Colin Meloy

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Colin Meloy in Brussels (2006)

Colin Meloy (born October 5, 1974) is the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon, indie band The Decemberists. As of 2005, Meloy has written a still-unreleased musical, and a 100-page novel on The Replacements' fourth album, Let It Be, released as part of the 33 1/3 series.

Meloy was born in Helena, Montana, where he formed his first band with David Casey, the son of his guitar teacher and renowned guitar player Darrell Casey, whose family band, The Watercarvers Guild has opened with such names as Tim O'Brien. He attended the University of Montana, where he majored in creative writing. He then moved to Portland, where he met future bandmates Jenny Conlee and Nate Query. Prior to being in The Decemberists, Meloy was the lead singer and songwriter of Happy Cactus and Tarkio, both indie/folk bands from Montana.

In early 2005, he embarked on his first solo tour in support of the self-released six-song EP, Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey, which consists of six Morrissey covers. Only 1000 copies of the album were made and they were sold only on this tour. Meloy did a second solo tour in January 2006, playing with Laura Veirs and Amy Annelle. On this tour, he sold an EP featuring covers of British folk artist Shirley Collins. Shows from the 2006 tour were recorded for a live release.

Meloy appeared with Adam Goldberg in the music video for "Pillar of Salt" by The Thermals.

On February 24, 2006 Carson Ellis, Meloy's longtime girlfriend and graphic artist for the Decemberists, gave birth to a son, Henry "Hank" Meloy.

[edit] Discography

Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey (2005)
Colin Meloy Sings Shirley Collins (2006)

Meloy contributed vocals on the tracks "Cemetery Row" and "Twilight Distillery" on The Minus 5's 2006 Yep Roc release. Meloy also covered the Elliott Smith song "Clementine" for a compilation of Portland, Oregon artists to support a children's charity. In mid-2006, he contributed the track, "Lazy Little Ada" on the Kill Rock Stars compilation, The Sound the Hare Heard.