Sean Mason joined Alison Stewart on WNYC's All Of It for a live in-studio performance and interview, taped the day before his concert at Columbia University's Miller Theatre. Mason explained that A Breath of Fresh Air grew out of a decision to leave New York, initially meant as a short break to recalibrate after a difficult period, that ended up lasting a full year back home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The turning point came the night he returned from a grueling three-month tour. At 2 a.m., he decided to move his piano to another room in his apartment, and it fell on his foot.
"I was like, 'All right, this is a sign that something needs to change'... I thought it was going to be for like the two to three months that it was going to take to heal my foot, but it ended up being a year." - Sean Mason
That injury directly inspired "Boneback," which Mason performed live during the interview, describing it as a celebration song written because his foot bone grew back. He also shared the story behind the album's cover art: a shot of him jumping freely into the air outside a home in Charlotte, taken by photographer Alex Lockett lying flat on the ground with the camera pointed upward, an image Mason said captured exactly how he felt coming out of that period.
WHAT THE ALBUM WAS INVESTIGATING
When asked what he hoped to explore once he had time to reflect, Mason said he envisioned sitting with fundamental questions about his purpose and artistic identity, using this period to deepen his understanding of himself as an artist.
"I wanted to investigate what it meant to be an artist. What was my true purpose in this world as an artist? What was my voice? What did I want to say? Why am I here?" - Sean Mason
ABOUT WNYC
WNYC is a well-established public radio station located in New York City. It offers a diverse range of programming, including news coverage, in-depth interviews, and cultural topics. Among its notable offerings is the daily show All Of It, which provides listeners with comprehensive insights and engaging discussions on current events and cultural issues.
ALSO AVAILABLE
A Breath of Fresh Air is available in multiple formats, including vinyl and CD, plus full sheet music and an exclusive discount for verified students.
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FOLLOW SEAN MASON
Instagram: @seanmason
TikTok: @seanmason_
Facebook: Sean Mason Official
YouTube: Sean Mason
X (Twitter): @seanmason
Spotify: Sean Mason
RESOURCES
Official Website: seanmason.net
Stream the Album: Listen on Spotify
Original Source: Listen on WNYC
