tag:www.masktheband.com,2005:/blogs/my-journey-of-writing-and-releasing-an-album-being-real-about-fear?p=3My Journey of Writing and Releasing an album - Being Real About Fear2023-01-13T13:09:40+00:00MASKfalsetag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/71374812023-01-13T13:09:40+00:002023-10-16T15:51:52+01:00Our brand-new single: "Hunter Becomes The Hunted" is about a fantasy of mine...<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Hello all, </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I thought I would blog to give a general update (because it's been a while!) and to provide the low-down on our brand-new single: "Hunter Becomes The Hunted". </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">About me: I am living on an island on the west coast of Portugal. It's a 'back-to-basics' simple life in a little stone cottage. The wind howls through this place like a demon whispering into your soul! No electricity, hot water or internet makes me a very unhappy boy, but on the flip side, I have a new-found appreciation for the mod-cons of modern life. (Yesterday, next door allowed me to use their shower, and it was heaven!). </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I live on a steady diet of porridge and local seafood. I spend my days surfing, walking the hound, reading and writing on my trusty acoustic. I love solitude and getting lost in my thoughts. Which is a beautiful segway (if I do say so myself) to discuss our new single. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I wrote "Hunter Becomes The Hunted" in Krakow, Poland - during the lockdown, sat on my balcony overlooking some beautiful gardens filled with wildlife. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">The song is about a fantasy of mine; </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">(Now, if you read the word fantasy and go to a sexual place - know that you are my kind people, but no, not on this occasion). </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">My lost-in-thought fantasy: What if we turned the tables on those who choose to "trophy hunt" the wild, beautiful animals of this world? What if we relentlessly hounded, hunted, slaughtered and then strung them up all for a photograph opportunity? </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I suspect the shoe being on the other foot wouldn't be a pleasant experience - karma being a bitch and all that... </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">And so we have the song; big guitar riffs to weave my dark tale of retribution. I am incredibly proud. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Listen on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6PK13hD195OS8NcIiphSuD?si=yUbvEvreSk29Z0poKP01jQ" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/zDC5JKSz8Lg" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. Please let us know what you think - it's so important and valuable to us. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I want to mention my musical genius bandmate Craig, our producer and dear friend, Michael Mormecha and Kristen Rogers for her amazing backing vocals. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Such incredible talents - thank you. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Peace, love and surfs up 🤙 </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">H (on his little island)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/43cbd172c05f76a38d294b2aceba66fae258a2e2/original/img-4046.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/69860192022-06-03T15:54:00+01:002022-07-27T11:56:19+01:00The MASK Blog: Why "Zenith" and why Poland??<p>Dobry Dzień (I believe this means Good Day in Polish, correct me if I'm wrong Polish peeps)? </p>
<p>I'm in Poland and thought I would do a blog to give context on why we are here and some info on the process behind our upcoming new studio album; </p>
<p>Picture the scene, if you will, of a national lock-down ending and all those hungry, "live performance" starved musicians bursting from their cocoons to grace the stage to fill the desperate void their lives have been lacking! </p>
<p>And allow me to say that I was one of them! </p>
<p>I missed it all terribly because the feedback you get from a live audience is what it's all about. Playing gigs from home makes you realise this. </p>
<p>My father passed away recently, and the best advice I ever got from him was to "work smarter, not harder". </p>
<p>So instead of bursting through the gates to compete with every other musician in the planet (!) to play at half capacity, social distanced and poorly advised music venues. I chose for us to do the opposite. We would wait and retreat into the studio to record a new album. </p>
<p>During this recording process, I vowed that we would never record an album in this way ever again. And we won't. It's difficult to explain but I just felt we had reached our "Zenith" - hence the new album name... </p>
<p>So why Poland? </p>
<p>In a word - "Opportunity". </p>
<p>Craig has lived here for a long time and has developed incredible musical networks. And so we thought, why not use these and try to do something bigger than we've ever done before. </p>
<p>And so here we are - rehearsing new material with a brand new seven-piece band/MASK line-up to grace the stages and perform in incredible musical settings that we would never even be able to consider back home. </p>
<p>It's exciting and brings me back to the early days of MASK, where there were so many unknowns - it's "go big or go home" time! Wish us luck! </p>
<p>"Warning Shots" is the first single of the new album - click <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.masktheband.com/warningshots" target="_blank">here</a> to have a listen.</p>
<p>Peace, H x</p>
<p>P.S. The beautiful women and weather are an added bonus! 🇵🇱 </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/68571852022-01-02T16:06:21+00:002022-07-27T11:56:19+01:00MASK plan for 2022 <p style="text-align: center;">MASK Fans, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is “H here from the band wishing you all a happy new year! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The world has changed a lot over the last two years and upon reflection, so have I. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I've realised that i’ve been at my happiest whilst I’ve been travelling around Europe with my dog. And so, I have now decided to make the travelling "life-style" a more permanent thing. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Over the last few months I have moved out of my house, given away or sold most of my possessions (the guitars were the most difficult items to part with!) and now me and the furry wingman live permanently on the road (well in air b n b’s!) and in the wind. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Today we are in the Italian alps enjoying nature, pizza, pasta and the most breath-taking scenery imageable. Feeling very blessed indeed. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Something I wanted to get done before I left Northern Ireland was to record a new MASK album and I’m pleased to say we done it! (I put the last of my vocals on it the day I was driving onto the boat! Better late than never…) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The album is going to be called “Zenith” and I for-see it being released around mid 2022. It’s gonna be a monster album (hence the name)!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Something that has been frustrating for Craig and I over the last two years is not having the chance to perform live. And so we have decided to take matters into our own hands. Our plan is to put together a full two-day live recording session in Gdansk, Poland. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Once we get confirmation on location and dates then members of the <a contents="MASK Fan Club" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.masktheband.com/mask-fan-club" target="_blank">MASK Fan Club</a> will get an exclusive invite to come join us. More on that closer to the time. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Okay, thats all for now. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/c2de69cb903e08a8229a059177775719af202ce2/original/img-2317.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Peace and love, H.</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66920802021-07-19T15:38:55+01:002022-03-15T10:00:51+00:00MASK Blog - Things you didn't know about Smiling Assassins Part 2: "Arse About Face"<p style="text-align: center;">Good afternoon all, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I am in the City of Porto, Portugal and there’s no easy way to say this - I'm dealing with a huge “groupie” problem! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It’s my goddam handsome dog (up-staging me once again) folks… </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Every time we go for a walk, we get a gathering of canine admirers following us through the streets. I am the pied piper of pooches in Porto! (try saying that three times, really fast…) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This blog is the second part of things you may not know about our album “Smiling Assassins” (Part one is <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.masktheband.com/home/blog/mask-blog-things-you-may-not-know-about-our-album-smiling-assassins" target="_blank">here</a> if you need a recap) I want to entitle this one“Arse About Face”, which is an expression where I’m from that means doing something the wrong way around - allow me to explain; </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Our album wasn’t supposed to have been called “Smiling Assassins”. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Our first choice was “Glamourpuss” but we discovered that around the world, it was really difficult to pronounce and over time that factor wore us down. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Our second choice was “The Ascendence”, but we couldn’t come up with the artwork that we liked in time! (We blame our graphic designer for selfishly having a child during our time of crisis 😆)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And so, with deadline day looming we decided to do things the wrong way round and go with what we already had (i.e. Arse about face!) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">What I will say is that the album name “Smiling Assassins” has gone down an absolute storm with the world and I guess we have fate to thank for this. It’s always nice to land butter-side up! </p>
<hr><p style="text-align: center;">Ok, for now, I must go and look for a barge pole to beat away all these horny bitches, always wanted to say that 😅 peace y’all. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">H x </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Listen to Smiling Assassins on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/27bFiXL4WMRFZUD1D2zEHD?si=vzHgU5l_SsaXHh5HyGt9WA&dl_branch=1&nd=1" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/smiling-assassins/1570403985" target="_blank">Apple Music</a> or <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW8OXE3NcHdEUunyVRb8ZxRiJzd0EfQNs" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">P.S. You can see why....</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/fefb6ee8657e3179b2927ecae860d759b2a51734/original/img-1182.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66862752021-07-13T10:24:42+01:002022-05-09T03:41:03+01:00MASK Blog - Things you may not know about our album, "Smiling Assassins"<p>Good morning campers, H Here! </p>
<p>I'm currently in Basque Country in Northern Spain. Some morning coffee is on the go, and I feel alive today!</p>
<p>Another album review has come in for "Smiling Assassins" - which has once again, exceeded all our expectations. What an honour. (I'll put a link below so you can check it out). </p>
<p>There are things that you may not know about this album though, so allow me to dig into the subject; </p>
<p>It started out as a very different record than what you can hear today. </p>
<p>Originally it was fourteen songs in total and contained two instrumentals, one of those instrumentals that didn't make the cut was a "1960's surf-style" track called "The MASK Surfer Shake", I put it as the artwork for this blog. So cool right? I'll see if I can put a demo of the track on our <a contents="instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/masktheband/" target="_blank">instagram</a> for you all 🤞</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe myself, but we actually put down about 60% of these fourteen tracks in just five days! Our debut album "The Famous" took about a year by comparison. </p>
<p>But then... The old COVID hit folks! Boom! </p>
<p>We had to literally deconstruct each song and try to remotely make it work and often that meant just redoing it.</p>
<p>It was painful but we never let up or compromised on quality. I compared the process to chipping away at a sculpture - piece by piece, tap by tap. I'm so proud that we simply didn't just "down tools" and wait. </p>
<p>I refuse to allow the word "can't" into the MASK camp - it should always be "how can we"... </p>
<p>Tune in next time for part two of this blog which I think I will entitle "Arse About Face" 😅 </p>
<p>Link for the album review is <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.oursoundmusic.com/osm/703861_mask-smiling-assassins" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>Peace, H.</p>
<p>Listen to Smiling Assassins on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/27bFiXL4WMRFZUD1D2zEHD?si=vzHgU5l_SsaXHh5HyGt9WA&dl_branch=1" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/smiling-assassins/1570403985" target="_blank">Apple Music</a> or <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW8OXE3NcHdEUunyVRb8ZxRiJzd0EfQNs" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66793502021-07-05T15:55:51+01:002022-05-22T16:10:50+01:00MASK Blog - Promoting the "Smiling Assassins" Album on the road!! <p>About two weeks ago I got a gut feeling that I should try and learn to surf and so I packed up the car and with my dog/furry wingman “Riley” by my side, we drove to sunny Biarritz in the south of France. </p>
<p>I've just finished surf school for the day and I feel exhilarated but yet shattered! </p>
<p>(Side tangent: I have officially never felt uglier in my life next to all those beautiful surfer dudes! I am pretty sure I must have looked like a white bin bag filled with mango juice by comparison - anyway…) </p>
<p>My reason for travel isn’t all pleasure - I knew the new MASK album would need promoting and I wanted to keep life interesting and exciting during the process. My routine is: wake up, do a 45-minute coastal walk to and from surf school and then it’s band PR for the rest of the day (emails, interviews, radio play updates) until finally dinner, sleep and go again… </p>
<p>I struggle when promoting a record, it’s probably my least favourite element to the whole process - and that is because it takes effort, resilience, patience and acceptance. </p>
<p>For every bit of press you get, you have to (hat in hand) ask for it. It's usually on a ten to one success ratio.</p>
<p>We never blanket message or do mass ‘cc’ed emails because in a saturated market it’s entirely ineffective and lazy. I firmly believe you get out of it what you put in. </p>
<p>Check <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.weareymx.com/ymxblog/gsnf7kzb52tn5j7lag54pfadhd8en5" target="_blank">here</a> for our latest press/album review from the cats at your music experience - it’s shockingly good and it makes me so proud! </p>
<p>Thank you for reading and links to the "Smiling Assassins" album are below 👇 we would love if you would share it with your friends.</p>
<p>Peace out, “beach bum” H 🤙 x </p>
<p><a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/27bFiXL4WMRFZUD1D2zEHD?si=vzHgU5l_SsaXHh5HyGt9WA&dl_branch=1" target="_blank">Spotify</a> </p>
<p><a contents="Apple Music&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/smiling-assassins/1570403985" target="_blank">Apple Music </a></p>
<p><a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW8OXE3NcHdEUunyVRb8ZxRiJzd0EfQNs" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66334312021-05-18T15:36:58+01:002021-05-18T15:36:58+01:00MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 6: The Tape and the Laugh!<p>MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 6: The Tape and the Laugh!</p>
<p>When I get something in my head then it HAS to happen. And in the case of “Show Me Love” - I was insisting we have the sound of a cassette tape being inserted and then played. I think I needed to hear it on this record for nostalgia reasons... </p>
<p>To make it happen I blanket messaged everyone I knew to dig out their old tape decks. I then spent days trying to get these old tape deck's working and what then felt like an age in setting up microphones to record it the whole process. </p>
<p>All this only to not find anything useable, so we ended up using a sample from YouTube that I played through my phone into the microphone… This is very typical MASK Fashion! </p>
<p>I even came up with the idea of making a personal tape that I will keep forever as my memento of this song. Amy Montgomery who also sang on the record helped me with the design. How cool right?! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/4a9dedcd2365910fec88a336577311608541f06b/original/img-6268.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>You can hear a sneaky little laugh from our producer Michael at the very end of the song and that is because I'm screaming at the top of my lungs "I need to feel the good love!!" about 30 inches from his face on the song outro... </p>
<p>We left it in because we refuse to take this recording malarky too serious! </p>
<p>That is all for blogs on Show Me Love folks - lookout for our "live at home" version out soon! In the meantime, check out the track on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1DWt7rKcMC3UJp8gvuTmxe?si=7BHeqS7dTG6dA9aoOevRGQ" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/show-me-love/1561720435?i=1561720631" target="_blank">iTunes</a> or <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/f9jakQHO36w" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. </p>
<p>Peace and (Show Me) Love, H</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66293952021-05-13T16:20:31+01:002021-09-09T13:33:17+01:00MASK Blog - The journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 5: Imposter Syndrome<p>MASK Blog - The journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 5: Imposter Syndrome</p>
<p>We were listening to a lot of “Chic” records in the studio to get inspiration for “Show Me Love” and as a result, we developed a serious bout of ‘imposter syndrome! </p>
<p>At one point we just felt that we had no right to be dipping our toes into the genre’s of funk or disco and on this occasion, we may be too far out of our comfort zone. That and wrestling with the recording (see previous blog) meant that I decided to give the song away and so I started looking at female acts better suited with the genre. </p>
<p>What changed my mind was hearing the sweet bliss that is “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen. After that, I knew that ’Show Me Love’ would be our song and regardless of what genre we ever go to, we will own it! I will even grow the handle bar-moustache if I have to! (Craig can stroke it on stage whilst I dry-hump his leg to climax... Too much?)</p>
<p>Tune in next time for our final chapter where we will discuss the cassette playing intro and why you can hear a sneaky laugh at the very end of the song.</p>
<p>Peace and (Show Me) Love, H x</p>
<p>Check out Show Me Love on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1DWt7rKcMC3UJp8gvuTmxe?si=0R3szuYPRaW3tQFQXksnCQ" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/show-me-love/1561720435?i=1561720631" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/f9jakQHO36w" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66242772021-05-07T16:58:40+01:002021-05-10T16:30:04+01:00MASK Blog - The Journey of Show Me Love. Chapter 4: The Recording<p>MASK Blog - The Journey of Show Me Love. Chapter 4: The Recording </p>
<p>It took as long to record “Show Me Love” as the entire album!! This is crazy because it has to be the most simple tune we've ever released. </p>
<p>We became our own worst enemy in the studio as we just kept thinking we could get it better, and in turn, we complicated things beyond belief. </p>
<p>At different times this song had "lasers" on it (yes frucking "lasers" - Austin Powers fans) and all sorts of different drones/synths/samples. I also remember a trumpet/brass section being tried out. </p>
<p>The drums were recorded on five separate occasions, in all different areas of the studio. The guitars were recorded four times by three different guitar players and still, we couldn't agree it was finished. With each layer, we added to try and rectify the song we seemed to lose "groove". </p>
<p>Then, one fateful day that I will never forget as long as I live, we were listening in the control room to the "final, final mix" and Michael our producer just leaned across and hit the delete button! Although you couldn’t tell me this at the time, it was the best way. We started again from scratch and knocked out the song in about two hours! </p>
<p>Listen on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1DWt7rKcMC3UJp8gvuTmxe?si=Li4ktru3RlO_aAnk9yx7JA" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/show-me-love-single/1561720435" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/f9jakQHO36w" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</p>
<p>Tune in next time to find out why we nearly gave this song away! </p>
<p>Peace and (Show Me) Love, H</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66221272021-05-05T17:27:36+01:002022-02-06T14:12:19+00:00MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 3: The meaning<p><strong>MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 3: The meaning</strong></p>
<p>I have personally referred to <em>Show Me Love</em> as a 'disco vibed, retro-funk, street strutting banger'!</p>
<p>But, the song is actually a break-up song and the lyric is very personal to me and how I was feeling at the time. To sum it up, I felt very broken and entirely disconnected from the world. </p>
<p>The trouble I have is that I tend to do most things on my own and when you become so insulated (I'm working on it!) then things can get so very dark, so very quickly. </p>
<p>All my life I have struggled to be able to reach out and ask for the help that I know is always on offer. </p>
<p>With “Show Me Love” I was at a stage of my life where it has gone too dark on me and I am very much asking for that help, I’m saying “Right now I need a bit of TLC and love”! </p>
<p>Listen to the lyrics and you'll get the gist of things.</p>
<p>As a side fun fact: The lyric “I light myself another cigarette” is mapacho tobacco that I was smoking after my recent return from Peru. (I probably should alter all my insurance forms now having revealed that last bit!) </p>
<p>Tune in next time to hear, why this song took longer to record by itself than the entire album! </p>
<p>Allow me to end on a serious and important note; </p>
<p>If you struggle to ask for help like me, then I beg you to consider being open to looking at life a little differently. When we block out everything and everyone to go it alone, then we also, as a consequence, block out all that light and love that is on offer. Reach out to someone and talk, just a little bit at a time if need be. Don't let the darkness creep up and take over. (I have a tear in my eye writing this) Be well. </p>
<p>See you Friday as I'm recording tomorrow!! A-woo - hoo! (It's a new MASK album for 2022 btw). </p>
<p>Peace and (Show Me) Love, H x</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66211242021-05-04T17:15:52+01:002022-01-22T13:09:25+00:00MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 2: The Title<p><strong>MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love" Chapter 2: The Title</strong></p>
<p>Picking up from yesterday: For nearly two years (!) I was walking around like a puffed up little pigeon about this catchy bass riff I had come up, and all I had on top of that was a working title of “Knockin Boots”. </p>
<p>But alas, this is not enough for a song... (unless you're into dance music - *H lands a body blow to all dance music fans around the world!) </p>
<p>What broke the deadlock was one day, whilst walking through Belfast city centre, I noticed all these little signs or spray-painted 'tags' around saying “Show Some Love”. I was rather down in the dumps on this particular day and it put a smile on my face. Not only because of the little message of positivity but also because I knew I had acquired a new title to this song! </p>
<p>I worked on "Show Some Love" and "Show Your Love" for a while but then I altered it to my mood and hey presto, “Show Me Love” was born. </p>
<p>Tune in tomorrow to find out what the subject matter of the song is about, trust me when I say this: it's way more serious than you think!! </p>
<p>You can listen to the track on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1DWt7rKcMC3UJp8gvuTmxe?si=_NAyYKZhRGW51qqiaXOpyw" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/show-me-love/1561720435?i=1561720631" target="_blank">Apple Music</a> or <a contents="Youtube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/f9jakQHO36w" target="_blank">Youtube</a></p>
<p>Til then,</p>
<p>Peace and (Show Me) Love, H</p>
<p>P.S. I only learnt today that "Show Some Love" is some kind of movement and I have to say upon reading what they are about i'm a fan of their message! You can find them <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.anotherworldbelfast.com" target="_blank">here</a>. See you tomorrow.</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66202242021-05-03T17:29:13+01:002021-12-28T11:12:17+00:00MASK Blog - The Journey of "Show Me Love". Chapter 1: The Conception<p>H Here folks: "Show Me Love" went live in all stores on Friday and I thought I would put together a series of blogs to document the journey of this song. First, I shall start with the conception; </p>
<p>I am no bass player whatsoever! But I remain beyond proud of the bass riff that makes this song what it is. </p>
<p>Musicians have this term called "noodling". It means it's not practiced playing as such, it's more of a mess around... a "noodle". </p>
<p>(As a side tangent in my head, I just thought what other professions might noodle? Vietnamese chefs perhaps...) anyway...</p>
<p>I wrote the bass riff to this tune whilst "noodling" and simultaneously watching an episode of the US Office and as I sprang like a leaping salmon to record the magical sounds being made, I named the track there and then “Knockin Boots”. I was excited! </p>
<p>Fast forward nearly two years later and you won't believe this but, I still wasn't any further forward! "Knockin Boots" was never gonna happen (story of my life maybe 😉) </p>
<p>Tune in tomorrow and we shall delve into what finally changed to make this song a reality! And where "Show Me Love" came from...</p>
<p>Check out the track on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1DWt7rKcMC3UJp8gvuTmxe?si=Q5ut895-Rr6hRBvBzbjp-g" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/show-me-love-single/1561720435" target="_blank">Apple Music</a> or <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/f9jakQHO36w" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</p>
<p>Peace and (Show Me) Love, H</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/66048842021-04-15T17:34:29+01:002021-04-15T17:34:29+01:00MASK Blog - Are albums dead?? <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">H here folks: In my head I love the image of meticulously going through my record collection, removing the vinyl from its sleeve, carefully placing it down before gently lowering the needle… the warm crackle… this is music. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">Sadly I don’t do any of this, (a lot of people think I do) instead, I am an all in Spotify W*nker - monthly subscription and everything! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">I have undying respect for the vinyl users out there but it’s a sad truth that we just don’t take the time to savour music the way we used to. So if the vehicle for albums i.e. records, cassettes and cd’s have now gone - are albums now dead also? </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">The answer is a resounding no. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">As a listener of music, I love to play records in full and always will. A good record from start to finish has a timeless enchantment to it and to 'skip' would simply be a sin!! As a music artist, we have released E.P.’s and singles over the years but nothing even comes close to the satisfaction of creating and releasing a FULL body of work.. the album! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">To celebrate our debut album and before the release of our next one, Craig and I got together and decided to make a complete and uninterrupted video of "The Famous" so it can be listened to in full (we even added the record player vibe)! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular">We invite you to pop a cold one 🍺 and check it out below! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="PsbJPZU3rT8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/PsbJPZU3rT8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsbJPZU3rT8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">P.S. We got genuinely giddy and excited listening to this record in full again! Let us know how it made you feel... As ever, thank you for supporting and sharing our content.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Peace and love, H x</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/65815022021-03-22T18:49:12+00:002021-04-12T20:01:17+01:00MASK Blog - Why is Robert Carlyle tweeting about us?<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Hi MASK Fans, </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">'H' from the band speaking to you. I hope you all keeping well. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Over the weekend, we got a real buzz over the fact that the actor, Robert Carlyle, was tweeting about our music. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">I think what we were chuffed about most was the "way" it happened rather than the "how" it happened... A rather lovely lady called Sam heard our music and then sent us a message to say she was going to forward it to "Bobby", next thing we know, we got a shout out on Twitter from him - lovely stuff. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/e422dd3d4803fc40f4e6f6b0c549bfb5f84bf857/original/img-0181.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">For us, this felt like a small victory. Not because a celebrity endorsed us, but in this instance, our music did the work! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Click <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/MaskTheBand1">here</a> to check out our Twitter page, AND if you can share our music with just one person today, we will be forever grateful. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Peace and Love, </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">H from MASK</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/65458032021-02-11T00:00:00+00:002021-02-11T19:18:26+00:00MASK Feature "Get On Your Knees' with V13 Media!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/e554ede7c3bb145555cbe07b67fd23c17782edbb/original/screen-shot-2021-02-11-at-19-06-09.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Somehow it’s always the duos that manage to make the most noise… Proving this once again is the British pair MASK who have unloaded the music video for their brand new song “Get On Your Knees.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is a hard-charging tune with an equally intense performance video, featuring the guys pouring their heart out in a “fiery” display of passion and exquisite musicianship. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There’s quite a story behind the writing and recording of “Get On Your Knees”, and here to recount it to us is lead singer and guitarist 'H' Humphrey; </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Sometimes, when you record and release music, it can become rinse and repeat, and I could feel myself slipping into the trap,” Humphrey said. “To shake things up and refresh, I took myself off to the jungles of Peru. I cut myself off from technology and completely starved myself of anything resembling music. Having lived the existence of a monk for three months (no alcohol, no sugar, no caffeine, no sex!) I returned feeling recharged and ready to rock n’ roll! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sadly our producer Michael Mormecha had moved his recording studio, and it was pretty much just a building site. I had to pester him with all my newfound enthusiasm to try and lay down some tunes and thankfully I managed to win him over, and we set to work! Hanging microphones of make-shift ceilings and recording the drums amongst scaffolding gives this track such a rawness and a power that you just won’t get with ‘treated’ studios. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">‘Get On Your Knees’ was the first track we put down out of this batch of songs… Hearing the hiss of that valve amp starting up and playing my first big guitar chord since my hiatus was like a shot of adrenaline straight to my chest!” </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He continues, “During my time in the jungle, someone lent me a book on working with the shadows of ourselves. Our dark side. It turns out when looking at mine that I have an absolute beast in there, and that’s where this song comes from. It’s about defiance, frustration, rage, and setting boundaries and no uncertain terms for anyone, myself included. Based on this, it made total sense to me to add the famous Martin Luther King speech on the intro. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My goal with this track is to awaken the beast in all who listen to it, to embrace our inner-Viking… Having privately listened to the song myself for a couple of months (my favourite part of the music process is owning it before it’s released) I can say it is best served loud, with headphones on whilst strutting the streets!” </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="QN2LYuum7yQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/QN2LYuum7yQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QN2LYuum7yQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The relationship between Humphrey, originally from Belfast, Ireland, and Craig Coppock, of Liverpool, England, extends back to 2005. The two met through a mutual friend and a friendship developed over their shared affection for classic British rock like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks. It wasn’t until a dozen years later though that Humphrey started writing original material for the duo, some of which ended up on their 2017 debut EP The Truth. The Famous further developed their gritty, bluesy sound, which also blends in the appeal of modern indie rock. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rock n’ roll was always meant to be a little dangerous. MASK is all too happy to remind you of this! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Check out the article here: <a contents="https://v13.net/2021/02/mask-are-firing-on-all-cylinders-with-their-get-on-your-knees-music-video-premiere/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://v13.net/2021/02/mask-are-firing-on-all-cylinders-with-their-get-on-your-knees-music-video-premiere/">https://v13.net/2021/02/mask-are-firing-on-all-cylinders-with-their-get-on-your-knees-music-video-premiere/</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/65363322021-02-01T17:09:48+00:002021-02-01T17:09:49+00:00MASK Blog - MASK Fan Club and story of Hurricane: Reloaded 🤘😷<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Below is the kind of correspondence we send to our MASK Fan Club members - see very bottom of this blog for more info on how to join! </strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><strong>(Pppssstttt 🤫 On Friday we're emailing our members a private link to our brand new and biggest music video ever! 🤘)</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>Hey MASK Fans, </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>This is 'H' from the band speaking to you - Happy New Year and I hope you all have a cracking 2021! (Can't be any worse than 2020... or can it!) </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>Our most listened to MASK track is a song called "Hurricane", not many people know this but I wrote it about the snooker player - Alex "Hurricane" Higgins. </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>Some of my earliest childhood memories are from when my grandfather would regale me with tales of "the peoples champion", an ordinary man/maverick who played for one sole purpose... to entertain the crowd! He brought 'Rock N Roll' to the dreary world of snooker! </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>The main chorus lyric from Hurricane goes "Somebody Please, Bring Me My Baby" which is what he says to the camera as he wins the world championships and just wants to hold his baby daughter. I found this so emotional that I just had to write about it. </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>Over the holidays we decided to release a 'rock n roll' version of the track and we named it "Hurricane: Reloaded". </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>What's crazy about the recording of this track is that everything was captured in one take! Vocals, drums, guitars... even the old BBC tape we found in the studio that you can hear during the intro! As a result we have this raw, imperfect rock stomper of a song - we hope you enjoy! Click <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hypeddit.com/link/7fgj5t">HERE</a> to listen. </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>As Always - Peace and Love, </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><em>H.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><font size="3">Click <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://masktheband.com/email-sign-up-46ee37b9-a390-47f3-b22a-8d47512e775e">HERE</a> to join our Fan Club (and get our new video before its released (!) this Friday)</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><font size="3">(You can unsubscribe at any time)</font></strong> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/64796682020-11-17T17:37:59+00:002021-03-12T11:51:43+00:00MASK Blog - We Were In Jail! (And Parisian Blue)<p style="text-align: center;">Hi MASK Fans, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is 'H' from the band speaking to you. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Yes! We were in jail...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(Cool your jets folks, it isn't the rock n roll behaviour you may be expecting)!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">According to computer algorithms our song 'Smiling Assassins' was "red-flagged" as being a political tune and all our accounts were frozen and so we were put in 'Social Media Jail' (I did warn you about this anti-climax)! On top of that - COVID has made having a band called "MASK" a nightmare, a lot of our posts are being rejected or we are mistaken for MASK Salespeople! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">- </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">With this in mind, we have decided to focus on building an email list so we can contact our fans direct. If you want to hear from us then drop us a note at info@masktheband.com and we will add you to the list... I personally plan to write personal newsletters where possible as well as free music links and special merch offers.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">And now to the news!!</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;">So it turns out COVID is a right pain in the ass! In the summer with no live music opportunities on the horizon, we decided to meet up in sunny Gdansk, Poland to shoot a live 'stripped back' version of "Smiling Assassins" - click here to give it a <a contents="watch" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/oEMMAQnCNhc">watch</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">- </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Currently, we are locked down in separate countries which presents challenges but, that doesn't mean a break from music - (can anyone else hear "The Show Must Go On" by Queen right now?!!!!) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">- </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Last month I was fortunate enough to appear on BBC radio to talk about the band, and what our plans are for 2021 - you can check that interview with the wonderful Kathy Clugston out <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08w42nt">here</a>; </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">- </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And last but not least, we have a brand new song out called "Parisian Blue" - I wrote it in the "City of Love" last year on a bass guitar. It's fun, energetic and I make no apology for it being your head for the rest of the day! </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Click <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hypeddit.com/link/nlfji6">here</a> to give it a listen. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">- </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Please take care of yourselves, AND if you can share our music with just one person, we will be forever grateful. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Peace out you beautiful people, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">H from MASK </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/64141682020-08-21T10:05:44+01:002022-07-15T11:09:51+01:00MASK Blog - Unpredictable and dangerous... Shakin' Love is here...<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Releasing a song is like watching your child go off to their first day of school. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Usually, you hope that they will be ok and that they will blend in well with the other songs. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">In the case of "Shakin' Love" - (as you watch it bounce off the walls like a golf ball in a squash court) it would be fair to say... "that kid is completely crazy"! 😆 </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">It doesn't blend with any song, and it breaks all the rules - and this ladies and gentlemen is why we adore it. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/e940252e4894c5f5d01c1fba020e10a37cf1ab9e/original/mask-shakin-love-ep-v2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Check out this premier feature with <a contents="XS Noize" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.xsnoize.com/belfast-based-rock-band-mask-release-brand-new-track-shakin-love-listen-now/">XS Noize</a> music magazine and links to "Shakin' Love" are <a contents="here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hypeddit.com/link/1ott1o">here.</a> 👈 </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Peace, </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">MASK </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="www.masktheband.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://masktheband.com"><span class="font_large">www.masktheband.com</span></a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/59832992019-11-28T11:57:02+00:002019-11-28T11:57:02+00:00MASK Blog - A Tearful Farewell<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/539a2259e489098413a76be810afbd762421ee61/original/mg-0111-editweb.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>MASK Blog - A tearful farewell… </p>
<p>With a heavy heart, we must say goodbye to our bass player ‘Daz’ from MASK - as a founding member of the original band and a lifelong friend, it is most definitely a tearful farewell. </p>
<p>The reason is simply due to new work commitments and parental duties. Family comes first. We remain as close as ever and you may see him from time to time on our channel or jumping in on local gigs. </p>
<p>Craig will take over on bass guitar duties and he’s excited to take on the challenge. (Did someone say, Paul McCartney?!!) </p>
<p>Moving forward: The new live MASK album has been named ‘Rock, Drop and Roll’ and it will be available towards the end of January 2020 (follow us on Spotify to get it before anyone else) </p>
<p><a contents="Follow us on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7KuWpoPTABwh21aq6ZMgx7?si=iR0Ep5T1QNCu4VnbDuSOMQ">Follow us on Spotify</a></p>
<p>As we write this letter it has been two years since we first released music. What started as a group of mates making a noise in a shed has snowballed into us having a fanbase across the globe, hundreds of thousands of sales/online streams and having the opportunity to tour Scotland and playing our first music festival - what a highlight! </p>
<p>We remain incredibly grateful and overwhelmed, thank you, everyone. </p>
<p>You are going to now see us go quiet on social media! We are all going our separate ways for Xmas and New Year to gather our nuts!! (OOOoooohhhh!!!) </p>
<p>We wish you all a very safe and pleasant time over the festive period! </p>
<p>Peace be with you, </p>
<p>MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/59210342019-10-09T20:03:39+01:002021-01-25T17:12:11+00:00MASK Blog - What’s next for MASK? <p>MASK Blog - What’s next for MASK? </p>
<p>If MASK were a book then it would be fair to say that we are presently turning the page on what has been an incredible chapter. So what’s next?! </p>
<p>Well, in the immediate future I will be putting my MASK duties to bed to focus on the release of a debut solo album. </p>
<p><a contents="www.musicbyhumphrey.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.musicbyhumphrey.com">www.musicbyhumphrey.com</a></p>
<p>The good news;</p>
<p>As a band - we will be releasing a live album in January 2020 (this includes live tracks from 'The Famous' and our current single 'Mayday') and this is when we will start recording a brand new album! Having released an EP, an album and a single - an album is by far and away our favourite platform to work from. </p>
<p>I’m pleased to announce about 70% of that album has already been written and it’s going to be something pretty special! Our sound certainly won’t change but it most definitely will evolve into something you really won’t be expecting… We will be tapping into genre’s we have no right to even speak about haha! </p>
<p>So far - we have sourced where we will record the new album and it's being discussed to perhaps make a documentary on the recording process. A MASK podcast is also planned - so stay tuned and look out for our swearing and general piss-taking. </p>
<p>And now the bad news; </p>
<p>With everything in life, what goes up must come down and sadly we will be saying goodbye to one of the founding member’s of the band in the coming months - more on that to follow… </p>
<p>Peace out, <br>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/59021062019-09-23T16:51:49+01:002019-09-23T16:58:40+01:00MASK Blog - How to piss a band off! (The story behind ‘Mayday’)<p>How to piss a band off?</p>
<p>Answer: Give everyone involved the song for them to record the entire instrumentation and then realise its in the wrong key and say “can you do that entire day’s work again please…” - whoops! (Mayday was not getting off to a flyer)</p>
<p>There were a few icy stares and I made tea all day in an attempt to rectify what was a monumental fuck up. Live and learn.</p>
<p>‘Mayday’ was one of three songs recorded in a two-day session at Milbank Studios (Sadly Milbank is no more - sad times!)</p>
<p>It’s a bit of a mongrel of a song made up of bits of unused material that was lying around and we love it.</p>
<p>Never in my life have I been so late with lyrics for a song, in-fact the big red recording light was coming on and I didn’t have anything resembling a second verse! If you listen to the song closely you can hear my vocals coming in just a tad later than they should - simply because I was making it up on the spot…</p>
<p>I actually have come to love this aspect of the track and it gives the song a bit of edge I reckon. I actually try to replicate it when playing it live and its a struggle to be honest.</p>
<p>As a song-writer you want to catch the BIG fish i.e. the big songs and I always put myself under immense pressure to create something bigger, better and more meaningful. Sadly that can strip away the true meaning of why we started our band in the first place - to make a sound amongst mates and to enjoy it what we're doing…</p>
<p>And so, ‘Mayday’ is a reminder to let go of all that needless pressure and to have fun! The song is about the state of music today compared to our glory days years ago. It's also a cry for help from us because we often feel little fish in a huge musical ocean - who doesn't love a good under-dog story! </p>
<p>P.S. The talking you can hear at the end of the track is us returning from the shop to find Michael our producer going mental with the bongo’s…</p>
<p>We didn’t realise he was actually recording on the song and below is the transcript;</p>
<p>Us: “We thought you were just jamming?!”</p>
<p>Michael: “Haha - Bongo John!”</p>
<p>Nuts… Good times! Such a fun song - we hope you love it as much as we do.</p>
<p><a contents="Mayday on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/74Zh2AjUQfzrXh3AvTcTxM?si=b61xoP2tSauKpxF13tLM-g">Mayday on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="Mayday on Apple Music " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/mayday/1474339391?i=1474339394">Mayday on Apple Music </a></p>
<p><a contents="Mayday Video&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/88366IxWgRM">Mayday Video </a></p>
<p><a contents="Watch us live in Belfast this Saturday (28.09.19)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2299371493613185/">Watch us live in Belfast this Saturday (28.09.19)</a></p>
<p>Peace out,</p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/58652522019-08-21T18:05:58+01:002019-08-21T18:07:37+01:00MASK Blog - ButeFest 2019 (Part 2)<p>MASK Blog - ButeFest 2019 (Part 2)</p>
<p><br>Before each day of the tour begins (nothing before noon!) I usually send out a WhatsApp group message to everyone to explain what’s happening - this was the message I sent out before we played Edinburgh… </p>
<p><br><em>“This is a recorded live album but that doesn’t mean we should be holding back or playing it safe. Fuck that! I’d rather have mistakes than our performance be flat/mistake-free. <br>Let’s enjoy it and kick the doors in!” </em></p>
<p><br>I don’t think I’m going to win any awards for my ‘pep talk’ skills but the guys sure did listen to the words and I’m pleased to say we did “kick those doors in” haha… </p>
<p><br>It wasn’t all plain sailing - we had a hard-drive malfunction when recording, which meant we lost a full track but all in all, it was a great live show and I’m delighted with what we will be releasing for a live album later in the year! </p>
<p><br>After playing Edinburgh we returned to Glasgow for the night. We got to bed around 1 am and it was off to the Isle of Bute for ButeFest at noon. As we were about to set off on the journey, Paul our native Scottish drummer informed us that the views along our intended route we were going to be “Scotland as fuck” and he wasn’t kidding! Every corner our jaw’s hit the ground with how staggering it all was. The downside of this was the slow pace of the traffic as every other jaw was on the floor instead of the accelerator pedal… </p>
<p><br>Eventually, we arrived, and I must confess at this point. We (the band collectively) prayed for rain! Reason being, our stage was next to the main stage and unlike the main stage, we had shelter! Muhahahahahaha….. I honestly think we may be linked to some higher force because I have never seen a bigger turn in the weather in all of my life. It humped it down! We nearly felt bad for the MASK rain dance that was conducted prior in the week! </p>
<p><br>We watched the band we were to follow by the side of the stage and they were rocking out. I remember the sweat bouncing off the drum kit with each hit! This, without doubt, spilt over to us as we sat poised ready to go on. After a five minute set up, it was time to go. I can honestly say now, for the first time in my life I wasn’t even a little nervous! </p>
<p><br>Reason for this is, I had complete faith in everyone and everything we had done to get to this point. All the arrangements, headaches, travel, worrying and administration was all for the next forty minutes. It was, without doubt, the best live set we’ve ever done. The raw power we generate creates unbelievable energy and it was the fastest forty minutes of my life. </p>
<p><br>After we simply spent the evening together in a sort of tribal way haha - we had experienced something on another level and we may have had a few drinks, can’t remember much to be honest…</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/58489512019-08-06T14:18:20+01:002019-08-06T19:17:34+01:00MASK Blog - ButeFest 2019 (Part 1)<p><strong>MASK Blog - ButeFest 2019 (Part 1)</strong></p>
<p><em>It’s been nearly a week since our return from ButeFest and I thought I would do a blog on how we actually ended up playing ButeFest and what it was like for us personally as a band. Let’s do this… </em></p>
<p>I will start with how we actually got the opportunity to play ButeFest. Quite simply: we applied! We put together a package of why we thought we would be a good fit and they said yes… It was then our mission not to let anyone down and turn the trip into a mini-tour to play the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It wasn't all plain sailing as you'll find out!</p>
<p>Starting out we hit bad news! Daz our bass player wasn’t free on those dates and so we would need to find a replacement. I turned to Craig! Craig would openly say he’s not a bass player but he is without doubt one the most musically gifted people I know on the planet. I once watched him learn “Let it Be” on the piano within two minutes - bastard! At first, I could tell he didn’t want to do it as I think he had planned on actually enjoying the trip haha… But thankfully, he stepped up and MASK became a four-piece band. </p>
<p>Initially, we had planned to rehearse Wednesday evening to play Glasgow on Thursday night but that all changed last minute and we were forced to play Glasgow the day we arrived! Having to play a live gig after one rehearsal was a monumental challenge for us, poor Craig! Thankfully everyone stepped up and we used all that nervous energy to create a furious performance in what is now one of our favourite cities. In summary - we nailed it.</p>
<p>The next day was again a challenge. We were to rehearse an extended full set for a live album to be recorded the next day AND shoot two music videos - how we love to work! Again we pulled together and made it happen. I don’t fully know how but we got over the line but we kinda did.</p>
<p>Friday it was up and away to Edinburgh to perform at the amazing music venue the ‘Stramash’ - we were the second act on and we were, without doubt, nervous. I think what was making us nervous was obviously the show being recorded but also we have a very strong togetherness and it was about not letting each other down.</p>
<p>I can categorically state my thinking was "do not fuck this up for MASK".</p>
<p>For me personally, this then happened;</p>
<p>As I’m preparing to soundcheck the bolt holding my guitar strap gave way! Sadly we had an audience for the soundcheck so I just pretended everything was fine but inside my head, I'm thinking - is someone out to get me here and what the fuck am I going to do!</p>
<p>I was told it could be fixed using match sticks to wedge the bolt in and so instead of preparing properly to record a live album I’m running through the streets of Edinburgh trying to find fucking match-sticks! (I can officially state there are none!) Back at the venue, I’ve accepted defeat on the subject when a huge burger from the restaurant next door passes me. It has a wooden skewer through it and I have a fix for my guitar! It’s still in my guitar now - locked in solid and a nice burger aroma to go with it. Rock and Roll baby! </p>
<p>Find out what happened next in part 2 of this blog out soon!</p>
<p><a contents="We're on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7KuWpoPTABwh21aq6ZMgx7?si=sPcqIKAkSKOC8E5r9Qmxlg">We're on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="Apple Music &amp; iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/mask/1434756322">Apple Music & iTunes</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/58070952019-06-28T12:39:56+01:002019-06-28T12:39:56+01:00MASK Blog - Hurt Like You (Story behind the Song) <h2><span class="font_regular">MASK Blog - Hurt Like You (Story behind the Song) </span></h2>
<p><span class="font_regular">Hurt Like You track no 5 on our debut EP “The Truth” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The last time I spoke to someone about this song they tenderly touched my arm and gave me a look </span><span class="font_regular">like</span><span class="font_regular"> my dog has just died… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I guess the lyric of “no-one hurt like you” must mean to some people a break up of sorts and could be construed as me crying my heart out. It’s really not and I just wanna say I’m fine everyone! But thank you for the concern… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Writing songs is a crazy business because sometimes you can chip and chisel at them for years and then sometimes they fall from the sky in five minutes. ‘Hurt Like you’ is one of these five-minute wonders and it remains one of my favourite MASK songs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The lyrics are gospel based and are about a man setting out on a metaphorical journey to who knows where - I don’t know myself… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The idea for the bass line of the song was actually the noise made above my head as I was in my car, in traffic under a fly-over bridge. I started hitting the steering wheel to the sound it was making and recorded it into my phone. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The track sounds enormous due to 17 guitar tracks being played in unison to give it a huge “stomp” feeling. The drums sound enormous but in fact, they were recorded in a room so small you could nearly touch the sides by holding your arms out! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Fun fact about this song: there is actually a second part to this song that has never been released. It’s a follow up to the story and the plan is to release it on our next album. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>I hope I have brought this song to life in a way for you all. Have a listen and tell me what you think of it. As ever if you think anyone would enjoy this blog or the song then please send it their way. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><a contents="Hurt Like You on&nbsp;Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6Ui9n8oyuHklvrtErKvfTI?si=VAvOLHP9T6-eZMbqTuNNEw">Hurt Like You on Spotify</a></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em><a contents="Hurt Like You on iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/hurt-like-you/1313624156?i=1313624811">Hurt Like You on iTunes</a></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>Peace Out <br>H from MASK</em></span></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/57873952019-06-11T14:09:10+01:002019-06-11T14:09:10+01:00MASK Blog - The Greatest Lie (Story behind the Song) <p><strong>MASK Blog - The Greatest Lie (Story behind the Song) </strong></p>
<p>The Greatest Lie is track no 8 on our debut album “The Famous”. </p>
<p>I will never forget the day Craig and I recorded this track in my house. We had huge big smiling faces, like cats who had got the cream! Life was good and as we played the track in the car we glanced lovingly at each other like lovers often do… hahaha!</p>
<p>Little did we know it would be a bit of a “dead fish” - on Spotify, it is our least listened to track ever! “The Greatest Lie” could well be called “The Greatest Disappointment”…. </p>
<p>So, why? Well, I don’t know the answer to this. I have racked my brains but can only put it down to the song being such an array of genres that it really doesn’t fit anywhere?! Craig says it is because people don't give it enough of a chance to hear where the song goes i.e. the gradual build followed by the explosion of noise at the end!</p>
<p>I still to this day love this song and now I’m going to break my vow and reveal what it’s about... </p>
<p>“The Greatest Lie” is my view on religion. I don’t throw this comment out to knock or put anyone down for their faith, each their own. It is just my opinion, witnessed through life experience. Allow me to break the verses down and explain; </p>
<p>Verse 1 - Is about my time working with people in the African community who would give away the majority of their wages to the church and would live on absolutely nothing. It used to break my heart. </p>
<p>Verse 2 - Is about a man I witnessed so incensed by religion and his beliefs that he tore the tear ducts in his eyes and started crying blood in the street. Everyone just looked away but I couldn’t help but look and actually feel what was happening. </p>
<p>Verse 3 - I take inspiration here from “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen where he reflects on “ghost’s” and “skeleton frames” of the war dead returning home. It gave me a vision of worried mothers witnessing their boys coming home but in fact, they were just “ghosts” brought to life by hope. I couldn’t help but feel torn up by that vision. </p>
<p>I hope I have brought this song to life in a way for you all. Have a listen and tell us what you think of it. As ever if you think anyone would enjoy this blog or the song then please send it their way. </p>
<p><a contents="Watch our video to The Greatest Lie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/x_KjE1CJ_WY">Watch our video to The Greatest Lie</a></p>
<p><a contents="The Greatest Lie on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1xWC2MocgFmcg8tvCMD5o7?si=GfOAV-FJR9-cOwIbnVDwnw">The Greatest Lie on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="The Greatest Lie on iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/greatest-lie/1426855950?i=1426858764">The Greatest Lie on iTunes</a> </p>
<p>Peace Out <br>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/57749942019-05-31T16:41:42+01:002019-05-31T16:41:42+01:00MASK Blog - So They Say (Story behind the Song)<p>So They Say is the third track on our debut album “The Famous” and ultimately this song is a huge f*ck you to authority and all the ‘naysayers’ out there - at this point, I shall dip into the dictionary; </p>
<p><strong><em>Naysayer = a person who </em></strong><strong><em>criticises,</em></strong><strong><em> objects to or opposes something.</em></strong> </p>
<p>With this subject matter in mind and my life experience of dealing with negative people - I probably could have written twenty verses for this song! </p>
<p>The big chunky guitar sound we captured was actually from the demo recorded by Craig and myself at my house using a home-made valve amp, we were going for 60’s “Trogg’s” style</p>
<p>We made (at least) two mistakes on this track with timing but just decided to leave them in - when the vocals should start it carries on for a few extra beats. It was left in because we weren’t trying to make a polished performance and felt it was better to be ‘human’ about what we were doing, we all make mistakes and this song is about not being perfect!</p>
<p>When it came to recording the vocals it took around four takes in the studio and on each of the takes the lyrics varied, reason being - I have never actually written the words down for this song! I liked the freedom of freestyling to see what would come out. There was a load of gibberish included in this… </p>
<p>The ‘call and answer’ backing vocals in verse two are us tipping our cap to the Beatles and their song yellow submarine. </p>
<p>The guitar solo was added last on the song and was captured in one take. No messing around… </p>
<p>We have never played it live as a band but we have decided to try and give it a debut performance when we travel to Scotland for <a contents="ButeFest" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.butefest.co.uk">ButeFest</a> in July. (Maybe we should partially paint our faces blue when we do this song of freedommmm!) </p>
<p>If you want my advice: Cut the naysayers out of your life right now! And play this song as loud as possible to signal the “new you” - enjoy! </p>
<p><a contents="Listen on Spotify&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5o02BH2rfsSMFIdIS1FMCV?si=7qjLsDUrR6eKjmwpTqcoTw">Listen on Spotify </a></p>
<p><a contents="Listen on iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/gb/album/so-they-say/1426855950?i=1426857825">Listen on iTunes</a></p>
<p>Peace Out <br>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/57566312019-05-16T15:41:36+01:002021-01-25T17:12:48+00:00The MASK Blog - The Stories Behind The Songs <p>The MASK Blog - The Stories Behind The Songs </p>
<p>Today I officially signed my social life away by agreeing to write a blog on each of the MASK songs. The idea came from discussing a tune for a magazine feature and all sorts of little details started to filter out that became quite interesting. </p>
<p>I have always been quite guarded on revealing too much behind the meaning of a song, reason being - once a song has been released, I really don’t own it anymore. It belongs to the listener, and it can mean whatever they want it to mean. </p>
<p>I remember watching an audience with Lyndsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac on TV and a member of the audience stood up and thanked Lyndsey for the song “Sara” - he went on to say that it was his mothers name and they played it at her funeral. He then asked what the story behind the song and Lyndsey replied that it was just a lyric to fit the song. The guy asking the question looked devastated and I hope I avoid this reaction. </p>
<p>I view songs as old friends - it will be kind of cathartic to review all of them individually and I will be brutally honest and hopefully provide an interesting insight about them and the recording process. </p>
<p>There are currently fourteen MASK songs to talk about and we will choose a new song at random each time using a random name generator - stay tuned! </p>
<p>We just finished a new song last week called “Please the People” and hopefully we will get in the studio and get a finished track down to make it number fifteen! Hopefully you will all hear it in July for when we travel to Scotland for a mini tour and to play <a contents="ButeFest" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.butefest.co.uk">ButeFest</a>.</p>
<p>Some people probably write fifteen blogs a day! Respect. My sausage fingers and small brain means this to me is a herculean task - let battle commence… </p>
<p>Peace out <br>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/57255272019-04-19T16:50:43+01:002019-04-19T16:50:43+01:00MASK Blog - Am I leaving MASK? <p><strong>MASK Blog - Am I leaving MASK? </strong></p>
<p>Since I announced I was releasing my first solo musical project, the most commonly asked question in my life has been - am I leaving MASK? </p>
<p>I have to say that anyone who is asking this question doesn’t really know us at all! </p>
<p>I actually know bands who can’t stand each other. They set up the gear, play the show whilst seething and get the f*ck out of there before they kill the bass player haha… This a million miles away from what we’re about. </p>
<p>As I look back over our fifteen years of friendship - it’s fair to say we have been through every single emotion together and I honestly can’t remember a time when we’ve fallen out or had an argument. </p>
<p>We’ve cried in each others arms and laughed so hard that we’ve actually made each other throw up - nice! It’s a special kind of bond. </p>
<p>And so the answer is a resounding - no. </p>
<p><strong>So why do a solo record?</strong> </p>
<p>Almost everyone in MASK has their own musical projects going on so I guess this is just my “new one”… </p>
<p>I have always pushed myself, each and every day to be better in every way, sometimes I hate my life for this (i’m knackered!) but this is who I am. The only way I could see myself evolving as a songwriter/musician was to go completely out of my comfort zone and try something different - wish me luck. </p>
<p>My debut single is out on May the 1st. I have created a members list if you want to get updates, gig news etc. </p>
<p><a contents="Members List Sign Up" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.musicbyhumphrey.com">Members List Sign Up</a></p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/56709232019-03-06T17:57:38+00:002019-03-06T17:57:38+00:00MASK Blog - An arduous road leads to beautiful destinations <p><strong>MASK Blog - An arduous road leads to beautiful destinations </strong></p>
<p>Recently I was offered a nice bit of money for an event taking place this summer. I’ll get straight down to the numbers bit - it was £100 per song.</p>
<p>The details were it could be just myself on an acoustic guitar and I should “play a few well known song’s that everybody know’s” to “get the crowd going” etc. </p>
<p>I politely declined the offer (people are screaming at their screens right now!) allow me to explain… </p>
<p>When I initially declined, the people running the event immediately jumped on the “so its beneath you” band wagon (and maybe if you’re reading this you are feeling the same way). This isn’t the case. I lived in my car for four month’s because I was FLAT BROKE so I know and appreciate the value of money. </p>
<p>The real reason is, it just isn’t why I started this journey. I want to create and build something unique and original. It breaks my heart when I think about how much I lived my life for other people and doing what was expected of me rather than what would have made me happy. </p>
<p>The twist in the story is I actually counter offered to go and play the event for FREE but only if I can play my music. They have “pencilled me in as a yes” but will have to get back to me to confirm... </p>
<p>Creating original music is truly an arduous road, but I truly believe arduous roads can lead to beautiful destinations. </p>
<p>This Saturday (09/03/19) we are back in Belfast to shake the city like never before! Check out the set-list… (photo attached)</p>
<p>We are nothing without our fans - we hope to see you all there and maybe we can take this arduous journey together.</p>
<p><a contents="Belfast gig info&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-flims-mask-voodoo-belfast-featuring-christina-mccabe-tickets-56078590574?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">Belfast gig info </a></p>
<p><a contents="Check out our Merch Bundles!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://masktheband.com/merch">Check out our Merch Bundles!</a></p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/56584242019-02-25T15:36:05+00:002019-02-25T15:36:05+00:00MASK - SouthWaves Audio feature<p>Recently we caught up with SouthWaves Audio to talk all things MASK and our plans for the future - check it out below;</p>
<p><em>Continuing our series of written interviews with unsigned and independent acts, we had the opportunity to submit questions to MASK. </em></p>
<p><strong>How did you form? </strong></p>
<p>We first met in 2004. I heard Daz (our bass player) on an acoustic guitar playing the Beatles and made a bee-line to meet him. We became best friends pretty quickly and he introduced me to Craig. From there we would spend days together in rehearsal rooms playing Beatles songs and getting pissed, usually falling into town after… Writing original music was always an idea we had and in 2017 we finally took the plunge with our self-produced EP “The Truth”. We didn’t know if anyone would listen to it or give us the time of day. Thankfully they did and here we are. </p>
<p><strong>How would you describe your music? </strong></p>
<p>We are heavily inspired by music of the 60’s and 70’s and I think that shows in our music. I would say retro rock/blues. From a writing perspective we are quite unique. We tell it like it is, with a sense of freedom and honesty. </p>
<p><strong>Tell us about your latest release… </strong></p>
<p>After our debut EP release in 2017 we very quickly followed up with a full album called “The Famous” (released end of 2018) working with a producer we raised our game on every level to make something pretty special. <br>We are incredibly proud of how well it has been received and there’s a real emotional honesty about it. </p>
<p><strong>What are your gigs like? </strong></p>
<p>They’re pretty savage to be honest. We are all parents now so our playing time is precious and that definitely spills over into our live shows. You get this raw, real, emotional energy and we give it absolutely everything. If people are spending their hard-earned money to come and see us then this is the way it HAS to be. </p>
<p><strong>What are your plans for the future? </strong></p>
<p>We have had an incredible year and we owe so much to the fanbase we are generating around the world. In 2019 we want to play live where possible and we hope to do a few festivals over the summer. A UK tour would be amazing and is being talked about. Then we will go back into the studio and, without doubt, do another full album. I think a huge difference between us and other bands knocking around is that they put everything into making their first album and then have nowhere to go. We are just getting started we feel.</p>
<p><a contents="MASK are playing live in Belfast on March the 9th - for tickets and info&nbsp;click here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-flims-mask-voodoo-belfast-featuring-christina-mccabe-tickets-56078590574?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">MASK are playing live in Belfast on March the 9th - for tickets and info click here</a></p>
<p><a contents="MASK's current single - performed live!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/w_Lqc0HN4gk">MASK's current single - performed live!</a></p>
<p><a contents="SouthWaves Audio Feature Link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.southwavesaudio.co.uk/2019/02/20/mask/">SouthWaves Audio Feature Link</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/56498302019-02-19T12:40:32+00:002019-02-19T12:40:32+00:00MASK Blog - Forever Still (Live Version) <p><strong>MASK Blog - Forever Still (Live Version) </strong></p>
<p>Today see’s the release of a new video from us. A live stripped back version of our song “Forever Still” performed from our last gig in Belfast. </p>
<p>For this song it was just me on acoustic and Willy on “whispering” electric guitar. Breaking things down this way gave the song a kind of a country theme, a market people definitely wouldn’t associate us with but there you have it. (I just pictured us all in Cowboy hats, 2020 calendar maybe…) </p>
<p>I was terrified before this performance because the beauty of being in a full band is you can usually “hide” any little mistakes and if you mess up someone is usually there to take up the slack. </p>
<p>“Forever Still” is the story of how a couple get married in a hospital room due to the female in the relationship getting diagnosed with cancer. She passes away in the early hours with their family around them. </p>
<p>A lot of people say it’s a VERY sad song (usually with wide eyes) but I really don’t see it that way. I truly believe this song to be something beautiful because I always imagine the couple involved lived a full life together and at the end they had the people who truly mattered with them. I guess it’s how you view things… </p>
<p>I wrote this song from the male’s point of view in the relationship because I knew it was the only way I could truly “feel” it. </p>
<p>I am not a good singer (I will be the first to admit that) but I do hope people believe me when I sing and that I come across as being real and human. </p>
<p>Up there performing that song, I felt so real that I couldn’t have made a mistake if I tried. </p>
<p>I hope you like it and thank you to everyone for supporting us. </p>
<p>We really feel like minnows in this huge musical sea at times! If you can recommend our music, social media, these blogs or our videos to anyone we would really appreciate it. </p>
<p><a contents='"Forever Still" - live video' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/mIpPhZtyXUA">"Forever Still" - live video</a></p>
<p><a contents="Listen on Spotify&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4tL7Kr4R77ih0181haBksB?si=OY1jdluBSzixDaWNBj6epw">Listen on Spotify </a></p>
<p><a contents="Listen on iTunes&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/forever-still/1426855950?i=1426858937">Listen on iTunes </a></p>
<p><a contents="Tickets to our next Belfast Gig" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-flims-mask-voodoo-belfast-featuring-christina-mccabe-tickets-56078590574?aff=ebdssbdestsearch">Tickets to our next Belfast Gig</a><a contents="Tickets to our next Belfast Gig&nbsp;on March 9th 2019" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-flims-mask-voodoo-belfast-featuring-christina-mccabe-tickets-56078590574?aff=ebdssbdestsearch"> on March 9th 2019</a></p>
<p>Peace out,</p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/56268262019-02-04T17:34:42+00:002019-02-04T17:34:43+00:00MASK Blog - Round the World (For a Short Cut) <p><strong>MASK Blog - Round the World (For a Short Cut) </strong></p>
<p><em>Firstly allow me to apologise for neglecting my blogging duties - there are never enough hours in the day it seems… </em></p>
<p>We have just released the track - Round the World (for a short cut) as a single from our debut album “The Famous” and thought we would give a bit of insight into the song. </p>
<p>With six weeks to go before the album was due to be finished I made the decision to bin half the tracks and do a re-write. This was a tough decision to make but the album lacked an identity and I had made a vow to only release songs I/we could truly believe in. </p>
<p>With my head completely fried from music I made the decision to make a plan of action and go to Budapest for a week and think about anything other than music! Then come back fresh and ready to do the re-write the album needed. </p>
<p>I check into my air b n b and wouldn't you know there's an old vintage guitar on the wall… I didn’t even want to look at it. </p>
<p>A couple of days into the trip, curiosity gets the better of me and go to the wall to retrieve said guitar. It has strings missing and can’t really be tuned but I managed to get it some kind of order to get the basics of a track down. </p>
<p>The song kind of wrote itself there and then, one of those five minute songs that comes from thin air. The lyric is about staying in “dead” relationships longer than we should and also relates to how people can judge us from the outside looking in. Quite deep now that I look back over it all… </p>
<p>I had been singing for four days straight when I was reminded that a vocal was needed on this track - this meant I had to just blast it out with very little technique. The scream that you can hear in the song kind of sums up my frustration that day. Still, it gives the track a rawness and I actually like it now for that reason.</p>
<p>The driving bass line at the end/outro is an idea I recorded on my phone about a year and a half before the song was conceived and I had been dying for the opportunity to get it into a song! </p>
<p>Willy (our secret weapon guitar player) came into the studio and quite simply blew everyone away with some serious guitar playing skills. We felt like we had been punched in the face… Check the song out for yourselves and let us know what you think of it. </p>
<p><a contents="Round the World (for a Short Cut) on Spotify&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0KpFWL6iVoAAv0b4AVQQtU?si=aE7HlManTz-bb0DowJ5lhA">Round the World (for a Short Cut) on Spotify </a></p>
<p><a contents="Round the World (for a Short Cut) on iTunes&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/lets-talk-about-me/1426855950?i=1426857848">Round the World (for a Short Cut) on iTunes </a></p>
<p><a contents="Round the World (for a Short Cut) video - recorded live in Belfast&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/w_Lqc0HN4gk">Round the World (for a Short Cut) video - recorded live in Belfast </a></p>
<p><em>Thanks to everyone for the continued support we receive - we really are humbled by the kind words and truly feel the love. </em></p>
<p><em>Peace out, </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK.</em></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/55264382018-11-24T22:25:34+00:002018-11-24T22:25:34+00:00MASK - How We Met<p>In 2004 I walk into a building and I hear someone playing and singing “She Loves You” - and it’s Daz. </p>
<p>As a big Beatles fan and someone who had just started playing guitar I stood over him and mentally dominated him until he stopped and finally spoke to me! </p>
<p>I had two tickets to a Beatles tribute band that very night and I said we should go together and so off we went on our awkward first date haha… When the music kicked in and the drinks started to flow I knew I had met a friend for life. </p>
<p>I was living away from home at this point and Daz’s family kind of took me in. They put a roof over my head and food in my belly. His brothers would become like brothers to me and they are some of the absolute best people in my life. </p>
<p>Daz’s childhood friend was Craig and he said with our love of the Beatles he and I would definitely get along and so we headed up north to Liverpool. </p>
<p>I remember meeting Craig for the first time and being very intimated - here was a guy who could sing any song and play any instrument. What sealed Craig and my friendship was analysing the little details in Beatles songs that only true fans/geeks pick up on. Craig’s family and friend’s also took me in and again are some of the best people I hold dear in my life. </p>
<p>From then on the three of us would take any valuable opportunity we had to spend the day jamming in rehearsal spaces in Liverpool before hitting the town/the cavern! We were completely broke but didn’t care (American tourists are the best people to steal drinks from btw) - they were great days. </p>
<p>Everyone who meets Paul tends to say the same thing - he really is the “nicest guy on the planet” - it will soon be ten years since I first saw him on drums in Glasgow and I knew then that if I could get him involved we would have something special. Thankfully I did and we have the MASK line up for “The Famous”. </p>
<p>The very first song Daz, Craig and I played together almost 15 years ago was “I Saw Her Standing There” but collectively we’ve never actually played it live together. Tonight we’ve decided to end the show this song for old times sake. It’s gonna be emotional. </p>
<p><a contents="Belfast MASK Fundraiser info and tix" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://masktheband.com/shows">Belfast MASK Fundraiser info and tix</a></p>
<p><a contents="Follow us on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7KuWpoPTABwh21aq6ZMgx7?si=wfHpEHVUTlK8T-04LjOBzQ">Follow us on Spotify</a></p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/55243192018-11-22T19:08:22+00:002018-11-22T19:08:22+00:00MASK - The Story of “Rabid Dawg” <p><strong>MASK - The Story of “Rabid Dawg” </strong></p>
<p>There are so many “chance happenings” with this song that I thought it was blog-worthy. </p>
<p>Sometimes I see friends of mine run their guitar/mic cables in an an almost OCD fashion. Everything has a place and they take their time to ensure they are getting the most out of the equipment and that things are done right! On the day “Rabid Dawg” was conceived, I basically shoved my acoustic guitar through a bass amp. Why you ask? Well it was already set-up and I was too lazy! It actually gave the riff/sound of the song something quirky and unusual - I liked it. </p>
<p>With that going on in my head I set off on a dog walk - song writing tip: get a dog! </p>
<p>I had had a very weird dream the night before that I was money laundering for every band on the planet in alphabetical order and this was the opening line for the lyric (yes - I need therapy).</p>
<p>The remainder of the song is actually very personal to me and is intertwined with a story from my past. I love how in song writing you can hide so much in between the layers. My biggest worry was the first time I played this song to a complete stranger they got the story in one go and I thought I had revealed too much. Thankfully no-one has fully sussed it out since. </p>
<p>Anyway - whilst I was walking home (rather faster now as I have a song to finish) with my dog, I’m talking the lyrics over and over when someone who I regularly talk to ask’s if i’m ok? I said yea, i’m writing a song called “Rabid Dog” and they said is dog spelt “d-a-w-g?” I laughed and thought “no, but it is now”. </p>
<p>After finishing a demo I didn’t do anything with it. I didn’t think it was a band song to be honest. A few months later I was sending an idea to Craig and stumbled across it so I sent it also. He straight away got to work by adding guitar and that’s pretty much the song you hear today. </p>
<p>The female backing vocals you can hear is the incredibly talented Amy Montgomery who is simply “free-styling” throughout the song. We love this song, and hope you do also. Thanks for reading.</p>
<p><a contents="Listen to Rabid Dawg on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5G6A1G5RV0e9jM9LUSvyiP?si=JKw96tcMSJmrOsc5EXJcbA">Listen to Rabid Dawg on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="Listen on iTunes&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rabid-dawg/1426855950?i=1426857832">Listen on iTunes </a></p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK<br> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/55177862018-11-17T13:16:34+00:002018-11-17T13:16:34+00:00MASK Blog - "How's the music thing going?"<p>Without doubt, this is the most asked question in my life these days and to be honest, I never know how to answer it. </p>
<p>Today is our one year anniversary since we released our debut EP to the world and its been such a whirlwind experience. As I look back over the year I think I have experienced every emotion imaginable. Firstly, let’s look at what it’s cost; </p>
<p><strong>Time</strong> - When I quit my day job two years ago to start this journey I really didn’t factor in the time and effort required to making music. You can lose days trying to make a song as best as possible only never to release it. On one of our songs (Let’s Talk About Me) one guitar bend wasn’t quite right. It took us half a day in the studio to get it just right and we still weren’t 100% satisfied! </p>
<p><strong>Money</strong> - There’s no easy way to say this - it has cost thousands of pounds! And maybe we will never see that again. You are constantly in a battle with how much do you back yourself and you simply can’t compete without it. </p>
<p><strong>Effort</strong> - Spotify alone receives four thousand hours worth of new music a day apparently! To be heard by anyone amongst that takes ‘quality’ and to achieve that takes effort! They say you have to walk before you can run but in the case of releasing music you have to crawl! You crawl to music reviewers, spotify playlisters, PR companies, radio DJ’s and everyone and anyone you can who will listen. Fair to say its ‘ego-bashing’. </p>
<p>So what have we gained; </p>
<p><strong>Pride</strong> - I calculate that on Spotify alone, the music we have released has been listened to 44,800 times over the year (on average 123 times a day) somewhere around the world. Compared to the big player’s these are not big numbers but I’m proud of them because we worked for them! </p>
<p><strong>Friends</strong> - When I go on stage my best friends are to the left and right of me. As friends throughout most of our adult lives we have been through every emotion possible together. Releasing this music has made our friendship stronger than ever and it’s an incredible feeling when you can trust each other to be there no matter what. We have also built a team of dependable people around us who we know have always got our backs. We are a loyal bunch. </p>
<p><strong>Fans</strong> - I never expected to be writing this bit but everyday I am humbled by the kind messages of support and by the constant loyalty shown to us by people around the world who enjoy our music. Thanks to all of you and we hope we can continue to do you proud. </p>
<p>And so to the million dollar question - has it all been worth it? </p>
<p>Yes! We’re in a Rock ’N’ Roll band! </p>
<p><a contents="P.S. Check out the FaceBook Link to our MacMillan Fundraiser in Belfast on Nov 25th - please give it a share if you can." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/744786262536656/">P.S. Check out the FaceBook Link to our MacMillan Fundraiser in Belfast on Nov 25th - please give it a share if you can.</a> </p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>
<p><a contents="Follow us on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7KuWpoPTABwh21aq6ZMgx7?si=fkvlzjk4RbWS_2iV7RsJfw" target="_blank">Follow us on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="We're on iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mask/1434756322" target="_blank">We're on iTunes</a></p>
<p> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54981902018-11-03T14:42:42+00:002018-11-03T14:42:42+00:00The MASK Fundraiser - Feeling the Pressure<p><strong>The MASK Fundraiser - Feeling the Pressure </strong></p>
<p>On the 25th of November we will play a fundraiser in McHughs, Belfast to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support and to be honest I am feeling the pressure. </p>
<p>Playing the gig itself isn’t creating any pressure (not yet anyway) that bit is actually exciting! Having families really restricts us on touring/gigs so we are like ‘caged tigers’ at present, ready to tear any venue apart! </p>
<p>What is creating pressure is who the gig is for - the MacMillan Cancer Support Organisation. </p>
<p>This blog really isn’t the place to delve too much into personal stories but let’s just say the subject of cancer is something very personal and intertwined with us as a band - I have no doubt that we were emotionally charged by this to want to do take action. </p>
<p>When we set about choosing a charity we were blown away by the amazing stories of how MacMillan nurses would often drive through the night, no matter what the weather conditions or no matter when to appear like angels to ease the suffering of someone battling with cancer. </p>
<p>I often let myself down and that’s ok but where I feel pressure is how can we possibly let down the people who never let anyone down… </p>
<p>Wish us luck and please help us spread the word to raise money for these amazing people. </p>
<p><a contents="MASK Fundraiser&nbsp;information and ticket links" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://masktheband.com/shows">MASK Fundraiser information and ticket links</a> </p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/271850/decafa325be4e5e4a5220bc2d6c74515e5cdf8eb/original/44630710-1052392978253276-3349323664340368164-n.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54855272018-10-25T10:08:38+01:002021-01-25T17:13:11+00:00The song that doesn't belong on our album and the MASK Fundraiser<p>A few years back, whilst driving, I was listening to a radio talk-show and there was a guy talking who, in a word, was “captivating”. </p>
<p>The topic of the show was “how do you tell someone they have cancer?” and the guy talking was a doctor who actually trains junior doctors on this subject. </p>
<p>In the 1970’s, as a young doctor he was handed the duty of telling an elderly couple that the lady in the relationship had severe terminal cancer and she would likely die that night. </p>
<p>Upon entering the room he could not simply give the cold hard facts so instead he asked them questions about how they met and why they never actually got married? </p>
<p>The couple said they were too busy over the years and never got round to it, then pointed to their grown-up children waiting outside the hospital room. The young doctor informed them that the news wasn’t good and that the elderly lady didn’t have much time. </p>
<p>Upon hearing this the elderly gentleman called in his daughter and asked her to organise a church for them to be married in, but the young doctor informed them they didn’t have enough time for that. </p>
<p>It was decided that a minister be brought in and the couple be married in that very hospital room with their family gathered round her bed side. She died in the early hours. </p>
<p>The song is called ‘Forever Still’ and although it does not belong on a rock ’n’ roll record, it kind of sits perfectly at the end on its own like a very fragile flower. </p>
<p>Given the nature of this song, we have teamed up with MacMillan Cancer Support and have arranged to play a fund-raising concert in Belfast on November 25th.</p>
<p>We really want to raise as much money as possible for this fantastic charity and we're making it our mission to put on one hell of a show. Wish us luck.</p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>
<p><a contents="Link to MASK Fundraiser" data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">Link to MASK Fundraiser</a></p>
<p><a contents="'Forever Still' on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4tL7Kr4R77ih0181haBksB?si=8kUi4iK9TMy8A2PEDwpA7A">'Forever Still' on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="'Forever Still' in iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/forever-still/1426855950?i=1426858937">'Forever Still' in iTunes</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54700652018-10-15T12:38:19+01:002018-10-15T12:38:19+01:00MASK - About our new single “Greatest Lie” <p><strong>MASK - About our new single “Greatest Lie” </strong></p>
<p>Often we get messages saying “what genre are you?” </p>
<p>Sometimes this is written with an exclamation mark at the end! And sometimes even in CAPITAL LETTERS as if to shout from the rooftops! Hold onto you hats here - sometimes its even BOTH! (Be still my beating heart…) </p>
<p>Well, this song is only going to add to the chaos because it’s a mix of folk, rock, blues with elements of Celtic, Spanish and even Indian themes thrown in for good measure. </p>
<p>Fun Fact: At one point there were even bag-pipes in this song! </p>
<p>Whilst watching a Bob Dylan documentary - I just decided I would try and do something “folky” and from there came the riff that runs through the whole song. </p>
<p>Craig added the idea of the build in the song and when it explodes at the end with furious energy, we knew we had something pretty special. </p>
<p>The people lined up for backing vocals didn’t actually show up and as we ran out of time our producers girlfriend said she could have a go. After a few average takes we said to her ‘just let go and go for it’ - when she did we all just looked at each other in amazement. Her vocal added something really special and the stars aligned. </p>
<p>So what is the ‘Greatest Lie?’ - well that would be telling… </p>
<p><a contents="Watch the 'Greatest Lie' Video&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/x_KjE1CJ_WY">Watch the 'Greatest Lie' Video </a></p>
<p><a contents="Listen on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1xWC2MocgFmcg8tvCMD5o7?si=TsmFN4c6Sgq6slClR_VxNA">Listen on Spotify</a></p>
<p><a contents="Listen on iTunes and Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/greatest-lie/1426855950?i=1426858764">Listen on iTunes and Apple Music</a></p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54506182018-10-01T17:49:45+01:002018-10-01T17:49:45+01:00The story of our new single - “Let’s Talk About Me” <p><strong>The story of our new single - “Let’s Talk About Me” </strong></p>
<p>After our EP release last year, a company in London invited me over to attend an event where I would have the opportunity to network with people in the music industry. </p>
<p>I usually avoid anything like this, but as I was in London anyway (and after confirming that it was free food and champagne on arrival) it was decided that Cinderella would go to the ball! </p>
<p>Instantly I was regretting my decision. It was a room full of self-centred, egotistical morons who only wanted to talk about how great they were and who they had worked with; </p>
<p> “You’ll know him as ‘Bowie’ but he was David to me” type drivel… </p>
<p>On the flip side of that you had ‘artists’ hanging intently on every word and throwing in a loud ‘career laugh’ every now and then for good measure before getting a card out and ‘connecting’ - get me out of here! </p>
<p>On making my way to the door I was approached by the CEO of the company who first apologised for being late because his private jet was delayed - just loud enough so everyone could hear him. </p>
<p>He said he loved the EP and if we worked together (paid him thousands of pounds) he could certainly open doors for us (gesturing at the musical elite in the room). </p>
<p>I asked what his favourite song was from the EP and he just looked at me dumbfounded. I left. </p>
<p>Although I went through that cringeworthy experience - it gave me the material for a song that we absolutely love. Out of something bad usually comes something good, and in this case it's Rock ’N’ Roll! </p>
<p><a contents="Check out the Video to "Let's Talk About Me"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/VUItUmgM07g">Check out the Video to "Let's Talk About Me"</a></p>
<p>Peace out, </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54354792018-09-19T21:58:29+01:002018-09-19T21:58:29+01:00MASK - The ‘Celebrity’ Video <p><em><strong>MASK - The ‘Celebrity’ Video </strong></em></p>
<p>Last week saw the release of the video for ‘Celebrity’ - the first single taken from our debut album ‘The Famous’. </p>
<p>We actually shot four music videos in one day with ‘Celebrity’ being the final one. The day was spent quite literally running around, trying to be in three places at once before hitting the pub to celebrate! </p>
<p>Before the final shoot someone said - “Surely it can’t be rock ’n’ roll to be dressed like Michael Bublé?!” </p>
<p>Of course this made me laugh but in truth it was my vision from day dot. As soon as I finished writing the song I put in my notes “video in white shirts/smart dress”. </p>
<p>Selling it to the lads wasn’t easy but thankfully they succumbed to my peer/beer pressure. </p>
<p>And so to my ‘visions’ (I feel like the boy in the sixth sense here!) - they are constant and I probably need a boat-load of therapy. I had actually visualised the entire “The Famous” album before any of “The Truth” EP was even released… </p>
<p>On the one hand, this visualisation process has allowed me to create something I can be eternally proud off. On the other - I’ve been awake since 3.17am and have just counted thirteen songs that are currently being worked on in my head at present… </p>
<p>What a paradox! </p>
<p><em>Thank you to everyone for the kind messages and continued support, we feel the love! </em></p>
<p><em>Peace out, </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK</em></p>
<p><em><a contents="Click here to watch the 'Celebrity' Video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/LafhwREtk8c">Click here to watch the 'Celebrity' Video</a> </em></p>
<p><a contents="Follow us on Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7KuWpoPTABwh21aq6ZMgx7"><em>Follow us on Spotify</em></a></p>
<p><a contents="Celebrity on iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/celebrity/1426855950?i=1426857788">Celebrity on iTunes</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54306282018-09-16T11:27:51+01:002018-09-16T11:27:51+01:00MASK - Writing the song ‘Celebrity’ <p><strong>MASK - Writing the song ‘Celebrity’ </strong></p>
<p><em>Last week ‘Love Music, Love Life’ made our new single ‘Celebrity’ their Track of the Day and yesterday we found out that the cool cats at ‘Hot Press’ have done the same! This has left us feeling rather overwhelmed and very grateful - so thank you. </em></p>
<p>The music in ‘Celebrity’ is most definitely inspired by good old fashioned ’70’s’ style glam rock. We wanted to make it sound like a ‘rock ’n’ roll blues train’ with that constant almost train-like rhythm carrying the beat. </p>
<p>A lot of people are saying its sounds quite like the ‘Artic Monkeys' which is of course quite flattering but really I think we just have similar inspirations from back in the day. </p>
<p>The lyric is my humorous look at the obsessive celebrity culture we seem to live in today. </p>
<p>Whether it be on an island, jungle, beach, farm or locked in a house together - you’re sure to see a ‘celebrity’ being prodded with a stick like a rat in a cage for the worlds amusement! </p>
<p><em>What I didn’t expect last year when we released our EP was the reaction of people (rolling their eyes) saying “so you want to be famous, a celebrity’’… It’s something I never even thought off - but what a great idea for a song! </em></p>
<p><em>Peace out, </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK</em></p>
<p><a contents="https://www.hotpress.com/music/track-day-celebrity-mask-22756697" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hotpress.com/music/track-day-celebrity-mask-22756697">https://www.hotpress.com/music/track-day-celebrity-mask-22756697</a> </p>
<p><a contents="https://lovemusiclovelife.com/mask-release-new-single-celebrity/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lovemusiclovelife.com/mask-release-new-single-celebrity/">https://lovemusiclovelife.com/mask-release-new-single-celebrity/</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54155822018-09-05T11:41:25+01:002018-09-05T16:58:12+01:00Ruido Sucio and MASK discuss "The Famous"<p>Mask (the Belfast band) have a new record out called "The Famous" and we talked to H from MASK about it.</p>
<p>From Blues Guitars to real British Pop Rock with no boundaries - let's meet them!</p>
<p> </p>
<ul> <li><strong><em>The Famous sounds very different from "The Truth" - what led you to make this change? </em></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Well I think we have raised our game to make what is predominately a rock and roll album. We actually went through a very difficult time trying to make this album and so the decision was made to make it ‘fun’ more than anything else. </p>
<p>“The Truth” was an EP that we produced ourselves in a tiny garage where as “The Famous” we found a very talented young producer (Michael Mormecha) in a very crazy/fun recording studio. </p>
<p>The studio itself is an old farm house in the country side with pianos in the garden and microphones hanging from the ceilings! </p>
<p>We were able to record like bands used to in the 60’s and 70’s using live rooms to capture a very unique sound that you just don’t hear nowadays. </p>
<ul> <li><strong><em>Why the famous? </em></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Two reasons really; </p>
<p>1. There is theme in a couple of the songs looking at the crazy “celebrity” obsessed culture that we seem to live in. </p>
<p>2. We have a very sarcastic sense of humour and we found the title “The Famous” quite funny because we are definitely ‘not famous’… </p>
<ul> <li><em><strong>What are the songs on the new album about? </strong></em></li>
</ul>
<p>It's both personal to my what was going on in my life at the time and my observations on the world I guess… Some humorous, some very serious. </p>
<p>There is one very ‘fragile’ song at the end of the album called “Forever Still” - its a story I heard on the radio about an unmarried couple who were given the tragic news that the female in the relationship had severe terminal cancer. </p>
<p>Her time was so short that they got married in the hospital room before she passed away. </p>
<p>The song really doesn’t belong on a rock and roll album but somehow it fits and it WILL break your heart! </p>
<ul> <li><em><strong> What are your expectations? </strong></em></li>
</ul>
<p>“The Famous” actually feels very special because all the songs are so strong and could be singles - which is what we wanted. </p>
<p>How it will fair is for the world to decide I guess… </p>
<p>Like everything in life I believe you only get back what you put in. I do know for sure that we put everything into this - so let's hope that theory works out haha… </p>
<ul> <li><strong><em> Do you plan to tour to present this new album? </em></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>We are all parents so its incredibly difficult to just drop everything and go, we will see - we have some options/offers but it has to be right. </p>
<p>Given the nature of the song “Forever Still” we have decided to do a charity concert to raise money for cancer support in the local area. It's currently in the planning phase but we know it will happen in November of this year for sure…</p>
<p>(Link to article below)</p>
<p><a contents="https://ruidosucio.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/the-famous-el-nuevo-disco-de-mask-entrevista-con-la-banda-de-belfast/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ruidosucio.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/the-famous-el-nuevo-disco-de-mask-entrevista-con-la-banda-de-belfast/">https://ruidosucio.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/the-famous-el-nuevo-disco-de-mask-entrevista-con-la-banda-de-belfast/</a></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/54061762018-08-29T17:25:53+01:002018-08-29T17:25:53+01:00MASK - "The Truth" Vs "The Famous"<h2><span class="font_regular"><strong>MASK - “The Truth” Vs “The Famous” </strong></span></h2>
<p><em>We are presently receiving feedback from the trusted ears we played our debut album to ahead of its release on Friday - and the general feeling is that “it’s very different” - so what’s changed? </em></p>
<p><em>Well - we have! We’ve evolved our songwriting tenfold, after last year’s debut EP gave us the confidence to ‘take the gloves off’. It wasn’t plain sailing though...</em></p>
<p>It’s fair to say my eyes widened as I drove up the lane to Millbank Studios - it was lined with severed mannequins and, at first glance, I could see at least two old pianos in the front garden. </p>
<p>I was here because for about four months previous we had tried (unsuccessfully) to get “The Famous” from demos to a finished product. It was ‘famously’ draining more money, time and effort than I’d ever imagined and was seriously heading to the bin! </p>
<p>A part of me honestly expected Michael (who runs Millbank) to turn us away because I had lost faith in the process and our confidence was completely shot… Instead, he clapped his hands loudly and said “ok, let's get to work!” - so we did… </p>
<p>Michael is an incredibly talented, humble guy who gave us a new lease of life and allowed us to solely focus on the music. </p>
<p>We had grand plans of string orchestras and gospel choirs for “The Famous” but sadly the money ran out and time was ticking away. We decided to go back to basics and we’ve created what is predominately a fun, rock and roll album. </p>
<p>As a band you go through some serious ups and downs! Had we not met Michael or been the best of friends supporting each other throughout, then “The Famous” and most likely MASK would be over by now. </p>
<p><em>Thank you for all the kind messages and support. We absolutely love this record and hope we have done everyone involved proud. </em></p>
<p><em>Peace out, </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK</em></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/53972662018-08-22T18:55:49+01:002018-08-22T18:55:49+01:00MASK - The Underdogs!<p><strong>MASK - the Underdogs! </strong></p>
<p><em>Recently we shot band videos for our debut album and I was booking a make-up artist. They said they would usually need around one hour before the shoot starts to get everything done. After going away to look at our website/who we were they then said they would need three hours with us instead of the standard one hour! Haha… Now, obviously this hurt our ego, but really I guess its the reality of the situation… </em></p>
<p>We don’t fit the “rock-star” mould in the slightest - we aren’t particularly cool, we are all parents, we don’t have the look or the lifestyles and we have this warped sense of humour that is going to get us in trouble (watch this space!) </p>
<p>I started work on this album before our debut EP "The Truth" was even released last year! </p>
<p>With everything being against us, we HAVE to produce something “exceptional" as opposed to something “very good” - so YES we are the underdogs - but thats ok, it just makes us work harder! </p>
<p>Our debut album is called “The Famous” and its due out on August the 31st - it truly is the result of hard work and I will blog more on the process very soon. </p>
<p><em>Peace and thank you to everyone for the support.</em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK.</em></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/53811152018-08-09T21:09:33+01:002018-08-09T21:09:33+01:00MASK - New album to be released this month!<p><strong>MASK - New album to be released this month </strong></p>
<p>It is with immense pride that I can say we have a new album due out in 3 weeks time! (Friday August 31st!) </p>
<p>It would be kind of cool to say I was holding the mastered version of the album in my hands as we speak but really it was emailed to me, haha! Not as glamorous these days on that front I guess...</p>
<p>The album will be called “The Famous” and will be made up of 9 tracks. </p>
<p>More to follow very soon!</p>
<p><em>On a personal front - I have almost fully healed up thankfully. Again thanks for all the well wishes. </em></p>
<p><em>I took some time out to see Italy in all its beauty (at last) and next week I will hook up with Craig from the band in Poland to watch him perform and hopefully get some chill-out time together before the album release. Exciting times…. Peace. </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK</em></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/53655132018-07-28T11:22:14+01:002018-07-28T11:28:46+01:00MASK Update - Crazy Times <p><span style="color:null;"><strong>MASK Update - Crazy Times </strong></span></p>
<p>At random I was attacked recently and it left me in a bad way but life goes on and I am thankful for all the support I have received. Whilst actually waiting in Accident and Emergency I received a message about a campaign to get behind the NHS - what timing! I definitely was not in any position to refuse…. Check out the cause here below and if you can give any support at all it would be much appreciated; </p>
<p><a contents="https://twitter.com/nhs1000maestros?lang=en&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/nhs1000maestros?lang=en" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3498db;">https://twitter.com/nhs1000maestros?lang=en </span></a></p>
<p>A few days ago we released the final video of our debut EP “Damaged Goods” - releasing this video it really feels like the end of what has been an exciting first chapter for us. Only yesterday we received the amazing news that XS Noise actually premiered the video itself! This was great news for us given how reputable and respected these guys are in the industry - check it out; </p>
<p><a contents="http://www.xsnoize.com/belfasts-mask-unveil-the-video-for-damaged-goods-from-debut-ep-the-truth-watch-now/&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.xsnoize.com/belfasts-mask-unveil-the-video-for-damaged-goods-from-debut-ep-the-truth-watch-now/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3498db;">http://www.xsnoize.com/belfasts-mask-unveil-the-video-for-damaged-goods-from-debut-ep-the-truth-watch-now/ </span></a></p>
<p>As for the band, we are officially on a couple of weeks holidays before we announce something quite special - stay tuned. </p>
<p>The good thing about being bedded down is I actually get the chance to blog again! Thanks again to all the well wishers, its incredibly humbling… Peace. </p>
<p>H from MASK</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/52972492018-06-15T14:32:16+01:002018-06-15T14:32:16+01:00MASK - Hurt Like You<p>I was asked at the weekend where lyrics come from? My reply was “I have no idea!” </p>
<p>What I do know is that I am always looking and listening out for a song - from reading books, overhearing conversations to just getting on with my life. Its all just a waiting process for something magic to fall out of the sky… (A good description would be the Dan Auerbach track “Waiting on a Song”) </p>
<p>Saturday morning and i’m in my car sat in traffic below a huge fly-over bridge. As the traffic above passes over me it creates a rhythm that makes me tap the steering wheel - this would become the driving bass line for our new single “Hurt Like You”. </p>
<p>As I try to record the sound in my head onto my phone the lyrics just fell out “Sticks and Stones may break bones, no one hurt like you” - and so, in the space of two minutes I had a bass-line and a chorus… </p>
<p>The problem with me having a “hooky” bass-line in my life, at that moment is the fact I didn’t actually have a bass guitar… I cancelled my plans for that day and drove to the local music shop, I took the bass out of the window as it was the only one they had in stock and set to work. </p>
<p>I had the song written and full demo recorded by that evening and I still don’t understand the process of how it all happened. “Hurt Like You” is my personal favourite song of our debut EP and just yesterday I just found out that the video has actually been nominated for an award, more to follow on that. </p>
<p>Thank you for reading and the continued support from everyone - its much appreciated! </p>
<p>H from MASK.</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/52286502018-05-11T15:07:02+01:002018-05-11T15:07:02+01:00Recent Magazine Article on MASK <p>Below is an article H from MASK done recently for Ruido Sucio - the Argentinian Music Magazine;</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>1. What can you tell us about your debut - The Truth?</strong></p>
<p><em> “The Truth” has a very real, raw and honest sound. We wanted to create something that would evoke emotions and be about what music should be about - the way it makes you feel. </em></p>
<p><em>We are very proud of it and we hope it will leave people wanting more from us...</em></p>
<p><strong>2. How does Belfast influence the music you make? </strong></p>
<p><em>Im very proud to be from Northern Ireland but growing up here was not very inspiring for music at all, I didn’t even do music at school. </em></p>
<p><em>I just remember everything being grey and there was an almost brain washed hatred regarding religion and the “troubles”. It seems crazy now looking back but as a kid you would hear on the radio everyday about people being killed or attacked and it became normal life to us. I left Northern Ireland at 17 and lived and travelled all over the world for 10 years, when I returned it had really changed for the better - I enjoy life here now. </em></p>
<p><em>I do not know anything about exciting new bands/acts from here because I choose not to get involved in all that. I just write and play music that I like and feel, I guess i'm a bit of a recluse that way. </em></p>
<p><strong>3. What are your songs about? </strong></p>
<p><em>Track by track is probably easier to explain; </em></p>
<p><em>I Miss You - is a driving acoustic track based around the subject of Dementia. (We are donating 20% of EP sales to a local Dementia Charity) </em></p>
<p><em>Wink and the Gun - Is a “retro" feel rock n roll song, like early Rolling Stones. The song is about someone selling there soul! </em></p>
<p><em>Damaged Goods - Is inspired by “glam rock” from the 1970’s. The song is about dating and sex... </em></p>
<p><em>Suffer in Silence - Is a very fragile and almost haunting song based around the subject of how technology is having a social impact on our world today. The animated video was a real labour of love on this track! </em></p>
<p><em>Hurt Like You - Is a stomping rock/blues song. This song has so many elements I couldn’t possibly explain in one sentence. Its big! </em></p>
<p><strong>4. How can you define the sound of the band? </strong></p>
<p><em>We have a raw, retro rock/blues sound I guess...</em></p>
<p><em>I can’t read/write music and I class myself as an average guitar player at best but the songs are good and thats whats important to me/us. I owe so much to our producer and lead guitarist Gary who I can go to with an idea in my head and he has the ability to turn it into reality. </em></p>
<p><em>We try to capture our vocals and music in one or two takes so it has a rawness about it. My vocal on “Wink and the Gun” is actually just a budget microphone set up in my dining room, the second take is the final vocal you can hear on the track today. </em></p>
<p><strong>5. Being life-long friends, I guess it was easy to decide to play together? </strong></p>
<p><em>In 2004 I heard Daz (our bass player) playing The Beatles on an acoustic guitar and we became instant friends, he introduced me to Craig and that's how things got started. </em></p>
<p><em>We have the kind of relationship where we may not see each other for months but within minutes its as if we never left - its a very special bond. </em></p>
<p><em>You will always see us messing about or laughing with each other because we don’t take ourselves seriously - but the music we take very seriously indeed and we work very hard for each other. </em></p>
<p><strong>6. What will you do this year? </strong></p>
<p><em>We hope this EP will be the foundation to build something really big on. </em></p>
<p><em>I have a couple of albums worth of material already written so it will definitely be an exciting year ahead for MASK...</em></p>
<p><strong>7. Who/What are your influences to make music? </strong></p>
<p><em>Individually we have very different tastes in music, I personally like blues music and all its reincarnations over the years from Muddy Waters to the Rolling Stones to the Black Keys etc. </em></p>
<p><em>Collectively we have a real affinity with the Beatles. </em></p>
<p><em>Daz and Craig are originally from Liverpool and we could spend entire days in Liverpool playing Beatles songs in rehearsal rooms, getting drunk and never getting bored. </em></p>
<p><strong>8. How are the Mask shows? </strong></p>
<p><em>We are a band made up of members from different bands so it’s rare to find us in the same country never mind the same stage. </em></p>
<p><em>We do often break down and do acoustic sets and I also play solo from time to time. </em></p>
<p><em>I have no interest in being competition with young trendy bands on the gigging circuit - I’m a father and that takes priority over anything in my life. </em></p>
<p><strong>9. Have you gone on tour? How is the reaction of the public listening to your music? </strong></p>
<p><em>Perhaps a tour in the future but only if it suits us and fits in with our lives. </em></p>
<p><em>The reaction has been incredible and more than I could ever have imagined. </em></p>
<p><em>Reading messages from around the world saying how people are enjoying our music is truly the greatest feeling, we’re very grateful for that... </em></p>
<p><strong>10 What songs should the Argentine audience listen to to start getting to know them? why? </strong></p>
<p><em>We hope each song provides something different - you will want to dance, sing and maybe even cry... I would say listen to them all and if you like it - tell a friend!</em> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Check the article out and the great bands they feature at;</p>
<p> </p>
<p>https://ruidosucio.wordpress.com</p>
<p> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/51259912018-03-13T16:56:49+00:002018-03-13T16:56:49+00:00MASK Update - Promoting our debut EP “The Truth” <p><span class="font_regular">One thing I didn’t factor into the whole process of releasing an EP to the world is the fact that I now have to go out and promote it. I find this very uncomfortable so its fair to say I have been avoiding it… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">To give you an idea of how my promoting skills are doing, it turns out I didn’t set up the publishing correctly when I started the bands Facebook page and so everyone’s hard work on posting content has more or less been for nothing… Whoops! (fixed now - apologies)</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Tomorrow I will go on local radio to advertise the EP and I have mixed feelings about it all; </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Anytime I have done anything like this in the past I have always gone in with the vision that it will go amazingly well and that I’ll have many interesting things to say. In reality, I usually sound like a nervous wreck, gasping for air! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">What makes tomorrow different and makes me feel “ok” is that I’m going into it knowing I’ll be a “nervous wreck” and that I will most certainly sound like someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about… </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Thankfully I’m at the stage of my life where I have let go of the need to carry this pressure around with me. I accept I won’t give the perfect interview, but that's ok - no one starting out ever has. Wish me luck! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>"There has been a great reaction to our current single “Suffer In Silence” the animated video is quite “graphic” in parts and people are commenting at how incredibly deep it is - We fully agree, sadly its based on reality and this is where our EP title “The Truth” comes from. Thanks to everyone, please continue to share and spread the good word… We appreciate it."</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>“H” from MASK</em></span></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/51075192018-03-02T15:10:05+00:002018-03-02T15:10:05+00:00My Top Tips for Songwriting (continued) <p><span class="font_regular"><em>“Firstly allow me to apologise for not blogging sooner! I have been swamped in a band related project but sadly I cant reveal what that is until the summer - so watch this space… Thank you for the kind comments on my last blog - below, are my continued tips for songwriting…"</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">With all the research I put into songwriting, I thought it would be a good idea to document what I took from this research and share the advice I found useful - I’m certainly not writing this blog claiming to be a successful songwriter, this is just what I gleaned and found useful/worked for me; </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>My Top Tips for Songwriting (continued) </strong> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">Writing from real experience - Nile Rodgers famously was refused entry into the nightclub “Studio 54” and so he went home and wrote the song “F*ck off!” (Aimed at the door staff) Which was of course later changed to “Freak Out!” Using real actual emotions are going to gain real results and people can connect with that. Adele is another great example; real emotions yielding real results. </span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">It doesn’t have to make sense - at first… Most famous example of word replacement is probably Paul McCartney’s “scrambled-eggs” which later got changed to “Yesterday” - truly a song writing master-class. You can fill in the blanks later.</span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">“Practice” - Tony Visconti was asked what is the one key element to writing and performing, his reply was “Practice Practice Practice!” He went on to say how he was always surprised how the likes of Gary Moore, Marc Bolan and David Bowie put the hours in - even when they were top of the charts, they never stopped practicing throughout. </span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">“If you’re good you’re going to make it” - Watching a Noel Gallagher interview he was asked what advice would you give anyone starting out? His reply (minus the swear words) was “write a chorus, if you’re good you’re going to make it” - He goes on to say “Don’t look back in anger” isn’t a great recording - the vocal, guitar playing and studio quality aren’t that great but the song is too good for any of that to matter… </span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul> <li><span class="font_regular">Having empathy - I used to think there were just some subjects you shouldn’t write about but having discussed this matter with experienced writers my mindset was completely (and thankfully) changed. I put this down to establishing empathy and identifying/relating to other peoples thoughts, feelings and attitudes. I found it to be a whole other world/world’s to create from. Try it and see! </span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>If you think this blog will be useful to anyone considering starting out this process then please share it. As for MASK, last week we released our new single “Suffer In Silence.” I have blogged before about it being the first “real” song I have ever written and i’m very proud of it. For the track I worked with a company called "Mash-Mob" to story board and create an animated video based around the songs meaning. The whole process was a real labour of love. Check it out and thanks for reading.</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><em>“H” Humphrey from MASK</em></span></p>
<p> </p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/49506212017-11-27T17:47:00+00:002018-03-07T11:55:52+00:00My Top Tips for Songwriting<p><em>On my last blog I basically gave myself a “big ol pat on the back” with all the hard work I had put into writing and releasing an album. With all that went in, I thought it would be a good idea to document what I took from this research and share what I learnt with others - Im certainly not writing this blog claiming to be a successful songwriter; this is just what I gleaned from my research and what I found worked for me; </em></p>
<p><strong>My Top 5 Tips for Songwriting</strong> </p>
<p>1. <strong>Write everything down! </strong>This advice seems to be universal across all platforms. Always have a pen and paper handy and write down whatever comes into your head at the time. Its so important to get it down there and then, otherwise you will lose the “gold” in that moment. I literally have reams of notes in books and I often go into them as my main source. Whilst technology is great - I find a good old fashioned pen and paper makes you connect to the words more. </p>
<p>2. <strong>Record everything!</strong> This is so easy nowadays due to technology being in our pockets. Barry Gibb of the “Bee-Gee’s” used to keep a dictaphone by his bed side and would usually record into it as soon as he woke up by humming the melody/riff etc. “Let it Be” was famously captured the following morning on a recording device by Paul McCartney also. (Again if you don’t capture it there and then it will be gone forever. I currently have 45 recordings/ideas on my phone to be reviewed)! </p>
<p>3. <strong>Don’t throw anything away.</strong> With your written notes and recordings its important to keep everything cause it can lead to taking future songs in a new direction or often is the case I've found - you can fuse songs together. U2 are a great example here - they actually didn’t like “With or Without You” and had to be convinced to release it. I think it done pretty good... </p>
<p>4. <strong>The good stuff will come</strong> - using the “dirty water” analogy from Ed Sheeran. This is from an article he did where he describes that writing songs to start with is like letting the dirty water run from a tap before you get the clean water i.e. the good stuff. Clean water meaning the hits! I have read to expect a ratio of 80/20 on song writing. My advice is to complete a song even if you don't think its going to be a hit... (example above) </p>
<p>5. <strong>“Elbow Grease!”</strong> - (From a documentary I watched) The band “The Eagles” lived above the famous singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, and it was from him that they learnt how to go about their business. All day everyday they would hear two sounds from his apartment below - the song he was doing that day over and over again and the whistle from his kettle when he would take frequent breaks in between. I will never forget one of “The Eagles” looking down the camera and saying “so thats how he does it… elbow grease!” Noel Gallagher compares songwriting to fishing, sometimes they bite and you can have one in five minutes but other times you have play the waiting game and put in a long shift. (The opening track “I Miss you” on our EP took me six months to complete! More on that another time). </p>
<p><em>There is it; Please share this note if it helped you or if you think it can help others to create and start this rewarding journey. I have a further five tips that I will post on my next blog and remember to use #askMASK should you have any questions for us. (We are getting through them). </em></p>
<p><em>The bands debut EP “The Truth” has been out a couple of weeks now and the feedback has been amazing. To receive daily messages from all over the world from people listening to our music is beyond our wildest dreams - so thank you. </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK.</em></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/49385912017-11-18T15:36:40+00:002018-11-06T12:20:12+00:00The feeling of releasing an Album<p><em>I posted blogs before on “my journey of writing and releasing an album” and I was gobsmacked at the response I got. Receiving messages saying how it has inspired people to create and to “break the cycle” is beyond what I imagined. My deepest thanks to everyone and I have decided to keep blogging. </em></p>
<p>Now with MASK’s debut EP “The Truth” released - I feel like I have turned a page. To go from the creative process to having/holding the end product is a feeling of such immense pride. By comparison it feels like the TV show “Grand Designs” - you have the toil and hard work but the end result makes it all worthwhile. </p>
<p>First of all - I’m proud of the songs! Last night just with an acoustic guitar I got to play a couple of songs from the EP in public and it honestly felt like shaking hands with an old friend. They are songs I have come to love and each one tells a different story, some that may surprise you! (More to follow on that…) </p>
<p>What I’m most proud of is the hard work everyone put in. Although people may only hear so many minutes of music, no-one will ever really know the amount of hard work that was put into this. For myself; </p>
<p>I have put together an incredible team in all aspects from producing to PR - but this was only through trial and tribulation! (message me if you want any recommendations) </p>
<p>Dissecting and researching chord structures and musical theory ate up month’s of my life! Sometimes I just wouldn’t go to bed, I’d literally watch the sun come up trying to find the right lyric or riff and then probably not use it in the end… </p>
<p>I never sang a note in my life before May 2016 (I was convinced I was “tone-deaf”) so I went to singing lessons and would sit awkwardly in the waiting area of a singing school with the little girls in their frozen dresses. I still get singing lessons to this day, I’m definitely not a natural singer and I find it incredibly challenging. </p>
<p>All in all - there is never a substitute for hard work and we as a group are truly proud and humbled. </p>
<p><em>This is obviously an exciting time for the band. The first single to be released of the EP is called “Wink and the Gun” and the video will be out very shortly! </em></p>
<p><em>Check out our website for more www.masktheband.com </em></p>
<p><em>P.S. Any questions for the group we are starting the hashtag #askMASK (Genius or what?!) </em></p>
<p><em>H from MASK</em></p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/49306142017-11-13T18:53:30+00:002018-07-06T12:43:19+01:00My Journey of Writing and Releasing an album - "Being Real About Fear" (3 of 3)<p>“I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for the kind and inspiring messages. I certainly don't consider myself to be a writer and I'm truly overwhelmed and genuinely grateful to all.” </p>
<p>Recently whilst being interviewed I was asked the question “so how does it feel to be releasing your first album?” After a slight awkward silence I gave the answers people were maybe not expecting - “nervous, terrified, scared, petrified etc.” </p>
<p>With perplexed looks, I don't think this was the ‘gold-dust’ interview the camera crew were after... </p>
<p>For so many years of my life I thought I HAD to be the life and soul of the party. I thought I HAD to be cool and extroverted regardless of how I was feeling - it almost felt like a responsibility. Thankfully - I realised that was all just a needless, unsustainable way of life. </p>
<p>These days I can happily accept I'm not a particularly cool guy (I spend the majority of my time in sweat pants watching TV - not exactly “Rock n Roll!”) I have set myself free from the tiring act from before and can be honest with people. </p>
<p>So, yes - during that awkward interview with spot lights, microphones, eyes burning through me, cameras and being the centre of attention I was genuinely “bricking it” and I just thought - why lie and put pressure on myself? </p>
<p>We are all controlled by fear to a certain extent. Its what stops you from talking to the hot girl/guy on the street or leaving the job you hate to start that business venture. </p>
<p>My advice is to surround yourself with people who enhance you, anyone who doesn't is simply a drain on your energy/resources. Acknowledge you will have fears so be honest to others and yourself about them. Being genuine will command respect and when you are there… go for it! </p>
<p>“Its been a very exciting week for the band, we spent three long(!) days shooting music video’s for the EP release next month. We had a party in a night-club booked in Belfast for after, but we sat in eating pizza instead... Quite fitting for this post I feel.”</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/49306132017-11-13T18:52:03+00:002017-11-14T11:08:29+00:00My Journey of Writing and Releasing an Album - (2 of 3)<p>“I couldn't believe the reaction to my first blog. Receiving messages from people saying how they are inspired to make changes in their lives was overwhelming to say the least, I hope this will continue to have the same affect and thank you to everyone...” </p>
<p>If you think writing songs is easy, then you haven't tried to write one. The best advice I got was “write about something that matters to you”. For months having these words go round and round in my head was soul destroying. </p>
<p>I wanted to create meaningful material but I didn't want to reveal anything about who I was. The reason for this was - fear. I was afraid people would judge and then laugh at me. (My next blog is on this subject) </p>
<p>In May 2016 - After a three day festival and a hangover that would kill a baby elephant I arrived home and dropped my things off, it was time for bed! I wearily proceeded upstairs but then something stopped me, I had something to do but I couldn't figure out what. I turned, walked to the kitchen and I picked up my guitar. I was about to write my first “real” song. </p>
<p>I sat there playing the chords and as I croaked the words I started crying uncontrollably, in fact I cried throughout the whole process of about 20 minutes. </p>
<p>The song itself is painfully simple but I can tell you now, it absolutely rinsed me like a sponge of every emotion. I guess this is the power of music. </p>
<p>Its called “Suffer in Silence” and it will be on our debut EP.</p>MASKtag:www.masktheband.com,2005:Post/49306122017-11-13T18:50:21+00:002018-11-06T12:34:50+00:00My journey of writing and releasing an album - (1 of 3)<p>I have decided to document the journey of how I ended up writing and releasing an album, I hope it will guide and motivate artists to create and everyone to live; </p>
<p>For too many years I had written bits and pieces of music or lyrics and every time I had done so, I would get a certain buzz! A buzz that I had written something good, something worth listening to. </p>
<p>Then, sadly the worst feeling imaginable would creep in - self doubt. Every time (sometimes as soon as 20 minutes later) I would tear up the scrawled on pieces of paper and assure myself that it or I simply wasn't good enough. This vicious cycle of self deprecation was holding me to ransom and was in turn generating the worst possible outcome - regret. </p>
<p>At the end of 2015 and start of 2016, I started the journey of finding out who I really was what I really wanted from this life. I had realised I was in a bad relationship, I had been dining out on previous glories of my youth instead of actually creating and applying myself in the present - I had lost my spark and was becoming “stale”. </p>
<p>I ended that relationship and started to rebuild who and what I was from the ground up. I began to see who my real friends were and I methodically removed anyone from my life who didn't enhance me. I stood up against the social engineering which for too long had dictated my existence. </p>
<p>I made a vow that I would never “kill” that “buzz” feeling of writing music ever again. </p>
<p>It was time to live, create and not care about the people who don't matter. But it was far from easy - as you will find out...</p>MASK