Mason Maynard Discusses Career & Splash House: The Biggest Desert House Music Party [Interview]

With Splash House just around the corner, fans are getting excited to make their way to the esteemed party in the desert once again. Fan-favorite Mason Maynard will be taking the after-hours stage on Saturday night for his debut Splash House performance. We were lucky enough to sit down with him, chat about his upcoming set at the Palm Springs Air Museum, and receive some insight into his career. 

The Nocturnal Times: You secured your position in the industry at quite a young age, with some of your debut releases around the age of twenty-one. At what point did you decide to pursue music as a career? How did you get your start?

Mason Maynard: I started pursuing music in about 2017? Yeah, 2017. I always loved music whenever I was doing other things, but [it changed] after going to a couple of festivals in the UK and just learning about raving, the culture of it (and that was obviously when I was a little bit younger). To first go there and experience the atmosphere and the music, which was a bit different than what I was listening to before, that’s how I knew that music was what I wanted to do. Specifically DJing, I wanted to become a DJ by going to festivals and raves over in Manchester. I think my start came from going out and meeting different people, networking from there, started getting on a few line-ups, and just have been building from there. 

NT: Your recent release, the official remix of Tim Taylor’s “Love,” is now on Beatport’s “Best Hype New Tech House.” With many of your releases reaching the top of the charts over the past few years, what can fans expect from you in the future? Do you plan on many more releases this year?

MM: Coming in towards the future, I’ve got music coming in that is a year and a bit old now. I’m excited to get these out so that I can then move forward. The sound that is coming after the next couple of releases is what’s really going to change and define what I’m doing from this point on. I’ve got two EP’s coming this year and maybe one more single before this year is over, potentially even three EP’s, fingers crossed. 

NT: Coming from the UK, now post-pandemic, how are you looking forward to your upcoming shows in the United States and around the world? 

MM: Yeah, I can’t wait to get back to the States because the shows are really good over there. I haven’t been there since last March. I came back [to the UK] right before the pandemic started and haven’t been back since. 

NT: Your after-hours set at Splash House is definitely going to be a game-changer for many attendees. Can you tell us more about your thoughts on the festival and what you’re most looking forward to? 

MM: Well based on the pictures, it looks like an all-around fun experience regardless. So, I’m hoping to soak up a bit of that fun downtime before it gets heavier in the night when I start playing. 

NT: With the after-hours party being at the Palms Springs Air Museum, your stage is directly under a giant airplane backdrop. Sounds like an absolutely amazing setting for your first time in the desert. What’re your thoughts on the venue? Have you played anywhere like this before?

MM: From what I’ve seen, and from what I’ve heard, that’s got me very excited. I think a nice backdrop could really add to the whole experience. This is obviously a bigger festival, but some festivals just have a stage here and a stage there, and it all kind of looks the same. I like that they’re using something else [different] to kind of make up the aesthetic of the stage. I’ve definitely never played in a plane hangar in the middle of the desert with all the stars out….so, yeah. That’s a good one.

NT: What can fans expect from your set at Splash House and how would you explain your sound to those who might not have seen you perform live before? 

MM: I’d say expect a lot of groovy and authentic house. Also, there’ll be some tech-house beats in there to keep the rhythm and the beat but mostly it’s going to be like a house lesson. A lesson in house, is what I’m saying. 

NT: That’s an awesome way to put it. We think that about wraps it up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers or your fans?

MM: Yeah just that it’s been a long-time and I’ve been sitting at home, just dying to get back out. I’m excited to perform again and be putting out music again because it’s been a while for that as well. So, everything’s coming back to full-motion and I have a lot to look forward to.