r.mason

texture, tension, release, repeat.

We are r.mason—a duo made up of me, Rebecca Barritt, and guitarist Jonathan Blokmanis. Our music blends soulful songwriting with rich, explorative textures, capturing a balance between lightness and tension, despair and transcendence. For as long as I can remember, music has been my constant. I started writing songs at four, recording a cappella tracks on my Sony tape deck. Over time, I taught myself guitar and piano to better express the emotions and experiences that shape my world. Artists like Bob Dylan, Josh Ritter, Kathleen Edwards, and Nina Simone have all inspired my creative journey.

Together, Jonathan and I create immersive soundscapes as r.mason. We weave my textured vocals with atmospheric guitars, electronic keys, and compelling rhythms—music that we hope resonates with you as deeply as it does with us.

Velvet Shade

Velvet Shade delves deeply into the significance of passion and understanding in love. It unravels the intricate web of emotions tied to sexual exploration, the uncertainties and questions that accompany love, and the transformative journey of self-discovery in the context of relationships. Rather than centering on the anguish of heartache—though it is undoubtedly present throughout—the EP celebrates the joys and highs of love. Simultaneously, it acknowledges the bittersweet weight and melancholy inherent in the process of healing and growth. The project masterfully balances themes of vulnerability and maturity, crafting an evocative narrative of emotional evolution.

The tracks Velvet Shade, Adam and Eve, and Only You expand into fresh, innovative soundscapes, elevating r.mason's signature style of sensual, ambient music to remarkable new heights. Velvet Shade captures the delicate interplay between confusion and beauty that arises when we encounter another’s love for us, exploring the tender yet complex emotions it evokes. Adam and Eve boldly examines raw sexuality and desire, laying bare the primal, unfiltered facets of human connection. Meanwhile, Only You delves into the facade of blind love, dissecting the illusions we often create and the truths we must confront in the pursuit of genuine intimacy.

Together, these tracks weave a tapestry of sensuality, introspection, and emotional resonance, inviting listeners on a journey through the multifaceted nature of love and self-awareness. The EP is as much a celebration of the euphoria of love as it is an acknowledgment of the challenges that come with navigating its complexities.

Special Thanks

I want to thank my dear friend Jonathan for bringing the texture and sonic inspiration for so much of what r.mason is. Without you, r.mason would just be my meandering thoughts flying around, trying to make sense of it all.

Thank you Miles for following these crazy ideas we have and for helping us bring songs to life. Thank you Bob for your dedication to making Velvet Shade just as beautiful as it can be.

Thank you to Barnhouse Sounds Productions for once again hosting our crazy asses and letting us explore, and play, and record our brains on musical magic.

Thank you to Brock for mastering these tunes and adding the sparkle they needed to fly.

Last and so importantly, my dear friend Johnny - thank you for your ever powerful eye, helping to tell the final story in film and pictures.

As always, to all you who set aside time to listen, thank you - you get all of me.

-Rebecca