WELLINGTON lawyer and band manager James Mason has won a three-month contract working with the organisers of Gisborne music festival Rhythm and Vines, and he is “pumped”.
“I’m really excited, although it’s bittersweet. The other guys [in the competition] are really good mates now and it’s tough competing against your friends. I’ll make the most of the opportunity though,” he says.
Capital Times last talked to Mason when he made the top six in the nationwide Rhythm and Vines Protégé competition. Mason was a corporate commercial lawyer at the time, but was itching to try something new (“I’ve since seen the light”) – hence the competition entry.
Festival organisation isn’t entirely new for Mason, though. He’s been organising an annual invite-only, 300-person festival called Super Summer Starter in Hawkes Bay since 2005.
“It’s never been a money making venture; we’ve done it purely out of love. The challenge is giving people bang for their buck but also making it different. Every year we’ve tried to up the game and give people surprises; you don’t want to let the idea stagnate.”
It’s not hard to see why Mason was picked for the job. He comes across as competent, passionate, and laid back.
“I’m coming in with no preconceived ideas about how these guys should run the festival, but I get the impression that Hamish [Pinkham, festival organizer] and I both started our own festivals so our bands had somewhere to play. I feel like I understand what R&V’s about, at the same time I haven’t been involved until now and I hope that means I can bring something new to the table.”
Mason’s not entirely sure what the job will entail, but at this year’s festival he’ll be working in “Artist Liaison”. Does that translate to hanging out with famous people?
“I think so, although ‘hanging out might’ not be the right description,” he laughs.
“I’ll be making sure they’re cool, getting them ready, and getting them on stage. I’m a bit nervous because I’ve heard some horror stories from other festivals about how artists can get before they get on stage.”
Proving himself already media-savvy, Mason declines the opportunity to spill the beans on the stories of famous divas for now. We’ll try again after the festival.
Rhythm and Vines, Gisborne, December 29-31.