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June 5, 2008

Mason Jennings & James Mercer Do "Something About Your Love" On A Bus In Chile

thumbnail icon: Mason Jennings & James Mercer Do "Something About Your Love" On A Bus In Chile

Every bit of that headline is true. In this simple, one-take footage, the Hawaiian-born, Minnesota-based singer-songwriter and the Shins' frontman do a pretty duet on "Something About Your Love" from Jennings's sixth full-length In The Ever. Please note the awesomely chill bearded guy, who is not Will Oldham, but who is sitting by the side, letting this tall glass of mellow wash over him like a warm breeze.

Why were they in Chile? Well, this is posted over at Mason's Myspace:

I just got back from Patagonia and Austin. I was in Patagonia because Emmett Malloy invited me and James Mercer to come down and experience the awesomeness of it and work on some songs for a movie he and his cousin Chris are working on down there. It will come out next year and it is called 180 Degrees South. I will let the movie explain itself. It was an amazing adventure. Sleeping on glacial river banks, hiking into remote mountains, drinking from aqua lakes, and singing with Gauchos around a fire each night with a wonderful group of friends. We had to take 4 flights and a 18 hour drive on dirt roads to get where we were. On our down time we also shot a video for my new record and James and I recorded some stuff too. It was an incredible experience. I am grateful for this beautiful earth.

When Jennings does this song in front of an audience, sans Mercer, a lot of women whistle. Take note here. You can listen to the studio version, along with some other In The Ever tracks at Mason's MySpace.

In The Ever is out now via Brushfire. Yes, Jack Johnson runs this label. Yes, after listening to that song and reading that note, this makes much sense.

Posted at 2:01 PM by brandon in
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16 Comments

Actually, Mercer is Hawaiian-born as well. Represent the 808.

Posted by: Sean Jean at 06/05/08 2:22 PM | Reply
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devo

I've enjoyed watching Mason Jennings career blossom over the years. It shows what hard work and dedication can do for ya. Having said that, I do feel slightly less than manly listening to this, and a number of his other songs.. still good though

Posted by: devo profile link at 06/05/08 3:08 PM | Reply
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I saw Mason Jennings open up for Jack Johnson in 2001/2 and wasn't impressed - I should see if he's gotten better.

Also, what is up with performing in moving vehicles? First there was the overposting re: Black Cab sessions and now it's a bus - I don't get the big deal over music and transportation.

Posted by: Chadams at 06/05/08 6:05 PM | Reply
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to be fair, it's not a moving bus. I imagine they were just looking for some good acoustics.

Posted by: Lucretius in reply to Chadams's comment at 06/05/08 6:41 PM | Reply
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Chadams,
Music moves the soul...

Drive on, Progress, and be stolen by the beautiful melody!

Posted by: Warren J at 06/05/08 6:47 PM | Reply
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I enjoyed this, being a Mason Jennings fan since Use Your Voice and Boneclouds . . . he and Mercer have a surprisingly complimentary harmonies, teetering on the verge of breaking, but it works for me. I'm curious to hear their recordings together.

Posted by: Joe Christenson at 06/05/08 7:00 PM | Reply
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James Mercer was in this side of the globe? on a bus? couldn't he come to Argentina and maybe play a show? maybe please?

Posted by: sol at 06/05/08 9:59 PM | Reply
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The bearded guy is surfer Keith Malloy, I think thats his brother Dan next to him.

Posted by: Ed at 06/06/08 2:33 AM | Reply
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I saw Mr. Jennings at a theatre in St. Cloud, Minn., last fall, and it was a great experience. He has an incredible live voice, and the whole show had a tremendous feeling to it. This track sounds like a great song to kick off the summer at the lake.

Posted by: leclairm profile link at 06/06/08 3:01 AM | Reply
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meh, boring, give me some victor jara instead

Posted by: gimme at 06/06/08 9:50 AM | Reply
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urrm...... ??

Posted by: routenote at 06/06/08 10:48 AM | Reply
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man, this is blandtastic

Posted by: famous james at 06/06/08 2:33 PM | Reply
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chadams your a idiot ive seen mason many times and i couldnt imagine saying i was not impressed get some taste buddy

Posted by: bardo at 06/13/08 5:36 AM | Reply
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james mercer in chile? comeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee with the shins please, we are waiting for you guys, please consider a little tour in southamerica.


i

Posted by: Rodrigo at 07/16/08 2:34 PM | Reply
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WHAT?! JAMES MERCER WAS HERE IN CHILE?!! AND HE DIDN'T DO A SHOW?!??!
c'mon.. I feel cheated... PLEASE DO A SHOW HERE!!!

Posted by: javier at 07/20/08 5:01 PM | Reply
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MERCER? HERE IN CHILE?!!!! WHY THE HELL HE DIDNT COME WITH THE SHINS. im a big fan of the shins and it would be awesome to have them playing round here *O*

Posted by: diego huenchur at 08/10/08 3:10 AM | Reply
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