McMeeken ready to share his songs
Rmike.alexander@fairfaxmedia.co.nz CIARAN McMeeken, a great southern man from Arrowtown, can thank the owner of a farm in Owaka Valley for encouraging him to pursue his musical dreams.
While working for the farmer, named John, in 2013, his boss asked him what he wanted to do with his life. McMeeken didn’t have an answer at the time, to which the response was ‘‘just get on with it mate’’. Two EPs later and now with the release of his self-titled debut album, McMeeken has done just that.
What are you plugging right now?
I amall set to release my debut full-length album, and for the first time I’m actually really excited about it! I have been working on this album for more than two-anda-half years and wrote more than 50 songs, so it feels really good to be finally sharing it with the world. I’m really proud of it.
How did you initially get involved in music and how long have you been part of it?
I got into music when I was 11. In 2003 I moved from Arrowtown to Dunedin with my family and attended Balmacewen Intermediate. Balmacewen have a policy where every student must learn to play a musical instrument. I decided on drums. I was lucky to be in a class with two lads, Innes and Conall (hearty Irish names) who happened to play bass and guitar. We started hanging out and playing music together, mainly Nirvana and Guns N’ Roses covers.
A year later my parents bought me an acoustic guitar and a boy called Patrick (adding to the Irish flavour) joined the band as the drummer. So this was the band and we played together throughout high school. I also spent time playing in a country duo, a reggae band and busking with a friend over Christmas.
Which living person do you most admire?
Jack Johnson. I admire him for the success he has achieved in his music career but also for what he is doing in the community.
What life lesson would you pass on to your children?
The power of vulnerability. I will really instil into them that it is OK to be lost, depressed, jealous or insecure. It’s OK to feel anything. You have to lean into the discomfort and communicate whatever it is you are feeling. All we really need emotionally, as human beings, are to be seen, heard, accepted and not judged.
How do you balance music with other obligations – partner, children, job?
At the moment I don’t have any of those things. In my past relationships, I have definitely found myself out of balance from time to time and it’s something I am aware of and working on. Having a career in music is like having a child, you really have to look after it and give it a huge portion of your time and energy to enable it to survive and grow. What do you do to relax? I love to go running to clear the lungs and mind. It keeps me sane. I love to practise yoga too. I also love to read and cook vegan food.
What job would you do other than your own and why?
I’d be a healthy food critic. I’d be paid to fly around the world visiting healthy and organic cafes/restaurants and try their food. I don’t know if this exists but I’d make it work somehow. ● Ciaran McMeeken’s album release tour includes The Savoy, Dunedin, August 4; Sherwood, Queenstown, August 5; Meow, Wellington, August 6; Tuning Fork, Auckland, August 10, and Powerstation, Auckland, supporting Andy Grammar, October 18.