Tag: The Mastersons

LISTEN: The Mastersons, “I’m Your Girl”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Mastersons
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “I’m Your Girl”
Album: Red, White & I Love You Too EP
Release Date: October 16, 2020
Label: Red House Records

In Their Words: “We watched the first episode of Ken Burns’ Country Music and Eleanor wrote this after trying — unsuccessfully — to go to sleep.” — Chris Masterson

“I had Maybelle Carter’s guitar in my head and a little bit of Townes Van Zandt’s and Woody Guthrie’s spirits guiding me. I already had the first verse, which is more abstract, written down in my notebook and then I started thinking about the plight of immigrants today and the rest of the song just flowed out.” — Eleanor Masterson

Photo credit: Curtis Wayne Millard

The String – Nora Jane Struthers and The Mastersons

Posted on by Chris Jacobs

Nora Jane Struthers just released her fifth album, celebrating her full life, Bright Lights, Long Drives, First Words, and says it includes “Good Thing,” the best song she’s ever written.

LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS

Living the road life makes for tight musical couples. And in this split episode, Craig speaks with a new mom who tours and duets with her husband and a couple that’s been touring for a decade on their own and as side musicians. Then it’s The Mastersons, both of them, as Chris and Elanor talk about meeting, becoming part of Steve Earle’s band and maintaining an identity as an Americana duo. Their new project is No Time For Love Songs.

LISTEN: The Mastersons, “Eyes Open Wide”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Mastersons
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Eyes Open Wide”
Album: No Time for Love Songs
Release Date: March 6, 2020
Label: Red House Records

In Their Words: “‘Eyes Open Wide’ was one of the first tunes we wrote for the record. It took on a Byrds/Gene Clark feel the moment the Rickenbacker 12 string came out, which seemed apropos for a record cut in LA at Sunset Sound. Once Shooter Jennings had Bonnie Whitmore and Mark Stepro add their harmonies it added a Fleetwood Mac vibe and turned into a pretty fun track. It also feels like a song for the times as we can’t bury our heads in the sand with so much going on in the world. It’s tempting to check out with so much bad news every day, but it’s time for all hands on deck.” — The Mastersons

Photo credit: Curtis Wayne Millard

The Mastersons, ‘Don’t Tell Me to Smile’

Posted on by Editor

“You should smile more.”

Any woman who’s ever walked around with less than a permanent, pageant-ready, toothy grin has heard this many times: Smile more, and you’ll look more beautiful. Smile more, don’t be so serious. Smile more, and you could be president. Yes, even Hillary Clinton wasn’t immune, constantly told by pundits and politicians to turn her frown upside down (and then, when she did, she was told she smiled too much). But really, it’s bigger than the appearance of a happy face. There’s a universal discomfort with intelligent, strong women, and, in so many ways, telling one to “smile more” is a nicer way to say that we should focus on being pretty, not smart. Pretty, and not powerful.

“Don’t Tell Me to Smile” from husband-wife duo the Mastersons was written by Eleanor Whitmore after a woman — yes, another woman — yelled at her to smile more from the crowd. From their new record, Transient Lullaby, it’s about being sick of hearing others tell you how to appear or act when they really should be listening instead of looking. Here, Whitmore’s talking about life on the stage, but it’s a universal experience she shares, told with a bit of Liz Phair sass in a rich, roots-rock package and a lush hook. “Don’t tell me to smile. I will if I want,” Whitmore sings alongside backing from her partner Chris Masterson. Pretty, and powerful.  

LISTEN: The Mastersons, ‘Perfect’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Mastersons
Hometown: Houston, TX
Song: “Perfect”
Album: Transient Lullaby
Release Date: May 19, 2017
Label: Red House Records

In Their Words: “We wrote the bulk of ‘Perfect’ in Washington, D.C. and finished it years later in Newcastle, UK. Rarely is anything in this life perfect (especially the characters in this tune). Our best hope is to walk through it with a little bit of grace. ‘Perfect’ is a strange optimism from a broken pair.” — Chris Masterson

Photo credit: Curtis Wayne Millard