36. Mick Meagher: Bass, Collaborations with Emma Donovan and Touring with Aussie Icons
Description
Scout was a big fan of this week’s guest, Mick Meagher, immediately climbing onto his lap once the podcast started. We dive into chats about Mick’s eclectic music taste over the years and his journey into bass from a high school battle of the bands competition to jazz school to playing with some of Australia’s biggest names. Mick shares some stories about playing with the Black Arm Band, his studious research for creating the vibes and sounds on the latest Emma Donovan album which he co-wrote and co-produced, and much more.
Mick shared a bunch of interesting stories and thoughts, including:
Starting on the bass - last minute call up for battle of the bands; and winning best bass player of the night!
The underground, niche and DIY Australian soul/funk music scene
Balancing various projects as a working musician
Plans and taking opportunities
Touring remote Australia with the Black Arm Band, and
Working with Emma Donnovan on her latest Record.
It was a massive learning session for me, hearing of all the metal, grunge and jazz references of music that I didn’t know but had influenced Mick’s playing and interests as a young musician. He also shared some recent albums from drummers Jim White and Maria Moles, as well as a bunch of other great musicians and producers that I needed to go check out.
Mick Meagher has established a long career on bass duties for a roll call of Australia's best bands and artists. He can boast several critically acclaimed albums with Emma Donovan and the Putbacks, as well as Andrea Keller, Wave Riders, Eugene Ball 4tet, and Wolfa (a collaboration with vocalist Jenny Barnes). Mick has a long and impressive career; after graduating from the VCA he went on to work with Kate Cebrano, and joined the Black Arm Band, where he performed with Australian icons Archie Roach, Paul Dempsey, Emma Donovan and Gurrumul Yunupingu and international stars Mavis Staples and Ricki Lee Jones.
He was a founding and committed member of The Putbacks until the end of 2022, where he has gone on to the next chapter in his career. Mick has recently co-written and produced the latest album with Emma Donovan, ‘Til My Song Is Done’, which was released in April this year.
Join us as we delve into Mick's musical journey, his wide range of genre crossover and experiences, and discuss where this new chapter of his music life is headed.
For more info and links, including video's of a bunch of Mick's different work, head to www.aredrummersmusicians.com