Mary in the Junkyard

Mary in the Junkyard (stylised in all lowercase) is a British band operating at the intersection of indie rock, alternative rock and experimental music. Their sound combines expressive vocals, guitar parts, drums and unusual arrangements. The band attracts attention not only through their studio recordings but also through their live performances, where their songs usually sound edgier and more free-flowing than on record.

When getting to know Mary in the Junkyard, it’s worth paying attention to how the musicians blend melodiousness with a rough, at times deliberately unpolished sound. The band represents the young British independent scene, where artists aren’t confined to a single genre and experiment with musical form.

The band’s history

The band Mary in the Junkyard was formed in London in 2022. By that time, Clari Freeman-Taylor and David Addison had already been playing together in the band Second Thoughts. They were later joined by Saya Barbaglia, whom Clari had met as a teenager at a summer music camp dedicated to classical music. The girls were both 14 when the organisers suggested they perform a piece of music together. A few years later, their friendship developed into a creative partnership.

The new line-up’s first performance took place in 2022 at the Cavendish Arms pub in the Stockwell area of London. Soon after, the band began playing regularly at The Windmill in Brixton, a venue known for supporting independent artists. These gigs helped the musicians build their own following even before the release of their full-length debut album. Their performances were characterised by sharp shifts in dynamics, unconventional musical choices and a blend of melodic passages with a noisier sound.

In October 2023, the band released their first single, "Tuesday". This was followed by "Ghost" and "Marble Arch", and in May 2024 their debut mini-album, This Old House, was released. Richard Russell, the head of XL Recordings, was involved in its production.

That same year, the band released "This Is My California" and "Bear Walk", continuing to develop their own musical style.

In 2025, the band supported Wet Leg on their Moisturizer tour. During this period, the singles "Drains" and "Midori" were released, and Clari Freeman-Taylor took part in the recording of "Swamp Dream #3" by Everything Is Recorded. These events helped the band break out beyond the British indie scene.

On 3 July 2026, Mary in the Junkyard released their debut studio album, Role Model Hermit, which featured the singles "Crash Landing", "Candelabra", "New Muscles", "Mouse" and "Blood".

The album was produced by Oli Bayston and Ben Baptie. It continued the band’s style, blending indie rock, experimental sounds and evocative storytelling.

Discography

Mary in the Junkyard’s discography comprises a debut EP, a studio album and a number of singles released between 2023 and 2026. The band’s early recordings introduced listeners to their distinctive sound, whilst "Role Model Hermit" brought together new tracks to form a full-length album.

Albums

• This Old House (2024): Debut EP, released in May 2024. The release featured "Ghost" and "Marble Arch".
• Role Model Hermit (2026): The band’s first full-length album, released on 3 July 2026 on AMF Records, containing 11 tracks.

Singles

The band’s well-known songs include:

• "Tuesday" (2023)
• "Ghost" (2024)
• "Marble Arch" (2024)
• "This Is My California" (2024)
• "Bear Walk" (2024)
• "Drains" (2025)
• "Midori" (2025)
• "Crash Landing" (2026)
• "Candelabra" (2026)
• "New Muscles" (2026)
• "Mouse" (2026)
• "Blood" (2026)
• "Jane" (2026)

Band members

The British trio Mary in the Junkyard consists of three musicians: Clari Freeman-Taylor, Saya Barbaglia and David Addison. Each member brings their own experience to the band’s sound: Clari writes and performs the songs, Saya combines her classical training with her bass-guitar playing, and David provides the rhythmic foundation on drums.

Clari Freeman-Taylor

Clari Freeman-Taylor grew up outside London, near Hitchin, and spent her childhood playing the cello.

I was a cello player, Mum was a violinist and Dad played guitar.

At the age of 14, she met future bandmate Saya Barbaglia at a summer music camp, where the two performed a piece by Maurice Ravel for a string quartet. Later on, Clari fell in love with folk music, drawing inspiration from artists like Laura Marling and Leonard Cohen. This passion led her to start writing her own songs and transition from classical strings to the guitar.

Notably, she came up with the name "mary in the junkyard" before the trio was even officially formed, and she personally crafted the band's visual materials and papier-mâché stage props for their early live performances.

Saya Barbaglia

Saya Barbaglia met Clari Freeman-Taylor as a teenager at a music summer camp. Her classical training has had a significant influence on her playing style: the skills she acquired help her to intuitively sense the dynamics and movements of other musicians, which is crucial to the band’s arrangements.

During the pandemic, Saya taught herself to play new instruments and gradually moved away from classical music, switching to the bass guitar and experimental rock. In live performances, she often balances between driving bass lines and piercing, melancholic passages on stringed instruments.

Outside the band, she is a keen enthusiast of mixed martial arts (MMA).

David Addison

David Addison provides the rhythmic backbone and dynamic power behind mary in the junkyard’s sound. His ability to strike a balance between chaotic energy and a restrained acoustic space creates a solid foundation for the band’s experimentation.

David and lead singer Clari Freeman-Taylor have known each other for many years – they grew up together in Hertfordshire. Since 2019, the pair have played together in the popular local indie rock band Second Thoughts. This experience helped them develop their chemistry and make a smooth transition to more complex musical forms.

Whilst Clari and Saya are responsible for the melodies, gritty guitars and intricate string passages, David creates what the band members call the ‘orbit’ or shared energy. His drumming guides the tracks through sharp fluctuations in volume, which is a hallmark of their ‘chaotic, weeping rock’.

Aside from music, David is a keen photographer, often capturing backstage moments, rehearsals and the band’s life on tour on film.

Tour 2026 (Upcoming Gigs)

Mary in the Junkyard’s tour schedule includes concerts in North America and Great Britain.

• 2 November 2026, Sid the Cat Auditorium (South Pasadena, CA)
• 4 November 2026, Rickshaw Stop (San Francisco, CA)
• 6 November 2026, Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR)
• 7 November 2026, Barboza (Seattle, WA)
• 10 November 2026, 7th St Entry (Minneapolis, MN)
• 11 November 2026, The Empty Bottle (Chicago, IL)
• 13 November 2026, The Garrison (Toronto, ON)
• 14 November 2026, Petit Campus (Montreal, QC)
• 17 November 2026, Baby's All Right (Brooklyn, NY)
• 18 November 2026, Baby's All Right (Brooklyn, NY)
• 20 November 2026, DC9 (Washington, DC)
• 21 November 2026, PhilaMOCA (Philadelphia, PA)
• 27 November 2026, O2 Academy Brixton (London, United Kingdom)

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