James Mastro Releases Timeless Debut Solo Album,
Dawn of a New Error
Announces Tour with Alejandro Escovedo
"Mastro’s writing chops and lived-in voice carry everything from the punchy to the reflective...For so long in the shadows, Mastro deserves his turn in the spotlight." – MOJO
"...each track on his MPress debut (Dawn of a New Error) is a swoon-worthy masterclass in crafting timeless hooks, intelligent lyrics, and kick-ass playing that any fan of Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, or Wilco will embrace." – Glide Magazine
"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 of Rock n Roll joyrides. I love James Mastro and you will, too." – Alejandro Escovedo
Hoboken-based rock/Americana singer-songwriter-guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Health & Happiness Show) has released a timeless, masterfully-crafted debut solo album, Dawn of a New Error (via MPress Records). To support the record, Mastro will hit the road on an extensive tour with Alejandro Escovedo where he will hold double duties opening with his own set as well as playing in Escovedo's band.
In anticipation, Mastro released the rocking single/video,"Right Words, Wrong Song (Feat. Ian Hunter)," the optimistic Gospel-tinged track "Someday Someone Will Turn Your Head Around" (a companion video will be released in March), and his beautiful, uniting single/video "My god." Recent features include The Vinyl District, M Music and Musicians, Hollywood.com, and an album review in MOJO.
Order the album Dawn Of A New Error HERE
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.
Mastro discusses the album, saying: “The songs here were recorded whenever myself and Tony Shanahan found time to get together between his work with Patti Smith and my work with Ian Hunter and other various projects. This kept it fresh for me. The longer a song sits around after being written, the more you tend to overthink it. These arrangements came about while in the studio, and I’m pleased with the results. No pressure, and done for the sheer joy of making music with friends, which I’ve always found to yield the best results.”
photo by Dennis DiBrizzi
Tour Dates (*with Alejandro Escovedo)
(please see jamesmastro.net for upcoming tour dates)
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3/08/24 • Sweet Vinyl Cafe & Record Store • Denville, NJ (in-store w/band)
3/10/24 • Jack's Music Shoppe • Red Bank, NY (in-store w/band)
3/23/24 • 503 Social Club • Hoboken, NY
3/29/24 •Antone's • Austin, TX*
4/04/24 • 40 Watt Club • Athens, GA*
4/05/24 • Salvage Station • Asheville, NC*
4/06/24 • The Pour House Music Hall • Raleigh, NC*
4/07/24 • The Tin Pan • Richmond, VA*
4/10/24 • Center for The Arts of Homer • Homer, NY*
4/12/24 • Sellersville Theatre • Sellersville, PA*
4/13/24 • City Winery • Boston, MA*
4/14/24 • Bowery Ballroom • New York City* (full band)
4/17/24 • The Horseshoe Tavern • Toronto, ON*
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4/19/24 • Bell's Eccentric Cafe • Kalamazoo, MI*
4/20/24 • The Castle Theatre • Bloomington, IN*
4/21/24 • The Acorn • Three Oaks, MI*
4/23/24 • Vivarium • Milwaukee, WI*
4/25/24 • FitzGerald's • Berwyn, IL*
4/26/24 • Barrymore Theatre • Madison, WI*
4/27/24 • Dakota • Minneapolis, MN*
4/30/24 • Englert Theatre • Iowa City, IA*
5/02/24 • City Winery • St. Louis, MO*
5/03/24 • CMA Theatre • Nashville, TN*
5/04/24 • White Water Tavern • Little Rock, AR*
5/05/24 • Kessler Theater • Dallas, TX*
5/11/24 • Tunes • Hoboken, NJ (in-store w/band)
6/17/24 • Swamp Stomp - West Kingstown, RI (full band)
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About James Mastro: James Mastro has been a highly-regarded songwriter and guitarist since his teen years in CBGB stalwarts The Richard Lloyd Group. A founder of The Bongos, a radio and MTV staple who released three lauded records via Gem and RCA including 2023’s re-release Numbers With Wing, Mastro later moved to center stage as frontman for Americana fave The Health & Happiness Show, releasing three critically acclaimed albums on Bar-None and Cropduster. Mastro has opened on tour for Wilco, Johnny Cash, Golden Smog, Barenaked Ladies, Beat Farmers, The Blasters, Kirsty MacColl, and collaborated with 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. Additionally, he has toured as a guitarist with Patti Smith, John Cale, Judy Collins, Alejandro Escovedo, Garland Jeffreys, The Jayhawks, and Southside Johnny. His studio session work includes credits on releases by Phoebe Snow, Marti Jones, and Rachael Sage. Production credits include Steve Wynn's "The Devil's Not That Kind," Jill Sobule's "Just A Little Lovin'," Amy Speace, and Tiny Lights, Dawn of a New Error is out now via MPress Records. For more information, visit jamesmastro.net.
For more information, and interview and/or radio requests, please contact:
Jill Richmond-Johnson | jillr@mpressrecords.com | 212-481-7243
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