Mason Jennings
Encyclopedia
Mason Jennings is an American pop-folk
singer-songwriter
. He is well known for his simple yet catchy melodies
, intimate lyrics, literary and historical themes, and distinctive voice. His music has appeared in the surf film Shelter and he has toured extensively.
, Pennsylvania
, at an early age. Jennings learned to play guitar at the age of 13, when he began writing songs. Jennings later dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis
, Minnesota
to pursue his musical career.
Jennings produced his self-titled debut album in 1997 on an analog four-track in the living room of a rented home, playing all instruments himself. In October 1998, joined by drummer
Chris Stock (a.k.a. Chris Stocksmith) and bassist
Robert Skoro, he began a weekly gig
at Minneapolis' 400 Bar as the Mason Jennings Band. The two week gig ended up lasting four months. In April, 1999, six months after forming, The Mason Jennings Band and Mason were voted by the 1999 "Picked to Click Poll" conducted by Minneapolis newspaper, City Pages
. Mason began touring nationally and expanded the depth of his sound by inviting saxophonist Chris Thomson to play with them occasionally and replacing Stock with Brazilian jazz drummer Edgar Olivera.
Birds Flying Away (2000) revealed Jennings' political activism and penchant for singing first-person narratives of imaginary rustic characters. Following the release of this album, Noah Levy of The Honeydogs
took over drumming duties from Olivera.
In 2002, Jennings released a studio album, Century Spring, and a "fans only" collection of acoustic songs, Simple Life. An EP
supporting Century Spring was also released, featuring the album's opening track, "Living In The Moment," two live tracks, and the previously-unreleased "Emperor Ashoka
." Jennings released all three discs — and re-released his earlier albums — on his homebrew record label, Architect Records.
In 2003, Skoro and Levy left the band and were replaced by bassist Chris Morrissey
(Bill Mike Band) and drummer Brian McLeod.
On February 10, 2004, Jennings released Use Your Voice, which notably included the songs "Keepin' It Real," ostensibly written at the request of Shrek 2
producers (but not used in the film), and "The Ballad of Paul and Sheila," an acoustic dirge for late Minnesota
senator Paul Wellstone
. On September 30 of that year, the band released a DVD
entitled Use Your Van, which chronicled the recording of Use Your Voice and part of the promotional tour. The DVD was filmed by Andy Grund.
On June 17, 2005, Jennings signed with Glacial Pace, a subsidiary of Sony's Epic Records
headed by Modest Mouse
frontman Isaac Brock
. Minnesota's Star Tribune
credited Brock with convincing Jennings to sign after the Mason Jennings Band had opened for several Modest Mouse shows in 2004. Jennings had long avoided the major labels, citing desires to maintain creative control and dodge big-label politics.
Jennings recorded his sixth album, Boneclouds, at Pachyderm Studio
in Cannon Falls
, MN with producer Noah Georgeson
. The album was released on May 16, 2006 by Glacial Pace. Soon thereafter, bassist Chris Morrisey left the band.
Mason Jennings opened for Guster
during their Winter 2007 tour. Accompanying Mason was new bassist Arabella Kauffmann and Brian McLeod on drums.
Mason sang two Bob Dylan
songs for the soundtrack of the movie "I'm Not There" (released in November 2007 in the U.S.): "The Times They Are a-Changin'
" and "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
."
In early 2008 Mason signed with Jack Johnson's
record label, Brushfire Records. Jennings released In the Ever in May 2008. The title was inspired by his son referring to where he was before he was born as, "In the ever". Mason and Johnson met at Gustavus Adolphus College
's Earth Jam in 2001 when Mason was scheduled as Johnson's opening act. Both enjoyed the other's musical style and toured together shortly afterward.
Mason announced at the Elemental Experience Music & Arts Festival in San Diego on May 2, 2009, that he would be releasing a new album (later entitled Blood of Man
) in summer 2009. He also mentioned that he would have music on the soundtrack for the documentary "180° South". The documentary was released in March 2010.
On June 2, 2009 the single "Sunlight" was released on iTunes and all proceeds will go to the Surfrider Foundation in efforts to help clean up beaches around the country.
On June 20, 2009, Mason Jennings headlined the Locally Grown Festival in Ojai, CA. Jack Johnson sat in for a portion of the set, singing both Mason and Jack's songs. Zach Gill
performed as well, as the show ended with "I Shall Be Released", a song written by Bob Dylan.
On September 15, 2009, Blood of Man was released on CD and vinyl format. A free bonus EP titled Independent (containing the tracks "Mark My Heart With Ashes" and "Wide Open Country") was distributed with the album at independent record stores. A week before the official CD release, a version of the album containing the exclusive track "Waves" was made available exclusively on iTunes.
In late 2010, Live at First Ave. his first live album ever was released.
Pop-folk
Pop-folk is the umbrella term for the popular musical genres originating in the Balkans and Eastern Europe that are characteristic by the fusion of commercial folk music and "nightclub" music. The term is used alternatively for Turbo-folk and Chalga and is mostly used in Bulgaria...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
. He is well known for his simple yet catchy melodies
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
, intimate lyrics, literary and historical themes, and distinctive voice. His music has appeared in the surf film Shelter and he has toured extensively.
Biography
Born in Hawaii, Jennings moved with his family to PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, at an early age. Jennings learned to play guitar at the age of 13, when he began writing songs. Jennings later dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
to pursue his musical career.
Jennings produced his self-titled debut album in 1997 on an analog four-track in the living room of a rented home, playing all instruments himself. In October 1998, joined by drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Chris Stock (a.k.a. Chris Stocksmith) and bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Robert Skoro, he began a weekly gig
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
at Minneapolis' 400 Bar as the Mason Jennings Band. The two week gig ended up lasting four months. In April, 1999, six months after forming, The Mason Jennings Band and Mason were voted by the 1999 "Picked to Click Poll" conducted by Minneapolis newspaper, City Pages
City Pages
City Pages is an alternative weekly newspaper serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It features news, film, theatre and restaurant reviews, and music criticism. It is printed in a tabloid format, and is available free every Wednesday...
. Mason began touring nationally and expanded the depth of his sound by inviting saxophonist Chris Thomson to play with them occasionally and replacing Stock with Brazilian jazz drummer Edgar Olivera.
Birds Flying Away (2000) revealed Jennings' political activism and penchant for singing first-person narratives of imaginary rustic characters. Following the release of this album, Noah Levy of The Honeydogs
The Honeydogs
The Honeydogs is a band from Saint Paul, Minnesota that opened at First Avenue in 1994.-History:When the band first started, the crowds that attended their concerts were small, but now the band is able to atrract large crowds...
took over drumming duties from Olivera.
In 2002, Jennings released a studio album, Century Spring, and a "fans only" collection of acoustic songs, Simple Life. An EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
supporting Century Spring was also released, featuring the album's opening track, "Living In The Moment," two live tracks, and the previously-unreleased "Emperor Ashoka
Ashoka
Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...
." Jennings released all three discs — and re-released his earlier albums — on his homebrew record label, Architect Records.
In 2003, Skoro and Levy left the band and were replaced by bassist Chris Morrissey
Chris Morrissey (musician)
Chris Morrissey is a musician currently living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Chris plays the bass. Chris currently plays with and has recorded with a number of bands:* Mason Jennings* Haley Bonar* Bill Mike Band* Tarlton...
(Bill Mike Band) and drummer Brian McLeod.
On February 10, 2004, Jennings released Use Your Voice, which notably included the songs "Keepin' It Real," ostensibly written at the request of Shrek 2
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is a 2004 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon. It is the second installment in the Shrek film series and the sequel to 2001's Shrek...
producers (but not used in the film), and "The Ballad of Paul and Sheila," an acoustic dirge for late Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
senator Paul Wellstone
Paul Wellstone
Paul David Wellstone was a two-term U.S. Senator from the state of Minnesota and member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which is affiliated with the national Democratic Party. Before being elected to the Senate in 1990, he was a professor of political science at Carleton College...
. On September 30 of that year, the band released a DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
entitled Use Your Van, which chronicled the recording of Use Your Voice and part of the promotional tour. The DVD was filmed by Andy Grund.
On June 17, 2005, Jennings signed with Glacial Pace, a subsidiary of Sony's Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
headed by Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think...
frontman Isaac Brock
Isaac Brock (musician)
Isaac Brock is the lead singer, guitarist, banjoist, and songwriter for the American indie rock band Modest Mouse, as well as his side project band, Ugly Casanova...
. Minnesota's Star Tribune
Star Tribune
The Star Tribune is the largest newspaper in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is published seven days each week in an edition for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. A statewide version is also available across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The...
credited Brock with convincing Jennings to sign after the Mason Jennings Band had opened for several Modest Mouse shows in 2004. Jennings had long avoided the major labels, citing desires to maintain creative control and dodge big-label politics.
Jennings recorded his sixth album, Boneclouds, at Pachyderm Studio
Pachyderm Studio
Pachyderm Recording Studio is a residential recording studio located in rural Cannon Falls, Minnesota, United States, 35.8 mi southeast of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. It is located in a secluded old-growth forest with a vibrant trout stream. The studio was founded in 1988...
in Cannon Falls
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,795 people, 1,550 households, and 996 families residing in the city. The population density was 946.4 people per square mile . There were 1,611 housing units at an average density of 401.8 per square mile...
, MN with producer Noah Georgeson
Noah Georgeson
Noah Georgeson is a musician, producer, and solo recording artist. Georgeson's debut album Find Shelter was released through Plain Recordings on November 28, 2006. He is credited as having "written, scored, arranged, recorded, and produced" the entirety of Find Shelter, according to a press...
. The album was released on May 16, 2006 by Glacial Pace. Soon thereafter, bassist Chris Morrisey left the band.
Mason Jennings opened for Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
during their Winter 2007 tour. Accompanying Mason was new bassist Arabella Kauffmann and Brian McLeod on drums.
Mason sang two Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
songs for the soundtrack of the movie "I'm Not There" (released in November 2007 in the U.S.): "The Times They Are a-Changin'
The Times They Are a-Changin' (song)
"The Times They Are a-Changin" is a song written by Bob Dylan and released as the title track of his 1964 album, The Times They Are a-Changin. The song was ranked #59 on Rolling Stones 2004 list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
" and "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" is a topical song written by the American musician Bob Dylan. Recorded on October 23, 1963, the song was released on Dylan's 1964 album The Times They Are a-Changin and gives a generally factual account of the killing of 51-year-old barmaid Hattie Carroll by...
."
In early 2008 Mason signed with Jack Johnson's
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
record label, Brushfire Records. Jennings released In the Ever in May 2008. The title was inspired by his son referring to where he was before he was born as, "In the ever". Mason and Johnson met at Gustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in St. Peter, Minnesota, United States. A coeducational, four-year, residential institution, it was founded in 1862 by Swedish Americans. To this day the school is firmly...
's Earth Jam in 2001 when Mason was scheduled as Johnson's opening act. Both enjoyed the other's musical style and toured together shortly afterward.
Mason announced at the Elemental Experience Music & Arts Festival in San Diego on May 2, 2009, that he would be releasing a new album (later entitled Blood of Man
Blood of Man
Blood of Man is the eighth album by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2009 on Brushfire Records. Mason Jennings recorded all of the instruments on the album himself and the album features more extensive use of electric guitars than his previous two albums...
) in summer 2009. He also mentioned that he would have music on the soundtrack for the documentary "180° South". The documentary was released in March 2010.
On June 2, 2009 the single "Sunlight" was released on iTunes and all proceeds will go to the Surfrider Foundation in efforts to help clean up beaches around the country.
On June 20, 2009, Mason Jennings headlined the Locally Grown Festival in Ojai, CA. Jack Johnson sat in for a portion of the set, singing both Mason and Jack's songs. Zach Gill
Zach Gill
Zach Gill is a multi instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/member of the rock band ALO and a member of Jack Johnson's band. He also performs regularly as a solo artist.- History :...
performed as well, as the show ended with "I Shall Be Released", a song written by Bob Dylan.
On September 15, 2009, Blood of Man was released on CD and vinyl format. A free bonus EP titled Independent (containing the tracks "Mark My Heart With Ashes" and "Wide Open Country") was distributed with the album at independent record stores. A week before the official CD release, a version of the album containing the exclusive track "Waves" was made available exclusively on iTunes.
In late 2010, Live at First Ave. his first live album ever was released.
Discography
- Mason JenningsMason Jennings (album)-Track listing:#"Nothing" - 3:02#"Butterfly" - 2:09#"California" - 3:40#"Godless" - 2:14#"Big Sur" - 6:21#"California [Part II]" - 3:04#"1997" - 2:32#"Darkness Between the Fireflies" - 3:00...
(1997) - Birds Flying AwayBirds Flying AwayBirds Flying Away is the second album from Mason Jennings. It was released January, 2000 from the label Bar/None. While writing this album the drummer Chris Stock died. Mason Jennings had to find a replacement drummer. The song entitled “Train Leaving Grey” was written and added to the album in...
(2000) - Living in the Moment EPLiving in the Moment EPLiving in the Moment EP is the title of Mason Jennings's EP, released 2002 ....
(2002) - Century SpringCentury SpringCentury Spring is an album by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2002 on Architect Records and Bar/None.-Track listing:#"Living in the Moment" - 2:05#"Sorry Signs on Cash Machines" - 4:18#"New York City" - 3:22#"Dewey Dell" - 2:08...
(2002) - Simple LifeSimple Life (album)Simple Life is a collection of solo acoustic songs by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2002 on Architect Records.-Track listing:#"Hospitals and Jails" - 3:55#"Isabel" - 3:40#"Lilacs" - 1:45#"Simple Life" - 1:00#"Summer Dress" - 2:10...
(2002) - Use Your VoiceUse Your VoiceUse Your Voice is the fourth album by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2004 on Architect Records and Bar/None Records.-Track listing:#"Crown" - 3:04#"The Light " - 3:08#"Empire Builder" - 2:38#"Fourteen Pictures" - 3:07...
(2004) - Use Your Van DVD (2004)
- BonecloudsBonecloudsBoneclouds is the fifth album by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2006 on Epic Records.-Track listing:#"Be Here Now" – 3:48#"Gentlest Hammer" – 3:14#"If You Ain't Got Love" – 3:16#"Some Say I'm Not" – 3:57#"Moon Sailing on the Water" – 4:34...
(2006) - If You Need a Reason EPIf You Need a Reason EPIf You Need a Reason EP is the title of Mason Jennings's EP, released 2006 .-Track listing:#"If You Need a Reason" – 4:38#"Sacred Place" – 5:23#"Fighter Girl" – 4:18#"Boneclouds" – 2:54#"To You" – 5:33...
(2006) - In The EverIn The EverIn the Ever is the sixth album by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2008 on Brushfire Records. The UK version of the album contains a twelfth track titled Sassafrass.-Track listing:#"Never Knew Your Name" – 3:39#"Something About Your Love" – 4:30...
(2008) - How Deep is that River EPHow Deep is that River EPHow Deep is that River EP is the title of Mason Jennings's EP, released 2008 . The song "How Deep Is That River " is an alternate version of the song "How Deep Is That River" from 2008's In The Ever....
(2008) - Blood of ManBlood of ManBlood of Man is the eighth album by Mason Jennings. It was released in 2009 on Brushfire Records. Mason Jennings recorded all of the instruments on the album himself and the album features more extensive use of electric guitars than his previous two albums...
(2009) - Independent EP (2009)
- Live at First Ave. (2010)
- The Flood (2010)
- 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless Soundtrack (2010)
- Minnesota (2011)