We recently connected with Mason Staub and have shared our conversation below.
Mason, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I work to keep my creativity alive through perseverance. I have realized that creativity comes through different influences, experiences, environments and circumstances. My creativity has been evolving throughout my life. I draw a lot of inspiration from being in the tranquility of nature and in appreciating the conservation and preservation of it. It’s somewhere that you don’t have to worry so much about distractions or expectations. That gives me a form of clarity that provides reflection and introspection that contributes to my creative process and drive. I find inspiration in going out to local concerts watching performances and listening to the bands. It’s not only a great time, but it exposes me to other genres, rhythms and production techniques that inspire my creativity. I really enjoy experiencing concerts completely outside of what I would perform or have produced, because it provides a new creative outlook. I find creativity in the spontaneity of simple tasks such as cooking food. I rarely cook something the same way or with the same seasonings and because of that, I’m always making great dishes half of the time. Something as simple as that pushes me to be creative.
There’s been many times I have had creative blocks or periods of time that I am not creative. Because of those times, I have come to realize that you can’t be creative all day, every day. Sometimes you have to ease back on creative action and instead focus on creative thought. I find by reading about various philosophies and sciences that enhance, alter, and question my output of creativity, I am having a new perception of creativity itself. I work to constantly self-educate so that I can think and perceive differently than a year ago, or even five years ago.
Through that, as well as the ups and downs of being a creative, I have learned that you have to constantly evolve to be creative. The same techniques and methods from the past aren’t always going to work and that’s okay. We can use them to drive our progression to further pursue and build upon our creative outlets, but they shouldn’t be the crutch stopping our potential. Persevering hasn’t been easy and hasn’t always been understood, but I’d rather fail at an attempt to succeed than to quit altogether.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been chipping away at a new full-length Free Mace album for over a year and a half now. I have been using alternative techniques and soundscapes that I haven’t previously considered in prior recordings. There’s complex melodies and harmonies, syncopation, as well as industry standard production all contributing to the greatest album that Free Mace has put out. The length of time I have spent for this album supersedes any previous releases. Part of that is I’m doing all the recording, editing, and mixing myself. The other aspect is that I really wanted to hone in on a new sound for Free Mace through experimenting with jazz elements in a heavier pop-punk setting. The new full-length album will be called “Better Off Bitter” and there’s no official release date yet. I have been also taking the time to expand my horizons in entertainment by branching off into screenplay writing, acting, voiceovers, as well as other behind the scene production elements. I have always had an appreciation for cinema, classic and modern. A friend of mine really pushed me to pursue that side of entertainment and I have really enjoyed it. I would eventually like to be able to do all aspects of entertainment, audio and visual, and use those platforms to further propel my creative vision.
I have really gotten into edible gardening and experimenting with the science applied. I find that it is a rewarding creative outlet because of the sustainability of growing what you eat. I didn’t know much starting out but I have educated myself to better my garden. It’s been mostly trial and error, but the fruits and vegetables keep coming, so I’m stoked on that.
If you would like to learn more about my story, it can be read in a previous Voyage Magazine article linked here. https://voyagejacksonville.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-mason-staub/
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say one of the most impactful qualities is the want and will to learn. Being able tough out the beginning of the journey to be able to reach an intermediate or advanced ability. It takes incredible humility and patience to want to learn. Even if you’re being taught something you don’t necessarily want or feel you need to learn, there’s valuable knowledge to be found in all information. By having an open mentality, there becomes a will to learn. Another quality I find impactful is compassion. Frankly, in a way of life where everyone is an asshole, you’re probably the asshole. Our interactions, responses and demeanor have a huge impact upon others and it’s up to us to decide if that is positive or negative. If it is holding the door for somebody or even greeting someone as they walk past you, our contribution is either good or bad. Regardless of circumstance, I believe we can have a powerful impact and change the demeanors of others by one occurrence. Maybe that has an even greater impact than we know.
Finally, I would state that mindfulness is an impactful quality. Considering our own actions and responses and how they are affected by varying circumstances and environments. Being able to see things with empathy as well as accountability. I believe through mindfulness we become more aware of others as well as ourselves. It enhances our outlook of the world as well as our shaping of it.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking to collaborate. Producing as F2MS, I am interested in conscious MCs to get lyrical on vinyl-sampled boom-bap lo-fi instrumentals. I am seeking pop vocalists to work with on radio friendly vaporwave, futurefunk, synthpop jams sampled from vinyl as well as original creations. I would like to expand the genres I produce through collaboration and by pushing the envelope of genre combination. I can be contacted via Instagram either @f2msmusic or @based.mace or via email [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/based.mace
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/based.mace/
Image Credits
Denver Torruella Photography, Free Mace, F2MS
