I felt like I was on set at a movie shoot the last time Garrett played at The Cove. It had a feeling like the way blurry senses are depicted in those psychedelic rock and roll biopics. But it turned into more like one of those close-your-eyes cases where you were reading a book and imagining the scene. Was it hypnotic, cacophony, dreamy? I think it was right where I wanted it to be. Bringing music to a venue that transports to a different space is my deepest desire. Garrett Mason made that happen. He will be back solo at The Cove on Thu. May 8 from 7-10 pm. Call 613.273.3636 for reservations! You will thank me. Details and reservations here: web link

Seamus Cowan: You have come by the musical tradition and been deeply inspired within your family. To have a blues legend like Dutch Mason as your father must have really set you on a path of confidence. Can you tell us about the fire that started in the early years of your musical growth?

Garrett Mason: The role my father played in me getting into music and playing guitar was monumental but not really how you think it would be because he couldn’t play guitar at that point and had stopped playing the instrument altogether two years before I was born due to a condition of arthritis. But I learned so much just through listening to music and talking about what and what not to do. He had a small record collection and listening to those records is what got me wanting to play guitar. He was always supportive and believed in my abilities even when I didn’t.

Q: Listening to the sound of your performance on record and stage, you clearly love purity and clarity of tone from your band, voice and your playing style. Where did that relaxed, patient thing come from? Who has most inspired your sonics?

Garrett: As far as sound goes, I just gravitate to whatever I can that makes me happy and intrigues me or stirs emotion and it just so happens to be older recordings and/or recordings that were done using analog tape.

I didn’t realize this until someone pointed it out to me that everything I like was recorded on tape and so I keep searching and listening and going far back as I can. At the end of the day, it’s not technical things that I tend to like but the simple things to me that have a really good sound and tone.

It’s about quality, not quantity to me, that’s what I strive for. That’s the goal. And the best piece of advice I ever got was from my father. It still keeps ringing in my ear, “take your time”.

Q: Winning a JUNO for Best Blues Album must give you a shot of extra belief in yourself. Accolades aren’t everything but was it good feeling getting national recognition for your art which you work so hard to create?

Garrett: It definitely was an honour and a blessing that I was very grateful for although I didn’t feel like I deserved it. It changed my life for better or worse but at the end of the day I want to earn everything I get and I didn’t really feel like I earned it. Nonetheless, it was really great for getting gigs and being able to support living a life as a musician!

Q: Things have been a but more subdued in your touring life over the last few years. What are the big changes that have happened and what’s it been like being out on the road again, solo?

Garrett: I basically stopped trying to “push” my career around about 2010 because I wasn’t interested in playing with a band anymore and I was fascinated with the solo art form. So I’ve mainly been working on that for the last 7 years or so and I’m not on any social media and don't have a website so I just go where they ask me to go and I’ve been touring recently because a guy said he would book me some tours and I said sure, as long as all I have to do is play the music. I just don’t have the energy to book tours and play music. So he takes care of the logistics. I'm very lucky to have someone do that for me because I love playing for people all over the land. And not just in the either. I would probably just be playing in the Maritimes if I didn't have him doing the technical work!

Q: I hate to break the silence on this but so many people love you and your thing! You are so unique and true to what you believe in and I know you prefer not to over-market like so many do in the business. Are you working on a new record or secret creation? What’s in store for future of Garrett Mason? Thanks for coming back to The Cove!

Garrett: Well, thank you so much Seamus. I’m always working at something musically. To be honest, Im just not where I want to be yet but I keep building and building, hoping to one day share the music with everyone that cares. Just when I think there’s no point and nobody cares, I’ll go to a place like The Cove and talk to the good folks and they convey that they care and it makes it all worth while. To those people I owe a great debt. Hopefully one day I can give them something in the form of a recording that does something for them in their lives because giving people something they can use musically in there lives is priority number one and I care so much about those people that I don’t want to give them something half assed! I want it to be something they can use. Something unique. That’s always on my mind. Posted: May 4, 2025