Inside Five: Mason Maynard on his new Hot Creations EP, inspirations & what’s in store for 2022

Manchester artist Mason Maynard has become renowned for his groove-laden house cuts. The twenty-something talent has released on some of house music’s most celebrated labels, shooting to prominence on Hot Creations, Relief and Sola and remixing Elderbrook and Rudimental’s ‘Something About You’. All the while garnering support from industry titans Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers, Patrick Topping, Skream, Richy Ahmed, Claude VonStroke, Hot Since 82 and Carl Cox.

Mason’s latest release sees him return to one of his regular label homes, Hot Creations. Arguably his most forward-thinking record to date, with a diverse selection of house cuts, collaborations with the legendary General Levy and rising star Hadiya George included on the release.

We jumped at the chance to sit down and talk with the precocious talent to find out how the record came about and what he has in store for the future.

Hey Mason, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself – how did you get into dance music (DJing and producing)?

Hey, thanks for having me. Yeah, I’m a DJ and producer from Manchester. 

I got into dance music around 2015/16 as a raver going to festivals like Parklife and Hideout. 

Then from there got the superbug to learn as much as I could about House music and how to produce it, and here I am now – almost knowing.

What or who have been the biggest influences on your music to date?

I like to travel and see how different things are around the world. 

Fortunately, music has allowed me to go to places I wouldn’t have otherwise so that inspires me in two ways, seeing/experiencing first hand and then when I get home it inspires me to want to create something that’ll allow me to do it again. 

From a producer standpoint, a couple of my influences are Paul Johnson (RIP), Armando (RIP), Gemini, Derrick Carter, Cajmere, Kerri Chandler, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers.. the list goes on.

Your new EP on Hot Creations working with the likes of General Levy and Hadiya George is very diverse in terms of the range of styles and sounds – how did these collaborations come about, and what inspired you?

These collabs just came from me reaching out to people I’m a fan of. 

With General Levy, I wanted to tie in my Caribbean influences with the current music I like to make. 

Hadiya and I were talking a lot about working together and she came back with a killer demo so it was easy from there. The inspiration just comes from a lot of life experiences and different emotions, which I’ve started to leave on different records.  

Since the return to clubs, what have been your most memorable moments?

I think playing at Club Space in Miami was a highlight it was nice to get back over to the US, and Space is the next level for clubbing experience as a raver and me Djing.

What can we expect from you in 2022? Any exclusive news you can share with us 😉

Lots of new music all year long. I’m also Launching my new label in the next couple of months. 

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us; we hope to hear more from you soon and maybe see you at a party soon!

Thanks appreciate it 🙂

Mason’s ‘Somethin’ For The Underground‘ is out now on Hot Creations.