Mason Lowe
What are your top five albums that were released in 2023? (In order 1-5)
- Sugar Tradition - More Sugar: Detroit band that plays fast and sounds great loud!
- Dean Johnson - Nothing for Me Please: Good songs, well sung by one of my favorite Seattle bartenders.
- Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds: Obscure band of senior citizens from London, England with a surprising gift for bluesy rock 'n' roll.
- Rub - Contentment (single): Great throwback pop from a Seattle supergroup. Can't wait to hear the full LP!
- Quasi - Breaking the Balls of History: Portland's Quasi is always good and this album is especially good! Melodies and ideas for days...
What band did you discover in 2023 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
I got really into the Bee Gee's run of albums from 1966 to 1968 this year. Lots of variety. One song may be a blatant (if wonderfully executed) Beatles rip-off and the next song can punch you in the gut with real emotion. And then there's lots of out-there creativity that transcends any influence. They deliver plenty of fun, sunny stuff but there's no shortage of real curl-up-and-have-a-cry weepers. Lovely, high-quality music for people who like music.
How will you remember 2023 (in terms of music)?
For me, it was the year I took the songs that I recorded all by myself (Morning People, Killroom Records) in my smelly little basement and set them loose on the world. It's scary opening yourself up whenever you put something out, but in this case I had no one else to share the blame if it flopped. Living on the edge, baby!
What can we look forward to from you in 2024?
My next album is nearly done. If Morning People was sunny and weird, the next one will be partly cloudy and weird. I'll likely play more live shows and release at least one more video from Morning People.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2024?
I'm ready for Seattle's Acapulco Lips to put out their next album. Their singer, Maria, plays in the live band for Morning People and I got roped into being an extra in one of their videos. That song is SO GOOD. When you're making a video you have to hear the song dozens of time. It never got old. I think folks are going to flip for the new Acapulco Lips. I flipped!
With physical media sales seemingly less popular than ever, what are some the best ways that fans can help to support the musicians when they go to a live show?
I am totally the wrong person to ask about this! I chose to make my album a digital-only release and I was OK with that. Then when I started playing shows I realized had nothing to sell! So I decided to make some merch. I felt weird putting my name on a t-shirt so I had tote bags printed up. Tote bags! Stroke of genius! And this is how I learned that nobody wants tote bags from your idiosyncratic rock band, no matter how much they liked the songs.
The best thing people can do to support the musicians they like is to go to the shows, give honest feedback, and if you love the music then share that love. Nothing beats word of mouth recommendations. Like Sir Doug says: Be real, baby be real.
