The Meir
Discover The Meir, a five-piece alternative rock band blending progressive elements and atmospheric melodies. In this interview, they discuss their chemistry, influences, latest single “LIMITLESS” and upcoming album INFINITE.
1. How did The Meir come together, and what brought the five of you together musically?
We initially came together through our personalities. It all started with a meeting between Bo, Raf and Lars. There was an instant connection between the three of us, and we decided to start making music together every week. But honestly, we also shared so much of life’s ups and downs during those weekly sessions that our bond became incredibly strong from the very beginning. Naturally, that had a positive impact on the creative process, and it really showed!
Later, Jeroen and Charl completed the lineup. Lars had been friends with Jeroen for years, and Jeroen had known Charl for a long time. With both of them, there was that same immediate connection and chemistry. Very little ego, everyone putting the music and each other first, all working towards the same goal. That is truly the strength of The Meir.
2. Your sound combines alternative rock, progressive elements and atmospheric melodies. What bands or artists have influenced your musical direction the most?
When you listen to our music, you might recognize influences from bands and artists like Muse, Radiohead and David Bowie, as well as elements of electronic dance music. But there are simply too many influences to mention them all.
We also span quite a wide range of ages, which means we each bring different decades of musical history to the table. You can definitely hear that diversity reflected in our music.
3. Your debut single, “FREE”, received international attention. Did this positive response change your expectations for the release of “LIMITLESS”?
In a way, it confirmed that we are heading in the right direction. However, we realise that LIMITLESS is a completely different kind of song, one that may appeal to an entirely different audience.
With LIMITLESS, we are showing even more of our true colours and revealing who The Meir really is. This track goes all in from the very first moment, and perhaps our confidence that it will blow people away is even greater than it was with FREE.
FREE was a slightly safer choice to introduce ourselves to a new audience. Now, it’s time to turn things up a notch!
4. What inspired “LIMITLESS”, and what does the song mean to you personally?
It is about the infinite nature of our being and the idea of infinite consciousness. In everyday life, we tend to forget this, and when we do, we underestimate ourselves.
LIMITLESS is a shout-out, a wake-up call reminding us of our own boundless potential. It encourages us to reconnect with that feeling and face life once again with our heads held high and an infinite sense of strength.
5. Raf Jansen handles the production and mixing. How do you divide creative responsibilities within the band, and who usually has the final say on musical decisions?
We all have the right to veto something, but if you disagree, you need to have good reasons to back it up. Ultimately, we discuss everything thoroughly, and there is always room for open dialogue.
Because we respect one another and know that everyone is working in service of the music, finding common ground is much easier, even when we disagree. The moment ego gets involved, things become a lot more complicated.
Besides, everyone brings their own unique qualities and skills to the table, allowing us to complement one another naturally without getting in each other’s way.
6. Your upcoming album, INFINITE, will contain twelve tracks. What can listeners expect from it, and when do you plan to release it?
INFINITE is very much on its way! The album will feature twelve tracks, each exploring different musical directions while remaining unmistakably The Meir. For now, our full focus is on the release of LIMITLESS, followed by our third single, which is scheduled for January. These releases are all part of the journey towards INFINITE, and we’re gradually revealing different facets of the album along the way.
We haven’t announced an album release date yet, as we want to give each release the attention it deserves and let the journey unfold naturally.
One thing is certain: listeners can expect to be blown away in many different ways. Our music is anything but predictable or uniform. We take some fascinating detours into different musical styles, but at its core, you will always recognise The Meir.
We are not your average band, and INFINITE will be a true reflection of that: twelve tracks made with passion, depth and a desire to push musical boundaries.