CApe Town - Two-time Grammy award winner Jason Mraz has an awkward-looking last name.
When asked how to pronounce it, he explains: “It rhymes with jazz.”
“I have heard people say M-Raz. They can say it however they want,” he said of his Czech family name, which means “frost”.
The pop star, who is to perform at the Grand Arena in Cape Town next Sunday, talked about his love for surfing and environmental activism, and had advice for aspiring songwriters.
Mraz said he was “very aware of the surf culture” in this city. “Unfortunately I’m only in the city for the day of the show, so I won’t surf. But I’ll do my best to wander about.”
He has, however, surfed in Brazil, from where he draws musical inspiration.
Mraz is a down-to-earth guy who still frequents the San Diego, California, coffee houses where he started his career years ago. “It helps to see what’s up-and-coming and to connect with writers.
“We learn from our peers. Engaging with the coffee shop scene and any live local music is inspiring.”
Mraz also has a soft spot for environmental issues. He established a foundation focusing on equality, environment preservation and education. He has also campaigned against child slavery and human trafficking.
“I have the luxury to have a worldwide audience. I feel it’s important for everyone to share an understanding of how we can improve the world – especially actors, musicians, athletes and artists who have a broad reach.”
He has no fears that fans will reject him for his activism.
“If you’re talking about environmental preservation, human rights or equality, it’s hard for people to turn away from you.”
Mraz encourages younger musicians and songwriters to explore their voices. “You have to keep trying. Keep writing. And when you are writing, write your truth. Write whatever your experience is. If you experience is, ‘I lack confidence. I’m nervous and have nothing to offer’, then let that be the inspiration for your song.
“You can then reward yourself by uncovering what has been blocking you.”
He has written and recorded music for five albums to date: Waiting for My Rocket to Come; Mr. A–Z; We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.; Love Is a Four Letter Word; and Yes!
Personal experiences, particularly in romance, have inspired his music.
Butterfly is a song he “wrote for a gal that I had a big crush on”.
“It was an attempt to seduce her with her song,” he said.
Do I Qualify? was also written for a “gal”.
Mraz’s songs have not only won him fans worldwide but also coveted Grammy awards. The latter, he said, gave him “disbelief and confidence” simultaneously.
“I had disbelief because I thought how could a simple guy like me achieve these awards. I had doubt suddenly.
“But funny enough, I then got confidence. It gave me a different form of ambition to get my work done.”
The Grammy awards did not suddenly catapult his career into a new direction.
“We just could add Grammy winner to our name. It didn’t add more gigs or make anything harder or easier. It was just a pat on the back.”
Weekend Argus