Exclusive Interview: Drew Mason – Always On My Mind: A Gentle Reflection on Loss, Memory, and Healing

Hello everyone it’s your host Daniel and today I have with me Drew Mason from Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Drew Mason is here to discuss about his recent single “Always On My Mind”. Welcome Drew Mason. Before we begin our interview here is what you need to know about this artist.

Drew Mason is a United Kingdom–based singer-songwriter from Portsmouth, operating as the songwriting alter ego of long-standing Hampshire vocalist Andy Osman, and creating deeply personal music shaped by lived experience, reflection, and emotional honesty. Drawing from years of quiet artistic growth, Drew Mason channels life’s triumphs and tragedies into melodic, thoughtful compositions that favour sincerity over spectacle. His original single “Always On My Mind,” released on 28 October 2025, stands as a powerful introduction to this chapter of his artistry, exploring themes of love, loss, memory, and emotional recovery. While the song subtly nods to the familiar emotional territory of the Elvis Presley classic of the same name, it deliberately moves beyond a conventional love-and-regret narrative, instead revealing a more complex inner dialogue rooted in personal grief. Written in response to the loss of his brother and mother, experiences he admits he was not musically ready to confront at the time, the song reflects years of suppressed emotion finally given voice, blending sadness with a quiet sense of hope and healing. Produced in close collaboration with long-time friend and Portsmouth-based producer Sam Carter-Brazier, Mason played bass, contributed guitar parts, and shaped the song’s core structure, while Carter-Brazier helped translate those ideas into a fully realised sound. Influenced by the expansive yet grounded approach of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Drew Mason seeks to elevate traditional rock arrangements, carefully choosing instrumentation that supports his distinct vocal tone and emotional intent. For Mason, “Always On My Mind” is more than a single, it is both a personal milestone and a therapeutic release, offering listeners a song whose deeper shadows reveal themselves only to those willing to listen closely.

Having this brief Introduction, I’m sure new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.

INTERVIEW

1. To begin with, let’s talk about your latest release. “Always On My Mind” feels deeply reflective and personal, shaped by memory rather than romance. What moment or emotional turning point led you to finally write this song?

Drew Mason: it wasn’t a plan I had for years to write that specific song. I guess I’ve always been a song writer, but at times life got in the way and stopped me from devoting enough time to it (you could probably say I was lazy too). But recently I found myself with more time, so I set out to write an album. the first few songs lead me to explore what had been buried inside for years, so it just felt natural to tap in to my feelings around the loss of my brother and mother.

2. You’ve spoken about earlier years marked by anger and noise, and how time helped you reach a calmer, more reflective musical space. How has that personal evolution shaped who you are as a songwriter today?

Drew Mason: I think as I’ve gotten older and the world has got softer it’s made me feel more comfortable to open up and write something that exposes my vulnerabilities. But that said, if I let my inner emotions lead every song it would be a pretty melancholy playbook; so I try to balance my past with where i am now, it’s something I can control and still enjoy without shedding too many tears.

3. This project introduces Drew Mason as a songwriting alter ego. What does this name represent for you creatively, and how does it differ from your earlier musical identity?

Drew Mason: The name is simply an anagram, but I like it a lot, sounds more poetic don’t you think. But creatively it’s the start of me actually devoting myself to what I love, my own original music, and a sense of achievement to have this and it be me – it can take me to the moon or it can take me to the back yard, I don’t care, I’m just enjoying it on my terms and am lucky to be able capture and freeze moments old and new.

4. “Always On My Mind” explores loss, memory, and the hope of moving forward. What were some of the most important life lessons that influenced the message behind this song?

Drew Mason: that’s a difficult one to answer man, but if you hold on to the past too much it’ll hold you back while the rest of the world moves on; unfortunately, in the moment, you can’t help clinging on to the past because you don’t want to let go of the memories and the people you love. It’s easy to say that in retrospect but the lesson is, you can’t always control destiny and you gotta not lose sight of your own path.

5. Although the song carries elements of a traditional love song, its emotional core is rooted in family loss. How conscious were you of balancing those two interpretations while writing?

Drew Mason: I’ve written a few songs in recent years and although I consider them great songs, they’re emotionally charged, and likely too deep for most listeners, so I’m quite conscious with this project to make it relatable but still true to myself. So yea, very conscious and you’ll see that balance in the next few releases.

6. You’ve described this song as sad, yet therapeutic. What were some of the emotional challenges, and perhaps unexpected highlights, during the writing and recording process?

Drew Mason: I think the highlight for me through the process was the energy the bass drives in the bridges and choruses, it flips the very dark verse lines in to a progressive energy, but then grounds you back in to an even deeper 2nd chorus. I’ve never really considered myself a bass player, but something clicked with the bass on this track. I spent a few days working on it in between studio sessions, chasing a particular sound and feel, and it just came together.

7. You cite Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds as an influence for this track. How did that inspiration guide your approach to arrangement and pushing the standard band setup a little further?

Drew Mason: I’ve got to give credit for the overall feel to Sam Brazier, the producer. We’ve worked together since 2020 and he really gets my style, taking the track into that NGHFB space. In its early form it had a more stripped-back, less produced feel, but something was missing in terms of it being immersive. Bringing in the synth pads, multi layer harmonies, and other production elements felt like a natural next step and really completed it; there were no Scissors though (Cleary not quite at NGHFB level of experimentation yet, ha).

8. Your vocals feel intimate and grounded, supported by clean, spacious production. How do you approach writing lyrics that are simple on the surface but carry deeper emotional weight?

Drew Mason: I try to write with honesty rather than cleverness. If the lyric works when it’s stripped right back, just voice and a basic idea, then I know it has a chance of carrying weight. I prefer simple language because it lets the listener bring their own meaning to it, and a lot of the emotion comes from what’s implied rather than what’s spelled out.

9. This single is part of a broader journey toward an upcoming album. How does “Always On My Mind” fit into the larger narrative of that project?

Drew Mason: I lean into similar subject matter on a couple of the other tracks, but consciously I’ve avoided taking the whole album down that road – there’ll be other albums to get moody on. I’ve always had a strong political direction in my earlier material, and that comes through on a lot of the other tracks here. The next release, Revolution Song, has a funkier feel but still keeps the depth of production.
The album crosses over a few genres, but the constant is my vocal style and the honesty behind it – that’s what gives the album a Drew Mason signature.

10. Your long-standing collaboration with producer Sam Carter-Brazier clearly plays a key role in your sound. How does that creative partnership help bring your ideas to life?

Drew Mason: My writing always starts on an acoustic guitar with a simple GarageBand demo. I’m no producer, but I like to build the tracks from the ground up myself, get them to a point where I’m comfortable, and know if they’ve got something – your ear just tells you if it’s strong enough to share. Then Sam joins the party and adds the sparkle and strength in the production and mix.
I’m glad you ask, because some of the single releases will be accompanied by demo tracks so listeners can hear the rawer versions. We’ve also got some acoustic versions planned too.

11. You contributed bass, guitar, and songwriting while trusting Sam with other elements. How do you decide when to hold on creatively and when to let go?

Drew Mason: I wouldn’t say I ever let go of the creativity – we work closely in the studio, and the process is pretty organic. Sometimes we spend a lot of time heading in a direction that, in the end, I’m not happy with. When that happens, we back it out and take a different approach. It’s my process, and the sound is a reflection of me, but Sam definitely adds sparkle with his knowledge of production and musicianship.

12. Since releasing “Always On My Mind,” what kind of responses have you received from listeners, especially those who may connect with its themes of loss and memory?

Drew Mason: The response has been really encouraging. A lot of people have picked up on the drive of the song – the bass line and the chorus hooks in particular – which is great to hear because so much time went into getting that energy right. But I’ve also heard from listeners who’ve connected with the honesty and openness of the lyrics. Some have said it resonates with their own experiences of loss and memory, and knowing that makes releasing it feel even better.

13. Looking ahead to the album planned for next year, what can listeners expect in terms of themes, sound, and emotional direction?

Drew Mason: The main themes sit around love and loss, changing times, and a need for a reset in how we look at values; as in our relationship with material things, society, and how we treat each other. The album gave me space to explore some of my deeper emotions around love and loss, but it also acts as a voice for hope. In times that can feel pretty daunting, where power often seems to matter more than social wellbeing, I wanted the record to offer something honest, reflective, and maybe even inspire positive change.

14. You’ve mentioned that many of these songs could have been written years ago. Is there something about yourself or your journey that fans might not know, but feels important to share now?

Drew Mason: A lot of these songs could have been written years ago because the feelings behind them have been there for a long time. What was less visible is how caught up I became in a system that measures success through material things and debt. You end up chasing security, but it quietly takes away your sense of freedom and creativity.
Writing these songs has helped me change that, question what actually matters, and take back a bit of space for myself. It feels good to share that now, because I think a lot of people are carrying similar burdens, and hopefully these songs help us realise there’s other ways.

15. Finally, do you have any closing thoughts for listeners who are discovering Drew Mason for the first time through “Always On My Mind”?

Drew Mason: If you’re discovering my music for the first time through Always On My Mind, I’m really glad you’re on board for the ride – and I hope you stick around. There’s a full album on the horizon, and the second one is already taking shape too.
As much as this is for me, if it connects with you then it’s for you as well. I’m grateful for the company, I’ll keep the flame burning for Révolution, and hopefully I’ll see some of you out at the shows coming up.

IN SUMMARY

This has been an exciting session for us all Drew Mason, I believe fans and anyone out there just discovering your music for the first time are equally excited about this project. Thank you for the privilege to experience this masterpiece, it’s been an honor.

“Always On My Mind” by Drew Mason is built on a beautifully restrained and organic soundscape that allows emotion to lead every musical decision, making the listening experience feel intimate and deeply human. The song is anchored by a warm, gently strummed gritty guitar that immediately sets a reflective tone, its soft progression creating a sense of calm and familiarity, as though the listener is being eased into a private moment of remembrance. Beneath this, a smooth, rounded bass line moves patiently and purposefully, adding emotional weight and grounding the song without drawing attention away from the narrative. The drums are minimal and tastefully understated, leaning more toward soft, brush-like textures rather than sharp hits, giving the track a slow, steady pulse that feels like a quiet heartbeat rather than a driving rhythm. Subtle electric guitar layers drift in gently, often felt more than heard, adding atmosphere and emotional depth, while faint ambient tones hover in the background like distant memories, enriching the song’s reflective mood. Drew Mason’s vocal delivery sits perfectly within this arrangement, calm, sincere, and emotionally transparent, allowing the warmth of the instrumentation to cradle his voice rather than compete with it. Sonically, the song feels warm, spacious, and timeless, carrying a soft indie-rock and singer-songwriter aesthetic that prioritizes feeling over flair. What makes the track truly special is how all these elements work together to create a sound that feels lived-in and honest, mirroring the song’s theme of memories that never fade but instead settle gently into the soul, making “Always On My Mind” not just something you hear, but something you quietly feel long after the final note fades.

Finally to our audience, I urge to listen to “Always On My Mind”, add it to your playlist and be Inspired by it and on behalf of Dulaxi I like to appreciate you all by saying thank you everyone, See you on our next interview.

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