Mason has played guitar since age 14 and has remained a charmingly amateurish musician ever since. Mason joined zZounds in 2014 and serves as editor of the zZounds Blog, as well as Accessories Merchandiser. Prior to zZounds, he earned a degree in journalism and worked as a newspaper editor and freelance writer. When not writing or editing for zZounds, you can find him playing his Strat, hosting bar trivia, and chasing his toddler around the house.
Lower Dens – Escape From Evil
On the surface, Lower Dens’ newest album, Escape From Evil, is the most pop album the group has put out to date. It rides the growing wave of modern bands adding subtle synth hooks over nostalgic, drawn-out lyrics of unrequited love, which makes sense when you consider the lead singer Jana Hunter wrote half the album […]
Gear Picks: a Catalinbread Pedal Suite
We’re now carrying a heaping helping of Catalinbread stompboxes! These pedals have been on my board for years, but not available from zZ ’til now. I can’t praise these pedals enough with our customers and my local pedal junkies here in our scene. Chances are they’ve got a flavor for you, from soft-clipping ’60s fuzz, […]
My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall
Over the course of a decade-and-a-half, My Morning Jacket has developed its signature blend of alt-country, soul, electronica, and roots rock — a seemingly self-contradictory concoction that has earned them their status as outdoor-festival gods. Their latest album, The Waterfall, runneth over with that classic sound, yet ventures into new sonic territory as well. Nature imagery and soundscapes abound, and the album has […]
7 One-Knob Pedals That Transform Your Tone
Sometimes, all you need is just one. From full-blown loopers to tone enhancers, each of these pedals color your sound with the turn of one single knob. Add one to your chain for a simple path to all-new sound.
Interview with John 5
Today, we’re throwing back to our interview with John 5 from September 2014. As a guitarist for acts as diverse Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and David Lee Roth, John Lowery has crossed the lines of convention time and again. We discussed his country roots and how they’ve informed his current western-shred solo work, his fascination […]
Interview With Chris Martin IV
Chris Martin IV, Chairman and CEO of Martin Guitars, discusses his passion for guitar building in this exclusive zZounds video interview. Shop Martin at zZounds >>
Johnny K – From the Producer’s Chair
We took a visit to Groovemaster Recording Studios in Chicago to talk with producer Johnny K. If you’re not familiar with his name, you probably know his work producing bands like Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Megadeth, and more. Our video interview features Johnny talking about his essential recording gear and key techniques, and favorite gear […]
Interview With Frank Turner
To fans in his native England and around the world, singer-songwriter Frank Turner is known for his deeply personal songs and evocative lyrics. We caught up with Frank to chat about his post-hardcore punk roots, his current band The Sleeping Souls, his biggest influences, and his songwriting process.
Dweezil Zappa Interview
This Thursday, we’re revisiting our interview with Dweezil Zappa. We had plenty to discuss about his impressive rig, including his favorite guitars, mics and why he trusts QSC K Series speakers for amplifying his tone. Read our full interview on zZounds and learn more about this storied guitarist’s setup!
