MASSEY Finds Rhythm and Purpose on New Album "Reason For Being"

MASSEY’s debut album, Reason For Being, isn’t just a collection of songs. It’s the sound of someone who’s lived a full life, taken some detours and come out the other side with clarity as well as a deep appreciation for what really matters.

The album moves between rock, soul, funk and R&B like it’s second nature, but what stands out is you can hear that this music was made by someone who’s been paying attention to the world.

The album opens with “Veil Is Lifted,” a track that feels like sunrise after a long night. It’s spiritual without being preachy, smooth without losing its edge. MASSEY’s voice is warm and open and is backed by a band that knows how to let the groove breathe. It’s an introduction that sets the emotional tone for the rest of the album - reflective, grateful and alive.

From there, Reason For Being stretches out in all directions. “(Never) 2 Hot!” (featuring XOCHI) brings pure disco joy with a modern twist. Horns blazing, bass popping and a message tucked inside about climate awareness and collective action. Then there is MASSEY's re-imagined version of the Grateful Dead’s “Box of Rain,” featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon.

Instead of mimicking the original, MASSEY rebuilds it entirely and turns it into a swampy, soulful meditation that fits perfectly within the album’s flow.

Elsewhere, “Tattoo My Heart” carries the pulse of New Orleans, mixing second line rhythms with romantic swagger. You can practically see the brass players in the corner, sweating and smiling through the groove.

“BOOKIN’” further kicks up the tempo with high energy horns and a funk rhythm that doesn’t quit. It’s easy to imagine this one lighting up a festival stage with all of its pure movement and joy.

But underneath all this rhythm and shine, there is real depth here. MASSEY talks about the album as an exploration of wisdom, the kind that comes from experience not just reading or reflection. He is interested in how we find joy and how we care for one another, how we stay awake to the beauty and pain of being human. Even when he’s tackling big ideas, MASSEY makes it feel light, playful, and musical.

It helps that the record sounds incredible. Recorded at the legendary Dockside Studio in Louisiana, which was the same space that’s hosted B.B. King, Dr. John, and Levon Helm, Reason For Being has a warmth and depth you can’t fake.

The production is led by JoeBaby Michaels (The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Lynyrd Skynyrd) and gives everything a rich, analog feel that perfectly suits MASSEY’s mix of vintage and modern sensibilities. With Charlie Wooton on bass, Daniel Groover on guitar, and Doug Belote on drums, the band is as tight as they come.

Knowing MASSEY's story is interesting. Before music called him full time, he built a career as a financial coach - a far cry from Dockside Studios and GRAMMY after-parties. But that leap, the willingness to start over and follow the pull of something bigger, is exactly what this album is about. It’s about rediscovering passion, reconnecting with joy, and trusting that the next chapter can be brighter than the last.

About MASSEY

MASSEY is the brainchild of producer JoeBaby Michaels, who says the project arrived “fully formed” with its own swagger, soul and story. At its center is a frontman unlike any other. MASSEY doesn’t play traditional instruments but instead vocalizes entire arrangements in a James Brown style approach, humming basslines, scatting horn parts, whistling hooks, and sketching out the heartbeat of each song before his collaborators bring it to life.

That collaborative spirit is key. MASSEY works closely with longtime writing partner and guitarist Peter Oravetz, and together they draw deeply from New Orleans funk, gospel, and soul while injecting rock grit and retro R&B swagger.

This synergy has already produced a string of striking singles, from the climate-action anthem “(Never) 2 Hot” to the voodoo soaked “Tattoo My Heart” and the cinematic rush of “BOOKIN'’”, each pairing MASSEY’s unmistakable voice and vision with adventurous arrangements.

The results have resonated quickly. With more than 1 million combined YouTube views on his first two video releases and a steadily growing following, MASSEY has built a reputation for full bodied tracks and bold, visual storytelling that matches the drama of the music.

Keep up with MASSEY on his Website