Start Listening To: MLEKO

MLEKO’s quirky charm and chaotic energy redefine the essence of rock in their own playful way.

Hailing from the eclectic backdrop of Manchester, MLEKO is a seven-member band that has coined the term "Gub Rock" to describe their unique sound-a blend of slightly weird rock infused with brass that’s sure to please even your mum. Their latest single captures fleeting emotions with a raw immediacy, a testament to their commitment to spontaneity in songwriting. As they navigate the vibrant local scene, they embrace the chaos of collaboration while keeping the energy high both on and off stage. In this conversation, they delve into their creative process, the challenges of sharing their music, and what fans can expect from their upcoming shows.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

I could list our names but there’s seven of them and you won’t remember them. Together we go by MLEKO, which is one word, and far easier to remember. We’re from all over (far more south than we let on), but we formed in Manchester so we’re holding onto this northern gimmick for as long as we’re allowed. We’ve been answering this question with ‘we make Gub Rock’ in order to weasel our way out of a question we don’t really know the answer to, but it turns out Gub Rock is already a term used to describe old man rock in Sweden. We don’t make old man rock, but we do make slightly weird rock music with a horn section so that our mums like it.

How did the idea of 'Gub Rock' come about, and what does it represent for you and the band in your creative journey?

The song came as a collection of parts that were haphazardly stitched together like most of our tracks, just this one happened to flow and build quite nicely. What makes this song different from the rest of our EP is that it was recorded a week or so after writing it which meant our usual process of getting bored and re-writing was cut short and replaced with a feeling of capturing the moment and the excitement you get from a new song.

Can you describe your songwriting process?

For Gub Rock, Rory kindly delivered the rest of us several guitar lines which made up the bones of the track, and left everyone to figure out what we wanted to do with it. This is usually how it works, except for a couple of cases like Tom’s Tune, for obvious reasons.

Do you collaborate closely or does each member contribute their own ideas separately?

Generally speaking it's down to each member to synthesise their own part, but we’ve got a lot better at being open with feedback, as we kinda live off that feeling when everyone's super into what we're making. It’s a very social process that can be really influenced by energy in the room.

What themes or messages are you exploring in your latest single?

Lyrically it’s trying to capture that moment in time where all that’s been bubbling away under the surface ‘hits you’ and requires confronting. As with lots of our songs the lyrics decorate an emotion already presented in the instrumentation and I guess that is quite dark and brooding. We will release a happy go lucky banger next though, no one needs their January to be sound tracked by such things.

Your live shows seem quite immersive. How do you approach the visual elements of your performances to enhance the audience experience?

We struggle to stay still while playing and I think seeing the seven of us jumping up and down on a stage too small for us makes for an interesting watch as it is. Although recently we’ve been getting in the audience because it looks equally fun off the stage. Once we've blown up we will sack that off and forget about the audience in favour of self indulgent performance art.

How do your Manchester roots influence your music, and do you feel a connection to other local artists?

I think we all came from areas where the local music scene was pretty bare, we all came to Manchester looking for what we’ve found I guess. Through playing the venues in south Manchester, like withington public hall and fuel, and playing community run events we’ve played with some of the nicest and most exciting bands. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of this scene. Especially at the moment where Manchester music feels more exciting than ever.

What role do the Gubs play in your performances, and how did you come up with the idea to incorporate them?

It’s a gimmick we’re holding on to and that's as about as deep as it gets. Although having said that I do think they add a bit of familiarity and help to make the stage feel like ours, which is no easy feat when you're first up on a wet Wednesday night in London. Assuming we remember to bring them and don't lose them.

What has been the most challenging aspect of getting your music out there, and how have you navigated those challenges?

It’s been surprisingly difficult, we almost released a recording none of us really liked about a year ago and have spent countless long days recording unreleased songs. That track in particular is still a highlight of our set but we’ve never translated that outside of the live space and I think something quite nice about that. Although it does seem there’ll be a lot of unhappy people if it does never get re-recorded and released. I think that kind of sums it up really, it took us a while to get our tracks to where we want them to be, then it took a while to find a recording space and producer that could capture what we were after. Thankfully we found a super supportive team along the way that helped it materialise.

Can you tell us about any upcoming shows or festivals you’re particularly looking forward to and what fans can expect from those performances?

I think supporting man/women/chainsaw is definitely up there, lots of us have been listening to them for a while and think they’re awesome. Aside from that, it’s just playing new cities and trying to replicate what we have going in Manchester elsewhere. Expect crotchet Gubs and sweaty boys and girls losing their shit on stage.

What do you love right now?

The orchestra (for now)’s new EP Plan 76. Just as I had rinsed plan 75 for all it was worth, they went and hit us with this. We also recently heard a great band from London, Skiving, who are about to put out their first album, so we're pretty gassed for that.

What do you hate right now?

Fines. Parking and wrong train related specifically. Ed really doesn’t like Che’s new album ‘Rest In Bass’ but the rest of us haven't listened so couldn’t possibly comment on anything but that unreal name.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?

Marina and the Diamonds ‘Electric Heart’ because music kind of peaked at that point and has gone down hill since.

When someone hears your music for the first time, what do you hope sticks with them?

The basslines. Only the basslines and nothing else. That’s what the whole band wants and it is not the opinion of just one member.

Photography By: Gabriel Forrest