In 2016, Mason Jennings quietly released one of the best albums of his 20-year career, and while even some of his own fans missed Wild Dark Metal, you’ll be able to hear it loud and clear when the Minnesota folk hero brings it — along with the rest of his socially conscious, deep-feeling 15-piece collection of LPs and EPs — to a Ybor City listening room.
Jennings always seems to tour with a strong female songwriter to play foil to his own unique tone and delivery, and this time he’s tapped Bay area favorite Shae Krispinsky to open the show.
"When I go to shows I like the variety of hearing a male and a female sing," Jennings said. "So that's why I do that. To have variety."
Jennings recently had his first art show alongside his friend (and member of The Pines) Benson Ramsey, and he also likes to look at the world as if he's still a beginner in life.
"I just think in general it's helpful to feel like a beginner. It takes the pressure down and allows one to appreciate the moment and to let the world surprise and astound. I like the feeling of wonder," he added. "It's important to my health I think. And I think it's one of the keys to being an artist."
Hey Tampa Bay, @masonjennings is playing @TheAtticYbor on Sunday — but first, where can he get some great Thai food? https://t.co/2EJ7fhTXMO #CLmusic #tampamusic #tampabaylive via @cl_tampabay
— Creative Loafing (@cl_music) January 26, 2018
Read more from the short Q&A below, and suggest good Thai food for Jennings by responding to the Twitter post above. Get more information on the show via local.cltampa.com.
I like that we’re fortunate to catch you a few days after Dr. King’s holiday — you released that song so long ago. Do you think about it when the holiday comes around?
Yeah. I do. He was an inspiring man.
On Dark Metal you worked with Josh Bonati and Shawn Everett, and Brian Joseph and S. Carey in recording it — any help from friends this time around? Does Pieta Brown appear?
On the new album I worked with Shawn Everett and Brian Joseph again. And I also got a lot of help from my friends in the band The Pines. Pieta isn't on this one but I just played and sang on her new album called Postcards.
And Benson took your last two album covers. Will he do it for this one, or will you sketch or paint one yourself?
He took some photos again for this one and we will likely end up using one of them. I love his photography.
Are you touring in a Winnebago? Were you ever touring in a Winnebago or was I just hallucinating when you were in the area for one of your recent shows?
Haha. No, I've never toured in one of those. Tour busses and vans but never a Winnebago.
On previous tours you’ve brought some strong female songwriters, but the promoters did that for you this time in booking Shae Krispinsky for your Ybor City show. Is having a woman open the show something you request specifically?
When I go to shows I like the variety of hearing a male and a female sing. So that's why I do that. To have variety.
Do you still eat a lot of Thai food on tour?
Yes! I love Thai food. It's one of the perks of touring, trying out Thai restaurants all over the country.
In an interview about your debut art show you mentioned that you feel like a beginner at life in general — could you elaborate?
I just think in general it's helpful to feel like a beginner. It takes the pressure down and allows one to appreciate the moment and to let the world surprise and astound. I like the feeling of wonder. It's important to my health I think. And I think it's one of the keys to being an artist.
