Melanie Garside is a prolific British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose career spans over three decades of alternative, indie, and ethereal folk music. Perhaps best known under her solo moniker Maple Bee, Garside has built a reputation for her atmospheric, multi-layered arrangements and her ability to weave complex vocal harmonies with a diverse array of acoustic and electronic instruments.

Early Career and Band Projects

Garside first emerged in the early 1990s fronting the indie-rock outfit Tabitha Zu (later Zu). This led to a solo deal with Echo Records, under which she released her debut album, Fossil (1995). Seeking a more collaborative band environment, she later formed Our Lady of Miracles, which eventually rebranded as Vertigo Angels, releasing the critically acclaimed album Eradicate Apathy (2003).

The Maple Bee Era and Collaborations

In 2004, she adopted the name Maple Bee to launch a series of deeply personal, “DIY” records. On albums like Chasing Eva and Home, Garside took full creative control, playing nearly every instrument—including accordion, various recorders and harmonicas, and bass, guitar and organ. During this period, her versatility led to high-profile collaborations:

Queenadreena: as bass player and co-writer with her sister Katie Jane Garside on the 2005 LP ‘The Butcher and the Butterfly’.
Mediaeval Baebes: Lending her songwriting skills and vocals to the world-renowned classical/folk ensemble.
Huski: A venture into dark electronic pop alongside producer and co-writer Pike Galloway.

Current Work: Moontwin

Her most recent creative chapter finds her as one half of Moontwin, a duo project with Zac Kuzmanov. Their work continues Garside’s tradition of ethereal, cinematic soundscapes, blending her folk sensibilities with modern production.
Parallel to her performance career, Garside is a practicing Music Therapist, a profession that deeply informs the introspective and healing qualities found throughout her extensive discography.