Interview with Jason Mraz
By Jon Morillo

Jason Mraz is an interesting dude who is having a big year.  He’s currently on a U.S. tour promoting his new, critically-acclaimed album, Mr. A-Z, with fellow up-and-coming U.K. singer/songwriter James Blunt.  I had a chance to sit down with Mr. Mraz himself, to talk about his favorite cities to play in, and how he finds inspiration for his songs.  I also found out that he adjusts to the left and enjoys a nice grilled cheese.  Read on for more compelling information about Mr. A-Z.

1. What is the official pronunciation of your last name, and what is your favorite misspelling/pronunciation of it?

Well I assume it’s mraz… mraz… mraz, yeah just one syllable.  One day I did a show on a loading dock and overheard one of the local maintenance guys talking to someone else saying – “Oh, here today is some Jason Mearants, I don’t know who he is, its spelled something like m-e-a-r-a-n-t-s." I would have to say that was my favorite.

2. Do you make any of the design decisions for the CD artwork?

Absolutely.  My roommate John did all the artwork, and I was always popping my head in and checking out/giving input to changes being made.  There was another cheesy concept that I later changed to “Mr. A - Z.”

3. Where does your inspiration come from when you write your lyrics?

I just enjoy writing, and when I do I write about things I know, I don’t try and make up shit.  On this album (Mr. A-Z), I just wrote about stories that I know the ending to.  For an album I write as many songs as I can and find a connection with them, this last album is more about me.”

4. I noticed some urban style coming out on some of the songs on the album. Are you big on hip-hop?

I’m a big language fan, and urban music is a more respected language, because once the beat drops, it’s about language.

I’m a fan of just about everything, and I don’t like to say I only listen to one kind of music, you get tired from listening to one kind of music only.

5. How did you feel when you first heard your single being played?

It’s neat for about 5 minutes. It just doesn’t just happen though. I spent a lot of days visiting radio stations… once you hear it, it’s like, yay! you hear it. It’s just not as romantic as it once was.

6. How is the tour going, and where’s your favorite spot to play so far?

It’s going good.  [All the cities] kinda look the same; I pull into a venue, maybe go to some radio stations, and I forget to see America. I enjoy it all though, the tour, the people.  The Denver show was beautiful, especially because the venue was designed specifically for music, opposed to clubs that are set up for bands to play in.

7. As a graphic design student, I was wondering if you ever thought about using student work [for CD artwork] to help us students get a word out to the public?

Let me say congratulations to those that are going to college, because I tried and it was hard.

Yeah, my buddy John that did all the artwork was just a student; I had given him all my contacts and he eventually became my hire.  He also keeps in contact with a lot of friends he had in high school, and they all came to mind when thinking of the design for the album.

8. One thing I like doing is something I like to call “this or that”. Where I give you an option and you tell me which you prefer.

Chewbacca or Alf?

Alf!  [Impersonates Alf] “Hey Willie!”

Pen or pencil?
Pen, definitely.

Jellybeans or baked beans?
Jellybeans (laughs).

Flat top or top hat?
(Quickly responds) top hat.

Gwen Stefani or Gwen Stefani? [Editor’s note: Jon is obsessed.]
What’s that you say there, Gwen Stefani or Gwen Stefani… I will have to say Gwen Stefani.

Ear muffs or retainer?
Ear muffs.

Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?
Both confuse me equally.

X-ray vision or mind reading?
Mind reading, it’s more fun.

Adjust to the left or to the right?
(Pauses, as if he were checking.) Huh, apparently to the left…I guess.

9. My very last question comes from my seven year-old niece, who would like to know if you like grilled cheese sandwiches?