James Mastro Releases Unifying Single/Video "My god"
Track Out Ahead of Debut Solo Album Dawn of a New Error
photo by Meaghan Taylor
"...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
"Dawn of a New Error is a terrific set of songs that range from the proud rock’n’roll strut of its opening number to more introspective ruminations on life’s foibles." – Hollywood.com
"Mastro ranks as something of a power pop pioneer, a musician with an inherent ability to capture a hook and render it irresistible." – Goldmine Magazine
Hoboken-based rock/Americana singer-songwriter-guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Health & Happiness Show) has released a beautiful, unifying single/video, "My god", the third single from his forthcoming debut solo album Dawn of a New Error via MPress Records. The track/video premiered in M Music & Musicians Magazine.
"My god" harkens back to John Lennon's universal call for peace and tolerance with its memorable musical hooks, direct lyrics and simple, strong melody. Mastro sings: I guess your god must look like mine/Because god is love and love is blind/I guess my god and yours are one/Just different names under the sun. The song features Mastro on vocals and acoustic & electric guitars; Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith) on bass, Wurlitzer piano, Mellotron, and synthesizer; and the late, beloved Louie Appel on drums and tambourine.
Watch the "My god" Video HERE
Pre-save the album Dawn Of A New Error HERE
About the song and video Mastro explains, "'My god' deals with a universal concept on an individual level. Everyone has – and should be entitled to – their own beliefs. No matter what country or language a belief may be rooted in, one theme that runs through them all is that of right or wrong, good or bad. I felt having the video translated into eleven different languages was important in getting this view across, making it more poignant when seen through the 'eyes' of another nationality.
"Every face in this video is truly beautiful. With eyes closed – curtains drawn – you imagine what they are dreaming. With eyes open, the light pours out and you see the similarity along with the differences coexisting peacefully. These people are all in my neighborhood, some I know well, some not so much. But I know that if I fell down on the street, they wouldn't stop to ask me what religion I was or who I voted for before helping me back up on my feet. That is at the core of this song and video."
Dawn of a New Error marks the return of James Mastro 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.
Tour Dates (*with Alejandro Escovedo)
(please see jamesmastro.net for upcoming tour dates)
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2/21/24 • Bowery Electric • New York, NY
Album Release Show
2/24/24 • Transparent Clinch Gallery • Asbury Park, NJ
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*
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*
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- 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
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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, Tiny Lights, and most recently, Ian Hunter's cover version of Jesse Malin's song "Dead On," for an upcoming record benefiting Malin’s health recovery. 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
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