Artist Interviews

Q&A: Meerkats

By | Published on Thursday 5 November 2009

The Meerkats

Currently living in Dubai, but hailing from the south of England, The Meerkats formed simply because lead singer Ben Jones was impressed by his now bandmate Ashley Adams’ guitar playing. They play acoustic indie rock, though with leanings towards soul and reggae. Having spent the past year writing and producing new material, while playing gigs all over the Middle East and supporting the likes of The Parlotones and hip hoppers Arrested Development, the band are now busy getting an album completed. But they have still found time to play at the big convention taking place in their adopted home, Dubai SoundCity. We spoke to the Ben to find out more. .

Q1 How did you start out making music?
We met at an indie night in Dubai, booked a gig and only then got round to writing some tunes! I have experience from the London scene, while Ash draws on long nights jammin in barns in the south of England. We originally started as an acoustic rock duo nut are now a four piece following the addition of Shu on drums and Ben Coutts on bass.

Q2 What inspired your latest single?

We just finished a new song called ‘Hold A Gun To My Head’ – it’s the basic boy meets girl, I love you, now change thing.

Q3 How do you go about creating a track?
Basic instrumental ideas are put down by Ash, then I put together the vocals and melodies, then we get the other guys to add their magic.

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
A bit of everything; there’s indie, pop, reggae, and bit of most other things… our tastes vary so much and our songs now seem to have common ground but differentiate themselves so much, so there’s a twist of lots of styles in there… artists like The Jam, The Clash, The Libertines and the Red Hot Chilis have all influenced our tunes to some degree whether that be in style or in inspiration.

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?

Have a jig and smile. You’ll be singing to the second chorus, that’s for sure.

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
Finish our album and then go on a promotional tour… We will be seeing you in the UK soon!

MORE>> www.myspace.com/meerkatsmusic



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