Check Out Alan Mason’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Mason.

Hi Alan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up around music through my Godfather. I was raised by a single mother who was also an Entrepreneur, so I spent most of my early years being taken care of by my Godparents in El Monte, CA. They took me in at 3 days old so I consider both of them as my parents. I would sleep in the piano room of their house so I was surrounded by instruments when I was with them.

Both of my Godfathers sons made a career in music. One of them focused on live sound so when I was a kid my job was to run cables from the mix console to the stage. Every weekend they would perform at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet so I was unknowingly already working in music.

Back at home with my mom, we moved a lot. I went to 6 different elementary schools (most of them catholic schools) so I was constantly having to make new friends and adapt to whatever was in style. Luckily I was always involved in sports or other programs so I developed a well rounded skill set that has proven useful to this day.

At the same time, I was put onto my music taste by my older cousins so I grew up with artists like The Black Keys, The Strokes, Sublime, Linkin Park, Panic At the Disco, and other alternative bands, It wasnt until I got to Bosco Tech (High School) that I got put onto Hip Hop and that sparked the change that would eventually redirect my trajectory.

Up until I was 18, my main career focus was Civil Engineering because my mom focused on Real Estate. I went to Bosco Tech specifically to study Architecture and Construction Engineering. After a few semesters at Cal State LA, I changed my major to Business Marketing and began my journey as a producer/engineer. The reason for this was a psychedelic experience. I knew that I enjoyed math/engineering, so during my trip I finally created the connection with my passion for music.

While getting my Business Degree, I developed my skills as a producer/engineer. I also met a girl who introduced me to 323 Mafia, a Hip-Hop group based out of Highland Park (NELA). I began recording them and others in their network which helped me get hands on experience as a recording engineer. Little by little, I grew my catalog/portfolio and gained credibility to the point where I became the main engineer for the group.

After a few years of recording with 323 Mafia, I began writing and performing on songs with them. At the same time as this, I was also an active member of Phi Sigma Kappa. In this organization I met my future manager/business partner Jan.

After signing with his agency TwentyFour-Eight, we decided to collaborate on creating the XXIV Club, a creative studio that combines a photo/video, podcast, and music studio. The mission is to help young up and coming artists get affordable access to resources that I personally needed in my journey.

I currently release music as an independent artist as well as record local artists and manage the day to day operations at our creative studios.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No journey that is worth while is smooth. I have had to sacrifice a lot of relationships, time, and energy in order to build myself and this business.

As a kid my mom prioritized education and experience. I learned a lot and I was very well prepared to be an adult, but I missed out on a lot of emotional connection which is why I focused that energy in music and I share myself through that medium.

I gave up everything in order to create the XXIV Club but I have faith in our mission so I dont mind struggling in order to continue the business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I spent the first 3 years of my music journey transferring my civil engineering knowledge to audio engineering. Once I became proficient in that, I spent the next 3 years developing the production side. I have now spent the last 4 years in developing my song-writing/artistry as well as getting an official audio engineering degree.

All of these technical skills mixed with my experiences and degree in Business/Marketing has helped make me a recording engineer that is able to provide all around insight.

My rough and nomadic up-bringing allows me to connect with people from different backgrounds which is essential to being a great engineer. I truly believe that a great engineer is someone who can mold themselves to whatever the artist requires.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think that my up-bringing is the most essential characterstic of my success. I went to a bunch of different schools which taught me how to adapt to different environments. I was raised in the church which gave me a lot of moral guidance/virtues. I was also raised by my godparents who just turned 96 and 86 this year so I have very traditional cultural values that teach humility and being of service to others. I am well educated and raised by a single mother who was an entrepreneur so I know how to work hard and smart in order to create value.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homiemvson/