subject: Mason Jennings Tickets - Mason Jennings Embraces Rock On New Album [print this page] Although currently on the road in support of his latest album Blood of Man, singer-songwriter Mason Jennings initially thought that he would be dropped by his label-Jack Johnson's co-owned Brushfire Records-before he was even finished recording. Jennings recently sat down with Billboard online to talk about his eighth studio album.
Home to mellow-minded artists like Matt Costa and label founder Jack Johnson, Brushfire Records isn't known for churning out rock-minded albums-which is why Jennings was initially concerned about their reaction to the album. Luckily for Jennings, the label loved his harder sound, which is definitely a departure from his last record, 2008's In the Ever. "It's awesome they're willing to stretch out what the parameters of the label are for this," the singer-songwriter said of his label's open-mindedness. To hear Jennings' hard-rocking new album live, check online for Mason Jennings tickets, because he is currently on the road.
Despite being his loudest album, Jennings retreated to the serene woods of Minnesota to record Blood of Man while recuperating from his last tour with his wife and two children. Jennings said, "I made music for myself, really, recording all the instruments and everything. Out there you can make noise and nobody is going to hear it." And make noise he did, using an electric guitar, on songs like the heart-thumping "City Of Ghosts" and "Black Wind Blowing."
Mason Jennings released his eponymous debut album in 1998, by which time the Hawaiian-born, Minneapolis-bred singer had been honing his skills for years. Jennings dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music and self-recorded his debut album-penning the songs himself-not long afterward. Mason Jennings gained airplay on local Twin Cities radio stations, and the singer-songwriter soon had a cult following after scoring a regular gig at Minneapolis' 400 Bar. Recorded after a mandatory hiatus from making music due to a bout of mono, Birds Flying Away arrived in 2000 and was followed by another break from recording.
In 2002, Mason Jennings issued his politically-charged third album, Century Spring, released by indie record label Architect Records. Jennings jumped to another indie label, Bar/None Records, for 2004's Use Your Voice and then moved label homes again, this time to the Epic imprint Glacial Peace, which was created by Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock. Glacial Peace released Jennings' next album, 2006's Boneclouds, and Jack Johnson's Brushfire records released In the Ever in 2008 and Blood of Man earlier this year.
Jennings released a statement on Brushfire Records' website before his tour kicked off in September, saying, "I can't wait to get out on the road and play new songs from Blood of Man. This batch of songs is so intensely personal, so dark, and so rocking that I am a little afraid of what will happen. That's why I am bringing out my good friends Brian McLeod on drums and Chris Morrissey on bass. I will be playing a lot of electric guitar and I can honestly say that I have no idea what will be conjured up. I only know that it will be really open, really loud and really real." Mason Jennings will remain on the road until Nov. 22, when he brings his tour back to his Minneapolis roots.
