Positive pop

Jason Mraz spreads the love

By Tatat Bunnag and Dollaya Hirunyasiri
Photos are courtesy of Warner Music Thailand

Jason Mraz has achieved a great deal of international success in recent times with his sunny acoustic pop songs. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter hit big a few years back with his smash single, “I’m Yours,” taken from his album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

Jason’s latest single, “I Won’t Give Up,” hit the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is featured on his fourth album, Love is a Four Letter Word.

Student Weekly recently had an exclusive interview with the Grammy Award-winning singer as he was getting ready to rock Bangkok with his first concert in Thailand on June 16.

Student Weekly: When did you first decide that you wanted to be a musician?

Jason: I’ve dreamed about being a musician since I was very young — probably ever since I learned to talk! [Laughs.] But I never imagined that my music would take me to every continent around the world.

Student Weekly: Which artists inspired you the most when you were younger?

Jason: I admired a lot of bands and singers when I was growing up. I tried to study all kinds of music to learn what makes different songs so appealing. Some artists who inspired me the most are Faces, Bob Dylan and jazz musician John Coltrane.

Student Weekly: Of all the hit songs you’ve written, which is your favourite so far?

Jason: “I’m Yours” and “Lucky.” They’re good examples of my style, with sunny melodies and strong rhythms. I try to write familiar melodies that can take listeners back to childhood or make people remember moments of love.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us the idea behind your new album cover design, with the simple, coloured blocks?

Jason: The album cover is just four shapes arranged so that they seem to spell the word love. The idea is that if you can see love in that image, then you can see love in any image. It’s a cool way to spread the message of love.

Student Weekly: You’ve been travelling around the world a lot, but is there still somewhere you’d like to go or something new that you want to achieve?

Jason: I’ve never been to the Arctic or to Eastern Europe, so I’d love to go to those places in the future. I’d also like to fall in love, get married and have a family. [Laughs.]

Student Weekly: How do you feel about visiting Thailand for the first time?

Jason: I was scheduled to play in Thailand last year, but the tour was postponed because of the flooding. I have a lot of Thai followers on my website and Twitter account. I’m really looking forward to trying some delicious food and checking out Bangkok and the countryside if I have enough time.

Student Weekly: What can Thai fans expect to see at your concert?

Jason: I’m bringing my nine-piece band. They’re all great musicians and singers. We also have a new violin player in the group, which has added something new to our sound. I think my long-term fans will find that this will be the best concert I’ve done so far.

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