Mason says, It aint me, babe

By Sam Fran Scavuzzo
Collegian Editor
April 26, 2006

Shaggy-haired, narrow-eyed, raspy-voiced Willy Mason is an astute observer of life. Although still a young man at the age of 22, Willy, as he describes himself in his song “Live It Up,” is “wise beyond his years.” Traversing the United States and Europe on grueling tours since 2003, Mason absorbs his experiences and rehashes them in his songs.

Playing the TLA recently, Mason blended his own songs with older folk gems conveying a similar message. Incredibly unorthodox, Mason’s set lasted about 35 minutes and included less than five of his own songs.

Covering Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and even his mother, Jemima Jones, Mason never departed from his roots. Touring with only a violist, high school friend Nina Violet, Mason showcased his folk background. A big crowd pleaser occurred when he showed off his pipes and ripped a clear and balanced yodel.

Eventually he slid in his own stuff. Playing “Hard Hand to Hold” and “Oxygen,” Mason looked worn, as if he were just paying the bills. Barely making it to the show on time after a long drive from Boston, Mason looked the part. Still, he smiled as he explained, “I had a hard day, but you people are so nice that I don’t want to let you down.”

The two songs stood out from the folk covers as his blended them with other genres as well. Additionally, these were the only songs Mason carried from his five-track EP to his new album Where the Humans Eat.

“I wanted to start from scratch with this album because I have much new stuff I want to share,” Mason said in an interview with Collegian. “But my family convinced me that getting those songs heard by more people was worth their inclusion.”

Raised in Martha’s Vineyard, Mason says mother Jones and father Michael Mason are a huge part of Mason’s career. He said, “The music of my family is the music I play. They are so important to me and help me keep an identity in this business.”

On this night, however, Mason played “Oxygen,” a song that charted in the UK, a little differently. The second verse was noticeably altered. Mason said, “I never was happy with the second verse originally; I mean, I wrote the song when I was still in high school. While working as a stone mason, I kept thinking about people just being cogs in a factory and I liked that better, so I changed it.”

A third original, “So Long,” closed the set and brought on a thunderous ovation that had some demanding an encore. Humbly, Mason did not come out again, but he did leave the audience with a taste of what to expect in the future.

Casually, Mason takes on the burdens that come with being a solo artist. He does not even have a tour manager, and he talks to the press the same way he talks to fans. Talking to Mason, one realizes the time he puts into every answer is heartfelt and sincere.

Without any egotism, he lives immersed with alternative rock’s royalty. Discovered by Conor Oberst backstage at a show one night, Mason has opened for Ben Kweller, Death Cab for Cutie and Beth Orten. This summer comes the big test as he heads on the road with the legendary Radiohead. Asked if excited, Mason responded as only a fan would, “Hell yeah, man. I mean, it’s Radiohead.”

He even shrugs off comparisons to Bob Dylan: “About a week ago, I thought about them again and kind of let them get to me. Then I thought about it some more and realized how lucky I am. It’s all on the surface; the comparisons are what I take them to be.”

Without much effort, Mason has become one of the country’s hottest young musicians. However, he recognizes his role and does not want to squander the chance he has gained.

“The past years have been crazy, for me and the world. I think I’ve shifted focus in my writing because now I’ve acknowledged my responsibility. I need to use my position to help out.”

Indeed, Mason is now apart of the music industry. Although he wants to do some good, he admits that selling records “is the nature of the business.” Willingly, Mason makes no bones that he’s only talking to the press because the record company asked him to do so. However, he used that Martha’s Vineyard charm popularized by President Kennedy to deal with the press successfully. He closed the set the same way he ended the interview, “Nice to meet y’all, hope we do this again sometime.” The way it’s looking now, Willy, that doesn’t seem too far off.

scavuzzos1@lasalle.edu