MPress Records to Release James Mastro's Debut Solo Album
MPress Records is set to release Hoboken-based rock/Americana singer-songwriter-guitarist James Mastro's debut solo album, Dawn of a New Error, due Feb. 21, 2024. NYC-based MPress, distributed by Virgin/Universal via SRG-ILS Group, is also the home to Rachael Sage, Grace Pettis, Seth Glier, and A Fragile Tomorrow.
Dawn of a New Error marks the return of James Mastro (The Bongos, Health & Happiness Show) to the front and center as singer and songwriter. Featuring guest vocals by Ian Hunter and produced by Tony Shanahan – best known as Patti Smith’s bassist, co-producer and musical collaborator – the songs were recorded whenever Mastro and Shanahan found time to get together, between Shanahan's work with Smith and Mastro's work with Hunter and other projects. Noteworthy drummers on the record include the late Louie Appel (Southside Johnny), Brian Griffin (Brandi Carlile, Black Crowes), Steve Goulding (The Mekons, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe), and Bill Dubrow (Yoko Ono, Linda Thompson). The album was recorded and mixed by Grammy® nominee James Frazee (Patti Smith, Sharon Van Etten, Marshall Crenshaw), and mastered by the legendary Greg Calbi.
MPress founder and President Rachael Sage enthuses: "Team MPress and I are incredibly excited to be releasing James Mastro’s new record! As one of my longtime favorite guitarists and a collaborator with many of my own biggest influences, James brings his brilliantly performed and incisive songwriting as well as his timeless, roots-rock irreverence to the airwaves exactly when we need them. It’s truly an honor to be working together and to have him be part of the MPress family."
Mastro, currently on the road playing guitar, bass, and mandolin for Alejandro Escovedo, will also work as a sideman for Southside Johnny, Lenny Kaye's Nuggets, and Ivan Julian ahead of US and UK headline tours in the Spring. With the release of several singles/videos due before the album, Mastro is excited about joining MPress, saying "I first met Rachael Sage in the early 2000s at a SXSW show that she hosted and performed at, and I've been a fan ever since. A true artist, her songs are as vibrant and deep as her paintings and poetry. And her support of other musicians through MPress is a testament to her commitment to the arts. Having a finished record on my hands, Rachael's MPress was the only home that I sought to place it in, because I knew she and her team would treat it with the same love that went into making it."
About James Mastro: James Mastro has been a highly-regarded songwriter and guitarist since his teen years in CBGB stalwarts The Richard Lloyd Group, playing guitar on the Elektra Records release Alchemy. Mastro is a founder (along with singer Richard Barone) of The Bongos, a radio and MTV staple who released three lauded records – Nuts & Bolts (JEM), Numbers With Wings (RCA/re-released October, 2023), and Beat Hotel (RCA). In 1992 he moved to center stage as frontman for Americana fave The Health & Happiness Show, releasing three critically acclaimed albums: Tonic, Instant Living (Bar-None), and Sad and Sexy (Cropduster). The band spent the next 10 years touring incessantly, opening for Wilco, Johnny Cash, Golden Smog, Barenaked Ladies, Beat Farmers, The Blasters, Kirsty MacColl, and served as the backing band for Texas troubadour Butch Hancock. In 2001 he joined ranks with Mott the Hoople's legendary singer Ian Hunter and has served as his left-hand man ever since, touring and playing on Hunter's last six albums: Rant, Shrunken Heads, Man Overboard, Live in the UK, When I'm President, and Defiance Pt. 1. In between his recording work with Hunter, he toured as a guitarist with Mott the Hoops '74, Patti Smith, John Cale, Judy Collins, Alejandro Escovedo, Garland Jeffreys, The Jayhawks, and Southside Johnny. His studio and session work is extensive, and includes playing guitar on the late, great Phoebe Snow's Natural Wonder and Marti Jones's Match Game. Production credits include Steve Wynn's "The Devil's Not That Kind," Jill Sobule's "Just A Little Lovin'," Amy Speace's Songs for Bright Street and The Killer In Me, and Tiny Lights' The Smaller the Grape, the Sweeter the Wine. Mastro has just produced Ian Hunter doing a version of Jesse Malin's song "Dead On," for an upcoming benefit record to help raise funds to aid Malin, who is suffering a serious health issue. Dawn of a New Error is due out in February 2024 via MPress Records. For more information, visit jamesmastro.net.
For more information, please contact:
Jill Richmond-Johnson | jillr@mpressrecords.com | 212-481-7243
About MPress Records: NYC-based MPress Records was founded by award-winning multi-instrumentalist and producer Rachael Sage. Since its founding the label has released 15 albums by Sage, as well as recordings by Grace Pettis, Seth Glier, A Fragile Tomorrow, Melissa Ferrick, and K's Choice, and the "New Arrivals" charity compilation series. MPress has also produced showcase events at SXSW, CMJ, Midem, and Folk Alliance International. MPress is distributed by Virgin/Universal via SRG-ILS Group. For more information, visit mpressrecords.com.
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