Chris Mason (Faulty Cognitions / Dirt Cult Records)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2023? (In order 1-5)
- The Tubs - Dead Meat
- Tee Vee Repairmann - What's on TV?
- Sweeping Promises - Good Living is Coming for You
- The Whiffs - Scratch n Sniff
- Home Front - Games of Power
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?
Somehow, though I'd heard the name Chin-Chin, I had never bothered to check them out. A friend, who I frequently trade music links with, sent me a link to one of their records and told me that he thought I'd love them. He thought right. I spent the next week sending the link to a bunch of friends who I guessed hadn't heard them either and we all marveled about how none of us had heard this perfect band from the early '80s. Anyway, you should totally listen to Chin-Chin!
How will you remember 2023 (in terms of music)?
It was probably the first year ever that I sold more personal records than I bought. I also kinda rekindled my love for used CDs -- they're cheap and they don't take up a ton of room. But none of that means that I wasn't actively seeking out new music. I'm just being a bit more particular about what I'm buying. At this point, I need to really know that I love something and will continue to love it before I decide to grab a physical copy. Life's expensive. So are records.
What can we look forward to from you in 2024?
I have a lot of cool stuff planned including records from Dead Years, Vicious Dreams, Hood Rats, De Rodillas, and more! I'm also super excited to be entering into re-releases with a bang. Somehow, I'll be re-releasing one of my all-time favorite early punk records ever from X (Australia) called X-Aspirations along with some rare early material.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2024?
Honestly, I'm really excited for the release of my new band Faulty Cognitions LP, hopefully sometime in early-ish 2024 on Cercle Social Records.
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?
Probably buying merch from the band in the parking lot to avoid the merch cuts the venue's taking.
Chris Mason – social media links
- Instagram: @dirtcultrecords
