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THE MEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH
When Michael Meeking released the break-up album Where To
From Here in 2008, Howzat! asked if there was a happy ending.
"The jury is still out," Meeks replied. His new album, Ride
On, shows that he's bounced back. "I've been broke and I've
been broken," the album starts, "but I'll mend myself again."
Indeed, the songs on Ride On show that Meeks has not just
survived, he's prospered. There is nothing particularly
fashionable about Ride On - there are no dance beats and
you won't see it vying with The Voice-related albums in
the Top 40. This is simply superior songwriting, quality
roots rock.
Asked to describe the making of Ride On in a few words,
Meeks says, "Fun, frustrating, satisfying." With financial
and time constraints, the album took more than three years
to make, with an Arts Victoria grant helping it across the
line. Props to producer Tim Johnston for helping the band
deliver a world-class sound. "Tim is a great bloke," Meeks
says, "extremely supportive and positive, and just brilliant
in the studio. He really got the best out of us and captured
the vibe of the band." Michael's band, The Lost Souls (Julien
Chick on bass, Chris Gates on guitar, and Dave "Clean Hands"
Kleynjans on drums), are complemented by some stellar guests,
including Weddings Parties Anything's Jen Anderson on violin,
The Vandas' Chris Altmann on pedal steel, and Steve Hesketh
on piano and Hammond.
And a highlight of the album is Gentle, a duet with The
Bamboos' Kylie Auldist. "Back in the day, around '97, Kylie's
band, Heavy Earth, and The Lost Souls were two bands at
the Rochester Castle," Meeks explains. "I would sometimes
sit at the bar with my guitar and get Kylie to sing some
of my songs. One of those songs was Gentle, and I can't
remember how it happened, but we just started doing it as
a duet. When we were talking about songs for this album,
we thought it was time we recorded it." Kylie is a wonderful
singer, but Meeks can match her when it comes to hitting
the high notes. "Kylie is awesome," he says, "a brilliant
singer, performer and person. We were very privileged to
have her on the album and it was heaps of fun singing with
her again after so many years." What's Meeks' favourite
duet? "I'm with Myf Warhurst on this one - Kenny and Dolly's
Islands In The Stream. I also love The Pogues and Kirsty
MacColl's Fairytale of New York."
Ride On is dedicated to a guy named Sean Dineen, with the
message, "We're still pushing through, mate." "I met Sean
at the start of high school and we were great friends from
then on," Meeks explains. "He was a larger-than-life character
with amazing charisma, energy and talent. He was friends
with all the guys in the band and was a great supporter
of my music. His catchphrase in regards to my music was
'You've gotta keep pushing through' and that's why we put
that inscription on the album." Sean was diagnosed with
cancer in 2008 and died the following year. "I will always
miss him."
One song on the album is called Are You Listening? What
was Meeks listening to when he made the record? "A lot of
old stuff, like the Faces' best-of, Good Boys … When They're
Asleep, and the Stones, Big Star and The Black Crowes. Aside
from the songwriting, I was attracted to the vibe they captured
in the studio and their treatment of guitars." Asked to
nominate his three favourite local songwriters, Meeks replies,
"Where do I start, there are so many! I guess it goes without
saying that Paul Kelly is a gem. I've been lucky to play
support gigs for some of the greats, like Tim Rogers and
Mick Thomas. And we're rapt to have another great Melbourne
singer-songwriter, Dan Warner, playing at our launch." That
gig is Sunday at 3.30pm at The Penny Black, 420 Sydney Road,
Brunswick.
TALES FROM THE CITY
Another local songwriter to keep an eye on is Hayden Calnin.
His single, For My Help, from his debut EP, City, is a dramatic
piece of pop. Big, atmospheric and bold. Hayden, 22, has
a bright future. He launches City at the Workers Club on
Friday, 24 August.
CHART WATCH
Justice Crew spend a second week on top.
Boom Boom JUSTICE CREW (number one)
Can You Feel It TIMOMATIC (18)
Everyone's Waiting MISSY HIGGINS (21)
Lolita THE VERONICAS (23)
On Top JOHNNY RUFFO (28)
Shout It Out REECE MASTIN (29)
Run Alone 360 (37, debut)
When The Lights Go Out HAVANA BROWN (40, debut)
Karise Eden's six-week reign is over, while The Sapphires
soundtrack leaps from 17 to five.
My Journey KARISE EDEN (number two)
The Sapphires soundtrack (five)
The Ol' Razzle Dazzle MISSY HIGGINS (six)
Drinking From The Sun HILLTOP HOODS (seven)
Happy Home DARREN PERCIVAL (11)
Broken Brights ANGUS STONE (13)
The Story So Far KEITH URBAN (17)
Falling & Flying 360 (18)
Shooting Star RACHAEL LEAHCAR (22)
No Shame SARAH DE BONO (26)
The Temper Trap THE TEMPER TRAP (33)
Cornerstone HILLSONG LIVE (35)
HOWZAT! PLAYLIST
Ride On MICHAEL MEEKING
For My Help HAYDEN CALNIN
The Best We Got THE RUBENS
I Can Make You Love Me BRITISH INDIA
Tennis Clothes MINIBIKES
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