Exclusive Interview with Luba Mason
Luba Mason is an artist with heavily gifted by many talents. She is the first American generation from Slovakian heritage that successfully built her career in both singing and acting. She has painted herself clearly on Broadway sky, appeared in some TV series, and seems like her singing career is blossoming fast as well. Her lovely and seductive silky smooth vocal is definately wonderful. Imagine that stunning kind of voice taking on the sensual jazz lounge, Brazilian style. That’s what you get when you’re listening to Luba’s latest album, “Krazy Love” (read our review about the album here). She wrote 8 songs in the album, and added many variations as well from one song to another, and also presented us with the other world she’s living in, the Broadway.
Here’s the interview with Luba Mason, where we talked about her album, the songs, her life and other stories that might help you to know her much better.
To begin with, let me say that your album is very lovely. it was like a breeze in the summer and the warmth of the fireplace in the winter…comfortable and cozy. That’s the feeling I get everytime I play your album, “Krazy Love”.
I’d call your music as jazz lounge brazilian style.. is that how you describe your music style too?
I’ve described it many ways a cool Brazilian mood, Brazilian Jazz, but it’s actually Brazilian based Adult Contemporary Music leaning towards Jazz. But I like the way you describe it best.
How do you fall in love with brazilian music at the first place?
My husband, Ruben,introduced me to Brazilian music 10 years ago. As soon as I heard the music, I fell in love with it. The rhythms, the melodies… and knew I wanted to record the music one day.
Then why do you choose to get more involve in Brazilian Music?
I feel Brazilian music suits me, my voice, where I am in my life right now, my age…it was the right time!
I read you wrote most of the songs; I heard that the lyrics came from your personal experience, could you tell me a little bit about it?
I wrote 8 of the 10 songs on the cd. It’s my first time writing and felt I needed to write about something I knew about…love! Some of the songs are from my own experience, some are totally made up and some may have happened to people I know.
I found it interesting that you used “Krazy” not “crazy” for the title of your new album and the song.. is there any reason why you use the term “Krazy” for the title of your new album/title track?
It’s a little different. A bit stronger…it just adds that something extra…
“A Summer Night” is one of the most coziest song that really takes my breath away, it could put a peaceful smile especially when I listen to it with my eyes closed. Can you share a bit about this song?
The irony of this song is that it is about abuse in a relationship…but I wanted the music to be soothing, just the contrary so you don’t feel the pain. “A Summer Night” is the first song I wrote for the album and the FIRST song that I ever wrote.
“Lovely” shows your theatrical side in a very beautiful way. It’s brilliantly done, everything’s perfect with this song. How did you come up with the idea of this song?
The melody came first. Fun, simple, catchy… then I thought of ideas that would work with this melody, and… fantasy came to mind! A working class mother, tired, crazy with children, dreams of fantasies with a movie star or a cowboy to take her away from her less than exciting life. We all have had these dreams.
Romantic flirtatious vibe captured nicely in perfect chemistry in your duet with Ruben on “E Com Esse Que Eu Vou”. The fact that you sang this song together with your husband, does it help to create the chemistry easier?
I felt it definitely added to the chemistry that I was singing with my husband. It made it more personal and I believe the listener can really feel it.
Is there anything personal that you want to share with us by releasing this special album?
It’s been a labor of love…I know that sounds corny but the process was effortless, my collaborator Renato Neto, (keyboardist for Prince), I was so lucky to find him and that I am over the moon that so many people are enjoying and loving the album.
To know better about your music and album, I think we have to know who Luba really is. Could you share with us who you are in person and in daily life?
I am a first generation American…my parents are from Slovakia . They immigrated to the US and wanted to give their children everything they didn’t have which was piano and singing and dance lessons. I was a classical pianist for 12 years and then studied classical voice with teachers from Julliard and Manhattan School of Music. I knew very young I wanted to perform my whole life and be involved in music. My first dream was to be on Broadway. I performed in 8 Broadway shows. Then I wanted to record. KRAZY LOVE is my second album. I work hard and want to always challenge myself and learn, learn. learn everyday. Also to give is important and to give music to the world, to contribute this is very rewarding for me.
How far does your dear husband, Ruben, support your music career? did he involve a lot in the making of your new album?
Ruben is my biggest fan, supports me 200%. He helped me to finance the album but he had nothing to do with the process or creating this album. He has been too busy being Minister of Tourism in Panama and actually has had his own music and film career on hold for the last 5 years while serving his government. I loved the idea that he wasn’t around a lot while I worked on this album. I didn’t want to be influenced by him or maybe his input…I wanted this to be my own creation.
How far does your Broadway experience contribute to your singing career?
Very far! You perform in front of a live audience every night on Broadway. Also, there is no better training than Broadway. The discipline and hard work of performing 8 shows a week, 6 days a week, with 2 shows on Wednesday and Saturday and 1 day off on Monday. And you do this for a year or two if you’re in a hit show…wow… that’s discipline and hard work. If you can do Broadway, you can do anything.
How does it differ between Broadway and recording an album?
Broadway is live, recording in a studio is not. But the preparation – Broadway, script and music is given to you. You just show up and do the work. My album, I do the script and lyrics. it’s ALL my project.
Do you still plan to continue your career on the theatre?
Absolutely! If a great role comes along, I’m there.
And which one is your top priority?
It’s not about top priority. I feel all the work i do helps everything else. If the album is a success, this may lead to other opportunities and another album. Vice versa…if a show I’m in is a success, this will only help my album sales and performances. Exposure is key and each medium feeds the other.
How do you think with the result of “Krazy Love”? Are you satisfied with it?
I would not have recorded the album if I was not satisfied with the results. I would not have released it. The album was a success also due to the musicians that played on the album. I don’t want to forget them. Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets) on bass, Renato Neto (Prince) on keyboards, the legendary Hubert Laws on flute, my husband Ruben Blades sings a duet, Sandro Albert on guitar, Cassio Duarte on percussion and Marco Costa on drums. ALL these guys were awesome!!!
What do you think about your achievement so far? Is there anything else you still want to reach?
More albums, more shows… awards would be nice…a Tony or a Grammy! TV and film appearances wouldn’t be bad either!
Have you ever been to Indonesia ? Would you like to perform here sometimes?
I have never been there! Who wants to book me??!! I’d love to perform there!
Is there any message you want to send for the fans?
Support Music and your favorite artists! Buy the music… don’t pirate it!
Speaking of buying, you can buy my cd on Amazon.com, iTunes and my website, lubamason.com. Or just check out my website to watch my videos, listen to music or find out where I’m playing next. And thank you for this interview!!
Visit Luba Mason’s official website and myspace
Pictures taken from Luba Mason on flickr.com
Interviewed by: Riandy Kurniawan
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