Mel and The Tall Boys

Courtesy of Lacy Records

Mel Johnston is a singer-songwriter from New York City whose songs strike directly in the heart and whose voice hits somewhere between the punk rock of Joan Jett and the country blues of Lucinda Williams.

She started her first band with jazz singer and school friend Kim Foxen, aptly titled the Foxy Johnstons. They released a soul and blues-influenced EP to great acclaim in 2018. Mel and the Tall Boys began in 2020, after Mel wrote an expansive new catalog of songs during a virtual songwriting group on zoom, which she founded during the pandemic. Their music is inspired by the likes of the Raconteurs and Fleetwood Mac, finding an apt balance between alt-rock swagger and Americana steadiness. Mel and the Tall Boys are currently: Mel Johnston on vocals, Kyle Lacy on guitar, Andy Bell on Bass, and JC Myska on Drums.

They released an eponymous debut EP in summer of 2021, including 3 original songs by Mel and one cover - an upbeat punk version of the Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do is Dream.” “Territories” was written by Lacy and arranged by Johnston, Lacy, and Bell. The song contains elements which call back to the 80’s pop sounds of Blondie and the Police. “Smiling Dying,” written by Johnston, is their latest release and contains edgy guitars and more dark lyrical content.