The Meerkats are Ben Jones and Ashley Adams both from the south of England but curently living in Dubai. They are an acoustic duo playing soulful yet catchy indie rock with reggae leanings. Lead singer Ben has team up with Ashley for his impressive guitar playing.
The Meerkats are busy writing and producing their own material and have just finished touring the Middle East and the y will be at the Adrenaline Sports Live Festival in Abu Dhabi on the 14th November 2008. They also supported Arrested Development last month at The Irish Village. Loads more gigs lare lined up for the next few months including supporting The Parlatones on their return. The Meerkats are also currently in the Studio and hope to finalise and release their first EP very early next year.
Here's The Meerkats' chat with Dubai Lime about their music and who they are:
How long you been playing music?
Ben: First proper band was in London playing with the Sunstones in 2004-2000.
Ash: Playing barns scaring animals from an early age-:).
Where you from?
Ben: London
Ash: Thatcham
Can you remember the first time you picked up a guitar or any musical instrument? What's it like?
Ben: Picked up my first air guitar when I was about five.
Ash: Been playing since I was 8 years old.
How about song writing when did you learn to write your songs?
Ben: Accident...just sort of happened after a particularly late night. Played it again in the morning and realised it was quite good so I started a band.
When you write your songs or create your music, what are your inspirations?
Ben: Day to day random occurences mainly, love lies and getting through the day.
Do you have any achievements in your music before that you would like to share?
Ash: We have been lucky enough to have played and jammed with some very good bands most recently Arrested Development.
What are you up to these days? any upcoming events or gigs and perhaps an album or EP?
Ben: Justst going into the studio to record our first EP. Release date early next year and performing at the Adrenaline Sports Live Festival in Abu Dhabi this 14th of November.
Do you have any plans on taking your music to the next level?
Ash: We play cause we love it, if that takes us somewhere other than where we are now then all good.
How long you been in Dubai? and what can you say about Dubai?
Ben: A year and a half, Dubai is fantastic. It would be better if everyone stopped moaning, had a little look about and appreciate how lucky we are to live in this environment.
What do you do besides music? any hidden talent?
Ben: Ash is a part time model and I'm his minder.
Do you have anything to say about Dubai Lime? or anything that you would like us to do to encourage local musicians?
Ben: Firstly I'm saying this cause it's genuine not cause you are interviewing us -:) but Dubai Lime open mic gives so many people the opportunity to showcase their talents and belong in a community that can be alien at time.
The Meerkats are playing regularly at Dubai Lime open mic circuit.
The open mic venues and timings:
Dubai Lime Open Mic every Tuesday at Bert's Café, the Greens
From 7:30pm to 10:00pm
Location: Next to Choitram in Greens, far end of the restaurants strip (After Emirates Mall - back of Emaar Offices in Sheikh Zayed road). Tel: 04-361-9292
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