Daniel Merriweather

Courtesy of SonyRCA

Singing with the bluesy conviction of an old soul, Daniel Merriweather is familiar to many as the voice of Mark Ronson's hit cover of The Smiths' classic single, "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before." The track, which appears on Ronson's 2007 sophomore solo album Version, is... Read More

Singing with the bluesy conviction of an old soul, Daniel Merriweather is familiar to many as the voice of Mark Ronson's hit cover of The Smiths' classic single, "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before." The track, which appears on Ronson's 2007 sophomore solo album Version, is just one of three released to feature Merriweather's voice, and another, "She's Got Me," appeared on Ronson's 2003 solo debut, Here Comes The Fuzz. The other is the single "City Rules," and all gained Merriweather a following in Australia, as well as in hipster clubs in London, Paris and New York.

Raised on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, it wasn't long ago that Merriweather still lived in a trailer in front of his parents' house. He learned to play classical music on a cardboard violin in classes for lower income children. Growing up, he developed his musical sensibility from a diverse set of influences that includes Elvis Presley, Boyz II Men, Prince, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Nas and A Tribe Called Quest.

In high school, Merriweather fell in love with hip-hop culture, and got into substantial trouble for his graffiti indulgences. After dropping out for disciplinary reasons, he focused on music, taking vocal lessons and performing in Melbourne clubs.

Ronson stumbled on Merriweather's demos while the producer was working on singer Nikka Costa's debut album. The two clicked and the relationship has been leading to bigger things for both. "Working with Mark, everything seems to unfold organically, he says. "You're talking about music and the next thing you know, you're recording ideas with [The Roots drummer] ?uestlove and [rapper] Saigon."

Now permanently relocated to New York, Merriweather has been recording with plans to release his debut solo album in 2008 via Ronson's Allido Records label.