September 18, 2009

Mason Jennings -- FREE INSTORE

Mason Jennings Free In-store Performance
Sunday, September 20th - 2:00pm

Comparison shoppers seem to want to lump Mason in with songwriting contemporaries Ray LaMontagne, Brett Dennen, and Ben Kweller, and while there is a rough edge, like Ray, and an innocence, like Brett, plus a little of that sense of pop love that makes Ben so much fun, these comparisons overlook the yearning ache and poetic heart that inform so many of Mason's songs, not to mention the songs themselves, which range from passionate social studies to intimate character portraits.

Mason started off as a devoted DIY artist, self-releasing his albums and building his fan-base one show at a time. After a short stint on Isaac Brock's (of Modest Mouse) record label imprint, Mason seems to have found a home at Jack Johnson's Brushfire label. It's hard to judge a record by it's label, but Jack and Emmett at Brushfire have done a remarkable job of finding artists with a unique level of passion, creativity, and chops - we'd listen to anything they put out, because most, like Mason, find a permanent spot in our collection and on our soundtrack once we've given them a couple spins.

Rolling Stone recently gave Blood of Man a 4-star review calling it his best album yet and calling him "one of the best acoustic-based singer-songwriters you've never heard." A full album ago we almost had Mason in to play, but there was a scheduling conflict, and with assurances of a return as soon as possible, we did that "see you soon" thing and right now, we couldn't be happier that that time is now. Please join us for this long in the making and sure to be memorable event.

The guest list opens first come, first served on Friday at 11:00 (OPEN NOW), but if you like to cement yourself a priority spot at the front of the line, as well as receive an event poster and 2-song bonus disc, drop in or call us asap and purchase a copy of Blood of Man and we'll make sure you're all set for this show. (Please note, guest list priority available only with in-store or phone purchases.)

You can hear Mason at his Myspace page.

Mason plays the Shins' "Gone for Good" right here.

Still on the fence, or just looking for more? Check out the new video for "Ain't No Friend of Mine" here or clickety-click here to watch a short film on the making of Blood of Man.

Click to buy/sample Blood of Man