Melanie MacLaren
Melanie MacLaren’s natural aptitude for nuanced delivery, wistful guitar playing, and her ability to write about life as if life were simply writing itself is everything you could want from a modern folk musician.
Melanie’s lyrics have been described as “haunting yet humorous” and possessing a “sentimental cynicism” that “oozes with Gen-Z relatability.” This duality shines through in all aspects of her music— classic finger-style guitar rests on ambient beds while distorted trad instruments punctuate the compositions, demonstrating Melanie's artistic ability to combine a unique tongue-in-cheek sensibility with timeless folk style.
She released her stunning debut EP “Kill My Time” in 2022 independently to enthusiastic critical reception before gaining the attention of Tone Tree Distribution in Nashville. Within a few months of the release, she had signed with Tone Tree, landed several coveted playlist spots on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, recorded and released a second EP of duets and toured in the UK and Ireland.
In October of 2022 Melanie released a collaborative folk EP of duets “Tadpole Emporium” with songwriter Lorkin O’Reilly. In November, Melanie and Lorkin toured their project in the UK and Ireland.
Fresh off of her first tour Melanie released her second solo EP entitled “Tourist” through Tone Tree in April 2023. With tracks featured on multiple playlist placements across platforms (most notably Spotify Fresh Finds and Spotify’s Best of 2022 Fresh Folk Finds), the highly anticipated EP expanded on the sound she established with her first project— one that reaches beyond convention and effortlessly weaves the threads of past and present.
In 2023 after the release of “Tourist” Melanie went on her first US headline tour, touring the Northeast and Midwest at venues like like 3rd and Lindsley, The Basement, Mercury Lounge, Bowery Electric, The Middle East, Raccoon Motel to name a few, playing with other up and coming songwriters like Baerd, Paul Moody, Torri Weidinger, June Henry, and Quinn Devlin. She also opened for Jessica Lea Mayfield.
In 2024 Melanie had the opening spot on Charlie Starr's (Blackberry Smoke) acoustic tour in January.
After touring extensively in 2023 and early 2024, Melanie realized certain songs reached listeners differently live than recorded, so she is in the process of releasing a live to tape EP of some of her already released songs in April. Additionally she is recording a new EP of songs produced by Max Helgemo that incorporate a live band sound, adding a new energy that will diversify live shows without sacrificing any of her unique songwriting style and sound. This EP will be released starting spring 2024.
This momentum combined with the quality of her song-craft has conjured the sentiment “We’re certain that it’s only a matter of time until Melanie is recognized as one of the most exciting artists to be writing and releasing music right now.” - Pillar Artist
Show Dates
Tour Archive
2024
2.27.24… True Music Room… Nashville, TN
1.31.24… The American Legion… Nashville, TN
1.20.24… Princess Theater… Decatur, AL
1.19.24… Capitol Theater Macon… Macon, GA
1.18.24… Buckhead Theater… Atlanta, GA
1.17.24… The Pearl at The Loft… Columbus, GA
1.13.24… SPACE… Evanston, IL
1.12.24… The Castle Theater… Bloomington, IL
1.11.24… The Ludlow Garage… Cincinnati, OH
1.10.24… The Ludlow Garage… Cincinnati, OH
2023
11.17.23… The Listening Room at Compass… Columbia, MO
11.16.23… Replay Lounge… Lawrence, KS
11.14.23… The Raccoon Motel… Davenport, IA
11.12.23… The Law Office Music Hall… Yorkville, IL
11.8.23… The Orbit Room…. Bloomington, IN
11.6.23… University of Illinois… Champaign, IL
11.4.23… Bremen Cafe… Milwaukee, WI
11.4.23… Uncommon Ground… Chicago, IL
10.14.23… Brambly Park Winery… Richmond, VA
10.12.23… The Middle East (Upstairs)… Boston, MA
10.10.23… Blue… Portland, ME
10.7.23… The Shaskeen Pub… Manchester, NH
9.30.23… Cafe Nine… New Haven, CT
9.28.23… The Bowery Electric…. New York, NY
9.23.23… Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg PA
9.20.23… The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
9.14.23… Third and Lindsley, Nashville, TN
9.10.23… Double Happiness… Columbus, OH
9.7.23… CODA… Cleveland, OH
7.16.23… Eddie’s Attic… Decatur, GA
5.26.23… Factory Underground Studio… Norwalk, CT
4.20.23… The Basement… Nashville, TN
3.4.23… Mercury Lounge… New York, NY
2.25.23… Sofar Sounds… Nashville, TN
2.1.23… Vinyl Tap… Nashville, TN
2022
12.8.22… Sofar Sounds…Nashville, TN
11.13.22… The American Bar… Belfast, UK
11.11.22… House Show…Dublin, IE
11.9.22… The Workman’s Club… Dublin, IE
11.5.22… FortyFive Vinyl Cafe… York, UK
11.4.22… Bag O’Nails… Bristol, UK
11.3.22… Penny Lane Church… Liverpool, UK
11.2.22… Nailsworth Community Workshop… Nailsworth, UK
10.22.22… The Bowery Vault…Nashville, TN
9.13.22… Sofar Sounds… Nashville, TN
8.30.22… Pete’s Candy Store… Brooklyn, NY
8.27.22… Sofar Sounds… New York, NY
8.17.22… The Bowery Electric… New York, NY
8.07.22… The East Room… Nashville, TN
6.21.22… The End… Nashville, TN
5.19.22… Sofar Sounds… Nashville, TN
3.26.22… Epsilon Spires … Brattleboro, VT
3.24.22… Avalon Lounge… Catskill, NY
2.14.22… Sofar Sounds… Nashville, TN
~ Press ~
About the Artist:
“We’re certain that it’s only a matter of time until Melanie is recognised as one of the most exciting artists to be writing and releasing music right now” - Pillar Artists
“Guided by classic folk sensibilities, she is a traditional singer-songwriter at heart, but elements of dream pop, 70s rock and contemporary indie all play into the style and elevate it into something fresh. The result is a sound indebted to the past and the present without being beholden to either, managing to possess the timeless country spirit without sacrificing any sense of immediacy” - Various Small Flames
“Her intricate guitar plucking is complex yet calming; her voice is like cuddling up next to a cozy fire as fall becomes winter – like a gentle affirmation…. a promising young artist to watch.” - Two Story Melody
“The sentimental cynicism of her lyrics ooze with Gen-Z relatability.” - Backseat Mafia
“MacLaren’s storytelling is just fantastic, painting a vivid setting within the song’s first moments.” - The Revue
“Melanie's artistic spectrum subtly integrates a touch of modernity while keeping strong roots with traditional folk.” - Uranium Waves
“Her voice is gentle and warm, guiding us through this soundscape with such care and welcomed understanding, that you can’t help but need and want more and more of it.” - Wolf in a Suit
“a sound and aesthetic executed with competence and heart” - Two Story Melody
“Frantic lyricism coupled with MacLaren’s breathy, yet powerful vocals create a universe amongst itself” - Unheard Gems
About the SONGS:
Pushing Daisies
“A striking and poetic release, Melanie balances haunting yet humorous lyricism with vintage-inspired musicality for a refreshing folk piece.” - Dusty Organ
“Reminiscent of cinematic indie-folk tracks from artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Hozier, and Lord Huron, Melanie MacLaren’s “Pushing Daisies” is a regal exemplification of a dreamy folk sound that is all too easy to sink into, allowing yourself a brief escape into an alternative reality.” - Unheard Gems
“It surpasses all expectations.” - Lefuturewave
Melbourne
“There’s something about this track that just speaks to your heart and soul, playing with your senses and offering something special to your imagination.” - Wolf in a Suit
“Though lots of songs can be described as ‘dreamy’ this, we feel, truly epitomizes that and genuinely captures that elusive essence: in many ways there is a feeling of nostalgia throughout, though avoids becoming too melancholy, instead remaining bright and positive at heart. In short this is faultless and we’re honoured to be able to write about it. - Pillar Artists
Graveyard Shift
“Grounded by the bright fingerpicked guitar, the track begins as a bona fide folk song and slowly unfurls into something more…. display(ing) Melanie MacLaren’s knack for combining heartfelt emotion and transportive atmosphere.” - Various Small Flames
Deep Dark Sleep
“Deep Dark Sleep is a hypnotic, ambient masterclass. MacLaren’s vocals do wonderfully well to contain the track and take command where necessary, perfectly dancing on the rhythms and growing in strength during the chorus. Relaxing and eloquent in equal measure.” - Vinyl Chapters