Interview by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of LPR Agency
We got to chat with singer/songwriter Mason Rose Gray about her song “Perfect Design” and how music can be a tool to help spread awareness about mental health.
Have you felt a connection with music from a young age?
Yes, absolutely! I’ve always felt a strong connection in my mind, body, and soul. When I was younger I used to write on napkins and fill notebooks with lyrics. I would listen to Hillary Duff’s Metamorphosis album and hear my name screaming in the background. I’d turn off the music and run around the house thinking someone was yelling for me (no one was home.) I took it as a sign that music was “literally” calling me haha. I had a tough childhood so I didn’t pursue music professionally for financial reasons. I went to college and got a nursing degree, but never felt completely fulfilled.
When did you decide to pursue music full time and was that something you shared with others or initially kept to yourself?
I initially kept it to myself. It wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I started revisiting songwriting and singing. I was pursuing acting in Los Angeles and had an incredible acting coach who encouraged me to sing my lines to help my range. I began doing a lot of vocal exercises and fell back in love with singing. As I began tapping into my creativity miraculous things began cultivating. It’s been a blast since! I write a song a day with my guitar and most of the time just freestyle to keep the creativity alive. Lyrics and melodies pop into my head often while driving, thank god for voice memos.
“Perfect Design” is a song about love, more specifically self-love. Do you often pull from your own life experiences when writing songs?
100%. It’s very cathartic and helps me to process life. My music is absolutely a journey and I love storytelling through the lyrics. I also get inspiration from other people and their life experiences. I’ll sometimes create a song out of thin air just from a line someone says. It’s fun and transforms me into a different world and dimension.
Were there any particular influences on how the song sounds?
Oh my goodness, everything! Let’s see, definitely nature; sunsets, clouds, flowers, trees, and the ocean. I’ve learned so much about myself and the world from hiking and exploring. I find inspiration in everyday conversations, podcasts, movies, and my environment. I wanted “Perfect Design” to be light and fun with a folk twist. I wanted people to listen and feel a sense of happiness, joy, and self-love.
You’re an advocate for mental health awareness. Do you use music as a tool to help spread awareness?
Yes, it’s a beautiful way to process emotions. I often find answers to my life problems and conflicts in the lyrics. They inform me of where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I’m going in the future. There are definitely some highs and lows, it’s very risky but the adrenaline rush is absolutely worth it. The highs are a beautiful feeling and that’s what ultimately keeps me going. I feel out of my body when I sing and dance, yet so present and connected. There are lows as well; creative and writer blocks. When something just doesn’t flow. You work on a song or project for hours only to feel stuck and drained at the end. Although, most of the time revisiting it later brings more clarity and insight. I’m also a huge advocate for yoga for mind, body, and soul connection.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
Stay true to yourself. Follow your dreams. It’s about the process, not the product. You’ll have ups and downs, just continue learning and growing every day. It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.