TikTok Killed the Video Star: Introducing The Man The Myth The Meatslab
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Written by James Palaczky
Armed with a £20 Akai mic, a notepad of whimsical lyrics, and the enviable ability to capture the hearts of the TikTok masses, Jamie Clarke, aka The Man The Myth The Meatslab is a sensational emerging indie-folk artist carving his own path. Taking inspiration from Bon Iver, Japanese Breakfast and Alex G, the London-based singer-songwriter has a knack of defining the little things, with his new EP ‘Until the Comet Came’ dropping on January 30 ahead of a UK tour in March. “I’d love it if people can find some peace and comfort in the songs and attach them to moments that feel relevant to the music in their life,” he says of his work.
Given the strength of his writing, it’s not a huge surprise that Clarke’s music has been able to cut through the noise, even if his DIY approach and indie sound don’t scream TikTok. A lot of people have a love-hate relationship with social media — the possibilities of discovery are limitless, but the cocktail of algorithms, views and trends is actually a cesspit of ego and noise. Whether it’s the path best chosen for an upcoming artist is up for debate. Clarke himself is none the wiser. “I actually have no idea,” he admits. “I definitely do scroll, but for whatever reason my feed is not music. It’s, like, raccoons and stars.”
We’ve all been victims of an unintentional doomscroll. But stumbling across The Man The Myth The Meatslab amid whatever impending evil Silicon Valley has up its sleeve will make time stand still. Immediately, you might lose yourself in Clarke’s wholesome-yet-heartbreaking, life-affirming tales. Above all else, his rise offers refreshing reassurance that if you know where to look, there is still gold in the hills of the internet. “I think back 10 years ago, I would have loved to see my favourite artist just playing their song acoustically in their space,” he observes.
And that’s what The Man The Myth The Meatslab is all about. There’s intimacy to his process and, at times, it feels like he’s playing exclusively for you. With a minimalist setup and the artistry to capture enchanting warmth in his recordings, he invites you to find solace in his lyrics and uncover deep affection for characters you will never have the pleasure of meeting.
His first EP ‘The Chronicles of Gerald Womack’ came about after a chance meeting with a stranger of the same name in an airport. Clarke took it upon himself to imagine his onward travels, allowing us to see a snapshot of his thought process: he envisages his work finding a home in your favourite American indie film. “I’d love to write songs as if they were gonna be in a movie or soundtrack a movie,” he says. “I love Napoleon Dynamite, that’s one of my favourites.”
While Napoleon Dynamite seems a strange choice (Vote for Pedro!, though obvs), you can see where he’s coming from. Underneath the sentimental lyrics and narratives, there’s an offbeat charm to his writing. It carries over to ‘Until The Comet Came’, which follows the loose narrative of an extraterrestrial descending to Earth and forming relationships with humans. Clarke’s friends have already pointed out this seems eerily similar to the plot of Superman. However, the storytelling is much more nuanced than spandex and glasses. “It’s all about those people that feel special and kind of rare,” he says.
Clarke’s stories unfold through seemingly disjointed and unconnected lyrics. Though the narrative is entwined with his own thoughts and contemplations, the brilliance in this approach is found in the rabbit holes for you to explore. In fact, he encourages the listener to wander wherever they please — he trusts you to interpret his lyrics however you please, and to feel what you want to feel. “When I’m writing I want to catch the feeling so that all the words stitch together to make this overarching feeling rather than hammering in one message,” he says.
If there’s ever a time to invest in The Man The Myth The Meatslab, it’s now. If the algorithm scares you, his upcoming shows offer the chance to experience one of the most inviting, disarming live performers operating in the UK. So, the only other business to attend to is: what does the name mean? Well, ultimately, it doesn’t mean anything. A friend happened to address him as the Man The Myth The Meatslab one day and Clarke took a liking to it. “You know what’s even worse, or even better, depending on which way you look at it, is I’m a vegetarian,” he says.
The Man The Myth The Meatslab’s ‘Until the Comet Came’ is out January 30.
The Man The Myth The Meatslab Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed March 04 2026 - NOTITINGHAM Angel
Thu March 05 2026 - LEEDS Hyde Park Book Club
Fri March 06 2026 - GLASGOW Nice n' Sleazy
Sat March 07 2026 - MANCHESTER YES (The Basement)
Mon March 09 2026 - BRIGHTON Prince Albert
Tue March 10 2026 - LONDON Moth Club
Wed March 11 2026 - BRISTOL Louisiana
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