Formed in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia in the late '90s, Melys quickly became one of the most distinctive voices in Welsh indie music. The band’s sound—hailed by The Guardian as "wondrous Welsh popsters, like Dusty Springfield backed by St Etienne"—blended dreamy pop with an undeniable charm that earned them critical acclaim and a devoted following. Melys first gained attention after signing with the legendary Welsh label Ankst,and their early work captured the ears of Radio 1's Mark Radcliffe, Steve Lamacq, and the iconic John Peel. Melys have released four studio albums and an introductory compilation, for Europe and the USA, all whilst building a reputation for their extraordinary live performances. In 2002, the band was honoured with the Welsh Music Award for Best Live Act, a recognition that cemented their place in the indie scene. They were perennial favourites of John Peel, recording 11 BBC sessions for him and achieving a landmark moment in 2001 when their track “Chinese Whispers” topped Peel’s Festive 50. New album, Second Wind, was released as part of Record Store Day 25 and has garnered attention with its first two singles, “Santa Cruz,” and “Sgleinio” (Shiny) receiving glowing reviews and international airplay.
