The Old-School Influences That Inspired Their Debut Record

Blues-rock outfit The Lockhearts have just dropped their first single Ride Home off their upcoming debut album Americana Doom Fuzz, and they've kept the rock real and raw.

"I don't think rock music should ever be synonymous with clinical perfection," frontman Tim Meaco states of how rock'n'roll music isn't perfect and shouldn't be overworked in the studio. "It robs it of soul."  

"You focus on capturing the energy from the performance on the record and build on that to enrich the experience," he adds of how this perspective influenced the recording process for the single.

"Ride Home represents the more upbeat side of the record," he says on being inspired by Van Halen and early southern country music. "I don't know if it made a difference, but I did start wearing pointier boots."

Meaco reveals initially feeling "slightly embarrassed" about presenting the single to his band mates. "The other guys liked it and wanted it on the record, so we jammed. I didn't even think it would make it to the recording studio at first."

Meaco illustrates the impact music had on him throughout his upbringing, sharing that "guitar was the only thing that made sense to me in high school. My parents always had records playing in the house, from Van Morrison, to Queen, to Osibisa. Music gave me a sense of belonging and songwriting became an outlet for personal demons."

"Thematically, this record is about wrestling with depression, expectations and what it means to find your place in the world."