Magic, miracles, ghosts, world leaders; these days it seems there is little left to believe in. Lies outweigh truth and even truth can be dangerous. Raising everyone’s spirits Already Dead – the fourth album and the first for nine years from Willy Mason - explores honesty and deception, anonymity in the digital age, good intentions with unexpected consequences, freedom, colonialism, love, god, and purpose because, its storyteller says, now is the time to restore some much-needed faith.
“Already Dead is a spiritual state to aspire to; it is freedom from the trappings and inhibitions of one’s ego, culture, and mythology. It is freedom and love and freedom to love in the face of death,” tells Willy of the philosophy behind the writing. “It’s about the necessary destruction of one’s mythology; mythology of species, sex, race, nation, self. It’s about the pain and tragedy that comes with such destruction, but also about the freedom, possibility and opportunity for reconciliation; reconciliation with the natural world and with each other.”
The new single taken from the record titled 'Reservation' is perhaps one of the most striking examples of these ideas in action. Here's Willy with more detail:
Sometimes when one is confused about a relationship it can be helpful to trace back to its roots; such as for example the relationship between a ruling class and the people of a land. This is a song about just such an awakening in perspective, regarding the people and rulers of the territory called the United States; and about a yearning to provide a safe home for those affected negatively by this often abusive relationship.
The album arrives at a time when certain words must be said. It is a quest for love in a society which fears and discourages it; for truth and justice in a society which prioritises convenience and profit. “I ended up diving so deeply into this record because it felt at the time, like the only way I could hope to do some good for somebody,” Willy says. “All the concern and care I have for people, fear, frustration and sadness, all came pouring out."
TRACKLISTING
1.Youth On a Spit
2. You’d Like To Be Free
3. Gilded Lie
4. Reservation
5. Oh My Country
6. Slowslide
7. One of The Good Ones
8. Outwit The Devil
9. If There’s a Heart
10. Worth It
https://www.willymasonmusic.com/
See Willy Mason live in 2021
Tue - 02 Nov 21 UK Guildford The Boilerroom
Wed - 03 Nov 21 UK Reading South Street Arts Centre
Fri - 05 Nov 21 UK Cambridge Portland Arms
Sat - 06 Nov 21 UK Tunbridge Wells Tunbridge Wells Forum
Sun - 07 Nov 21 UK Norwich Norwich Arts Centre
Tue - 09 Nov 21 UK Manchester Night & Day
Wed - 10 Nov 21 UK Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Thu - 11 Nov 21 IRE Dublin Whelans
Fri - 12 Nov 21 UK Chester St. Marys Church
Mon - 15 Nov 21 UK Newcastle Cluny
Tue - 16 Nov 21 UK York The Crescent
Wed - 17 Nov 21 UK Birmingham Glee Club
Thu - 18 Nov 21 UK London The Dome
Fri - 19 Nov 21 FR Paris Le Hasard Ludique
Sat - 20 Nov 21 BE Gent Trefunt
Sun - 21 Nov 21 NL Rotterdam Rotown
Tue - 23 Nov 21 DE Berlin Privatclub
Wed - 24 Nov 21 CZ Prague Meet Factory
Sat - 27 Nov 21 DE Offenbach Hafen 2
Sun - 28 Nov 21 NL Amsterdam Paradiso (Upstairs)
