your lane. ‘Who the hell do you think you are….’
This release follows their April 2024 released BBC radio sessions (Vol 1) album. ‘Santa Cruz’ is the band’s first new material since 2005’s ‘Life’s Too Short’ album. “It’s been so long; we feel like a brand-new band again.” (Andrea)
Melys formed in the Snowdonia village of Betws-y-Coed in the late ’90s and quickly signed for the legendary Welsh label, ‘Ankst’ (Super Furry Animals, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci)
With daytime and evening BBC Radio One plays from Mark Radcliffe, Steve Lamacq and Marc Riley and John Peel, the band signed a major deal, opened their own studio and label and went on to release four studio albums and an introducing album (released in Europe and USA). Melys were 2002 winners of the Welsh Music Award for best live act, and were big favourites of legendary BBC radio DJ John Peel, and recorded 11 BBC sessions for him, going on to win Peel’s festive 50 with their song ‘Chinese Whispers’ in 2001.
After a long break where Andrea and Paul opened a few restaurants and Gary became an academic doctor, the band have been busy again, touring the UK with friends The Wedding Present and have just released a BBC sessions album (Vol.1) featuring sessions from Huw Stephens, John Peel and Adam Walton. Melys are currently in the studio on Anglesey mixing an album of new material with old friend and producer Gorwel Owen (Super Furries, Gorkys, Gwenno)
Melys Live Dates
28 Feb – Darwen, Sunbird Records
1 March – Bethesda, Neuadd Ogwen
14 March – Birmingham, The Victoria
15 March – Cardiff, The Norwegian Church
16 March – Reading, Purple Turtle (free)
22 March – Camarthen, CWRW
