Artist Feature: The Non-Renewed

For Denver-based indie rock duo The Non-Renewed, duality is a driving force. Undoubtedly different by nature, members Mellik Gorton and Meghan Mallon take an unapologetic approach to collaboration and, together, create an unexpected charm. 

The two met on Vampr, an app meant for musicians, in 2019. Their ‘slow-to-warm’ (platonic) relationship started with a small jam in Mellik’s basement. And after a prolonged period — of figuring each other out and dialing in a band — they are currently recording their first, self-titled album set to drop this spring. 

“People don’t talk about the build up and everything it takes to get a project moving,” Mellik says. “The dating period.” 

In the early days (of the pandemic and their project), the two were making it work long distance. Meghan had moved back home to Pennsylvania. Mellik was still in Denver, having recently graduated from DU. 

“We were sending song files back and forth over the internet,” Mellik says. “Wondering, ‘will this even work?’”  

Then in 2020, Meg’s teaching contract came up non-renewed. A loss that inspired her to re-focus on making music and ultimately gave the band its name. 

“If COVID didn’t happen and we didn’t have anything but music to do, I don’t know where we’d be,” Meghan says. 

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Today, the two reflect kindly on the foundation they’ve formed and the many ways they serve as complements for each other. 

“It’s nice to have someone who’s putting in as much time and energy as you are,” Mellik says. 

“I needed someone to keep me focused,” says Meg. “I didn’t have that before I met Mel.” 

While Mellik is thoughtful and considerate, Meghan is impulsive and spontaneous. Their schedules are contrary too. Mellik works a pensioned 9-to-5 for the State of Colorado. Meg teaches music lessons and moonlights as an emcee for Sofar Sounds. 

“Music is full time for Meghan,” Mellik says. “It’s more of a reprieve for me.” 

But for all that they are opposites, the two came to music much the same. As queer teens, each in closeted relationships, songwriting served as an essential processing tool.

“I started writing music out of need,” Mellik says.

“Music saved me from going crazy when my relationship ended, and I couldn’t tell anyone,” echoes Meg. 

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As a duo, they’ve decidedly embraced their individual styles, which makes for an interesting cohesion. A lyrical depth interrupted by the brightness of guitar, and a bittersweetness that comes through in songs like ‘Englewood.’ 

Meghan is a soulful force to reckon — bringing a warm raspiness that she attributes to early pop-rock influences like Sara Bareilles and Avril Lavigne. Meanwhile, there is an ease about Mellik’s vocals, which serves to underscore his ultra-clever songwriting. He draws from folk rock legends Paul McCartney and Paul Simon. 

“Oh and this is my guy Andy Shauf,” Mellik says, motioning to the song that plays.  

Usually, if Mellik writes a song, Meg takes the lead on instrumentals — she’s more so the multi-instrumentalist — and vice versa. The exception being ‘Sleeping on a Hill,’ which Meghan sings and Mellik, who is Trans, wrote prior to his transition. 

“I definitely took Mel’s voice — you know the old recording — into consideration when I was figuring out what I wanted to do with it,” Meg says. “People have told us that my voice actually sounds like Mel’s pre-T.”

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The Non-Renewed’s most recent single, ‘River Take Me,’ is the final release before their full album drops later this year. Funded in part by a Denver Arts and Venues EDI grant, the self-titled album will comprise four songs written by Mellik and four by Meghan. Post-release, the two intend to produce music videos, get out in the community, and tour regionally. 

“Once the album is out, I just want to play a ton of shows,” Meg says. 

“It can be difficult to get people to come out to your shows,” Mellik says. “And I feel a responsibility to be out there showing up for others too. Luckily, we both have partners and friends who are incredibly supportive.”

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You can listen to The Non-Renewed on Spotify and follow them for updates on Instagram @thenonrenewed.