"Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter par excellence. It's been a privilege to work with James over the last twenty years and to listen to his latest music. Cheers" – Ian Hunter

"Mastro ranks as something of a power pop pioneer, a musician with an inherent ability to capture a hook and render it irresistible." – Goldmine

"James Mastro is a man of musical fiber, a songwriter who seeks truth in every note he plays and every word he sings. Listening to James conjures warm memories and Rock n Roll joyrides. I love James Mastro and you will, too." – Alejandro Escovedo

Hoboken-based rock/Americana singer-songwriter-guitarist James Mastro has announced his highly-anticipated debut solo album Dawn of a New Error (due Feb. 21,2024) via MPress Records through an exclusive premiere of the lead single, "Right Words, Wrong Song", with Glide Magazine. The song features brilliant vocal contributions from the inimitable Ian Hunter.

Listen to "Right Words, Wrong Song" HERE
Presave Dawn of a New Error Album HERE

Mastro discusses the song, saying: "It seems like these days one has the option to choose the “truth” that works best for them. There’s no longer an absolute that is agreed upon by all. Say something enough times and it can become the new truth, science or logic be damned. This song is about opposites, not how they attract, but how they've come to push us farther away from each other. One of the most important things I learned from working with Ian Hunter over the years is to be honest in what you write and say. And the more disregard we've witnessed of this in the mainstream the past few years, the more it pushed me to write this song. It only seemed appropo to ask Ian to add his inimitable voice to this track, which to my ears always resonates loud and true."

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.

Right Words, Wrong Song (feat. Ian Hunter) My god Three Words (feat. Ian Hunter) Everywhere Never Die Here Beside Me Trouble (feat. Megan Reilly) The Face of the Sun (feat. Ian Hunter as voice of God) Gangster Baby Someday Someone Will Turn Your Head Around River Runs Forever

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

https://mpressrecords.com

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