Masque Releases Experimental Rock Pop Album with a Message of Hope
By: Nadia Sobehart
Hawaii-based singer-songwriter, Masque, creates music that
not only represents his experiences as a gay man—it flourishes because of them.
His experimental rock-pop album, Masqued
Emotions (Deluxe) is an anthology of sound from hard rock to lighthearted
pop that is sure to speak to listeners across the board.
“Masqued Emotions
is a collection of highs and lows dealing with mental health issues and
experiences as a gay man across my life that I’ve compiled,” shares Masque.
It’s inspired by people who shared similar stories (and Lady Gaga, too).”
The 13-song album features the single “Sunhat.” “The single,
‘Sunhat,’ is a more lighthearted part of the album,” shares the artist. “It
focuses on when I do feel joy in life. It’s important to highlight when things
are going well in the face of darkness.”
Overall, the album explores the lightness and darkness of
the human experience. “The main message I want to share with listeners is that
there will be tough times and struggles but also good times to live through,”
adds Masque. Other tracks on the album include “Take It Off,” “Shame,” “No More
You,” and “Microtrauma (Every Day),” all very distinct songs with their own
style.
To write the album, Masque focused on his tried-and-true
writing process. “I usually start with the lyrics,” shares the artist. “I’ll
write out the topic I want to write about. Then I’ll give it a day or so and
rewrite the lyrics, make sure they rhyme and are more subtle. When I’m
satisfied, I’ll start with the melody, beats, and guitar using sheet music.
From there, I’ll refine my lyrics and practice singing the song, changing words
here and there until I have a demo I’m pleased with. I’ll send that to my
producer and we’ll talk about it. He enjoys adding his own touch to what I send
him, so the final cut can really vary.”
From an early age, Masque trained in classical piano
performance and writing. He was a Queen aficionado and gradually expanded his
musical palette from rock to pop (and many genres in between). By the time he
was in high school, the young Masque grew in love with the spotlight,
performing in his school musicals.
Over the years, Masque found himself settled into the
corporate world, where he never quite felt at home. “I found a bubbling desire
to break out into the music industry and focus on my art,” tells the artist.
When the pandemic began in 2020, he took a leap of faith and focused on music
as a full-time singer.
These days, he continues to perform frequently at live
venues. “Live performances versus studio performances produce different songs,”
explains Masque. “It’s the same song and melody but a different feeling. Live
performances are about interaction and including the audience, having them feel
your music in the moment.”
As he focuses on spreading the message of Masqued Emotions, Masque continues to
work on new songs for his next album. “Right now, I am small, but my promise to
myself and my listeners is that I will continue to make music and grow for the
rest of my life.”
Make sure to stay connected to Masque on all platforms for new music,
videos, and social posts.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1NRG2B1X3hFMdTw9Vg6c6m?si=i44neIM5Rnynkc6eSiHxkw
Instagram: @masquemusique
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc3jkOH6aNFn7mRZ4DAOAkw
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