Melanie MacLaren’s latest single “Heaven Is” delves into the myths and imagery surrounding the afterlife and the stark reality that we truly have no knowledge of what happens beyond death. Known for her nuanced delivery and wistful guitar playing, Melanie captures the essence of modern folk music by writing about life with a natural, almost effortless style.
Described as a blend of “an acoustic Phoebe Bridgers with Dylan’s poetic magic” by The Wild is Calling, Melanie’s music showcases her ability to combine a tongue-in-cheek sensibility with a timeless folk aesthetic.
Her compositions often feature classic finger-style guitar, distorted traditional instruments, ambient sounds, and lyrics that are both haunting and humorous, reflecting a sentimental cynicism that resonates with Gen-Z listeners.
Melanie’s debut EP, Kill My Time, released independently in 2022, received enthusiastic critical acclaim and caught the attention of Tone Tree Distribution in Nashville.
Shortly after, she signed with Tone Tree, landed several prominent playlist spots, and released a second EP of duets, Tadpole Emporium, with Dublin songwriter Lorkin O’Reilly. The duo toured the UK and Ireland together, further establishing Melanie’s presence in the folk music scene.
In April 2023, Melanie released her second solo EP, Tourist, which garnered significant attention, including multiple playlist placements on Spotify, such as Fresh Finds and Best of 2022 Fresh Folk Finds. This exposure led to over 2.5 million streams across platforms. Following this success, Melanie embarked on her first US headline tour, performing 25 shows across the Northeast and Midwest.
Throughout her career, Melanie has shared stages with notable folk artists like Lorkin O’Reilly, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and Joshua Burnside. In 2024, she joined Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) on his solo tour.
Looking ahead, Melanie plans to release a live-to-tape EP of her early work in April and a new EP produced by Max Helgemo starting in spring 2024. This upcoming release will feature a live band, adding new energy to her sound while maintaining her unique songwriting style.
Listen to “Heaven Is” here!
#Peace.Love.HeavenIs
