Please introduce yourselves to ilovecf.com and describe your music
Hello, we’re Mel & Richard. We’d describe our music as an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner... or boy/girl pop perfection :o) How did you meet?
We met when Mel gatecrashed Richard’s 24 hour birthday BBQ last year and proceeded to touch all of Richard’s extremely rare and valuable instruments. Richard was drunk enough to think it sounded good. Thus The MeMeMe’s were born although Richard is now sober. What's on your mind today?
Richard: What did Mel do with my rare and valuable tambourine after The Peth gig?
Mel: La la la la la la…. How has your year been so far?
Great, we signed a management deal with BUT! Music Group in London on St David’s Day. Made our first video (Skin Between Us – Directed & Produced by Alan Morse). We’ve nearly finished the album OC/DC that we are looking to release in the summer. Cardiff, and South Wales in general, is a hotbed of creative talent, why do you think this is so?
Rich: We were witness to that when we were invited to play at the SWN Festival last year, lot’s of great acts all over the city. We’re are not entirely sure why, Welsh bands seem to be so diverse, happy to do their own thing even when you had the Cool Cymru period, no two band sounded the same, they all had something great and different to offer. Maybe it’s because Cardiff has some great venues for artists to perform at, Studios to record in, good rehearsal facilities that make bands tend to gravitate here. There is a great sense of community amongst musicians and artists.
Mel: Rich, do you want to say “great” one more time?
Rich: ok, can we substitute some of the greats with fantastic, super and smashing?
Mel: No.
Rich: Moving on... Who are your musical influences?
Mel: Beatles, Bowie, The Cure, Prince. I could go on...
Richard: ...and she does! For me I s’pose it would be Pink Floyd, Neil Diamond, Queens of the Stone age, The Longpigs but wouldn’t say they were an influence more what I like to listen to when I’m not writing myself.
Mel: What? All the time then?
Rich: Well, I am in two bands Mel.
Mel: Oh, here we go...
Rich: One time, when I was touring the US...
Mel: Stop it! If you had to review your last gig, what would you write?
Everyone was smiling and laughing along to Iwan Standley & Hey Julie. Everything was going swimmingly until Mel told the joke about the Bear. Which of you is the best musician?
Richard. Have you actually heard Mel play the guitar? Do you think you have a Welsh sound?
Er... is the song Iwan Standley Welsh enough? Which is your favourite Cardiff venue to play?
Millennium Stadium (even if it was only in the tunnels). Tell us your plans for the future.
To part company as soon as we’ve made enough money. Target date: 2036. What is your favourite restaurant in Cardiff?
Mel: I’ve got a soft spot for The Italian Way. It’s cosy and you can bring your own wine, but it’s got to be The Cardimon if you fancy an Indian.
Richard: Bullys, Llandaff Village, excellent menu. The head Chef visits your table and explains each dish before it’s brought to the table. What is your favourite bar in Cardiff?
Mel: Chapter Arts Centre, Canton. Erdinger on draught, Yum! Gwdihw, Churchill way. Went there the other night, listened to some amazing music and drunk locally brewed Welsh Beer. It maintains a Bohemian air without the pretention (well I did see one pretentious person with no discernible talent but that didn’t spoil it).
Richard: Dempsey’s without doubt. Friendly atmosphere, cool staff. Good venue upstairs. Late license. The Lansdowne, Canton is a good local and they also do a mean Sunday Roast. The even have Pieminister Pies. What is your favourite club in Cardiff?
Richard: Dempsey’s doesn’t stop tap until 2am but depending on the night, Clwb is a good night out.
Mel: Clwb Ifor. Where would you take someone on their first visit here, to show them Cardiff at its best?
Caroline street at 3am! Thanks for your time guys and good luck for the future.
Find out more about The MeMeMe's on myspace
