Eric Mayson

As the “poster child of entropy”, it’s no surprise that Eric Mayson’s music and live performance is a journey from disbelief into knowing and back again. He understands music as a way to move through space. In an aerial shot, Mayson’s wide-ranging style stretches from minimalist electropop to smooth R&B, progressive soul, and straight hip-hop, while visiting grinning pop, rock and roll, and operatic arrangements.

He builds things from the ground up. Layers are everything, details are the big ideas. To Eric, “if something feels like a full idea, it is one.” His lyrics are hints. Whether direct and considered or fragmented and esoteric, they are not meant to direct your experience or tell you about a thing – they are foundation for contemplation. The impact of his music shifts within the context it’s presented.

He’s a multi-instrumentalist, but frequents the keys. “His deft keyboard playing is only topped by the sky-high soar of his voice” (Okay Player). He has played for the likes of Lizzo, Caroline Smith, Toki Wright, Big Cats, DaNCEBUMS, and as the musical backbone of Minneapolis hip-hop group Crunchy Kids. Whether piano, cello, or bass, his playing is fully embodied; you can see the music happening in and radiating through his body. He stomps. His knees bounce. He traverses the terrain of music he creates.

Born in Corpus Christi, TX, he bounced around the US with his musical father and curator mother before finding roots in Minneapolis at age 16. He left to pursue an education in acting; but in the aftermath of a house fire, returned to Minneapolis in 2010 where he found a love for producing and playing hip-hop.

His first solo release, Detail (2015) is a 40 minute cassette tape with only one track break. “An ambitious sonic collage of psychedelic R&B grooves, experimental hip-hop and straight-up sexy pop tunes with Mayson’s smooth but piercing voice out front” (Star Tribune). He is joined by frequent musical collaborators (Chance York, Caroline Smith, Big Cats, and others). Recorded at RiverRock Studios, Detail was “produced at a quality that we rarely hear from the snowy land of 10,000 lakes” (Okay Player). Eric Mayson is back with new tunes as he prepares to release his sophomore venture with RiverRock Music Group.

Past Shows


May
17
th
2018
The Cedar Cultural Center
May
17
th
2018
The Cedar Cultural Center

Caroline Smith

with Eric Mayson
Jun
9
th
2017
7th St Entry
Jun
9
th
2017
7th St Entry

Manchita and Bionik

with Lady Midnight, DJ Keezy, Mina Moore and more!
May
25
th
2017
Turf Club
May
25
th
2017
Turf Club

Eric Mayson

with Mina Moore, DaNCEBUMS and Hiponymous
Apr
29
th
2017
7th St Entry
Apr
29
th
2017
7th St Entry

Lydia Ainsworth

with DEM YUUT and Eric Mayson
Jun
24
th
2016
7th St Entry
Jun
24
th
2016
7th St Entry

Whilk & Misky

with Eric Mayson and Mina Moore
May
7
th
2016
Turf Club
May
7
th
2016
Turf Club

Joey Ryan & The Inks

with BBGUN and Eric Mayson
Jan
15
th
2016
Mainroom
Jan
15
th
2016
Mainroom

FIRST AVENUE’S BEST NEW BANDS OF 2015

with Aero Flynn, BABY SHEL, Bruise Violet and more!
Dec
31
st
2015
Fine Line
Dec
31
st
2015
Fine Line

Tickle Torture

with Eric Mayson, Perfume Monster, SUZIE and more!
Dec
12
th
2015
Turf Club
Dec
12
th
2015
Turf Club

I AM ST PAUL!

with Ashley DuBose, Mina Moore, Eric Mayson and more!
Nov
27
th
2015
Mainroom
Nov
27
th
2015
Mainroom

A Tribute to The Replacements

with The Melismatics, Al Church, Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band and more!
Sep
4
th
2015
7th St Entry
Sep
4
th
2015
7th St Entry

Eric Mayson

with Mina Moore and Catsax
Jul
17
th
2015
7th St Entry
Jul
17
th
2015
7th St Entry

Sean Anonymous and Dimitry Killstorm

with Manchita, Eric Mayson and Big Zach

More Shows

Jul
30
th
Fine Line

PRIVATE EVENT

Oct
3
rd
Palace Theatre

Sammy Rae & The Friends

Oct
3
rd
Fine Line

Ocie Elliott

May
12
th
Fine Line

He Is Legend

with Codeseven and The Seafloor Cinema