"With her bright, distinctive soprano and versatility playing both guitars and keyboards, Mason has quickly established herself as one of the hardest working women in eastern Maine show business."
Bangor Daily News
"Her songs have been described as "Existential Soul Candy," and she wears her heart on her sleeve at every performance."
WERU Radio
When Trisha Mason first picked up a guitar at the age of 14, she began a personal and musical journey that has led her from her native Massachusetts to the rocky coasts of Down East Maine. The strong musical influence of her grandfathers, combined with the youthful heartbreak of lost love, led Trisha to reach deep inside herself and begin writing her first original songs.
In 2008, Trisha moved to Ellsworth, Maine, where she has made her home, and also where she began to develop and fine tune her songwiting. Trisha's dulcet soprano voice, her driving rhythm guitar, passion for music, and her obvious talent immediately captured the attention of the tight knit community of local musicians and music fans.
The Trisha Mason Band is a home grown Ellsworth, Maine ensemble that draws its strength from the snowy forests, the rockbound coasts of downeast. Trisha has forged her songcraft, delicately tuneful and staunchly demotic, in the crucible of the fan-driven hometown music scene here in the small town capital of Hancock County.
With the release of her 2012 debut album Worse or Better, it was clear that a major talent had arisen, destined to break the boundaries of the small town scene and beguile the larger world...
Critics have rushed to embrace this phenomenon, and their words ring like poetry:
“The chords roll into waves of arpeggios. It’s like a sermon on the sea, the wind and waves crashing on a hapless sailor as the sound cascades down the keys, returning each time to the midway and then crashing down again. She sings of a lover swept away by the sea...”
“ I am struck, then and now, by the contradictory strands of her personality – a little skittish, but eager to dive in and show her stuff. When performing, she has a tendency to turn her feet in girlishly. That, her open face, her soft wave of abundant, black hair, and her elfin glances off to the side are attractive qualities made all the more appealing by the contrast she plays up with her stage clothes – knee-high, black leather boots with buckles down the calf as though to say how tough she is, tank top with a black vest that sparkles with sequins. Her onstage nerves get passed off as little frissons of energy, strengthening her performance. “
Although she stands behind her recorded work, Worse or Better, and the nearly completed sophomore effort Redsky, the live performances showcase Trisha and her band in their element, as Bangor Daily News reporter Emily Burnham duly noted:
“ There’s no pretense with Mason, who clearly plays from her gut – direct and honest, with a lot of musical talent. It’s not about looking cool – even though, with her curly dark hair and infectious smile, she’s a striking performer, with an energetic stage presence. For Mason, it’s clearly about the love of playing, and about having fun on stage. “
That “fun on stage” is only a product of the fun the band has together in practice, on the road or just hanging out together in the basement recording studio of Mason's Ellsworth home. “We play these parties where everyone's just there to have a good time and at some point we realize that we're having a better time than any of the guests!” So says “Fiddle” Doug Empie (fiddle, mandolin & vocals,) a stalwart in the group since its inception in 2011.
Four years ago, having arrived in Elllsworth's music scene with no expectations, Mason stumbled upon the open mic at Chummies, hosted by Empie and Chris Ross, veterans of the area's premier local band Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids, and she quickly recruited Empie to her nascent band. Jasper's Restaurant, and its open mic, provided her with keystone, drummer Steve Peer.
Meanwhile, Trisha had noticed every time that she went to her friend Tasha's house in Surry, this decrepit old dude was lying on the couch playing guitar all day long... “What's his story?” she asked. “Dunno, guess he needs something to do...” Bingo! Bass player.
AMERICANA ROOTS FUNK FOLK ALTERNATIVE IRISH BACKWOODS HEAVY METAL Call it what you will, when you wish... come and see it, then you can describe it...
For bookings, interviews, copies of Worse or Better and more information on the soon to be released Sophomore Album "Red Sky"
contact: trishamasonmusic@gmail.com
In 2015, Trisha has clearly made her mark as a standout talent. Her live shows reflect a joy, energy, and enthusiasm which draw an ever growing fan base. Once shy and retreating, Trisha is a bold live performer, equally comfortable covering her influences, which include a diverse group of artists ranging from Johnny Cash and The Beach Boys to Green Day and Pink. But, clearly, her popularity as a live act is increasingly based on the appeal of her original music, of which progressively larger audiences can't get enough.
The Bangor Daily News says: "There’s no pretense with Mason, who clearly plays from her gut -- direct and honest, with a lot of musical talent. It’s not about looking cool -- even though, with her curly dark hair and infectious smile, she’s a striking performer, with an energetic stage presence. For Mason, it’s clearly about the love of playing, and about having fun on stage."
Trisha has released two albums of original songs -- "Worse or Better" in 2012 and the stunning and adventurous "Red Sky" in 2015. On both these efforts, a diverse array of talented musicians has contributed to Trisha's efforts. Obviously, her songs, which have been described as "existential ear candy," attract musicians who genuinely support her.
Trisha is currently performing in support of her new release "Red Sky." For more information about Trisha Mason, where to purchase or sample her recordings, and where to hear and see her perform visit…
