Hello everyone, it’s your host Oliver from DULAXI, and today I’m delighted to be joined by English singer-songwriter Zachary Mason, an independent artist based in Guildford, England, whose music explores the relationship between personal experiences, emotional reflection, and honest songwriting. Working across folk, acoustic folk, folk rock, and other musical styles, Zachary has developed a creative identity shaped by his love for storytelling and his appreciation of artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, and The Beatles. Today, we’re discussing his latest EP, Welcome To My Heart, released on July 10th, 2026, a three-track collection that marks his return to his folk roots.
Before we begin our conversation with Zachary Mason, here’s what you need to know about today’s featured project.
About Zachary Mason
Based in Guildford, England, Zachary Mason began developing his musical catalogue in the spring of 2021 after receiving a recording kit from a relative. What initially started as an opportunity to experiment with music gradually developed into a consistent creative pursuit, leading him to produce between 200 and 250 demo recordings across different genres. Working with acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and keyboards, Zachary has explored various musical directions, moving between folk, folk rock, and heavier sounds while gradually establishing his own approach to songwriting. Alongside his musical activities, he also writes under his real name, Daniel Macintyre, sharing literary works through his website Scribblings and contributing writing to online publication Fevers Of The Mind.
His growing catalogue has attracted recognition from several music publications, including Rolling Stone En Español, TJPL News, The Big Takeover, Rock Era Magazine, Return Of Rock, M.E.I. News, and others. In 2025, he was also interviewed by SPIN Magazine, marking another notable moment in his independent music career. His single “I Wish Humans Were Made In A Factory…” reached the semi-finals of the ISC 2025, while his earlier release “I’ll Get Through” achieved positions at No. 41 and No. 93 on the indie radio charts in 2024. Some of his compositions have also been accepted into film and television music libraries, including YTINIFNI Pictures and Brazilian company Relva Music. With a catalogue exceeding one million streams, Zachary continues to build his presence through independent releases and collaborations.
Released on July 10th, 2026, Welcome To My Heart represents a return to the folk foundations of his musical identity following a two-year period during which he explored rock music. The three-track EP brings together “Can’t Feel My Autumn…”, “I Need Freedom”, and “Me And I”, each offering a different perspective on sadness, internal struggles, personal reflection, and emotional endurance. The opening track draws from a particularly personal period in Zachary’s life when taking Zoloft affected his ability to experience the emotional depth of autumn, a season that holds considerable nostalgic significance for him. Rather than presenting these experiences as isolated stories, the collection creates space for listeners to connect with the feelings behind them. Interestingly, the three songs were originally recorded across three consecutive years, between 2023 and 2025, before Zachary decided to bring them together as a cohesive folk EP.
The project also brings together an international group of musicians whose contributions helped shape its final sound. Grammy-nominated recording producer and engineer David E Beats, based in Toulouse, France, handled the mixing and mastering, while also contributing rhythm guitar and bass to the second track. Drummer Nate Barnes, known for his work with the critically acclaimed rock band Rose Hill Drive, performs on tracks two and three, while John Thomasson, bassist for Little Big Town, contributes to the closing track. The recordings were completed across three countries and four different studios, bringing together musicians from the United Kingdom, France, and the United States.
Having this brief introduction to today’s featured project, I’m sure both new listeners and longtime followers are looking forward to hearing directly from Zachary about the experiences, creative decisions, and personal stories behind this release. So, without further ado, let’s begin today’s interview.
INTERVIEW SESSION
Oliver:
Growing up in Guildford and developing your creative identity over the years, how have your personal experiences, surroundings, and life journey shaped the way you approach music and storytelling today?
Zachary Mason:
Living in the city has definitely infused a sense of escapism and “getting away” in a lot of my music. City life is not something I enjoy, so some of my lyrics explore themes of a better life and also satirical comments on modern society. Having said that, much of my inspiration as an artist comes from my reading and music library, and the environment of the mind as opposed to the environment of any physical location. I also live just across the road from the famous Andertons Music store, and it was from there that I received my first recording kit, so that is an interesting factor in the musical journey…
Oliver:
You began creating music seriously after receiving a recording kit from a relative in 2021, eventually producing between 200 and 250 demo tracks across different genres. What was that early period of constant experimentation like for you, and what did discovering your own creative voice through that process teach you about yourself as an artist?
Zachary Mason:
The first few months of recording were not done with any intention of releasing music or becoming a musician; however, later that year, I began producing music more frequently and also began to broaden and expand my sounds and genres. Most of my early attempts were within the folk or folk rock genre, with a fairly consistent overall sound, but in time I began to develop more quirky, varied and also heavier sounds. By the end of 2021, I think I’d already recorded enough material for 2 or 3 demo albums, plus single demos. It was great at the time to break through and experiment with new sounds, but I can also look back on this time with frustration, as many interesting ideas were poorly recorded and hence not releasable…
Oliver:
Your songwriting often carries a strong connection to reflection, emotion, and personal experiences, while your literary work under your real name Daniel Macintyre explores another side of your creativity. How do writing and music influence each other in your life, and how does storytelling shape the way you express your thoughts through songs?
Zachary Mason:
I think emotion and reflection play a big part in my writing too, and there is definitely a strong crossover between my literary interests and songwriting. Having a literary interest naturally improves songwriting and ideas, and reading opens up the mind immensely.
Oliver:
You have mentioned artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, and The Beatles as important influences. What qualities from these artists have stayed with you the most, and how have they helped shape your own approach to melody, songwriting, and emotional honesty?
Zachary Mason:
The music I love has spurred on my own creative efforts, and my sound does reflect the artists I listen to more. What you put in will affect what you put out, and, as I’ve gone on a journey with the sound and thoughts of an artist, I’ve seen pathways of my own open up too, which occasionally overlap those of others. Having a wide range of music in my listening library has likely encouraged me to pursue more than one sound, theme or genre, as well.
Oliver:
Your career has moved through different musical phases, including a period focused on rock before returning to your folk roots with Welcome To My Heart. What inspired this transition back toward a more intimate folk sound, and what did you feel this style allowed you to express that you wanted listeners to hear?
Zachary Mason:
I wanted to get back to doing something a bit more profound and meaningful, after a spell releasing predominantly rock. Rock is fun and has a strong adrenaline kick, but you don’t usually get the same emotional depth or sense of fulfilment as you do from folk or more acoustic-based genres. Folk is also where it all started for me, so it has a more nostalgic feel too! There had also been some improvements in production since my older folk releases, so it was nice to show how things had been moving forward! I hope that fans enjoyed the more sombre and reflective tone of the EP, and perhaps connected with its themes… I think that a gentle, heartfelt acoustic melody can often carry more internal power than power chords and harassed cymbals!
Oliver:
Welcome To My Heart explores themes of sadness, internal struggles, endurance, and reflection across three deeply personal tracks. What was the emotional starting point for this EP, and what made these particular stories feel like they needed to become part of the same project?
Zachary Mason:
Each song on the EP, funny enough, was originally recorded in three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025, with each track proceeding in that order. I didn’t have an EP in mind when I did these songs, and it wasn’t until late last year or early this year that I decided to come up with an emotive folk EP, for which I selected these songs. Having a large amount of material in the drawer is handy as you can just reach in and pull it out when you feel you need it. I felt these three songs were the right fit for Welcome To My Heart, and I hope others come to agree!
Oliver:
The opening track reflects on a period when taking Zoloft affected your ability to experience the emotional depth of autumn, a season that carries special meaning for you. How did that personal experience influence the way you approached vulnerability and memory while writing this song?
Zachary Mason:
In some ways, it made the song easier to write, as it came from noteworthy experience rather than pure imagination. The song made me think over recent events in my life and helped to organise and process it all somewhat, and, though restricted at the time emotionally, Can’t Feel My Autumn.. oddly feels like one of my more emotive songs…
Oliver:
The title Welcome To My Heart feels like an invitation into a very personal space. What does this title represent for you, and what did you hope listeners would understand about you by stepping into this collection of songs?
Zachary Mason:
I feel that the title speaks for itself; and I suspect listeners would be more inclined to feel rather than understand… I hope the EP is viewed as an emotional journey rather than a collection of facts about me. We all swim in the same river of emotion, and being reminded we do can mean more than the reasons why…
Oliver:
I Need Freedom and Me And I continue the EP’s themes of self-reflection and emotional endurance. Can you take us deeper into the stories and feelings behind these songs, and explain how they connect with the wider message of the EP?
Zachary Mason:
I Need Freedom was actually originally titled: The Prisoner And The Prison, conveying the idea that I am trapped within myself. (“I can’t escape from my prison/The walls are made of my soul…”) The song is heavily related to my mental health issues and a desire to break free. It doesn’t dig too deep into what those issues are or how they feel, instead focusing on a simple yet strong desire to emerge from the chaos… The final song, Me And I, is written as a sort of internal dialogue between me and… well, me! I guess this is kind of apt as I do tend very much toward solitude as a person… Again, the lyrics don’t dig too deeply into any specific happening or thing, instead focusing on the general dialogue and response to each happening or thing… Though not intentional, I suppose this could make the track more accessible to listeners…
Oliver:
You have described Me And I as your personal favourite track on the EP. What makes that particular song stand out to you, and what part of your own journey do you feel is captured most strongly within it?
Zachary Mason:
I actually like the melodic parts of this song more than the lyrics- the long intro, the guitar solos (both acoustic and electric!) and keyboard work. They just seem quite meaningful to me, perhaps more meaningful than the lyrics ever could be…
Oliver:
After creating hundreds of demos and exploring different genres using acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards, how do you decide when a song has found its final identity and is ready to move from an idea into a finished recording?
Zachary Mason:
I usually pull out a demo or demos based on my mood and what I feel like releasing, though I do have to check the song is ready for release. It’s a shame fans can’t sort through the catalogue and make a pick- that might be rather fun!
Oliver:
For this EP, you collaborated with Grammy-nominated engineer and producer David E Beats, who also contributed rhythm guitar and bass, alongside musicians such as Nate Barnes from Rose Hill Drive and John Thomasson from Little Big Town. How did these collaborations influence the sound and emotional depth of Welcome To My Heart?
Zachary Mason:
This EP was my first work done in David’s studio, and I really appreciate the sound quality he achieved for the release! David is actually the husband of my PR Agent, who first introduced me to him, so it’s been really nice to have them both on board! Nate Barnes has done a lot of drumming for me for nearly three years now, and his contributions on Tracks 2 and 3 were, as always, solid! John Thomasson only played on one track, Me And I, but his Bass is very strong and complements the song perfectly. A big thanks to these three fine Musicians!
Oliver:
Folk music often relies heavily on intimacy, storytelling, and the relationship between the performer and the listener. When producing Welcome To My Heart, what choices did you make in the arrangement and instrumentation to ensure the emotions behind the songs remained at the centre of the recordings?
Zachary Mason:
I wanted to ensure the instrumental parts were prominent enough in the tracks, as I felt these could speak at least as powerfully as the words. I’ve much to thank David E Beats for in terms of the production and refinement of this EP, that has been a real boon! (Funny enough, this EP has actually had parts recorded in three different countries, and in four different studios! I’m in the UK, David is in France, and Nate and John are in the U.S.!
Oliver:
Your music has reached listeners through features from publications including Rolling Stone En Español, The Big Takeover, TJPL News, and others, while some of your work has also found opportunities through sync placements. How has seeing your music connect with different audiences around the world affected your confidence and growth as an independent artist?
Zachary Mason:
It’s great to have some solid names behind you as an artist, confirming the work was worth it and adding to your credibility! It can also boost your desire to create all the more! (I would also mention my interview in SPIN Magazine!)
Oliver:
Your previous releases have achieved milestones such as chart placements on indie radio and recognition through competitions like the ISC 2025 semi-finals. Looking back at these moments, what have they taught you about persistence, creativity, and continuing to build a career on your own terms?
Zachary Mason:
Well, it’s shown that I can have some confidence in my work and can gain recognition for it- I never would have guessed I’d be having these achievements now back in early 2021! And now its all about what further achievements the future may hold…
Oliver:
Many of your songs explore difficult emotions while still carrying a sense of endurance and hope. When listeners finish experiencing Welcome To My Heart, what emotions or reflections do you hope they carry with them?
Zachary Mason:
I hope the EP inspires sadness balanced with hope, and that fans can relate my feelings to their own! Feelings + feelings + relation = a successful song, I think is often the formula for musical achievement!
Oliver:
With your ability to move between folk, rock, and other genres, as well as your background as both a musician and writer, how do you see your artistic identity continuing to develop in the future?
Zachary Mason:
That it will develop, I guess is likely, though I’ve rarely been able to foresee how things will turn out in future… And that sense of mystery and pending discovery is a good thing I think; I’ll just keep plugging away, endeavouring, working, and see where the road takes me…
Oliver:
As you continue creating new music and building on the journey that began with those early home recordings in 2021, what dreams, projects, or creative goals are you most excited to pursue next?
Zachary Mason:
Well, as I recently revealed in an interview with another publication, I’ve had the privilege this year of working with a big name in the history of music, and together we’ve crafted a song which should be released this year! Stayed tuned for more on that! In the meantime, I shall continue promoting this new EP, and thanking those who help me along the way!
“With Welcome To My Heart, Zachary Mason offers listeners an opportunity to sit with their own thoughts, recognise familiar emotions, and discover that even our most private struggles can become shared experiences through music.”
~ Oliver (DULAXI Team)
EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE
What makes Welcome To My Heart particularly interesting is the way Zachary approaches songwriting as an extension of personal reflection. The three compositions each explore a different aspect of his inner world, while the combination of acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, and carefully considered percussion gives the material room to develop. His appreciation for instrumental expression is especially evident in his discussion of Me And I, where he places considerable importance on the melodies and guitar work. The result is a personal collection that demonstrates how music can communicate feelings that are sometimes difficult to put into words.
~ Oliver (DULAXI Team)
CLOSING
Our conversation with Zachary Mason has offered a closer look at the experiences, influences, and creative decisions behind Welcome To My Heart. From his early experimentation with home recordings to his return to folk music and the international collaborations that helped shape this EP, it is clear that his artistic development continues to be guided by curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to explore different musical directions.
A special thank you to Zachary for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing the personal stories behind these three compositions. His thoughts on songwriting, literary influences, musical experimentation, and the importance of emotional connection have added another dimension to our understanding of the project.
For readers who have not yet experienced Welcome To My Heart, we encourage you to spend some time with the EP and discover the stories behind “Can’t Feel My Autumn…”, “I Need Freedom”, and “Me And I”. You can also follow Zachary through his official platforms to keep up with his future releases and creative developments. With an exciting collaboration already in the works, there is certainly more to look forward to from the Guildford-based singer-songwriter.
Thank you for spending time with us here at DULAXI. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to bringing you more conversations with talented independent artists, musicians, and creatives from around the world.
Until next time, keep discovering new music!