Mason Jennings on Ford Econoline Vans, Thai Food, and “Moving Blues”

Photo credit: Benson Ramsey

Tell us about your tour vehicle.

Well, these days I mostly fly but I have gone through 3 tour vans before I got to this point. My favorite were the Ford Econolines. Millions of miles.

How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?

I eat Thai food every night. Love it and it is clean. I’ve been vegetarian for years. That helps too. Plus now there are Whole Foods everywhere so that is a stop in every city for lunch and snacks.

How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?

Would you believe I have never broken a string on stage? So, zero dollars.

Where do you rehearse?

Mostly we rehearse at my house which overlooks a lake in Minnesota. Craziest thing that happens here is the wildlife. Owls, foxes, eagles, deer, coyote.

What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?

Oh man. I think it was called “Moving Blues”. “My engines runnin’ but my heart and started, I’m leaving my baby and seems she’s glad we parted, is it so wrong to wanna see my baby cry over me?” I was like 13 or something.

Describe your first gig.

I think it was in a friend’s garage or a community center. I was playing drums. We played Pixies and Nirvana songs.

What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?

I was a waiter. Not a good fit for me. I was a cook before that. I don’t know. The only other thing I’ve enjoyed doing was talking to high school kids about creative writing and songwriting when I’ve had the chance.

How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?

It’s much less because of streaming. Like, half. I don’t know how it’ll go but I don’t think that old model of selling records is coming back.

What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?

Hmm. To just be yourself. Not to try and fit in. Just play your kind of music, what comes natural, and not worry about trends or other people. It’ll work out best that way.

Born in Honolulu and raised in Pittsburgh, Mason Jennings released his debut record in 1997, following a pivotal move to Minneapolis. Jennings’ contemporary interpretation of a classic sound quickly earned him a number of allies, including fellow musicians like Jack Johnson and Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock, both of whom released his albums on their respective labels. Rolling Stone hailed him as a “Minnesota folk king,” while the New York Times asserted that “Mr. Jennings is just waiting to sell millions of records.” A prolific writer, he released studio albums at a steady clip throughout the 2000s and 2010s, flying the flag for American roots music long before the Americana genre received its own category at the Grammy Awards.

Along the way, Jennings set the trials and triumphs of his own life to music. Recently 2018’s Songs From When We Met found him recovering from a messy divorce, falling in love again, and moving beyond a longtime battle with agoraphobia. Real Heart follows four years later and deals with similar themes of healing and personal betterment. Recorded during a global pandemic that brought his touring career to a halt, the album finds Jennings focusing on the things that really matter, including his craft and character.

Real Heart, Jennings’ latest album, was released on 4 February. Connect with Jennings online and on the road.