Meet Mardy: Wigan's newest 'grit-pop' duo launch their debut single
Mardy hope to follow in the footsteps of other Wigan bands such as The Lathums, The Lilacs and TTSSFU.
A new Wigan duo are making their entrance onto the music scene with a debut single and two-track EP.
Mardy, formed by Connor Taylor and Lily Sophia, brings together two performers from very different backgrounds to create a new sound they describe as “grit-pop” — combining the raw punch and attitude of alternative rock with the upbeat energy and feel-good appeal of indie-pop.
Their debut single IDK explores the frustration of a relationship caught in a cycle of breaking apart and mending, despite knowing the outcome is unlikely to change.
It forms the first half of the duo’s two-track concept EP IDK, Tell Me, with the second single Tell Me due for release on October 18.
For Connor, Mardy marks a new chapter following his work developing independent Wigan music project Dafties, which generated more than 150,000 Spotify streams in its breakout year, alongside multiple BBC Introducing features, international airplay, dozens of magazine features and sold-out shows across northern England.
Lily brings her experience as a live vocalist, having performed at multiple sold-out venues as part of Pink Floyd tribute act Pinked Floyd. She has also worked as a model and received the Beauty Queen Spirit award through Miss Swimsuit UK.
The duo have developed a distinctive visual identity inspired by early-2000s British teenage culture, drawing on PlayStation 1, CRT televisions, old posters and messy bedroom aesthetics to complement the nostalgia running through the project.
They have ambitions to follow in the footsteps of other home-grown talent such as The Lathums, The Lilacs and TTSSFU.
Live dates in Wigan are to be announced soon.