23 Facts About Colin Meloy

Colin Patrick Henry Meloy was born on October 5,1974 and is an American musician, singer-songwriter and author best known as the frontman of the Portland, Oregon, indie folk rock band the Decemberists.

Colin Meloy attended the University of Oregon in Eugene for two years, studying English and theatre, before "a longing to be back in Montana" led him to study creative writing at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Colin Meloy later reflected in an interview with The Montanan that this experience helped to develop his musical style in the long run: 'When I was in that position, with nobody to appeal to or scare away, I thought, 'I might as well do whatever I want to do'.

The Decemberists formed in 2000 after Colin Meloy met Nate Query, who introduced him to keyboardist Jenny Conlee, and the three scored a silent film together.

Colin Meloy had met multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk, who was a fan of Tarkio, at a solo show prior to meeting Conlee and Query.

Since its formation, Colin Meloy has served as the band's singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter.

In 2003 Colin Meloy contributed vocals to the track "The Lady From Reims" on Reclinerland's The Ideal Home Music Library.

Colin Meloy contributed vocals on the tracks "Cemetery Row" and "Twilight Distillery" on The Minus 5's 2006 Yep Roc release.

Colin Meloy covered the Elliott Smith song "Clementine" for a compilation of Portland, Oregon artists to support a children's charity, and in mid-2006, he contributed the track "Lazy Little Ada" on the Kill Rock Stars compilation, The Sound the Hare Heard.

In 2007, Colin Meloy lent his voice to an episode of Lil' Bush.

Colin Meloy appeared with Charlie Salas-Humara in the music video for "A Pillar of Salt" by The Thermals.

Colin Meloy did a second solo tour in January 2006, playing with Laura Veirs and Amy Annelle.

Colin Meloy contributed an online bonus track for Lavender Diamond on their Imagine Our Love album, performing a solo version of "Oh No".

Colin Meloy appeared in the 2013 documentary film Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of "Inside Llewyn Davis", which detailed a one-off concert in New York City honoring traditional American folk music in preparation for the release of the Coen brothers' film Inside Llewyn Davis.

The concert, organized by T Bone Burnett, featured several notable musicians representing multiple generations; Meloy performed a cover of Jackson C Frank's "Blues Run the Game" as well as a version of "Joe Hill" alongside Joan Baez and Gillian Welch.

In 2010, Colin Meloy wrote a short story, The Grievous Demise of Mr Whitley Rackham, illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis, and published as a limited, numbered letterpress edition.

Colin Meloy made his debut as a children's writer with Wildwood, illustrated by Ellis.

Colin Meloy kicked off the book tour as the keynote of the AJC Decatur Book Festival on September 2,2011.

Colin Meloy released a sequel, Under Wildwood, in 2012, and the third book in the series, Wildwood Imperium, was released in 2014.

In October 2017, Colin Meloy released his fourth children's book, The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid, illustrated by Ellis.

In September 2022, Colin Meloy released his fifth children's book, The Stars Did Wander Darkling.

Colin Meloy has released two picture books, The Golden Thread: A Song for Pete Seeger, illustrated by Nikki McClure, and Everyone's Awake.

On February 24,2006, Carson Ellis, Colin Meloy's wife, gave birth to a son, Henry "Hank" Colin Meloy.