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Howzat! Archive - August 15th 2012

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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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