Pink Oil by Scott Masson

NOTE:

I'll probably be releasing vinyl/CD versions of this and certain records from my solo and OFFICE catalog in the next couple years, so please don't buy the digital versions if you'd rather have the physical version at some point. I just don't know when this will happen, since it's super backed-up at pressing plants, and not particularly cheap. Hoping it's not too long though. I wanted to warn you ahead of time, so you don't feel ripped off when I end up releasing vinyl/cd down the road.

This record (along with "Blue Oil", "Yellow Oil", and "Gray Oil") were recorded between late 2011-2014. I thought I’d take a few moments to provide a little backstory on this material, since it just came out on streaming.

This album was my attempt to make a faux-concert-type of listening experience in my basement (ala Pepper, KISS Alive, etc). There’s a lot of madness, mystery, and humor in these songs. This work came at a time when I was starting to return to the land-of-the-living after a rough spot in life. The previous album "Phantom Films" was heavy and emotionally-intense orchestral music, so the goal was to deliver the storytelling and songwriting on "Pink Oil" in a more-fun and unusual type of way. Sometimes, I'd even play "the actor" while singing each song, to paint a better picture for whatever was happening musically and lyrically. (i.e. The drunk crooner singing the chorus of "Pink Oil", the confident circus ringleader/ announcer on "Grimsby's Silver Circus", or the telepathic voice calling out to extraterrestrials during the verses of "The Only Witness".)

These songs were recorded while I was slicing lunch meat at a deli for my day job (and yes, I'm a vegetarian). While not slicing meat, or getting yelled at by the public, I would compose and record jingles for ad agencies, and produce various local musicians, bands, and rappers around Detroit. I had also just moved into a house in Ferndale, MI as well. It was the first time in my adult life that I didn't have a roommate, so I could be free and ridiculous in my studio....while working late into the night.

I like to think of this material as a musical cocoon, because "transition" is exactly what was happening in my life at this time. I was learning to push my basement production style during this period, while attempting to create a more "cinematic" and visual type of pop song in that process. As ridiculous as it sounds, my goal was to make each song sound like a mini movie.....full of strange characters, scenery, sound-design, ambience, etc.. Often, it was overwhelming for me to finish these songs...but I just hacked away at them like paintings, not worrying about second-guessing myself.

"Blue Oil" are experiments, demos, and sketches from the making of "Pink Oil". "Yellow Oil" consists of songs I was commissioned to write for businesses and agencies. "Gray Oil" are super experimental compositions I created on my iPad at night, while working on lyrics. "Pink Oil" is the proper pop album from this period of creativity. It’s all part of the cycle.

Thank you so much for listening. Dig away, skim around, fast-forward, laugh, scratch your head, etc. It's a lot of material, so hopefully you make a fun discovery or two at your convenience.

I have no shame in showing my questionable moments, my strengths, weaknesses, unfinished sketches, etc. My early 30s were quite a trip.


©2014 PublicTreatments (ASCAP).

More background information about “Pink Oil” and lyrics at www.scottmasson.com

Music by Scott Masson, OFFICE, etc.

Publishing: Public Treatments (ASCAP).

scottmasson.com