Chaos, Ballads, and a Tangerine: Mary in the Junkyard Light Up Thekla

Photo Credit: Anna Dallas

Mary in the Junkyard, a trio spun from fairytales and song, self-described as “angry weepy chaos rock”, took to the stage of Bristol’s famous floating venue, Thekla. The band Is comprised of lead singer and guitarist Clari Freeman-Taylor, bassist and viola player Saya Barbaglia and drummer David Addison. Although these are their most recognised instruments, on stage Saya and Clari impressively rotate between an accordion, a viola, the bass guitar, the lead guitar, and even an easy peeler tangerine, demonstrating their outstanding musicianship that keeps the audience in eager anticipation of what trick the band will pull off next. 

Since releasing their debut single, ‘Tuesday’, in October 2023, Mary in the Junkyard have gained stratospheric momentum. They have earned serious recognition and critical acclaim, culminating in a performance on the BBC introducing stage at Glastonbury 2024, and regular airplay on national radio. Their gig at Thekla, a venue that has previously hosted artists like Idles, Laura Marling and Massive Attack, is a nod to their success as rising artists.  

Mary in the Junkyard holds Bristol close to heart. It’s where Clari’s sister lives and where Saya spent a formative year studying – before the band’s path as a rising phenomenon became clear. Thus, it was of particular disappointment to the band when their previous performances in Bristol were derailed by various mishaps and injuries, predominantly to Clari Freeman-Taylor: one instance saw Clari have an earring ripped out and another, just before their Bristol date on their UK tour, resulted in a trip to the hospital for a brain scan – a consequence of an accident during a playfight. This time, however, caution was taken, fingers were crossed and the show was to go on as planned, a curse perhaps lifted. 

The trio walked onto the stage to a cheering audience and picked up their Instruments while ‘Hammond Song’ by The Roches played on the speakers. The sound guy must’ve been particularly fond of The Roches as it played for a period of time that would’ve become awkward had Clari and Saya not gestured a thumbs up to them, signalling that they’d like to start playing their own music. Mary in the Junkyard’s set consisted of a combination of unreleased music and released tracks, cherished and loved, that made for both a familiar and exciting gig. 

The set was kicked off with three unreleased tracks, ‘Myrtle’, ‘Drains’ and ‘Seek + Destroy’, all heart-felt ballads that we’ve come to expect from Mary in the Junkyard. Next came ‘Ghost’, clearly a fan favourite as it was received with a warm cheer and some pre-emptive howls. This song delves into themes of emotional isolation and the longing for connection, encapsulated by the lyrics: “I’ve been howling at you, but you see right through it”. Through the metaphor of the ‘ghost’, the track explores an invisibility felt during changes within relationships, when feelings become unrequited. However, as the song progresses, the tone shifts, moving from gloom to acceptance to eventually hope and excitement, perhaps at the prospect of new and positive relationships that are born in change. This emotional arc demonstrates the infectious positivity that defines a Mary in the Junkyard gig. Furthermore, ‘Ghost’  invites audience participation, with the band and their fans howling collectively, a moment of shared release that makes the track’s story of change feel all the more universal. 

The performance of ‘Goop’ was another highlight of this gig. A sharp gasp of anticipation shot around the room as Saya picked up her viola, the venue dropping into silence save from the whine of strings playing a spectral, ethereal melody. A groovy bassline bounced in along with a rapping drumbeat before Clari’s gentle and boundlessly expressive vocals rasped lyrics into the microphone. In ‘Goop’, Mary in the Junkyard once again extract the surreal from their limitless imaginations, translating the song into something strangely understandable, positioned delicately in the balance between tenderness and the uncanny. 

Mary in the Junkyard are a phenomenon deserving of the rich praise they have received. An ever-evolving band whose creativity constantly surprises and furthers our expectations of them, their capacity to translate emotion into beautiful ballads expands our understanding of their ability. Having already collaborated with artists like Everything Is Recorded and received nods from acclaimed music magazines after just over a year of having released music, it is safe to say that Mary In The Junkyard have taken their baby steps and are lengthening their stride towards recognition and acclaim.