Project Description
Interview with
MASON WATTS
Interviewer – Dave Bruce
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“For me, it’s the only thing, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do in life. Nothing else has ever really captured my passion in the same way as music.” Mason Watts
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Have you always wanted to be a musician?
Yep! Honestly, I can’t remember an age when I wasn’t obsessed with music. I think most kids go through that phase of wanting to be a ‘Rock Star’, I just never grew out of the idea!
When did you start writing music?
Around twelve or thirteen was when I really started getting interesting in songwriting. I remember listening to the latest Bruno Mars album at the time and becoming so obsessed with trying to write a song like one of his.
Which music did you grow up listening to?
INXS, John Mayer, Maroon 5, The Beatles, Powder Finger, Bruno Mars, Cat Stevens, Ray Charles… the list is never ending!!
How has it influenced your current style?
I was super fortune to be exposed to some really amazing artists from an early age. Musicians that not only had their own iconic sound and image, but also a super meaningful lyrical component as well. I’d like to think that has impacted the way I write music and how my songs are received by listeners.
How would you describe your sound?
I always struggle with this question!! Feel free to take a listen and let me know what you think? Slide into those DMs, I try to reply to everyone haha!
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Why do you think people will resonate with your music?
I always try to create from an honest and raw place. Otherwise I feel like I’m cheating myself, let alone the listeners. So everything you hear in my songs are real emotions and experiences I’ve been through, hopefully people can connect with what I’m saying. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction then hearing someone say my music has helped them through a tough time or made their day a little better.
Your new song ‘Recovery’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
I wrote and recorded ‘Recovery’ with a producer named Edd Holloway, in a little town about an hour north of London. It was super quick process, as we had basically written and recorded the whole track by the end of the first day. Was just one of those songs that seemed to write itself honestly. I think we found a topic that really hit home with me both lyrically and musically so that always makes the writing process easier.
Do you have anymore new music in the works?
Absolutely! Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more tunes soon.
Do you have any shows/tours coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
At this stage I haven’t got much planned in the live circuit, as “Recovery” is my debut single… so I can’t put on much of a show with just one song! Haha. But I’m working on more music and I can’t wait to play in front of a live audience very soon.
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Michael Hutchence. Not only was he one of the greatest frontmen of all time, but he seemed to have a perspective on the world that not many others possess. I’d do anything to see him perform with my own eyes.
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What’s next for you in the near future?
New music!
What are your longer-term aspirations?
World domination.
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
Seeing people connect with something that you have created has to be the most fulfilling and addictive feeling in the world. It’s almost indescribable.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Continuum, John Mayer
Artist – Couldn’t choose if you put a gun to my head!
Movie –Step Brothers
Place to visit – London
Venue to play – Anywhere with a crowd
Food – Sushi
Drink – Boost Juice
Person in History – Michael Hutchence
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) hmmm… maybe an old gramophone!
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Check out MASON WATTS below
Website | Facebook | Instagram
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MASON WATTS
releases debut single
‘RECOVERY’
‘Recovery’ is the debut single from one of Australia’s most promising new artists, Mason Watts. What you see is what you get with this 20 year old – passionate, talented and extremely driven – with a splash of cheeky confidence reflected in his combination of youth and experience.
Mason co-wrote this emotional love song with multi-Platinum producer Edd Holloway. Edd’s worldwide success includes producing Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’ which is on track to become the UK’s fastest selling album of 2019, and multi ARIA nominee Dean Lewis producing his Number 1 single/ seven times Platinum ‘Be Alright’ and ‘Waves’.
So how does a young Australian musician like Mason Watts end up writing with one of the biggest songwriters in the world? It’s a case of sheer talent and will to succeed as Mason sent his demos to Edd’s Manager and within a few months Mason was on a plane to the UK to record with Edd Holloway.
Edd Holloway says, “I first worked with Mason after hearing a demo he’d written back home in Australia and his voice immediately stuck out to me. There was some rawness in his performance that I loved, and I was excited for us to write something that would really show off his tone. ‘Recovery’ was written and recorded very quickly and that was down to Masons writing ability and musicianship. I love the rise and fall the arrangement has because it really emphasises the emotion in Masons vocal performance. I’d love to work with him again in the future.”
Speaking about ‘Recovery’ Mason says today, “Recovery came about following a real low point in my personal life. I took a relationship for granted without realising it, until it was too late. I think the song really reflects this idea as well as my desperation and hope for a second chance.”
From a young age, Mason’s time was spent in his bedroom belting out tunes from some of his biggest influences such as James Bay, Vance Joy and Matt Corby. Mason pulled apart vocal melodies, played around with chords on his guitar and then performed these when busking on the street or at his cover shows.
School during the week, then gigs all weekend long. This was the way of the world for this talented school boy growing up. “I was the kid playing in local pubs at fourteen. I took on all the work I could manage so I could get my name out there. My early days were mainly cover gigs, but that never stopped me from sneaking in a few of my own original tunes,” he laughs.
At an early age, Mason began to experiment with song writing and recording at home. “I very quickly became obsessed with song writing. The idea of being able to express the way I felt, through a song. Then being able to share that with people. Seeing them connect with something I created, that’s what really made me fall in love with making music.”
Mason’s heart wrenching vocal on ‘Recovery’, paired with the tune’s “anthemic” melody is sure to break some hearts and maybe even win one back.
‘Recovery’ is released through Ditto Music is Out Now.
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