Mason Collective are Manchester’s undisputed leaders of the underground house scene.
The DJ/producer trio have been picking up serious heat with their high-octane underground house sound, their quickly blossoming MVSON parties, and their huge influence on the Manchester music scene.
The all Mancunian outfit have been turning heads since 2014 with their fiery, tech informed house music, their always sold out MVSON events, and their undeniable influence on the city’s underground culture. Now Mason Collective are back with Same Mentality – a strong dose of fiery tech house for CR2 Records’ Ibiza Compilation.
After listening to the track, we knew we had to speak to the trio behind it, and get their views on the underground scene in Manchester, and their plans going forward.
T.H.E – Hi guys! How’s it going, and what have you been upto?
Mason Collective – All good! We’ve been in the studio as much as possible but it’s also festival season so we’ve been getting around quite a lot. We’ve recently hit up Lost & Found, Parklife, Sonar, Hideout, Ibiza and there’s a few more that we’re looking forward to playing by the end of summer.
T.H.E – You guys have collectively represented Manchester’s underground scene since 2014. How would you best classify your sounds?
Mason Collective – Mainly what we’re making at the moment is sort of faster paced (close to 127-130 bpm) groove with jittering percussion, but it can vary depending on what we’re going for in the studio. What we play out can vary also. There are three of us all with similar but slightly different tastes, and we came up as warm up DJs so we’ve learnt to switch up our style to adapt to different crowds. The result means that each time we play we always come with something different but it works.
T.H.E – What was it about the underground scene, which appealed to you?
Mason Collective – It’s hard to pinpoint to be honest. We’ve all been involved in this scene literally since we were 15/16 and it just happened naturally because of our love for the music. The underground scene in Manchester specifically is sick because you feel this mad connection that I’ve not really experienced anywhere else. Even though you might not know everyone it feels like you do. Everyone’s cool with each other, everyone’s supportive and respectful.
T.H.E – Your latest song – Same Mentality, is causing quite an impact. What is the message behind the title?
Mason Collective – There’s nothing crazy behind it, when we source a vocal we always try to process, chop and layer it in a way that adds to the overall groove and bounce of the track. The ‘same mentality’ clip that you hear throughout just happened to be the most prominent cos it fits, so we thought it’s only right we call it that. It just happens to tie in with the fact that we all have the same mentality when it comes to parties, music and life in general.
T.H.E – What can we expect from Mason Collective going forward in terms of touring and production?
Mason Collective – We can’t say too much about our release schedule at the moment but what we can say is that we’ve been spending mad hours in the studio and before the year ends we have releases due out on some of the labels that we’ve been aiming for from the jump. Our tour schedule has been building up also, we’ve recently had the chance to play in some really dope clubs/stages at places we hadn’t visited before so hopefully that continues and you’ll be able to catch us somewhere near you soon.
T.H.E – Time for some fun ones. If you had the world’s attention for 30 seconds, what would you say?
Adam Myles – I’d have to think about that one. I’d try and say something mad inspirational.
Blair Suarez – I’d need more than 30 seconds but I’d probably say stay lit and love each other.
Omar Guedar – Also cop our new Mars Bar EP out now on Solid Grooves Raw.
T.H.E – What is in your fridge right now?
Adam Myles – Not gonna lie I can only cook about three things so it’s just fruit juice, water, halloumi, and pasta sauce. I’m learning though bare with me.
Blair Suarez – I live with Adam so it’d be the same to be honest.
Omar Guedar – Hennessy
T.H.E – If you could close one fast food chain due to disgusting food, what would you pick?
Adam Myles – Probably McDonalds. It’s not disgusting but there’s one literally across the road from our gaff and they’ve taken too much of my money.
Blair Suarez – Got to be KFC for me, it’s not even real chicken.
Omar Guedar – Burger King.
T.H.E – Which app do you hate the most?
Adam Myles – Instagram. It’s a love/hate thing, I just spend too much time scrolling.
Blair Suarez – Facebook, fed up of watching videos of cats.
Omar Guedar – Defo Facebook, I’m not even on there anymore.
T.H.E – You have been given an elephant, and you can’t get rid of it. What do you do?
Adam Myles – Probably nothing to be honest I’ve got an elephant, it’s lit.
Blair Suarez – Catch it at the next MVSON party.
Omar Guedar – Follow it to the nearest watering hole.
