Dr Meaker… Shall the Meaker inherit the earth?
Showcase: Dr Meaker
Published on November 6th, 2012 | Jonny Abrams
Bristol bassheads Dr Meaker are readying a new album for 2013, so we fired them over some questions in order to find out a little bit more about their own particular operation…
What’s the line-up of the band? How did you all meet, and how long has the band been going for?
Ok, so we have: Clive Meaker (founder, producer and synth wizard), Lorna King (songwriter and lead vocals), Tom Wheeler (drummer), DJ (bassist), Ben Wood (saxophone) and Jon Winder (trumpet). The band started back in 2007.
How would you describe your music, if pushed?
Our slogan that we use to describe Dr Meaker is ‘Dr Meaker splices the dirt with the soul to fire up the soundsystem’.
We say that it is ‘bass music’ as we make music driven by heavy bass lines. We create all types of bass music, which is why we have signed our tracks to different labels this year to gather a following on the underground scenes in each of the styles. We had drum and bass records “Music in the Night” and “Fighter” out on V Recordings and “In My Soul” and “I Dream Of You” on Sludge for the dubstep tracks.
Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?
We are based in Bristol, UK. We are very proud of our city and it inspires us to create the music we do. Bristol has produced massive names over the years such as Massive Attack and Portishead and we strive to be the next big name from our city. The music is recorded from Clive’s home studio and that’s where all the magic happens!
Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?
We are not signed to a specific label as of yet but have signed our singles to various different labels this year. The labels were V Recordings, Sludge Records and Ramajam Recordings. V recordings has produced some amazing names and we have always wanted to put music out on their label, and after working hard on our new releases they digged our sound and put it on their label. Sludge and Ramajam have been creating a stir in the underground scenes and showed interest in our music, and we have had some great releases with them too!
Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)
We have plans to release an album in 2013. We want our album to sum up what we have been up to over the last couple of years since our last album A Lesson from the speaker. We have been experimenting and have created some amazing new and fresh material to show to our fans and the industry after our hard work in the studio. For us it is all about creating music that touches people’s emotions and music that people can move to, regardless of a specific genre – just real music that makes you want to let go!
Where can we hear your music online?
http://soundcloud.com/dr-meaker
http://www.drmeaker.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/drmeaker
Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?
This year we have had some amazing moments at our shows. Playing the UK Snowboarding championships was amazing as we played on top of a mountain in Laax, Switzerland. Also playing at Fabric in London was a great experience, it was perfect for the music we produce and the bass was huge on their monitors!! We are just about to do another live lounge for Radio 1 and that will be another amazing moment too taking place at the famous Maida Vale Studios.
Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)
Our next gigs are:
British Snowboarding Awards - LIVE - 10th November – Edinburgh
The Attic - LIVE - 16th November – Bristol
Hootananny - LIVE – 8th December – Brixton – London
The Thekla LIVE - 13th December – Bristol
Clwb Ifor Bach LIVE - 14th December - Cardiff
The Firestation - NYE - LIVE - 31st December – Bristol
Tour of the Alps - LIVE - 4th – 12th January (TBC) - France
The Aquarium Party - LIVE - 25th January - Narbeth
Adhesive - LIVE - 1st February - Colston Hall
We are really looking forward to playing worldwide next year too and taking our music as far and wide as possible!
Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
Octo Pi
Carasel MC
Ninetynine
Lady Nade
Laid Blak
Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of four different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?
Massive attack
Karl Jenkins
Nat King Cole
Michael Nyman (Ive heard a few song and would need some new music to explore – a big gamble really but I’d call it the “wildcard”!)
Dr Meaker, thank you.
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
