Mason Lowe’s upcoming album “Morning People” will be available on June 23rd, and you can pre-order it now. The album blends the sounds of glam rock, 60s girl groups, and grunge to create an open-hearted and sunny pop record that is full of hope and sentimentality. The influence of classic bands like Big Star, The Shangri-Las, and The Beach Boys can be heard throughout the album. Mason Lowe, a Seattle native who made a name for himself as a member of the power-pop band Bread & Butter, has created a truly beautiful album.

How did this record come together?

By necessity! I started this record in early 2020. My main band was on hiatus due to Covid. I had just gotten divorced and was totally overwhelmed at work – trying to safely operate a center for low-income and homeless older people during the pandemic. This was not a chill time! 

But I fell into this really bright, positive musical groove. I would wrap up a brutal week of work and then find myself blissfully recording for hours on the weekends. It was the only thing that felt good in my life at that time. Writing and recording felt free – effortless. Looking back, I think I was escaping into the music, but I just love the results! There’s an ecstatic vibe in most of the songs

What was the moment you knew you were on to something?

First song! Really the first part of the first song. I came up with the bass line to “Hanging Around” while I was just goofing off with an acoustic guitar and it was like lighting a fuse. That bass part had energy and movement. And even though it was complex, it was easy to stack other parts on top of it.

That moment kicked off the whole record and I’m still riding that wave of inspiration. The second record is about halfway finished already!

The meaning of success has changed over the years. What would success look like for the new record?

That’s a really good question. I would love for this record to be a springboard for collaborations. If someone heard Morning People and thought, “I gotta get in touch with that weirdo and track some songs,” it would make me so happy.

My side business of recording other artists took a pretty serious hit during Covid. I’d love to get it back on track.

When was the last time you thought ‘I just wrote a hit!’?

A couple weeks ago? I feel that way all the time! I hope that every musician thinks that every one of their songs is a hit – at least at some point in the process. Otherwise, what are you doing? If you don’t think you are creating something wonderful, why are you even recording? I’m  realist. I know those “It’s a smash hit!” moments are almost pure delusion – but I love ’em!

At some point in every song that I’ve recorded, there has been a moment where I was completely convinced, “This is the one. This is the song that changes everything. Goodbye day job. So long credit card debt…”

It doesn’t take long until the spell is broken, but those are some powerful delusions and they keep me going.

The record is done, the music is out.  Is the best fun done now or is it just beginning?

I really love recording and I thought the fun was over when I wrapped up tracking and mixing. But now I’m not so sure! A bunch of friends have helped me form a band to play a couple release shows. I was nervous about this because I haven’t fronted a band in ages (I’m normally a drummer). But it’s going so well!

The band is a really cool mix of new and old pals. And they’re such great players. I love that the basement where I single handedly dragged this album into existence is a scene of collaboration. It’s giving me hope that these songs might actually see some life outside my swampy little basement studio!