An Interview With Mason McNulty
A new single release from Mason McNulty delivers a fresh breed of southern-toned twang, with a vast, cinematic backbone, and these addictive vocals that are performed in such a unique approach that it really thickens up the layers of the song.
"Sinner Like Me" comes from the point of view of someone who doesn't feel like they deserve to be loved because of the person that they are.
They're a sinner; they don't want to get close to people because they've done so much wrong that there's no telling what might happen.
The people who view themselves in particular ways like this often push love away, and relationships become difficult because of it.
This is a really particularly written song in terms of its lyrics. It comes from the first-person perspective and gets pretty personal, but really just expresses how someone is showing interest but should back away.
It really shows how people can view themselves at times and how that affects their outside life. Whether they've done bad things or not, people may still look at themselves in a certain light, and because of that, it reflects on how they feel they don't deserve good.
This track is definitely filmic. It's got that sort of trip down kind of approach where there are clean, acoustic guitars and vocals mainly.
This is awesome because it lets you really focus on those lyrics.
Mason is also amazing at painting a picture and telling a story. This is definitely a storytelling kind of track, and it pulls you into that story right from the start.
You get that layer of character from the beginning of the song all the way through to the end.
You can hear violin way in the background just playing little notes to give more depth and showcase more emotion, which really works well, and the guitars start to thrive as the song opens up more and more.
The way he doubles up his vocal tracks during the choruses is really unique. He's got a particular tone to his voice that really feels amazing when he hit that hook
It sounds almost like he's doing octaves where two sets of vocals are singing the same melodies, one in a higher register, and the other and lower. A super impactful tone and texture to the chorus and makes it undeniably memorable.
Towards the end of the track, the violins come in more full throttle and play what would be like a lead section. They really lay in there, and it gives the song an extra flavor and pushes the melodic aspect further as well.
There's a certain kind of gracefulness to this track that I really enjoy. It's got a natural flow, and a lot of the vocal sections stay with you for hours after the song has ended. You find yourself sort of humming that hook in your head over and over.
There are a little bit of lead guitars going on, but those are also acoustically performed.
They have some great bends and soul to them and work insanely well with the track itself.
When someone writes a song like this, it makes you wonder where it came from. We've come to find out that this is actually a track Mason wrote for a very particular reason that may not be what you think.
Once you find out why the song was written, you'll completely understand why it sounds the way it does.
Upon listening to the song, we wanted to conduct an interview with Mason so we could learn more about exactly that.
That interview is below, which you should definitely check out while you listen to the song.
Either way, this is a single that speaks volumes for the artist, simply because it reaches into a headspace of a certain kind of character, and this is displayed with great attention to detail, but also a lot of heart.
It's definitely, once again, a southern Country kind of old western song, and you're about to find out exactly why.
Check out this interview with Mason McNulty below.
Hello Mason! "Sinner Like Me"; was very well done!
Thank you, Thank you…I appreciate that.
What is the song about to you and why did you write this one?
I wrote the song because while I was filming Billy the Kid, Blood and Legend the director and
DP said I should write a song for the movie. I agreed to do that. When I was thinking about what
to write, I was deep in thought of the movie. The movie isn’t just about Billy the Kid and his
crimes, a large portion of the movie is about the relationship with Paulita. Billy tried to push her
away many times so she would not get hurt but she just could not stay away. I came up with the
words Sinner Like Me with my writing partner Agina.
When you write songs like this, do you already have lyrics for it, or do you get into the
instrumental feel first in order to write those?
When I sit down to start writing, I sometimes have lyrics that I build the song on. Other times I
go into a session with a subject that I want to write about and the team and I come up with the
lyrics.
I know you are singing of course, but are you playing guitar here too?
I am playing the guitar, I just am working on perfecting it so I can perform with the guitar
someday soon. I am actually excited to perform with the guitar while performing with my band.
When you record, is that normally done at a bigger studio, or do you work with a home
DAW setup?
I always record in a bigger studio. I have 2 different producers that I use (KThrash and Apex
Studios) and the experiences have been nothing but professional.
Are you planning on doing any small tours in support of the release?
As of right now, I am not planning on any tours. The band and I have been playing locally now.
We have a show coming up September 5 th at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Tarzana for anyone
who would love to come.
How did this all start for you as an artist? Did you come from a musical family?
That is a great question, I do not come from a musical family. As a matter of fact, no one in my
family is an actor either. I have been acting since I was very young. I have been taking vocal
lessons since I was around 6 or 7. When I started getting more and more auditions that were
requiring me to sing, that is when we decided I should take it more serious. I found Deanna (my
vocal coach) and she brought me to a higher level. I then went through some rough
patches/heartbreak in my later teenage years, that is when I started to write music. It was to heal
my heart.
Is there any sort of advice you would give to other up and coming artists out there?
The one advise that I always tell fellow actors and artist just to NEVER give up on your dreams.
You can do anything you put your mind to and the rewards are great.
What's coming up next for you as an artist?
I am still auditioning with acting and I am also working on an album. I am excited for everyone
to hear the new songs that are coming.
Do you enjoy the performing or writing process more?
I actually love both, but if I had to pick one I would say it would be performing. I absolutely love
watching the audience and getting the energy in the room pumping. It is feeling you simply can’t
fake.
I have to ask...What do you think of AI in music these days?
I absolutely do not agree with AI in music or acting. I never use AI to write songs. I do not think
that the song is personal when you are using AI. I will never use AI personally.
Mason, I appreciate you taking your time for this! This was a great single and we can't wait
to hear more soon!
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it. And thank you for the love with my new release Sinner
Like Me. The song means a lot to me, and I am so glad you like it. I am excited for all the
listeners to hear it too.
Sinner Like Me - Single by Mason McNulty | Spotify
