MECHANICAL OWL profile picture

MECHANICAL OWL

we yells and wails in Wales

About Me


Having recently moved from Leeds to the valleys of his home town in Wales, Mike Payne has had time record the songs that have, until recently, been cluttering up his head. A few months of writing and recording resulted in a collection of songs that are now been taken out into the real world with a live 5 piece band.
PRESS:
"another gem from Leeds..." Exitfare
"There is a definitive sound and something unique to Mike Payne, as he created this whole EP himself, doing the production and writing, and this EP is nothing short of genius." Leeds Music Scene
"How to better your life this week: listen to Mechanical Owl. Otherwise known as Mike Payne, he has been away at University in Leeds for the past few years but is know back in his hometown of Mold. Listening to his songs though you'd think he has travelled around the world, via Scandinavia and back again. Think Sigur Ros soundscapes and synths coupled with Thom Yorke's delivery. Expose yourself to 'Brittle II' and you'll never be the same again. Go visit myspace.com/mechanicalowl and tell the world." Ben Davis, Evening Leader
"Each song sounds well-crafted but familiar, poppy yet unique. Dangerously good." Sandman Magazine
"...filling the void at the moment between the intelligent indie and electronic scene ..." Mark Birtles, traffic magazine, may07
"Mechanical Owl impressed with the well rounded maturity of his varied and well thought out songs – smile inducing, strong and melancholic." Amelia's Magazine
For Bookings and other enquiries, please contact:
Dean Roberts
BOSS MANAGEMENT
[email protected]:
Mrs Dice Feet Me, Nic burrows, some instruments, a house and four days.
CRAYON A bit of band pop from Me, Harry Dean and Nic Burrows.
NOUS VOUS An actually amazing art collective based in Leeds.
Of which nicolas burrows is a member.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/16/2005
Band Members: RECORDINGS:

Mike Payne

LIVE BAND:

Mike Payne
Ian Davis
David Parr
Greg Michell
Matt Stenning

MANAGER:

Dean Roberts
BOSS MANAGEMENT
[email protected]

Influences: sigur ros, why?, radiohead, broken social scene, spencer krug, wolf parade, battles, amiina, mum, thom yorke, beirut, diane cluck, efterklang, leaf label, fog, beruit, animal collective, clouddead, the smiths, early manics, pixies, plaid, clark, coco rosie, boards of canada, thee more shallows, joanna newsom, four tet, smashing pumpkins, panda bear, subtle, rufus wainwright, volcano!, alog.....Influences closer to home: Napoleon iiird, Glaciers, Sky Larkin, Dinosaur pile-up, vest for tysso.

Sounds Like: Something else, probably exactly like something else actually, but never mind.
Record Label: none
Type of Label: None

My Blog

gig 02

Thank you everyone who saw us at the aA/BL day in Manchester Yesterday, it was out first gig with 5 members, and we really enjoyed it.We have a few more gigs coming up, the next is in Manchester on Fr...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:58:00 PST

X (to the) F (to the) M

Hello everyone,Thought i'd let you know of our XFM uploaded profile. Please visit... http://www.xfmuploaded.co.uk/mechanicalowl... and vote for us, it would really make our day, and i think they'll p...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:10:00 PST

gig 01

Hello, Thanks everyone who came down to our first gig, it was very much appreciated. We'll be doing more soon and the dates will be up here when they're confirmed. mike...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Sat, 03 May 2008 07:33:00 PST

its a gig

Hello,Next Friday, it's our first gig as a band, and it's in Leeds underneath the Merion Centre at a night called Idioteque. Come down at 9pm to see all the bands, followed by a club night with the Id...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:56:00 PST

BBC 6 Music

Hello, Steve Lamacq should be playing a song from Snowdonia E.P tomorrow on his BBC6 music show. There will also be a short phone interview with me hopefully. Anyone who’s interested, ...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:44:00 PST

Wand Bagon

I’m not tottaly sure how this works yet, facebook confuses me:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mechanical-Owl/7554666108mi ke
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:34:00 PST

Never been compared to a hangover before (but i like it)

Some nice words at:http://snapcrackleandropitlikeitspop.blogspot.com/mike
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:05:00 PST

thank you Sam (www.Leedsmusicscene.net E.P review)

Good evening,There is very nice review of the E.P at: http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/9299/thank you,mike
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:02:00 PST

Sandman magazine - Feature

Occasionally, the only reason you discover a new band or artist is because you like the sound of their name - it can be that shallow. Thus it was for me with Mechanical Owl. I opened my ears to his ho...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:09:00 PST

Sandman magazine review of Snowdonia E.P

"Solo project' usually means 'indulgent toss', but every once in a while you get pleasantly surprised and with this EP I'm not just surprised - I'm smitten. From the sound of Arctic ice crystals shimm...
Posted by MECHANICAL OWL on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:44:00 PST