#wayoutdevelopment

How are you feeling? Homesick already?

“God, no, not homesick.” Mason chuckles and shakes his head. “I’ve never been very, like, tethered, so this is awesome - I love being on the move, seeing different places and so many people. It’s been totally awesome so far, but I’m sure the pace will wear on me eventually.”

Which acts have you most enjoyed watching?

“Oh, man, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I really like Wilde’s stuff, and Rachel Berry’s - solo acts are so hardcore, y’know? It’s realer somehow, just you and the music and - yeah, they’re both really awesome ladies. Uh, in terms of groups, Cool Cool Cool is really - uh, cool.” Mason laughs. “Eureka Serpant’s also way out there, I love their vibes.”

Do you have any surprises planned?

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” Mason grins impishly and raises his hands in defense. “Okay, yeah, I got some stuff in the works, but really - ‘till everything’s a little more settled it’s just that: plans.”

Who is someone you’ve been getting closer to on tour?

“Actually, Ryder, from Mercedes and the Oracle? He and I were roommates back in college. It’s been awesome to catch up with him. Everybody else is too intimidating for me still.”

Are there any rumors you want to confirm or dispute?

“I don’t...really think people are talking much about me? D’you wanna start one? I can neither confirm nor deny that I’m a member of the Illuminati. How’s that for a quote?”

Which show are you most excited for?

“Like, which place?” Mason blinks. “Honestly, man, I never know where we’re going till they tell us, and even then, I never remember for long. Sorry. I’m looking forward to all of them, though, I really am, especially the ones in cities I’ve never been to and wouldn’t go to otherwise.”

Have you made any mistakes? Have any regrets?

“Like...in life? Or in the past week?” Mason chuckles and waves a hand. “Man, next question. I don’t believe in regrets. If it’s fun, it’s fun, and if it bites you, it’s your own dang fault.”

How is this tour compared to your past tours? Or is this your first tour?

“I mean, I guess I ‘toured’ with my parents when we were kids, but...we were kids, and it doesn’t count, so basically I’m a tour virgin! Which means this is totally putting all my other tours to shame.” Mason laughs. “Really, though, it’s been totally wild. I’m pretty sure I’m heading toward ‘overwhelmed by awesomeness’ territory and I’m gonna need to crash soon, but ‘till then, I’m just trying to live it up, y’know? You only get so many firsts, and I want this to be a good one.”

What expectations did you have, and is the tour meeting up to them?

Which acts have you most enjoyed watching?

“I’ve been touring with Eureka Serpent for longer than they’ve been on the label, so get ready for a lame, unsurprising answer. I really love the band, just as people, but their music is really exactly my style. I’d listen to them even if I didn’t know them personally. I try not to miss a Eureka set if I can help it, even if it means leaving my show make-up on for just a little too long. I’ve also really loved listening to Bone Apple Tea and Puddle of Peace. It’s so cool to tour with them, because we’ve been personal friends for a while now.”

And you’ve been collaborating with them too, right?

“Right. Marley and I did a Janis Joplin cover together, and we pretty much changed the music game...in my less than humble opinion, at least.”

You might not be humble, but you’re also not wrong. Do you have any other surprises planned?

“I’m not spilling any more secrets, man. I told you. I may have famously loose lips, but I’m keeping ‘em shut this time. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Who is someone you’ve been getting closer to on tour?

“Now you’re just trying to get me into trouble, aren’t you? I’ve been hanging out more with Jesse, which has been so much fun. I’ve always really respected him as a professional, but I’ve been growing some personal respect for him as well. Marley Rose, too. I know that answer might confuse a lot of people, but we really are learning a lot more about each other on a lot of different levels. We have more in common than we ever really knew before the tour brought us together.”

Now you have a man in common, too, right?

“No comment. But, Rachel Berry is another person I’m getting to know on a personal level. ”

The two of you have had a little rivalry in the past, haven’t you?

“I might not use the word rivalry, but we both like a little friendly competition. That hasn’t changed, don’t worry. We’re still pushing each other to be our best selves, and the best musicians we can be. But don’t be surprised if you catch us sipping margaritas poolside. That’s all I’m saying.”

Fair enough. Are there any rumors you want to confirm or dispute?

“Most of the rumors about me have been confirmed on camera, sadly.”

Oh, that’s right-

“Don’t lie. I know you didn’t forget.”

Okay, but how did that happen? You’ve been pretty vague about it all so far. 

She sighs, looking the slightest bit uncomfortable for the first time in the interview.

“I want to blame alcohol, but it’s probably just my classic recklessness combined with some good booze. It happens, you know? I’m not the first person it happened to. I guess the one rumor I want to dispute is that the video was leaked purposely. It really was an accident...on both sides.”

You’re still sticking up for him, even after your less than private break up?

“You saw that?! Man, you did your research. Okay, first of all...it wasn’t a break up. It was a disagreement between two friends who are...probably not friends anymore. That’s all I really want to say on that. 

Can we get back to the music now?”

Of course. Which show are you most excited for?

“New York. The answer is always New York.”

Have you made any mistakes? Have any regrets?

“I don’t have any regrets, but mistakes? I’ve made mistakes. Mistake number one...cameras. Never again. Cameras are outlawed around me, unless I’m the one holding it...or I have my shirt on. I have a lot more that I’m grateful for, though. That outweighs the not-so positive things.”

What are you grateful for, then?

“Mainly just that my boobs aren’t on the internet...yet. Just kidding.”

How is this tour compared to your past tours? 

“Bigger...but, you know what I always say. The bigger, the better.”

What expectations did you have, and is the tour meeting up to them?

How are you feeling? Homesick already?

You could definitely say that I’m homesick already. I have been given such an amazing opportunity with this tour, so I can’t complain at all. I’ve been having such a fun time so far and we’re only on our first week of the tour so I can’t wait to see how the rest of this tour goes.

Which acts have you most enjoyed watching?

Of course, I have enjoyed my boyfriend’s band, Puddle of Peace and Bone Apple Tea. Other than that, Rachel Berry and Reflective Smoke have been my favorite acts so far. I haven’t gotten to see everybody play yet so this is subject to change.

Do you have any surprises planned?

I have a few, yes. And they are more than worth the wait so I won’t give any spoilers just yet.

Who is someone you’ve been getting closer to on tour?

The one person that I’ve gotten closer to on this tour is Rachel. She is such an amazing artist and I loved watching her shows and just hanging out. She really is as sweet as she seems and we get along quite well. We are so very similar, but also different as well.

Are there any rumors you want to confirm or dispute?

I am one of the lucky few that have not had any rumors going on so far. I don’t listen to rumors anyway and my fans know who I am so I know they wouldn’t listen to them either. Right now, though, that is not something that I have to worry about.

Which show are you most excited for?

I think I’m most excited for my hometown show, Virginia Beach. I think it’s going to be an interesting one for the books and I can’t wait.

Have you made any mistakes? Have any regrets?

I’m human so of course, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. I think as humans it’s okay to make mistakes and own up to them, which I believe that I have. As for regrets, I don’t have any. As cliche as it sounds, I have never been one to live my life with regrets.

How is this tour compared to your past tours? Or is this your first tour?

This is my very first tour like worldwide tour. I mean I’ve been to various bars and stuff to do little shows, but I don’t consider them a tour like this one. 

What expectations did you have, and is the tour meeting up to them?

AWDC : Do you have any surprises planned?

RB : Of course! Who doesn’t? Right now I’m planning on a big surprise for San Fran with a fellow artist, and a few others and I have already planned collaborations during the course of this trip. 

AWDC : Who is someone you’ve been getting closer to on tour?

RB : Where to begin? There’s Sam, obviously, since the two of us are dating and finally get to spend more time together since we’re in the same location now. Marley Rose - we had a big get together at her house before we started the tour, and she’s an absolute doll. Kitty Wilde and I have been hanging out some, and of course Jesse St. James and I have some potential plans in the works. My drummer, Emily, says I’m a talent succubus - I go around and drink from the talent of others to make myself greater. So I’ll be doing a lot of that this tour. 

AWDC : Are there any rumors you want to confirm or dispute?

RB : - Rachel laughs - I don’t know how many rumors are out there yet, especially since it feels like twitter is spawning them by the hour. I suppose the only thing I want to say is that there’s only one man who holds my heart right now, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon - everyone else I’m seen with is just a friend, and perhaps some of these people that I’m supposedly sleeping with are really just future duet partners. 

AWDC : Which show are you most excited for?

RB : New York, without a doubt. It’s my home, and it’s where I’ve spent the past few years cultivating myself as an artist. Plus, I’ll get to see my dads, and my cat, who I unfortunately had to leave behind this go around. And there’s nothing prettier than New York in October - I can’t wait for it.

AWDC : Have you made any mistakes? Have any regrets?

RB : Who hasn’t? I think life is always going to be a learning experience, and I’m sure some of the decisions I’ve made in the past weren’t the smartest. I don’t know if I’d say I regret any of it, though - after all, it’s made me who I am today. And if I get to be considered a ‘badass new indie star’, then clearly I made some good choices along the way. 

AWDC : How is this tour compared to your past tours?

RB : In the past, it was always just me and my girls in a van that spent half the time breaking down on us. We’d play a venue that could hold maybe 300 people if we were lucky, and I spent the rest of the night doing shots at the bar with my fans. It’s a very intimate experience, and one I wouldn’t change for the world, but this is a whole different show - I think if I started doing shots with my fans on stage, Sugar might have a heart attack! 

AWDC : What expectations did you have, and is the tour meeting up to them?

RB : My only real expectation during this is to learn from my peers; some of them have been in the music industry for over a decade, and no matter what anyone says, it’s very different from the acting industry. I just want to have fun, and play my music. If I get launched into superstardom - Rachel laughs - well, then that’s just a bonus, isn’t it?

PERSONA

Tina’s stage persona started as just that - a persona. For most of her life, Tina was quiet...shy...anxious. When she started performing, it was an acting job, too. A way for her to be anyone and anything other than her weak, quiet, pushover self. But after ten years of being a loud, commanding person...it’s become her. A big part of her. Maybe even the real her. The lines have blurred to the point that she doesn’t know anymore.

Another aspect of her persona is just outgoingness, and utter ridiculous. Growing up, Tina was the perfect child. She got good grades, she kept her head down, she rarely got into trouble. This is probably why she performs as ridiculously as she does, doing things like spitting water on herself (and the crowd) and deep throating microphones.

The only time her anxiety still creeps in is when she’s alone, quiet, in her bed...and the outrageous person she pretends to be in the lights of the stage fades away.

SOUND

Tina’s music started as loud, brutal, and ugly...in the best way possible. It’s what attracted so many people to Cool Cool Cool. A loud, strong woman screaming into a microphone had a certain appeal to a lot of people - especially women who were like the young Tina. The shy, quiet women with rage deep inside of their bones.

Tina has spent the last decade giving this angry version of herself a voice...a voice she’d not been allowed to have when she was younger. It’s come to the point that the anger inside of her has, mostly, subsided. Her bitterness has been properly expressed, through music and lyrics.

Now, it’s the soft parts of herself that are craving expression. This is all too obvious in the latest Cool Cool Cool album, It’s Blitz! Of course, because of this there were many fans who weren’t so happy with the sound of the new album. Slower, softer songs like Little Shadow and Soft Shock gave her an arena to voice her vulnerabilities, and the deeper feelings she tends to keep on lock.

Tina has been looking for a new, bigger arena to write her softer sound...in a place where she won’t be expected to scream and shout all of the time.

LYRICS

Many of Tina’s lyrics aren’t about her or her experiences at all. She’s a writer and a storyteller. Some of her songs are about dreams she’s had, or other people she’s known. Only a select few of the songs that she writes are truly diary entries.

Maps, for example, is the song that feels the most her. This is likely why it’s her second most popular song, despite having a softer edge. She wrote Maps after her first tour, which ultimately ended the relationship between she and her long time boyfriend, Anthony. Tina doesn’t feel she’s written anything as deep and raw as Maps was, and isn’t sure how to get back into that headspace...the softness, combined with the rawness that can only be created by a lost love seems impossible to find.

Still, Tina has fun writing music, even if it doesn’t feel as real and as her as Maps did.

Turn Into is her all time favorite song that she’s written, lyrically. Written about the feeling when her ex boyfriend began to move on. When he began dating other women, he also began to cut off their close friendship. This felt like the true end of her relationship, and Tina found herself wanting to move on in the way he’d been able to, but ultimately knowing that she couldn’t give her heart away again.

LOVE

Tina knows love. She’s experienced a lot of almost lovers, and has had three big, important relationships in her life. The last serious relationship she had was seven years ago, when she was still new in the industry. She felt the industry tear her relationship apart, pushing distance between she and her beloved that neither of them were prepared for.

There is a certain coldness and a certain distance that Tina keeps between herself and her lovers now. While she claims to be open to love, she subconsciously sabotages herself and pushes it away at the same time. There’s a big part of her that feels as though love is only good for writing new lyrics, and is ultimately fleeting.

At this point in her life and career, she prefers physical and casual relationships, and isn’t really trying to get too deep. There’s still a cage around her heart from her last heart break, and abandonment wounds on top of it all.

FASHION

Tina’s fashion is eclectic. She ranges from bright, colorful, confusing ensembles and dark, edgy looks. There’s no in between. She’s either an annoyingly bright rainbow or an edgy rain cloud.

HAIR

Tina’s hair is ever changing. Since her early teenage years, she’s been notorious for having ever changing, rainbow colored hair. Every time she goes on tour she attempts to keep her long, luscious locks...but eventually cuts it all off, due to maintenance problems.

ANXIETY