Paul's profile
Turning on the radio today is an act of repetition. Forty top songs reigning supreme, chartering an ebb and flow of digital perfection. The soothing warmth of the human voice run through a labyrinth of digital effects, guiding our sensory experience to the point that would register the uniqueness of our own voice unrecognizable. Instruments carried down through centuries of song and dance replaced with a plastic pad redefining what is considered sonic perfection. Artists no longer expressing themselves through their songwriting craft, but instead performing songs pieced together by a room of hired hands they'll never meet.
Against these odds Paul Masson introduces his debut EP, a record that takes a staunch stand against the digital age of craft-less perfection. The EP, written entirely by Masson, is a fluid piece of music with a breadth and depth that is purely accessible. Performing all the songs live, and playing every instrument him self, Paul Masson is the exception to the rule in today's music scene. There are no tricks. Paul recorded the songs as they were first created - just a man and a guitar making amends with his own perilous journey. With his freshman release, Paul evokes a celebration of the imperfect beauty of the live recording, reminding the listener of the inherent humility of music. Each song is given the opportunity to authentically form as an organic entity. It is his way of counteracting the binds of the digital age. To put it succinctly, it is how he stays human.
The Merriman Webster dictionary defines “authentic” as worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact. When discussing Paul Masson’s music, the meaning stresses a painstaking and faithful dedication to actual character. Masson has a voice that is far older than he himself. When he sings, a soulful, rough-hewn sound escapes from within him with urgency. Masson’s voice is seamlessly versatile, full of warm yearning in “Gonna Be Your Man,” while whispery and pulsing with emotion in the EP’s first single, “My Girl Baltimore”. He sings like it was the last time he will be allowed, and never leaves anything behind.
Paul Masson is baring his heart in a time when most chose to disguise themselves. He’s not afraid to embrace love both lost and found. His life's blood is the music he makes and his sincerest intention is to create art that reproduces essential features of his own mortality. He is only doing what allows him to wake up with reason every day. Keeping his heart open and finding beauty in the cracks and flaws. He hopes there are others that feel the same.
Recent Press for Paul Masson:
"Baltimore, Maryland singer-songwriter Paul Mason who has a deep sense of feeling to his lyrics and a voice that is smoky, torn at the edges and of a kind that has you soon become totally lost in his superbly crafted lyrics. Although there are only five tracks on the ‘My Girl From Baltimore’ fronted release it lasts a healthy twenty-five minutes with music set to become embedded in your subconscious for a whole lot longer."
~ Flyin' Shoes
"PAUL MASSON is a singer/songwriter out of Baltimore as well, although his sound is as far from The Thrushes as possible. More akin to dust bowl country music of Hank Williams, Masson uses slide guitars and hushed acoustics to tell his tales of lost love and the ache of loneliness. Although not really my cup of tea, it certainly has a place for those looking for a melancholy take on life."
~ Your Moment Of Zen
"Finally, we have Baltimore artist Paul Masson, whose rough-hewn in-studio Animal Collective cover graced both inbox and the virtual pages of Slowcoustic in the past few months. I’ll admit, this cover took a few tries to grow on me - but it says something that I kept coming back, and the strained voice and earnestness of this cover really does serve the song exquisitely. Masson’s new self-titled EP has been compared to Neil Young and Hank Williams, Sr., and I can hear ‘em both - in the guitar, in the voice, in the tenderness, and in the sorrow. Try his new EP out at MySpace; I think you’ll hear it, too."
~ Cover Lay Down
"The six track EP is solid start to finish, all the songs are written and crafted by Masson whose vocal is a perfect match for the meandering lo-fi alt-country on display here, the twang provided by the pedal steel and banjo is blended beautifully with the minimal percussion to produce a thoroughly enjoyable song set, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy, the EP"
~ The Beat Surrender
"Every once in a while, and sadly it doesnt happen much any more, but there are times when you put on a record, or an ep as it were, and you just immediately gravitate to the sound. Thus is the case with Baltimorian Paul Michael Masson and his recently released and most excellent self titled ep. Plainly put, this ep is one of the best collection of songs that I've heard in a while. Granted its only 5 songs, but taking it for what it is, its spectacular. His voice is great, the lyrics are smart without seeming like he’s trying too hard, and the instrumentation is lovely."
~ Captains Dead
"Baltimore-based Paul Masson reminds me of why I'm a music fan in the first place...Masson's debut and independently financed and produced EP is a fine slice of alt.country that captures the colours of life's dreamy moments and applies them to a canvas of hurt and regret.The performances here have been recorded live with few overdubs, making an intimate listening experience. Masson's vocals are full of heartfelt warmth, a little whiskey-soaked around the edges, and a sincerity that major-label financing often kills."
~ High Noon Saloon
"Paul Masson writes some of the smoothest country songs I've heard in a very long time, to the point where they are almost Southern Soul songs. Masson's voice can only be described as a slightly "twangier" Ray Lamontagne...we hear that Paul puts on a helluva show. He cut his record to reflect his live sound and as a fan of all live music, that gets me really excited. I hate when bands overproduce their records and fall flat when it comes to the live show. Paul Masson won't be falling flat.This is a great introduction to an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who we will be hearing a lot about in the near future. If you're a fan of heartfelt, honest music, I highly suggest you give this a try."
~ Front Porch Musings
"All tracks on the EP will convince you that Paul Masson makes music with his whole heart and soul, listen for example to the magnificent My Girl Baltimore, that was rightly chosen by fellow blogger Smansmith from Slowcoustic to be his track of the day not so long ago. But to reduce the EP to this one ballad would do harm to the complete release. I think every track has a story to tell and you should listen to it with both your ears and your heart. Great lyrics walk hand in hand with sometimes sparse, sometimes rich instrumentation evoking a strong feeling of safety on the one hand and delightful melancholy on the other."
~ Common Folk Meadow
"An EP that has garnered many a spin in the CD player recently is Paul Masson's self titled, debut EP. Masson's Lamontagne-esque vocals give the tracks a depth that many current singer/songwriters and other aspiring folkies only hope to carve out for their own material... Masson’s disc is what Lamontagne’s Trouble record might have sounded like, had it been recorded in the sunny glow of Laurel Canyon with a pedal steel player that is as skilled as These United States’ Tom Hnatow."
~ The Gobblers Knob
Witness B-more native son Paul Masson...Much like his hometown, Paul Masson is deceptively complicated...His candy-coated voice is immediately impressive, to the point that it hardly matters what he’s singing. It is easy to lose yourself in his shifting, opaque tones.
~ Seven Days - Vermont's Independent Choice
"Masson’s timbre is well suited for traditional Americana music – gritty, expansive and flawlessly channeling the sensibilities of yesteryear. This brilliant self-titled debut EP is definitely worth seeking out - I can’t wait for Masson’s first full length effort."
~ Record Dept. Music Reviews
"Great country (or Alt-Country for those too scared to say they like country music)... Immediately I was drawn in by Masson’s perfect pitch delivery for such music: just a bit of grit, a bit breathy and clearly a history beyond his years."
~ slowcoustic.com
"Got a new country folk sound for everyone to check out. His name is Paul Masson." ~ ~ Grit Music
"It's honest, Americana folk... "Balt-Country" if you will."
~ B Baltimore's Free Daily Newspaper
Against these odds Paul Masson introduces his debut EP, a record that takes a staunch stand against the digital age of craft-less perfection. The EP, written entirely by Masson, is a fluid piece of music with a breadth and depth that is purely accessible. Performing all the songs live, and playing every instrument him self, Paul Masson is the exception to the rule in today's music scene. There are no tricks. Paul recorded the songs as they were first created - just a man and a guitar making amends with his own perilous journey. With his freshman release, Paul evokes a celebration of the imperfect beauty of the live recording, reminding the listener of the inherent humility of music. Each song is given the opportunity to authentically form as an organic entity. It is his way of counteracting the binds of the digital age. To put it succinctly, it is how he stays human.
The Merriman Webster dictionary defines “authentic” as worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact. When discussing Paul Masson’s music, the meaning stresses a painstaking and faithful dedication to actual character. Masson has a voice that is far older than he himself. When he sings, a soulful, rough-hewn sound escapes from within him with urgency. Masson’s voice is seamlessly versatile, full of warm yearning in “Gonna Be Your Man,” while whispery and pulsing with emotion in the EP’s first single, “My Girl Baltimore”. He sings like it was the last time he will be allowed, and never leaves anything behind.
Paul Masson is baring his heart in a time when most chose to disguise themselves. He’s not afraid to embrace love both lost and found. His life's blood is the music he makes and his sincerest intention is to create art that reproduces essential features of his own mortality. He is only doing what allows him to wake up with reason every day. Keeping his heart open and finding beauty in the cracks and flaws. He hopes there are others that feel the same.
Recent Press for Paul Masson:
"Baltimore, Maryland singer-songwriter Paul Mason who has a deep sense of feeling to his lyrics and a voice that is smoky, torn at the edges and of a kind that has you soon become totally lost in his superbly crafted lyrics. Although there are only five tracks on the ‘My Girl From Baltimore’ fronted release it lasts a healthy twenty-five minutes with music set to become embedded in your subconscious for a whole lot longer."
~ Flyin' Shoes
"PAUL MASSON is a singer/songwriter out of Baltimore as well, although his sound is as far from The Thrushes as possible. More akin to dust bowl country music of Hank Williams, Masson uses slide guitars and hushed acoustics to tell his tales of lost love and the ache of loneliness. Although not really my cup of tea, it certainly has a place for those looking for a melancholy take on life."
~ Your Moment Of Zen
"Finally, we have Baltimore artist Paul Masson, whose rough-hewn in-studio Animal Collective cover graced both inbox and the virtual pages of Slowcoustic in the past few months. I’ll admit, this cover took a few tries to grow on me - but it says something that I kept coming back, and the strained voice and earnestness of this cover really does serve the song exquisitely. Masson’s new self-titled EP has been compared to Neil Young and Hank Williams, Sr., and I can hear ‘em both - in the guitar, in the voice, in the tenderness, and in the sorrow. Try his new EP out at MySpace; I think you’ll hear it, too."
~ Cover Lay Down
"The six track EP is solid start to finish, all the songs are written and crafted by Masson whose vocal is a perfect match for the meandering lo-fi alt-country on display here, the twang provided by the pedal steel and banjo is blended beautifully with the minimal percussion to produce a thoroughly enjoyable song set, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy, the EP"
~ The Beat Surrender
"Every once in a while, and sadly it doesnt happen much any more, but there are times when you put on a record, or an ep as it were, and you just immediately gravitate to the sound. Thus is the case with Baltimorian Paul Michael Masson and his recently released and most excellent self titled ep. Plainly put, this ep is one of the best collection of songs that I've heard in a while. Granted its only 5 songs, but taking it for what it is, its spectacular. His voice is great, the lyrics are smart without seeming like he’s trying too hard, and the instrumentation is lovely."
~ Captains Dead
"Baltimore-based Paul Masson reminds me of why I'm a music fan in the first place...Masson's debut and independently financed and produced EP is a fine slice of alt.country that captures the colours of life's dreamy moments and applies them to a canvas of hurt and regret.The performances here have been recorded live with few overdubs, making an intimate listening experience. Masson's vocals are full of heartfelt warmth, a little whiskey-soaked around the edges, and a sincerity that major-label financing often kills."
~ High Noon Saloon
"Paul Masson writes some of the smoothest country songs I've heard in a very long time, to the point where they are almost Southern Soul songs. Masson's voice can only be described as a slightly "twangier" Ray Lamontagne...we hear that Paul puts on a helluva show. He cut his record to reflect his live sound and as a fan of all live music, that gets me really excited. I hate when bands overproduce their records and fall flat when it comes to the live show. Paul Masson won't be falling flat.This is a great introduction to an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who we will be hearing a lot about in the near future. If you're a fan of heartfelt, honest music, I highly suggest you give this a try."
~ Front Porch Musings
"All tracks on the EP will convince you that Paul Masson makes music with his whole heart and soul, listen for example to the magnificent My Girl Baltimore, that was rightly chosen by fellow blogger Smansmith from Slowcoustic to be his track of the day not so long ago. But to reduce the EP to this one ballad would do harm to the complete release. I think every track has a story to tell and you should listen to it with both your ears and your heart. Great lyrics walk hand in hand with sometimes sparse, sometimes rich instrumentation evoking a strong feeling of safety on the one hand and delightful melancholy on the other."
~ Common Folk Meadow
"An EP that has garnered many a spin in the CD player recently is Paul Masson's self titled, debut EP. Masson's Lamontagne-esque vocals give the tracks a depth that many current singer/songwriters and other aspiring folkies only hope to carve out for their own material... Masson’s disc is what Lamontagne’s Trouble record might have sounded like, had it been recorded in the sunny glow of Laurel Canyon with a pedal steel player that is as skilled as These United States’ Tom Hnatow."
~ The Gobblers Knob
Witness B-more native son Paul Masson...Much like his hometown, Paul Masson is deceptively complicated...His candy-coated voice is immediately impressive, to the point that it hardly matters what he’s singing. It is easy to lose yourself in his shifting, opaque tones.
~ Seven Days - Vermont's Independent Choice
"Masson’s timbre is well suited for traditional Americana music – gritty, expansive and flawlessly channeling the sensibilities of yesteryear. This brilliant self-titled debut EP is definitely worth seeking out - I can’t wait for Masson’s first full length effort."
~ Record Dept. Music Reviews
"Great country (or Alt-Country for those too scared to say they like country music)... Immediately I was drawn in by Masson’s perfect pitch delivery for such music: just a bit of grit, a bit breathy and clearly a history beyond his years."
~ slowcoustic.com
"Got a new country folk sound for everyone to check out. His name is Paul Masson." ~ ~ Grit Music
"It's honest, Americana folk... "Balt-Country" if you will."
~ B Baltimore's Free Daily Newspaper
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