Mason Brothers

Last updated
Mason Brothers
Origin Richmond,Virginia,
Genres Folk rock, indie folk
Years active2008-present
Website www.masonbrothersmusic.com
MembersJames Mason
Christian Mason

Mason Brothers is a folk rock band from Richmond, Virginia, formed in 2008.

Contents

The band consists of James Mason (lead vocals, guitar), and Christian Mason (guitar). [1] They combine elaborate finger-picked guitars, splashes of lap steel, percussion, and piano with soft, yet hopeful lyrics. Some of their long-time influences include Nick Drake, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen.

History

Beginnings

The story of Mason Brothers began with the solo work of James Mason. In 2003, James wrote and recorded a solo album entitled Carnival Sky under the label Sonoface Records. Several tracks on this record feature James' brother, Christian Mason. On these collaborative tracks, both brothers were surprised to find that they had penned a unique and striking sound. With two finger-picked acoustic guitars playing in unison, the brothers created an arresting, acoustic wall of sound. [2] The record drew praise from places as far away as Luxembourg and Greece for its stripped-down acoustic ballads, redolent of L.A. troubadour Elliott Smith. [3]

The brothers went on to play several shows in Virginia, DC, and North Carolina, opening up for acts such as Magnolia Electric Company and Mates of State. Even without extensive touring the record made an impact, charting on CMJ reporting radio stations. Everyone involved was pleasantly surprised with the level and nature of the attention created with minimal, grassroots publicity. [4]

The Sun, the Moon & the Sea (2008)

Upon its release, their debut album, The Sun, the Moon & the Sea met with critical acclaim, described by Popmatters, for example, as "one of the best folk/acoustic records to come along in some time." [5] The record charted 114th on the ReverbNation local charts for Richmond, Virginia rock bands. [6] Although the album did not chart, it was reviewed by Billboard . [7]

Various blogs began featuring MP3s from the record, and providing enthusiastic and thoughtful reviews: "… cinematic folk music, rich and deliberately crafted, with guitars and voices woven tightly together. It's something a visionary movie director would do well to notice … a tremendous debut" (Catfish Vegas). One movie director did take notice as the brothers' song "Ghost at the Wheel" was featured in the unreleased feature film Don't Fade Away, alongside artists such as Ryan Adams and Alexi Murdoch on the film soundtrack. Christian Mason also did some custom scoring for the film. Other songs from The Sun, the Moon & the Sea were also featured on a variety of television shows and documentaries, on networks including the CW (90210), CBS (Flashpoint), History Channel, Biography Channel, PBS documentaries; as well as various surfing broadcasts, films, and documentaries. [8]

Ghost Season (2011)

The brothers released their follow-up, Ghost Season, in 2011 to critical acclaim, this time charting with the title 'New & Noteworthy' on iTunes. It featured full-band orchestrations, and a variety of dynamic styles, in contrast to the understated folk style of The Sun, the Moon & the Sea.

Ivy in the Orange Grove (2012)

"Game of Cards", a single from the album, was released July 31, 2012, to "New & Noteworthy" status, charting in the "Singer/Songwriter" category on iTunes. A music video for the single, shot and directed by Chris Aguilar of Soul Surf Media Productions, was released on August 24.

Members

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

The music in Nevada is often associated with the Rat Pack and lounge singers like Wayne Newton playing in Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City. However, Nevada has launched many other notable artists and bands from a variety of genres.

Money (Pink Floyd song) Song by Pink Floyd

"Money" is a song by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd from their 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. Written by Roger Waters, it opened side two of the original album.

Lovesong (The Cure song) 1989 single by the Cure

"Lovesong" is a song by English alternative rock band the Cure, released as the third single from their eighth studio album, Disintegration (1989), on 21 August 1989. The song saw considerable success in the United States, where it reached the number-two position in October 1989 and became the band's only top-10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the single charted at number 18, and it peaked within the top 20 in Canada and Ireland.

"Blue Moon of Kentucky" is a waltz written in 1945 by bluegrass musician Bill Monroe and recorded by his band, the Blue Grass Boys. The song has since been recorded by many artists, including Elvis Presley and Paul McCartney. "Blue Moon of Kentucky" is the official bluegrass song of Kentucky.

<i>The Dust Bowl Symphony</i> 1999 studio album by Nanci Griffith

The Dust Bowl Symphony is an album released by Nanci Griffith in 1999. It consists of songs Griffith had previously released on other albums, but re-recorded with an orchestral backing. The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra. Darius Rucker duets with Griffith on "Love at The Five and Dime", and the album also has contributions from Sonny Curtis and Glen Hardin, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Griffith's own band, The Blue Moon Orchestra. The song "Waiting for Love", written by Griffith, from Blue Roses from the Moons was picked out by Griffith as giving the singer a "brief moment of being Edith Piaf".

River Road is an American country music band composed of Tony Ardoin, Mike Burch, Richard Comeaux, Steve Grisaffe, and Charles Ventre. Founded in 1989, the band signed to Capitol Records Nashville in 1997, releasing their self-titled debut album that year and charting three singles on the Billboard country charts, including the top 40 hit "Nickajack". By 1998, River Road had transferred to Virgin Records Nashville, charting a fourth single and recording an unreleased album. Ventre and Grisaffe each began solo careers in the 2000s, but they reunited with Ardoin and Burch in 2011 to release a new extended play.

"I'd Rather Go Blind" is a blues song written by Ellington Jordan and co-credited to Billy Foster and Etta James. It was first recorded by Etta James in 1967, released in 1967, and has subsequently become regarded as a blues and soul classic.

Midnight Rider 1971 single by The Allman Brothers Band

"Midnight Rider" is a song by the American rock band the Allman Brothers Band. It was the second single from their second studio album, Idlewild South (1970), released on Capricorn Records. The song was primarily written by vocalist Gregg Allman, who first began composing it at a rented cabin outside Macon, Georgia. He enlisted the help of roadie Robert Kim Payne to complete the song's lyrics. He and Payne broke into Capricorn Sound Studios to complete a demo of the song.

Punch Brothers American band

Punch Brothers is an American band consisting of Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle/violin), Noam Pikelny (banjo), Chris Eldridge (guitar), and Paul Kowert (bass). Their style has been described as "bluegrass instrumentation and spontaneity in the structures of modern classical" as well as "American country-classical chamber music".

ReverbNation.com is a website, launched in 2006, that focuses on the independent music industry. It aims to provide a central site for musicians, producers, and venues to collaborate and communicate. ReverbNation was bought for an undisclosed sum by music creation platform, BandLab, in November 2021.

Bryan Cuevas is an American country music artist, known professionally as Bryan Austin. Signed to Liberty Records' sister label Patriot Records in 1994, he released an album and two singles for the label. The first of these singles, "Radio Active", charted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Mojave is an acoustic and folk band fronted by Canadian singer-songwriters Lisa Jarvis and Paul Jarvis accompanied by a varying number of musicians, started in 2007.

Little Hurricane

Little Hurricane is an American dirty blues band based in San Diego, California. Formed in 2010, the band consists of front man Anthony "Tone" Catalano and drummer Celeste "C.C." Spina.

Little Black Submarines 2012 single by the Black Keys

"Little Black Submarines" is a song by American rock band the Black Keys. It is the fourth track from their 2011 studio album, El Camino, and was released as the album's fourth single on October 8, 2012. The song begins as a quiet acoustic ballad before transitioning to a loud, hard rock arrangement in the second half. Critics praised the song and called it one of the highlights from El Camino. The song was a success on rock radio, reaching number two on the Alternative Songs chart in the US and the Alternative Rock and Active Rock charts in Canada. The group filmed a music video with director Danny Clinch at the Springwater Supper Club and Lounge, a dive bar in Nashville, Tennessee. "Little Black Submarines" was certified gold in America.

<i>Love Has Come for You</i> 2013 studio album by Steve Martin and, Edie Brickell

Love Has Come for You is a 2013 bluegrass music CD featuring a collaboration of 13 original songs composed by Steve Martin (music) and Edie Brickell. The album cover art is a painting entitled "After Dinner Drinks" (2008) by Martin Mull; the original work is in Steve Martin's personal art collection.

Produced by Peter Asher, the album features musical appearances by bassist Esperanza Spalding, fiddlers Nicky Sanders and Sara Watkins, and guitarist Waddy Wachtel. Backing vocals and instrumental accompaniment were also performed by all contemporaneous members of the band Steep Canyon Rangers who would tour extensively with Martin and Brickell following the record release.

LiveSummit

LiveSummit are an English electronic dance music group from Manchester, started in 2008 by Alex Matt. LiveSummit primarily focus on electronic dance music, trap music, drum and bass, dubstep, and similar, though they do play other musical styles. They have played with producers, DJs and musicians as DJ Fresh, John B, Mistabishi, Yoji, Kutski, The Panacea, Black Sun Empire, The Sect, Phace, Concord Dawn, Aphrodite as well being headliners at many big music festivals. They worked with different musicians and recording studio from around the World. They have released albums on labels in Britain and the US.

Eli Cook (musician) American singer, songwriter

Eli Hudnall Cook is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He is known for an eclectic style, with a focus on blues and blues rock. His deep, rich baritone voice and guitar playing have drawn widespread acclaim.

Richard Ray Farrell is an American electric blues guitarist, harmonicist, singer and songwriter. Farrell has released ten albums in his own name to date, and has toured widely over a career that started in the mid-1970s.

<i>All Ashore</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Punch Brothers

All Ashore is the fifth studio album by the American group Punch Brothers, released on July 20, 2018. The band announced the release of the album's first singles "It's All Part of the Plan" and the instrumental "Three Dots and a Dash" on June 14, 2018. The album was self-produced by the band and was released on the Nonesuch Records label. The nine songs were written and recorded in the sequence of the tracklist at the United Sound studio in Los Angeles, California. The album received generally favorable reviews from critics.

Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream Anti-war song written by Ed McCurdy

"Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" is a song written by American Folk Singer-songwriter Ed McCurdy in 1950. Due to McCurdy's connection with fellow musicians, it was common in repertoires within the folk music community. The song had its first album release when Pete Seeger recorded it as "Strangest Dream" for his 1956 album Love Songs For Friends & Foes. Seeger would later re-visit the song for his 1967 album Waist Deep in the Big Muddy and other Love Songs. The strong anti-war theme of the song led it to be recorded by multiple other artists, including The Weavers (1960), Joan Baez (1962), The Kingston Trio (1963), Simon & Garfunkel (1964), and Johnny Cash who released two versions of the song during the 2000s.

References

  1. ↑ styleweekly.com. "Band Member info". Targeted publications and media. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  2. ↑ cduniverse.com. "Carnival Sky information". cduniverse.com. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  3. ↑ styleweekly.com. "Carnival Sky praise". Targeted publications and media. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  4. ↑ ourstage.com. "Mason Brothers Shows and gaining popularity". ourstage.com. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  5. ↑ "Popmatters review of the sun the moon and the sea". Popmatters. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  6. ↑ reverbnation.com. "ReverbNation profile of mason brothers". reverbnation.com. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  7. ↑ billboard.com. "Billboard chart info". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  8. ↑ cdbaby.com. "cdbaby film and soundtrack info". cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.