"The world is becoming excessively filled with uninspired, clichéd 'content' that resembles what could be generated by AI. We certainly don’t require any more of that."
— Garmon Rhys
In Melin Village, the mill at the center of the story is driven by the melodies created by you six millers; it serves as a beautiful metaphor for the tangible impact music can have on people and communities, emphasizing that art holds as much significance in our lives as other (possibly more lucrative) products. Additionally, you've been utilizing your ‘Nothing Matters’ social media video series to highlight the crucial issue of vanishing music venues. Could you elaborate on your choice of playfulness and humor as a way to delve into these subjects? What benefits does this method provide?
Gruff: I find humor to be a very beneficial remedy during tough times. Unfortunately, there are numerous negative events occurring in the world at this moment. The closure of local music venues is heartbreaking; without these grassroots venues, artists would have no starting point for their journeys, much less a chance to build a career. We wouldn’t have achieved what we have now without such venues. The live music scene is vital. It motivates individuals and unites communities. Last year, we saw 25 grassroots music venues close down. Without these spaces, live music could come to a standstill.
Garmon: We are living in an era of sensory and information overload, where we have constant access to every social and political issue at our fingertips. This reality necessitates creativity to capture people’s attention; otherwise, messages get lost amid the array of other pressing world matters. So, what better way to convey the message than to send Gruff out in the streets wearing a sandwich board?
More than most bands, Melin Melyn are genuine storytellers, using fables and folklore to navigate the emotions and experiences of contemporary life. Can you share more about these influences? What attracts you to these ancient oral traditions?
Gruff: We have a deep appreciation for stories in Wales. Some of our greatest inspiration stems from our rich history, including the ancient Welsh prose tales of the Mabinogion. I would listen to these stories as a child and study them in school. They are remarkable narratives that have evolved across generations, filled with drama, philosophy, romance, tragedy, fantasy, and humor. The Mabinogion was reportedly a significant influence on Tolkien. I’ve always enjoyed hearing and sharing stories, and it's a joy to express that through music.
Garmon: The world is becoming excessively filled with uninspired, clichéd 'content' that seems like it could have been created by AI. We certainly don’t need more of that. The enjoyable aspect of writing lies in intertwining quirky and imaginative elements into the ordinary aspects of daily life to create something unique. I had an allergic reaction to shellfish that inspired a three-part prog-opera about experiencing an existential crisis around love and loneliness. I doubt AI could concoct something like that.
One of your recent singles, ‘Dail’, was released on the Welsh Language Music Day in 2025. What does it signify for you to represent Welsh music and artists who speak Welsh? Has there been notable progress since you began in terms of the acceptance and support for non-English language art?
Garmon: It would be insincere for us to release an album devoid of any Welsh language elements. It’s an intrinsic part of our identity. From the beginning, people have been incredibly supportive and accepting of our Welshness. If they weren’t, it would be their loss.
Gruff: I’m not sure if we’re exactly flag bearers; there are so many other fantastic bands that sing both bilingually like us, and many that sing exclusively in Welsh. For us, it comes quite naturally as most of the band members are Welsh speakers. At times, a song is better suited for Welsh, while at other times, English works better. Generally, audiences have welcomed the Welsh language, and many are intrigued by it. Some have even started learning Welsh because they enjoy our music, which has also happened with other bands. It’s not our aim, but it’s lovely to inspire people to learn! By 2050, we hope to see a million Welsh speakers in Wales. I genuinely hope we can achieve that, as it’s a beautiful language—known as the language of heaven, as we say!
‘Mill On The Hill’ is now available via Blomonj.
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