James Mastro

James was a member of the great NYC indie band The Bongos, one of the first bands to ever play Hoboken’s illustrious and popular club Maxwell’s where Nirvana, REM, The Smithereens and others found stage refuge in New Jersey.  He followed up by forming the indie darling band The Health and Happiness Show, on Bar None Records.  He is popular for his astounding guitar work and musicality, having worked with Patti Smith, John Cale, The Jayhawks, Richard Lloyd (Television), Phoebe Snow, Steve Wynn (the Dream Syndicate), Jill Sobule. His credits include songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, arranger and music producer.

“My God”, is a meaningful song that James says he had no intention of writing. He calls it “a song of belief in oneself and in others” and says “I wish I didn’t have to write it…but I guess a little reinforcement couldn’t hurt.”  The concept of God is no stranger to Rock’n roll where its roots were found in gospel or at southern crossroads of the great blues men of the past.  Who is God?  Is God a thing, masculine, feminine, non gender?  Should we believe in God?  What does this God do? Where does it go?  How does it think? Is God just a concept?  James Mastro’s deep introspection in “My God” offers up discussion, thought, and perhaps a sense of comfort.  It’s really just indie rock but like well crafted songs, it is not as simple as it sounds. The track pulls influence from the greats of the past, including a slight nod to British artists ala George Harrison, David Bowie. James has a distinctive voice all of his own in this melodic and meaningful song.  We wouldn’t expect anything less from a man who has played with the maestro’s of rock’n roll all his life.“

“My God” is produced  by Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith Band) with a haunting arrangement synchronistic to the subject. The song was recorded at Hobo Studio in Weehawken, NJ, with Mastro singing and playing guitars, Shanahan adding bass, keyboards, and backing vocals, and Louie Appel on drums.