12 Questions with Mason Owens
Mason Owens is fastly becoming one of the cities most prolific musicians following in the footsteps of the likes of Jamie Webster, he takes his lyrics and creates songs that are relatable to the working class spirit of the city whilst painting a picture of the stark, yet sometimes beautiful realities of being a young man living in a UK inner-city.
Mason spent his teens learning guitar and writing, which lead him to play bass in several bands including Rats and Eva and The Primeras, before becoming a solo artist in 2018, creating his own very unique and distinctive sound that we hear today.
NSG: hello Mason, hope you’re well, so right now, what are you doing and how is that going?
MO: Just sipping a black coffee and watching the new chaser on the chase accompanied by some old-school hip-hop instrumentals.
NSG: It seems like you had a few eventful years but recently things really took off for you with your song ‘I’m not an Englishman”. Can you tell me a bit about this song and what’s it been like becoming so popular in such a short space of time?
MO: I wrote the tune before Johnson became Prime Minister basically emphasising the thoughts that have been around the city of Liverpool for decades now. A lot of us do not want to be known as English. I think the tune took off quite well because, even though people have been saying it for years, there has never been a song about it (as far as I know!).
NSG: we’ve had a horrendous year in the music industry because of the pandemic, before the outbreak how was 2020 looking for you, and what’s been put on hold if anything?
MO: A lot of gigs being canceled including one in Ireland. Similar boat as everyone else really. My manager is in the process of rescheduling gigs and I have some great support slots penciled in, but it’s been a nightmare for musicians and anyone involved in the live music industry. The whole thing has been badly handled by the government and it’s got to the point where there’s so much conflicting information flying about it’s hard to know what to believe. Personally, and I’m no tin foil hat wearer, I don’t think the risks really justify the measures being taken – at least for the vast majority of people. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be taking steps to protect the vulnerable, but I don’t think locking the UK down in dribs and drabs is helping anybody.
Off The Bat EP Cover
NSG: So let’s talk about music! Your debut EP “ Off the bat” has just come out, I’ve been listening to it all morning and think it’s fantastic! I was pleasantly surprised to see how diverse your music is with so many different influences coming through in this, could you tell us more about the EP and the recording process?
MO: Nice one mate, I appreciate that. Basically, the recording process was quite quick. We recorded them all in 3 days in Ark Recording Studios by Sandhills. It was produced by Steven Powell whose worked with loads of people I’m into including Mick Head. I was aided by our kid Jacob on drums and a mate, Andy Ashton (Silent-K, Ian McNabb) on bass. The songs are different from my last releases and the intention is to make people think ‘what’s going on ere?’ and possibly show a bit more diversity. Elements of the EP are influenced by my heavier music taste at an early age as I idolized bands such as Metallica and Alice in Chains and loads of other heavy metal/grunge artists. I’m a big fan of acoustic music as well. For example, the track ‘Black Coffee’ is quite a dark, bluesy acoustic tune influenced by some grunge artists from back in the day, as well as some old school blues artists obviously.
NSG: I read in your press release that you spent some time in prison and that you learned a lot more about your craft during this period. Performing in front of inmates and taking a music course? Can you tell us a little bit about this?
MO: The first-ever time I sang in front of an audience was in jail and it was a great experience as the confidence I gained afterward was probably the biggest boost I could have got. To get an audience of serious offenders and criminals buzzing off one of my most sentimental acoustic songs (Waiting For You) was a great feeling and everyone was very supportive.
NSG: Do you think enough is done to rehabilitate people in prison in general?
MO: No, not really. I’m not a criminal myself really so I’ve not grown up in the same environment as most prisoners in the system. For me, I think prisons breed crime! A 19-year-old weed dealer can be incarcerated and then introduced to many other like-minded people who will then influence them and give them contacts to get involved with outside, therefore creating a vicious cycle of going to jail, coming back out, and continuing a life of crime and then getting nicked again. I reckon Norway has boxed it off with their justice system but can’t see it happening in this country.
NSG: Red or blue?
MO: Blue. Obviously
NSG: So you’re from old swan the L13 area of Liverpool? I spent some time there as a kid and remember the community spirit, is this still prevalent and how do you think growing up in this area influenced your music?
MO: I think it has influenced my music yeah. I mention areas familiar to me in my songs. For example, ‘I saw Jesus Christ walking down Green Lane’ on EP track ‘Simmer Down’ and I mention Newsham park in ‘Black Coffee’. The community spirit is still there.
NSG: If you could only eat one food or one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
MO: Full English. All mad flavours la black pudding and that. Hash browns 🤤
NSG: You’ve had some amazing gigs so far and supported massive artists like our very own Jamie Webster and played the online Everton sessions, both must have been epic for you? Hard choice but do you have a favorite gig?
MO: Probably the one in jail because it was the first time and it was good because everyone who performed in the showcase was a prisoner in a similar position. The song I did was relatable to a lot of people in there and it was the start of my solo career really.
NSG: Do you prefer cats or dogs and why?
MO: Dogs. No explanation needed. Can’t walk a cat around the park, you’d look like a weirdo.
NSG: The pandemic has really changed the world hasn’t it, do you think the music industry will be changed forever and as a musician, do you have any fears for the future of your career because of the lockdowns?
MO: I don’t think that much into it, to be honest. Just see what happens init. People learn to adapt but hopefully, we can get back to how it was next year. Thinking about it, I can’t even be assed talking about Corona anymore now it’s doing my head in! I’ll just keep making music and hopefully, it will all work out.
NSG: Thank you for taking the time out to talk to us Mason, anything else you’d like to add?
MO: Thanks for having me! I hope everyone enjoys the EP and if you’re into it give me a follow/subscribe on all the usual social media and streaming sites. There’s loads more to come from me in the very near future so keep your eyes peeled! ☺️
Masons EP titled “off the bat” is out now and available on all major platforms, follow the pink links below to follow him on social media or find him on Spotify.
Listen to Mason’s EP on Spotify.
