Interview with the english pianist and composer who recently released his new EP "Chansons sous la Pluie". Ludovico Einaudi, Eric Christian, Joep Beving and Yann Tiersen among his influences
I was never a musical child until around the age of ten. The first instrument I wanted to play was guitar and I was gifted one for my birthday around the age of ten.
Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?
I was never a musical child until around the age of ten. The first instrument I wanted to play was guitar and I was gifted one for my birthday around the age of ten. I never got far with it as I never took up lessons. In my early high school years I came across piano which I much more prefered as I found it easier to teach myself. I played piano for around two years at that time but then went back to guitar as I joined a band and one of my really close friends taught me quite well. Then later on, around the age of nineteen, I decided that I wanted to play piano again and began to teach myself and then around a year and a half ago I decided to take up piano lessons to further my knowledge of the instrument and music itself. It was the best decision I’ve made yet.
Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?
I've always been quite interested in photography, I love taking pictures. I decided to take photography up as a subject in college along side music technology but music very quickly became the main interest in my life. I have also developed a huge interest in creative arts as a whole, wether that be painting/drawing, dance or writing but I've never been able to fully submerge myself in them enough to give it a go.
What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
To be quite honest, never in my life until the past couple of years would I have imagined myself writing solo piano pieces. I've always appreciated piano music but out of nowhere it was as if I just suddenly connected with it. I just all of a sudden wanted to know everything about it and eventhough I'm miles away from that, it has been a welcome surprise to know I've now found something im truly passionate about. I cant say I've came across any major challanges as my main focus is to just enjoy myself. I'm constantly learning everyday, wether that be about music itself or myself as a person and that is something I cherish more than anything.
"Chansons sous la Pluie" is a collection of pieces that I feel truly connects to me as a person.
Let’s talk about your brand new project: Chansons sous la Pluie. What was the inspiration for this album? How do you think it prepares listeners for more music from you?
"Chansons sous la Pluie" is a collection of pieces that I feel truly connects to me as a person. I can be quite a misery at my best of times and I love the whole feel of melancholy so "Chansons sous la Pluie" to me reflects the beauty of a rainy day. I could happily sit there and watch the rain all day to some melancholy piano music, my dearest friend calls me dramatic but I find it peaceful. So with this small collection of pieces I hope to create the perfect sound for those calm rainy days when you just want to sit in peace and watch the rain. In the future I hope to capture different themes of mood but as this is my first collection of pieces I wanted to create something that truly relates to me. I suppose "Chansons sous la Pluie" is almost a piece of myself I offer to you.
What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career?
I do love social media for what it can do and be used for. I try not using it too much as I don't want it to consume my time. I just make sure I use it for enjoyment but not to the point where it feels like a chore. As we all know social media can become quite addictive and I believe it's healthier to limit the use of it. I do love speaking to people who share similar interests as me with music and also other musicians, so I do love it for that. I've met some very close friends through social media so I can't be thankful enough for that. I also love being able to interact with people who enjoy my music and want to know more about it, so my social media is open open to fans as I love speaking to every one of you.
Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?
My biggest inspiration when it comes to piano will always be Chopin. I feel that no one can capture true emotion through music like he can. There are many modern day composers I really enjoy too such as Ludovico Einaudi, Eric Christian, Joep Beving and Yann Tiersen. I do love to take in inspirastion and ideas but my main focus is for my music to be a true reflection of myself. Along my path I have bumped into a composer called Francisco Casarotti who is absolutely amazing and has become a good friend. I do hope to get the chance for us to work together one day or even perform together.
At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I hope that when people listen to my music they can just find peace in themselves for that small moment or use it as time to reflect and just be still. I would like to hope that my music can also connect to them like it does to me and even reflect on part of their story as it does to mine. "Chansons sous la Pluie" is about realising that there is beauty in sadness and melancholy and that those feelings and themes are supposed to be there and can be truly appreciated.
What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?
So now that my first chapter is almost complete I am begging to start my next. I am now writing my next collection of pieces which will take up a totally different theme and will be more about healing as that is also my goal for this year. The past year has been an absolute shambles for most people. So my main goal for this year is to heal and begin something new which relates more to brighter days and true serenity. I am certainly getting closer to this goal and I can't be thankful enough for the people I have around me.
Artist Bio
Mason Stephenson is a romantic composer based in Manchester, UK. He developed great interest in music and has been writing and composing since the early age of thirteen. Now focusing on solo piano works his music focuses on a heavily romantic and melancholy feel. He released his first pieces, titled "La Forêt" and "Nuits Solitaires", towards the end of 2020 which has paved his way into the romantic piano scene. Mason Stephenson is now preparing for the release of his first debut EP titled "Chansons Sous La Pluie" which translates to "Songs Under The Rain". His first collection of pieces were recorded at Milltown Studios, near his hometown, and mastered by his good friend Luke Rowland. With this EP he hopes to capture the calmness of melancholy music and show that there is beauty even on the rainiest of days. Mason Stephenson has released his previous works independently and has been mentioned in Greek magazine, Naga Magazine, for his romantic pieces of music. He is really excited to get his next collection of pieces out and looks forward to showing the world how he puts his feelings into classical piano works through Blue Spiral Records.
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