Authenticity, says American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, has given him longevity in the music business. On the other hand, many other artists have turned to all sorts of gimmickry to keep fans hooked and survive the fickle industry. (Sounds like Philippine elections season.)

 

But with the national and local midterm elections actually happening the day before Mraz’s May 14 concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, we can’t help but imagine him as a candidate spreading his message of peace and love through song and guitar.

 

In a career that has spanned 15 years and counting, Mraz has written songs about love and optimism with fun, catchy melodies. He has put up a foundation that supports charitable groups aligned with human equality, environment preservation, arts and education. He has incorporated Tweets from fans in a music video, and made an entire arena sing along with him despite the concert’s acoustic band setup.

 

Oh, yes, he has also traipsed across the Arctic with former US Vice President Al Gore to promote climate-change research.

 

In a recent phone interview arranged by Warner Music Philippines, Mraz talks to

Inquirer Super about activism, his latest studio album, and how he has avoided negative buzz. Here are excerpts:

 

What can fans expect from your May 14 concert?

 

It’s always the same thing. I bring songs with me, and musicians, and hopefully we bring those songs to life. I think fans can just expect a good time.

 

You had a hand in choosing the front act, (YouTube sensation) Zendee, for the Manila leg of your tour. How did you learn about her?

 

Someone sent me her music. I heard her version of “Lucky.” I thought it was great, and maybe we could get a chance to perform the song together.

 

Your songs are light, fun, and use romantic themes. How do you merge the songwriting with the activism?

 

When experience can help the other, certainly the more you care about the world, the more your songs will hopefully be of service to others. My service happens to be music, so it makes me more of an activist if I have a song rather than just a poster or [be like] any old protester. A song can change the world.

 

Why is your latest album titled “Love Is a Four Letter Word”?

 

Because that makes it (love) sound so small and so long, and it’s not. Love is every single thing you can think of. It’s mind-bending trying to define it, or grab it, or own it. It can make you say some things you shouldn’t be saying. I thought it was funny.

 

What was your inspiration for the album?

 

Each song is inspired by a completely different thing. The album is a labor of love, and it’s a look at love. It’s hearts and it’s songs.

 

Did you dedicate the album to anyone?

 

To my Aunt Sharon. She passed away during the writing of the record. She was in my heart a lot while I was making the album, so I dedicated it to her. But now it’s for anyone to enjoy.

 

How would you describe your evolution as an artist?

 

I don’t think I’ve changed. I honestly look at my four albums and think they’re all the same, but that’s because I’ve lived every one of them and they are me. They are [my] little scrapbooks.

 

My guitar-playing has improved. I feel like my songwriting has improved, and certainly I’ve written more songs in my older age than I did when I was a younger man. The evolution is on the page. But someone could hear the music for the first time tomorrow, and to them it’s just the beginning. So, what is evolution other than where we are right now?

 

Where do you attribute your longevity in the music business?

 

Authenticity. It’s funny because I look back and see myself clamoring sometimes to try to figure out what the heck my identity is, and my identity is that I’m human. I think my human-ness comes through the songs, through the media, that’s why people keep playing along [with my music].

 

New and veteran artists have been known to create so much negative buzz. How do you avoid going destructively crazy-wild?

 

I’m destructively crazy-wild. I just don’t do it in public.

 

Your music has the uncanny ability to cause last song syndrome. Is there a formula to writing catchy tunes?

 

There is no formula for it. The only thing you can do is write from the heart and have fun… If it’s catchy, share with someone else. Just want everybody to get on board with this happy little melody that you’ve found.

 

Do you have any fond memories of your previous visits to the Philippines?

 

Probably the performance. At the time, I’ve never had an acoustic show that was as large and exciting as that one at Smart Araneta. It was intimidating, wild, joyous, challenging, but I look back on that tour season and Manila was definitely a standout, one of my favorite shows that year. It’s like that [previous show] was Part 1 and this [upcoming show] would be Part 2.

 

Any message to your Filipino fans ahead of the concert?

 

I’m looking forward to reconnecting and hearing my Filipino fans really singing out and bringing all their love to the show. I would be very grateful for that.

 

Your last music video showcased Tweets from fans. How important is it to have that connection with your fans?

 

It’s the best! They just want to share their work. It isn’t about buying or selling. You just want people to hear you, feel you. Twitter gives you a chance to go directly to your fans and say, “Hey, how’s everybody doing? I feel you. I hear you. Do you hear me?”

 

How do you choose the charities and advocacies your foundation supports?

 

I’ve worked with [other] foundations [listed on my foundation website] for the last 10 years. I started with one, then went to another, lent my voice, my time, my muscle, my sweat, anything I could do to help out those different charities.

 

When I started my foundation, basically to raise money to help others, I wanted to keep all of those [charities] under one umbrella. I’m still looking forward to doing a couple of big projects with the foundation. Currently, groups like Life Rolls On, True Colors Fund, SPARC (School for Performing Arts in the Richmond Community) are all close to my heart. I work with them every year.

 

Five bucks for the Jason Mraz Foundation will go to people and organizations I’ve worked with directly and are thriving but need support so they can keep doing the amazing things they are doing.

 

What’s your favorite song from the new album?

 

“93 Million Miles,” because it’s about peace of mind, being at home wherever you are, just trying to stand still, be grateful for your journey and know that wherever you are, you’re home. I love that.

It feels so good to sing that and be that and have that as a mantra.

 

Do you think you are in that state of mind?

 

Absolutely. I’m a Cancer by birth and we (belonging to the zodiac sign) love being at home. Home is where my heart is.

 

I like to go out into the world and see things that I’d love to carry back home, and feel protected and nurtured and be seated among nature, and feel calm and peace and quiet in my mind and body.

 

When I take a song like “93 Million Miles” with me out on the road, you get to really love those special parts of your life that you’re grateful for, or the special qualities in life that you appreciate.

 

The Jason Mraz concert, brought together by MMI and Ovation Productions, is on May 14 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. For tickets, call 9115555; visit www.ticketnet.com.ph.

 

The album “Love Is a Four Letter Word” is distributed locally by Warner Music Philippines Inc.