Mason Talk New Album, Songwriting And More

Canadian rockers MASON have released new single ‘All I Ever Wanted’, out now, new album ‘Seconds To Impact’ will be released Friday 1st September 2025 on Eonian Records. Lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Mason graciously took time to talk to JLTT:

 

Who is in Mason, how did you meet and what do you play?

I play bass and guitar and do all lead vocals. I’ve known Jimmy Katone for quite sometime. I worked with his band Hit The Ground Runnin’ on various projects and we have been terrific friends. He is an awesome person and amazing drummer. Peter I reached out to him several years ago and worked with him on his band “Timmy/Eye” and also developed into another close friendship over the years. He an amazing attention to detail and quite skilled multi-instrumentalist. Peppi and I were Facebook friends for several years and talked about music collecting and instruments and developed another close friendship. I invited him on the first album and never looked back! He is quite an amazing guitarist. So blessed to have all three of these amazing musicians on both albums.

Marcus Mason – Lead Vocals, Bass, Rhythm Guitar

Josef “Peppi” Gebhard – Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitars

Peter Penhallow – Keyboards

Jimmy Katone – Drums

What is your earliest musical memory?

That is a great question… earliest musical memory… singing in the school play in elementary school, in the car with my father singing “grand funk railroad – some kind of wonderful” I remember my mother playing the Beach Boys Christmas album. At 2 my parents said I figured out how to turn on the Stereo, insert that CD and crank that album real loud! I still have that CD! haha

When did you begin songwriting?

I’ve been writing my own songs for over a decade, but it wasn’t until 2023 when I started work with some amazing like minded musicians like Peter, Peppi and Jimmy that really motivated me to professionally record and develop the ideas further.

You have your new studio album ‘Seconds To Impact’ is released on 1st September 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I approached it with the mindset that after we signed the first album record deal, I was in the creative mindset and needed to keep the momentum going. I started writing the first songs in May 2024. I worked at a relatively good pace for most of the year finishing most of the album by December 2024. Waiting For You was the last track of the batch finished March 2024.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I recorded most of the tracks in my home professional studio. I produced most of the tracks with my bandmate Jimmy Katone assisting with the production along the way. Ryan Northrup and Stephen Craig are executive producers on the project.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Some of the greatest ideas during the creative process came to me by accident! One life on the first album (the first chord) was found in the middle of the night when I put a guitar away and accidentally played a chord. Interestingly enough I found the chorus for “Waiting For You” while cooking breakfast and had to immediately record it! Everyone hears things differently, I remember Peppi and I trying to figure out a few mixing issues on Waiting For You that was driving us crazy (haha) but we eventually figured it out.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

I use a vintage 1989 Steinberger XM bass guitar that I have owned for almost 20 years. The low end feel noises combined with the carbon fiber neck has a unique mellow sound on the album. For guitars, I used my favourite 2007 Japanese Fender Stratocaster HSH guitar for a majority of my guitar parts. Combined with a recording rig using Delay, Overdrive and Super Chorus pedal has a magical sound that incorporates most of the album.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Most Reflective – How I (Carry On) , Never Be This Way, Crescent Moon, Picking Up The Pieces, Baptized By Fire

Angriest – Waiting For You, Hard To Tame, You Don’t Know Me

Happiest – All I Ever Wanted, Lost and Lonely, Long Way To Go, Doesn’t Matter Anymore, Crime Of Love

Was it a difficult album to write?

A lot of songs came natural to me. The most challenging about writing an album is finding the right chords that “stick” to the chorus idea you have in your head. Sometimes an idea will take several days, or fairly quickly! The songs you know are worth recording get stuck in my head quite quickly! Crime Of Love is an interesting one. My godfather (Mike Bozzo) is a professional musician (Vocals, Bass) and did a 45 rock album with my father (Ev Mason) who played Bass and did backup vocals. back in 1984 and did this cool song in Italian called L’Creme De Amour. I re-adapted it in English with Mike’s blessing and did some changes with Peppi to change it’s feel. It’s really awesome. Crescent Moon was a track written by my friend Jean Meilleur. He did an incredible job. Peter assisted with reimagining his ideas and made it more rock focused. Both tracks add to the album in many ways.

Who designed the album artwork?

I designed the album artwork. I do graphics design on the side. I sketched some ideas and used photoshop and various tools to fill, colour and modify what I envisioned. I wanted to continue my theme about the story about the traveler on their journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland (Like Mad Max, Book Of Eli, The Road). The first album by this person was on the outskirts of this city with instruments scattered everywhere. The second they have arrived in an unfamiliar place, slowly being consumed by nature. There are a few “easter eggs” in the artwork for the second one (song references).

Does the album title have any specific meaning/significance?

Seconds to impact, has a deeper meaning, yes. It indicates the second arrival of the mason project. With bigger purpose and effectiveness.

One of the tracks is the single ‘All I Ever Wanted’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

That is a great question. The chorus came to me after playing around with these chords I felt were perfect for a heavy ballad. I felt the lyrics fit within a story about family, keeping it together with all of life’s struggles, love for each other when life is difficult and challenging.

Do you have any visualisers planned to accompany the album?

I have four music videos that are accompanying the album “all i ever wanted” , “hard to tame” and “waiting for you”. A video for “How I (Carry On)” will be the last of the album.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Hamilton, Ontario. The Birmingham of Ontario, Canada.

How do you look after your voices?

Lots of hot water (to expand my vocal chords). Lots of vocal warmup before recording. I make a conscious effort not to get sick, and if I am to rest my vocals to prevent straining.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

Nothing planned yet. But if we are presented with an amazing opportunity (that works with our busy lives) to tour or play live, I would absolutely love to do it!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

To record some amazing music the world can enjoy. Music transcends space and time. What brings me the most joy is see the impact my music makes for so many people. If someone 100 years from now picks up a mason album or streams a song and absolutely loves it, I have done my job.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love my 1989 Steinberger XM bass, its quite unique and different than the instruments you see everyday. There are only a few musicians I know that have one including the likes of Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones) and Tod Howarth (Ace Frehley’s Comet) . Tod Howarth has been using XM basses since the beginning and is an amazing person too! I love chatting with him. I have a few Japanese Fender guitars, my 2007 Stratocaster with the HSH configuration is my absolute favourite, but I also love my 2005 Aerodyne Telecaster with the p90 pickup configuration. (I need to get it refretted).

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Another great question. I have always loved the book 1984 by George Orwell. If they ever re-adapted the film into a new release that would be something I would love to be apart of. Its a great book detailing the future world as envisioned by George Orwell in the 1940’s, a world not to far off where it is today (being watched and controlled by big brother).

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I have a wide range of musical influences including the likes of The Outfield, Zar, Beau Geste/Bryan Hughes Group, Regatta, John Waite, Streets, Boston, B.E. Taylor Group, David Victor are some of my favourite bands.

Zar – Life Your Life Forever is one of my favourite albums. Great vocals, Awesome guitars, memorable choruses! Check it out!

What makes Mason happy and what makes you unhappy?

There are a lot of things that make me happy in my life. Happily married, two awesome kids. Can’t be any more thrilled! Seeing my album being a positive influence for people, always makes me happy! Lots of things can make you unhappy, losing people in your family, past relationships, friendships, torn relationships. All those things can have a negative place affecting us everyday. Balancing that can be the most difficult sometimes!

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By BJF PR and Media

Mason’s new single All I Ever Wanted’ is out now.

Their new album ‘Seconds To Impact’ is released on Friday 1st September 2025 on Eonian Records. 

Available via Eonian Records and select US and international retail partners:

Eonian Records (US): www.eonianrecords.com 
Australia: www.electricshockmetal.com 
Brazil: www.animalrecords.com.br 
France: www.tromhell.com 
Germany: www.prideandjoy.de | www.schmankerl-records.com 
Japan: www.diskunion.net  | www.metalpesado.com  | www.rockavenuerecords.com  | www.rockstakk.shop-pro.jp 
Netherlands: www.nodustrecords.com | www.sonicrendezvous.com | www.ebay.com/str/metalaorbv 
Spain: www.sunrecords.es 
UK: www.replayrecords.co.uk 
US: www.facebook.com/shandismusicandmore | www.animatedinsanityrecords.com 

Mason Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mason-Band/61559036835425/