Pigeon Opinion Featuring an Interview with Zachary Mason

Sweetheart, a powerful, compelling rock track with a touch of the 80's. It begins with a gentler melody and then resolves into a harder, crunchier sound with plenty of punch. The song deals with the wonder of love and the power of relationships. The Bass was played by John Thomasson, who plays with Little Big Town and has performed on Grammy/Emmy winning songs, and the drums were composed by Nate Barnes, a member of the critically acclaimed rock band Rose Hill Drive.

Interview with Zachary Mason

(^)> What inspired you to write Sweetheart and how did the idea first take shape?

It all began with me wanting to write a song with an 80’s touch to it- something a bit like Tesla, perhaps- something with a romantic theme, a lighter, more melodic part paired with a heavier, solid wall of sound type section! I started messing about with an older amp I hadn’t used much for a while- it’s a Marshall Code 50- and found a sound I thought fitted my idea… I used to use this amp a lot years ago; it has a great selection of tones and effects, though sometimes it can sound rather boxy and overly digital… I managed to get something out of it for Sweetheart that sounds fairly decent- I hope you’ll agree!

(^)> How did you approach blending a gentler melodic opening with the heavier, punchier rock elements later in the song?

I just experimented and tried things out until I was happy. That’s it, really!

(^)> What was it like collaborating with John Thomasson and Nate Barnes on this track?

Working with these two experienced musicians has been great, and I’ve had them with me on a few songs now. I don’t have to worry about getting quality work or being let down- they always deliver fantastic parts!

(^)> How did their musical backgrounds influence the final sound of Sweetheart?

I think Nate has plenty of experience with rock music and also heavier kinds of rock (much more than me!) and so I guess it was easy for him to slip into the groove for this single. His drums definitely give the song a serious lift and a heavy drive! John is a seasoned musician, full stop, and he can effortlessly blend in with various styles with his Bass. His work on Sweetheart gives the song more finesse- and maturity, I think.

(^)> You have created over 200 demo tracks since 2021. How has that level of productivity shaped your growth as a songwriter?

Having experimented and tried lots of different sounds and directions, I’ve improved over time and have also learnt different approaches and ideas. That can give me the courage to pursue different ideas, and the know-how to execute them.

(^)> Your music spans multiple genres. How do you decide which direction a particular song will take?

It’s all about what I’m feeling on the day and seeing where things take me. Once I have the feel for a song, the feeling does the rest! I’ve enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music over time, as well, and I guess that has inspired me to vary my own output as a musician.

(^)> How did it feel to be featured by outlets such as Rolling Stone En Español and interviewed by SPIN Magazine?

Fantastic! Having those names behind me has enhanced my name and reputation, and also bolstered my confidence!

(^)> What themes tend to appear most often in your songwriting?

I think songs with an emotive slant tend to feature quite a bit in my work. Songs about sadness, longing or love pop up quite often… I also like to do something a bit quirky or different at times, particularly in tracks such as I Wish Humans Were Made In A Factory… or The Funky Martians! (So long as I don’t wind up in a padded cell!) Songs with a rock or rock pop sound tend to be in the latter category more often, whilst folk-oriented melodies tend towards the former…

(^)> How does your literary work under the name Daniel Macintyre influence your lyrics as Zachary Mason?

Having a literary interest helps a lot with lyrics, and also ideas and creativity. I can’t stress enough how much being a reader is an aid both to a writer and a musician; it expands the mind's boundaries whilst refining and arranging what's already there…

(^)> What can listeners expect next from you following the release of Sweetheart?

For more than a year now, I’ve been releasing songs that are mostly in the genre of rock, so I think that a return (for a time) to my more folky sounds is in order… A big thank you from me to fans and supporters who’ve been with me on the journey so far- and I hope they approve of its new direction!

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out Zachary Mason on the Pigeon Opinion Playlist