Mason Black's First Music Video "This Too Will Pass"

Mason Black has been a good friend of mine for a long time now and a huge supporter of the site as well. Recently he revealed to me that he was doing his first music video, and it was all I could do to contain my excitement. Without further ado, allow me to introduce to you for your viewing pleasure "This Too Will Pass" -- Mason Black's first music video.



I know what you are thinking. For those of you who haven't been paying attention to my posts on this artist, he has hopped genres and become a country music singer these days. Although it doesn't exactly fit in as far as this being a pop-dominated blog, but it's my damn site and I'll post what I please. And it also helps that this very song came in a close second for Song of the Year in the Universal Conquest Awards last year.

The video focuses mostly on what the video is about -- that low point that we all feel in our lives. It has a lot of solemn looking shots of Mason in some pretty depressing states. A few times he resorts to drinking as an escape, others he just wanders the streets. In the end, however, he reminds us that even if you feel that you are at the end of your rope.

On a personal note, I have to say I am incredibly proud of Mason. Would I have liked to see a video for one of the hot tracks from "The Sinner EP"? Yes, but that is in the past now. Things are moving forward and up. I'm really happy to see how far you've come, friend. Keep it up.

Song of the Week - This Too Will Pass

Yes, children. It's time for Mason Black to arrive on the scene again. Mason has been around just about as long as TOTU has (Ok, maybe a little longer), and he's been a constant supporter of mine, and vice versa, since. His new single is out, and you bet your ass I'm choosing it as Song of the Week -- even if it is country!

Now, don't go and think that I'm only picking this song because Mason is a friend of mine. Sure, I probably wouldn't have found the song had I not known him, but that doesn't discredit the track in any way. The song is still very "Mason", in that it is raw and real, two things that have drawn me to everything he's written so far. The style a song is sang or written in should hold no barrings on the emotional impact it truly has.

The song is a smooth mix of country and blue grass styles of music, leaving Black a chance to let his real country accent shine through. The lyrics chronicle the very personal challenges he has faced in his life. The song has a positive message to it, however, because as the title states, bad times don't last forever, and "this too will pass."

You can grab the track on iTunes.

New Sound For Mason Black

I know, I know. I talk about Mason Black a lot. The thing is, he supported me from day one on this thing, and I want to give him just as much support back. Mason is an independent artist who has been tagged as an up and coming dance pop artist. Well forget everything you know about him up until now. Let me introduce you to Mason Black the Country Music artist.

Photo by Jose Zepeda.

You didn't miss-read. Mason has figured out that it can get boring making the same style of music over and over, and as amazing as those songs were in my opinion, it is nice to see an artist branch out to new and exciting things.

The song is called "Lie To Me" and is a very sad track about a love lost. It is all about that feeling that you are losing someone for reasons beyond your control, and you wish so badly they would make you hate them to ease the pain. This song actually brought tears to my eyes, mostly because I have felt that kind of pain before.

Country may not be everyone's thing (especially my readers since I mostly blog about mindless pop), but I suggest giving the song a listen. It may just surprise you.

Album Review - The Sinner EP

Once again, I am using the facade of the "album review" title to review an EP. This time I am reviewing an EP that I actually have already listened to a lot, despite it only coming out a few days ago. Mason Black, a good friend of mine, has finally compiled his musical library together under one title for everyone. Each track has been released individually on various sites such as Soundcloud and Spotify, so I've had a good idea of what I was getting myself into. Regardless, I have decided to give the overall EP a review for you all.

MYPHNH(BS) - Mason Black

Welcome to another installment of the only recurring segment on my blog! Seriously, though, everybody has that one friend with so much talent but not getting the attention they deserve. That is where I come in. Shoot me a line and if I like your stuff, I'll give you a shout out right here. This time around, I'm throwing my good friend Mason Black into the spotlight. Now, my minions, make him feel welcome.

Let me tell you, Mason and I go waaaay back. Yup. Way back to like May of this year. He found my blog, and shot me some of his tunage, and since then we have become fast friends -- and better yet he's actually really talented! He already has two singles on iTunes (Showdown and Cruel Embrace), and he has plenty more in store for you all!

Mason's genre is really hard to define. The way he put it is he is showing people all aspects of himself and seeing which sides of his musical personality people really pick up on. His most notable singe, Cruel Embrace, has a very strong Adam Lambert-esque pop feel to it, singing about the hardships of love. "More To Me", a track off his upcoming EP, has a more country sound to it. Each track is like a page out of his journals, taken from life experiences, and I really think that is what makes his music feel so genuine.

His musical range is actually what drew me to him in the first place. The first song I heard from him was "Showdown", a very sexy and dark pop song. I really liked the song, but I didn't see him really stand out until I heard more. "Cruel Embrace", followed by "More To Me" and quickly "Jack The Ripper" all show very unique, and sometimes a bit scary, faces of this multi-talented song writer.

Perhaps my love for Mr. Black is a bit biased. He is a very awesome and nice person and he is very real. If you fan him on Facebook, chances are he will respond to your posts! He is a big supporter of Jango, but I don't really use it. IF THAT IS YOUR THING, HIT HIM UP! Otherwise, check out this song fresh off his new EP "The Sinner EP", due out November 1st!


My First Time by MasonBlack

Coming Soon - July Edition

Ever feel like what you are waiting for seems to perpetually be "only weeks away"? Welcome to my life. Every time I get into something, it seems like they either continuously postpone a release, or they hype it up so much that I can't stand to wait the few weeks until the release.

First up, we have a favorite Drag Racer of mine having her new single come out later this month. No, not Pandora Boxx. I'm talking about Ms. Sahara Davenport "Go Off".

Not a lot has been revealed about the single, but if it is anything like "Pump With Me" I will be all over it. Sahara is one of the few queens that actually has a lot of vocal talent, so I am always happy to see her exploring the world of music. A few videos of her performing the song at clubs are floating around on YouTube, but I just can't bring myself to watch them. I want it to be a surprise when I hear it for the first time. I want to experience it... Like a virgin touched for the very first time -- Ehhh Sorry for the Madonna reference! Anyway, the girl has charm and knows how to treat her fans (she's replied to several of my tweets). I really believe she'll go far. Cant wait to GO OFF! The new track hits iTunes July 26.

Next up is an update on a friend of mine. Since my blog's creation (more or less) I have been a big supporter of Mason Black, an up and coming artist/singer/songwriter. I think he has loads of talent and is a genuinely good person. His latest song, "Jack The Ripper" was put up for free on soundcloud a few weeks back in order to gauge reception. He says that based on how well it does (IE How many listens/favorites/comments it gets) he may or may  not release it as a single. Let me tell you, in case you missed my last post about it, Jack The Ripper is one seriously sick'ning track. Give it a listen here and let him know what you think.

My all time favorite band, Aqua, (don't laugh) has recently risen from the grave for a third time with the new single "How R U Doin", an iTunes exclusive. After the video was released a few months back they went silent again. I was worried that they would give up again, but as it turns out I couldn't be more wrong. They announced today via Facebook that their to-be-named album has just been completed and that a second album single will be released in the very near future. More info will be released in the coming weeks, but this glint of hope has me excited to the max.

There you have it. Wondering why I didn't mention "Cooter" again? BECAUSE I BLOG ABOUT IT IN EVERY POST! And yes, I almost posted the video yet again.

EDIT:
Not sure what this has to do with the song, but it's pretty amusing.

New Mason Black + An Overdue Thank You

Back when I interviewed my now friend Mason Black, he informed me that he was working on a new song that he thought I would like. The verdict? Let's just say I am very glad that we kept in touch.

As you may or may not know, Mason Black is an up and coming artist trying to make a name for himself. With the limited resources of an unsigned act he does astonishingly well. He has put out two songs on iTunes and a third exclusively on SoundCloud. Needless to say I have full faith in him.

Anyway, Mr. Black has been keeping me in the loop on his new work. As soon as he was allowed to, he sent me the new track, making me one of the first non-production wise to hear it and I was floored. The song is much darker than his previous tracks while still keeping the strong dance vibe felt in both "Cruel Embrace" and "Showdown". The song leaves one wondering who the real killer is. Is it Mason's lover, or is it really him? He says it is up to the listener to decide. I still believe I'll get it out of him one day! Go ahead and give it a listen, folks -- "Jack The Ripper".

Jack The Ripper by MasonBlack

The new single is set for a tentative July release date. I'll be sure to keep you updated so you can buy it and support this amazing new artist!

I would also like to take a moment to thank a special someone for their help. My blog recently exploded due to the fabulous Pandora Boxx posting my article on her Facebook. I can't express how honored I am that she even read it, let alone felt the need to share it with her fans. I am a very devoted Fandora, and I will always remain one. To Pandora, if you ever read this: Thank you very much. You are fabulous and hilarious all rolled into one. I can't wait to hear your song and I hope to one day get the opportunity to meet you and maybe even interview you! Bring on Drag U season two!

Exclusive Interview - Mason Black

In a sea of music out there it can be hard to find something really meaningful and honest -- something that speaks to you. Most of the time you have to wade through a load of crap before you find a gem, but sometimes... some very rare times you have something fantastic fall from the sky and smack you in the face. This, my friends, is the case with Mason Black and I.

The strange thing is Mason actually found me. He added me on Twitter after seeing a post on my blog (though I never got it out of him which post drew him to the site to begin with) and asked me very politely to check out his music. He has two singles available on iTunes. Cruel Embrace and Showdown are available for purchase (and please do so). After buying both and raiding Soundcloud to listen to yet another song of his, I decided I quite liked him, and I let him know. He was very eager to reply and wanted to tell me everything I wanted to know. And I do mean everything.

Check the interview under the cut.