#91 - mason jennings

i am a huge fan of mason jennings, i've got all his albums and think he's genius. i listen to his music almost everyday and it is both inspiring and soothing. most of his music is mostly very mellow but there is the occasional fast-paced song. i'd characterize his music as folk and it's very catchy. he has been around for about ten years and released six albums on several different labels.

• mason jennings (1998)
• birds flying away (2000)
• simple life (2002)
• century spring (2002)
• use your voice (2004)
• boneclouds (2006)
• in the ever (may 2008)

now he is signed to jack johnson's brushfire label and has a new album coming out next month! they've been friends for awhile and that's actually how i came to find him. i was reading about jack johnson's favorite artists and he mentioned mason. i gave him a quick listen and was soon finding all his albums and playing them non-stop. he's got a unique way of singing and phrasing but also writes powerful, fun songs.

mason was actually born in hawaii but moved away at an early age. he settled as an adult in minneapolis, minnesota and began making music. i've seen him play in portland at the aladdin theater and he rocked the house! i was expecting more of his mellow songs but he brought out the folk ROCK. i recently found out he's playing here again next month.

this one will be at the roseland and it's actually brett dennen headlining. brett dennen is a folky singer from cali. he's released two albums of which i have one, so much more (2006). it's a great album and he's got this sweet, soft kind of feminine voice that actually works. his song "ain't no reason" is the best. it's got a good tune about life. have a listen!

the third act that will be playing is missy higgins. who?! i hadn't heard of her either but in listening to her stuff, i'm very interested. she's got a great voice and impressed me with her music. she's from australia and has released two albums. i haven't yet got those but am definitely thinking about it. she's got that warm, kind of breathy voice, kind of sarah mclachlan and fiona apple put together when singing ballads, although reminds me more of alanis morrisette on the faster songs.



the show will be on may 16th at the roseland. tickets were only $20!! i'm super excited and really cannot wait. it's going to be a great show, i can already tell.