Interview: 16 Year Old Pop Artist Mason Embers Talks About His Debut Single/Video "Gem"

Mason Embers is an Atlanta based 16 year old pop singer-songwriter who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his debut single and music video, “Gem”. It was awesome experience to pick Mason’s brain about topics such as his creative process for the development of “Gem”, what he enjoys most about being a singer-songwriter as a teenager, his musical goals for the year, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Mason, be sure to connect with him on his website and social media, and stream “Gem” on Spotify!

Congratulations on the release of your debut single, "Gem". Tell us about your creative process for the development of this song. Also, who produced it?

First of all, thank you! The creation process for “Gem” was fairly spontaneous, as mainly all of what I do is. I vividly remember experimenting with my guitar harmonizer when the introductory melody fell into my hands. I was around fourteen then, and was really new to songwriting (I’m still really new!). I had the song fully written in the next day or so.

My producer Eric Stallings, owner of Atlanta’s The Groove Studio, was the main person who let my ideas be made into a complete record. It took two whole years to go from my room to a finished product, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Is the scenario you sing about in "Gem" based on a personal experience?

I have known from the instant I started writing “Gem” that it would be a twist on the typical “love song”. My very first couple of songs were about being in a devoted romantic relationship. Quickly I realized that, being only thirteen at the time, I had absolutely no truth to base anything on. I decided that I would rather not sing about that topic just yet, and would focus on other ways to express my life through song.

When I wrote “Gem”, I did not have a specific experience or person in mind. Rather, I had the very feeling or expression of love itself on my mind. That could be love for anything or anyone- your parents, your kids, your dog, even a new car you just got. I don’t think the theme of love, especially in a song, should be boiled down between two people. Love can be for and between anything and anyone.

Who directed the "Gem" music video and what did you enjoy most about the filming process?

Two amazing local directors named Rexway and KKMedia directed the music video for “Gem”. They and their assistants made the process so fun, interactive, and inspiring.

Being my first music video, almost every aspect was enjoyable. I think my favorite aspect, though, was the idea of the song itself being built upon and embodied through visuals. To me, the music video to a song must compliment it and build upon it, not take away. In my opinion, the video for “Gem” helps to tie the concept and mood of the song up nicely, and I hope that everyone else who watches feels the same.

What do you enjoy most about being a singer-songwriter, especially as a 16 year old? Also, which instruments do you play?

I mainly sing and play guitar, as well as bass guitar and drums!

What I enjoy most about being a singer-songwriter, though, actually correlates directly to my age and inexperience. Being sixteen, I have not experienced the majority of what a typical life has to offer. I haven’t experienced the normal monotony of relentless work, or the joyous milestones such as having a spouse and children. And that’s not including all the little, delicate aspects in between. This means that all the concepts and ideas in my songs are purely my own interpretation, and pretty oblivious, in a sense. I like the feeling of being oblivious in that way, that feeling of fantasizing what life is like when I haven’t actually experienced a lot of it. In fact, I almost hope that it always stays that way into my adulthood.

With the "Gem" single/video now released, what are some of your goals musically for the year?

I am very excited to say that I have a couple more singles in store to release over the course of the next few months! Even more exciting is my debut album, hopefully releasing by the end of this summer. My main goal for the year is to just get the songs out there. That in itself is enough to satisfy me. Of course, I will be pushing every day to get more people to hear my work and get more gigs, but I am incredibly grateful for all that I have been allowed to do so far.

My main goal for my music in general, though, is to have all my listeners receive something that makes them ponder, makes them reflect, makes them motivated, and makes them inspired.

Stream and Share “Gem” on Spotify

Connect with Mason Embers: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook