Photo/ Jeremy Craig

On April 27th 2004, drummer David Kittredge walked into a small pub in Oklahoma City to see singer/guitarist Mark Gibson perform. David had left his previous touring band a few months before and was looking to join another. After numerous false leads, Kittredge had decided that this would be the last attempt in his search before he left to study music at North Texas University. Kittredge took a seat while a 21 year old college kid took the stage. Although Gibson only performed by himself, David heard the potential for a much larger sound. Ironically Gibson shared the same vision and in the summer of 2004 the pair began to develop numerous songs in the living room of David’s house. Out of those practices and live performances came five songs in particular that they recorded as their debut EP, The Sun Forgets.

At the turn of the year, it became apparent that they would not find any additional members in Oklahoma so they started searching for the right city to relocate. In June of 2005, they moved to Austin, Texas and immediately started looking for other band mates. In late August they found an ad in the Austin Chronicle that would lead to the addition of Bassist Ryan Magnani. Ryan had moved to Austin from South Carolina a year before in the same pursuit of music. He too was tired of a music scene that seemed to be lacking honesty and emotion. Kittredge, Gibson and Magnani met to discuss the importance of music in each of their lives and the elements that they felt were missing from the music industry. It was in this initial meeting that their new concept of sound was born. They also began to form ideas of “how” they could ultimately help change the face of music today. After just a few rehearsals, it was apparent that the chemistry and drive that the trio shared would soon develop into the kind of working relationship that most bands only dream of.

As in the start of any self-made endeavor, venues with live music were quick to toss their EP in a box without ever listening to it. They also began to realize that certain venues were not equipped for the design of meridianwest. The trio began to envision their music in immeasurable spaces. Armed with a new vision for “live” performance, they sought out a venue that most bands pass up due to a lack of smoke and lights; outside of Seattle’s Best Coffee located on the ground floor of a skyscraper located in the heart of downtown Austin’s warehouse district. The colossal sound of this undiscovered amphitheater would define the new energy created by the band’s live show. meridianwest’s music shot through the streets of downtown Austin unchained and piercing -- developing a strong fan base in their new hometown of Austin.

meridianwest’s sound began to evolve directionally and technically to the point that they felt like their EP did not represent them anymore. The need to express this new progression and evolution materialized in the recording of their new EP, A Fire is Missing, which better illustrates their ever evolving sound. With the addition of industry veterans Clif Loftin and Chris Fritz as their management team and the new EP they gather more pen and paper for the next chapter of meridianwest.