The Medlars

The Medlars are a seven piece contemporary folk band based in London. Their music is raw and rhythmically driven with orchestral and psychedelic undertones, layering melodies and harmonies to illuminate their political and socially conscious messages.

They formed after meeting at university in 2016 through Jimmy Grayburn, who at the time was performing as a solo artist. His lyrics tackle issues around environmentalism, homelessness and austerity cuts and are accompanied by the Medlars’ unique and frank sound. The band’s influences include Johnny Flynn, Nic Jones, Chris Wood and Cocos Lovers.

The Medlars have captured audiences at many events, including Wilderness Festival and the Woodburner in London. In March comes their highly anticipated debut release with Pear o’Legs Records (recorded at the acclaimed Soup Studios) as well as their first UK tour.

The first track on their debut release is Heart of a Home, a dark, driving transportation to the Arizonan desert. It starts with the groaning soundscape of a rusted oil pump before being thrown into a story of how our lives are becoming more dependent on oil-based consumer products. The band’s frustrations are felt in the raw rhythm section from Egan and Choudhuri. Fly the Wheel is the polar opposite. Combining nostalgia and up beat brass, it tells the story of Grayburn’s first trip to Scotland with his partner. It’s studded with references to the folk songs they sang on the long car journey up to Orkney for the summer Solstice. At the heart of all the songs is a longing for community.

The Medlars are: Jimmy Grayburn (vocals, banjo), Ribhu Choudhuri (bass, vocals), Charlie Egan (drums, vocals), Suzie McCarthy (violin, vocals), Francesca Picciano Moss (flute, vocals), Rowan Tinker (mandolin, tenor horn, vocals), Lucie Trémolières (cello).