After spending the last couple of years dropping a bright and uplifting array of indie-pop offerings, Oxford-based singer and songwriter Danny Mellin has now returned in fine form on his latest effort 'I Can't Be'.
Channelling the same upbeat flow of acts like Two Door Cinema Club and Bombay Bicycle Club, 'I Can't Be' makes for a fresh and fun-loving addition from the frontman. Jam-packed with killer hooks, danceable riffs, and his own shimmering persona at the helm, he certainly feels on the cusp of something very special here.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I’ve always loved guitars. I remember playing toy guitars in front of the reflection of the window singing along to Beatles songs as a small kid. Saying that – I do remember loving my first toy drum kit too – but we had loads of musical instruments around the house, so my memory isn’t probably that accurate. As for specific instruments the first guitar I really fell in love with was my Martin acoustic which I bought myself from saving up from gig money.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Apart from being brought up on The Beatles, for which I am eternally grateful, I think the first band I really discovered myself and loved were McFly. I always wanted to be Danny Jones! I thought his voice was awesome and loved the way they were a proper band with guitars and drums. I still really like them today.
What was the first album you remember owning?
A Kid’s POP compilation CD with McFly’s “5 Colours in Her Hair” on it and Busted’s “Thunderbirds are Go” on it - but after that was McFly’s first greatest hits album probably.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are loads! Impossible to choose one. If I was pushed for an answer, I’d say ‘All Is On My Side’ by Sam Fender but if you asked me again tomorrow it might be different!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
No – not really. I just write when inspiration hits me. I don’t consciously sit down and think “right…today I’m going to write a new song!” Sometimes a riff comes to me… or a phrase… or a bit of a melody – then I just play around with it and then start to work it up. Some songs come very quickly and others take more work to get them right. There’s no real trend. I do find I come up with my best ideas in my bedroom though, and I tend to always write my best songs on an old and inexpensive acoustic guitar I’ve had for years. No idea why that would be – it just is.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Sam Fender – I think he’s my favourite artist just now – but really there are so many artists I love listening to. Willie J Healey, The Magic Gang, Fontaines DC, and loads of others too. I’ve also been listening to a lot on vinyl recently – The Beatles, Oasis, Primal Scream and the Arctic Monkeys amongst some of my favourite most recent purchases.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Sam Fender. I think his audience would appreciate my music too.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I love the whole process from the excitement of writing a new tune in my bedroom, to working it up in the rehearsal studio with the band, to recording and producing the track and releasing them to the public and eventually playing them to a live crowd. It’s a real privilege to be in a band and to be able to play these songs to audiences.
And what is the most frustrating part?
This past 18 months has been so frustrating. Seeing the gigs you worked so hard for being cancelled one by one and the promise of festivals coming back and then being cancelled has been really hard to take. I really want to take my music as far as I possibly can and it’s so hard to spread your music to a wider audience if you can’t gig. Releasing new music on streaming platforms is all very exciting and it is possible now to reach people all over the world, but there’s a colossal amount of new music being released every single day and it’s very difficult to get your music noticed amongst the sheer volume of releases. There’s nothing quite like experiencing the energy of a live audience and a live band. I live in hope for someone to see something in us live and help take us to the next level.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t try to force or rush anything. Make the music you want to make as there will be an audience for it somewhere. Not everyone will like your music but that doesn’t make it worse or better than anyone else’s. Be true to yourself really…and that your music may change over time.
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Danny Mellin's new single 'I Can't Be' is available to stream now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.