Mason Jennings
Mason Jennings ( born 1975 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American singer-songwriter. The resident in Minnesota songwriter Jennings is known for its simple and haunting melodies, intimate lyrics, as well as political and literary topics that he presents with his dark tenor voice, especially in the United States. His songs can be found in the surf film "Shelter". Jennings is married to Amy Turany Jennings and has a son August (* January 2003).
Biography
Born in Hawaii Jennings moved with his family at a young age to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the age of 13 he learned to play guitar and began writing his own tracks. After dropping out of school, he traveled to the U.S. and ended up in Minneapolis, order to pursue his musical career.
In 1997 he produced his self - titled debut album on a 4-track recorder in the basement of his rented place to live and played all the instruments himself.
With drummer Chris Stock and bassist Robert Skoro Jennings began in October 1998 under the name " The Mason Jennings Band" in the " 400 Bar " in Minneapolis a week to occur. The growing local media coverage and the growing number of fans led now USAweit to tour the band. With the exchange of stock by the jazz drummer Edgar Olivera and occasional guest appearances by saxophonist Chris Thompson the sound spectrum could be further deepened.
The 2000 album Birds Flying Away reveals Jennings penchant for political activism and his passion for stories about rural characters. After the release of the album, Noah Levy took over the services on drums.
2002 Jennings released the studio album, Century Spring, and a collection of acoustic rarities Simple Life. An EP album for Century Spring included next to the entrance of the album Living In The Moment two more live pieces as well as the previously unreleased song Emperor Ashoka. In addition to the new albums Jennings released his previous records on his own label " Architect Records ".
2003 Skoro and Levy by bassist Chris Morrissey ( " Bill Mike Band" ) and drummer Brian Mcleod replaced.
On 10 February 2004 Jennings released the album Use Your Voice, which, inter alia, the songs Keepin ' It Real and The Ballad of Paul and Sheila, a dirge for the Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone included. Keepin ' It Real was reportedly written at the request of the producers of the film Shrek 2. On 30 September 2004, the band released a DVD called Use Your Van, a documentary of the recording of Use Your Voice and the subsequent promotional tour. The DVD was filmed by Andy Grundberg.
On June 17, published in 2005, the largest newspaper in Minnesota, "The Star Tribune ," the message that Jennings has signed with the major label " Glacial Pace " (part of Sony's " Epic Records "). Allegedly convinced " Modest Mouse " frontman Isaac Brock (founder of " Glacial Pace " ) Jennings, having " The Mason Jennings Band" several concerts for " Modest Mouse " opened in 2004. Jennings had long avoided the major music companies to meet their own demand justice for artistic freedom.
On 16 May 2006 Jennings released the album Boneclouds for the label " Glacial Pace ". The album was recorded in " Pachyderm Studio " in Cannon Falls, Minnesota with producer Noah Georgeson. Before the recordings of the drummer Mcleod left the band in order to join the coming of Minneapolis hip- hop group " Atmosphere". David King, drummer of the band "The Bad Plus ", filled in for the recordings.
In October 2006, the EP If You Need A Reason appeared with the pieces If You Need A Reason, Sacred Place, Fighter Girl, and Boneclouds To You.
Discography
Members of the Mason Jennings band
The Mason Jennings band began to play in October 1998.
Current members
- Mason Jennings - vocals, guitar
- David King - drums
- Chris Morrissey - Bass Guitar
Former members
- Brian Mcleod - drums (2003 - 2005)
- Noah Levy - drums (2000 - 2003)
- Robert Skoro - Bass (1998 - 2003)
- Edgar Olivera - drums (1999 - 2000)
- Chris Stock - drums (1998 - 1999)