Mason Jennings is the new MJ

Jason Gonulsen
Special to Metromix

When your initials are MJ and you’re a live performer, you better be on your game every night. But, the last time I checked, we’re down a couple of our beloved MJs these days. So, I’m going to be way unfair and ask the late King of Pop, Mr. Jackson, to step aside (we’ll always love you, don’t worry); and I’m going to ask the same of the King of Air, Mr. Jordan—please also give up your MJ status (oh, and you NEVER should have played for the Wizards!!). We’ve got a new MJ—Mason Jennings!

Who?

See, I told you I was being unfair.

Seriously, though, Jennings deserves your attention. For starters, he’s performing at The Pageant on Thursday, and you can still get tickets (you might remember that Jennings last performed at The Pageant with Modest Mouse). I can also tell you that his new album, the recently released ‘Blood of Man,’ should make for a great live show. You can trust me on this—I just listened to it while one of my dogs was trying to sleep. It’s electric. It’s passionate. It’s also free to stream. Go waste some time at work—it’s Monday, right?

‘Blood of Man’ is indeed more rockin’ than Jennings’ past material, so I would expect a full band and a more fleshed-out sound at The Pageant. He made the raw album—all by his talented self—in the quiet woods of Minnesota, an unlikely place to get all Hendrix on us; but hey, Jennings is new to this electric, sizzling stuff, so how was he to know? Besides, are there any rules regarding your rocking environment? (Perhaps Jack Black would know.)

Just how big of a rocker is Mason Jennings these days? Enough of one to be the best MJ standing? Find out for yourself on Thursday evening.

UPDATE: Three Questions with Mason Jennings

I'm guessing that you're touring with a full band. How are the 'Blood of Man' songs sounding live, and which ones are your favorites to play?

The songs are a bit more expanded live. It’s the first time I have been out playing electric guitar. And I have my friend Jake playing electric, too, so it is two electrics, bass and drums. Plus, singing, of course. It is really fun. Sounds like a dishwasher falling down the stairs. In a good way.

The recording of "Your New Man" off 'In the Ever' is a live recording. What's it like to play that song in front of an audience these days?

That was recorded live at the Troubadour in L.A. It just depends on the night. Every night is different. Sometimes people light their hair on fire, other times people eat ice cream. Mostly they just moan and cry. Moan and cry.

I read somewhere that you were once on a quest to write the perfect love song. Are you still on that quest?

I guess so. What if I told you I have it and I am not allowed to play it? The oracle who allowed me to write it said it came with that one catch. Like a secret we can never tell. I guess all secrets can never be told. Otherwise they would be just called news. Hmm. I guess I used to think more about words like "perfect" and "song" when I was younger. I still think about the word "love" a lot, though. Still working on that one. 

Five Mason Jennings videos to watch before Thursday’s show: