Kevin Mason is a Brighton-based photographer, formerly known as DarkDaze, who now runs North Laine’s Garage Studios, which offers professional photography and training.

One-time studio manager at North Laine Photography, he has exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery and his work has appeared in publications including the NME and The Source.

For more information, visit www.garage-studios.co.uk

Which film star/musician/ artist/writer/other figure do you admire?

It’s a varied list. Firstly, my two main pals Alex Young (illustrator) and Danny Hogan (pulp author), as I know the struggle they went through to get where they are now. We all seemed to start at the same time and have a bond that was cemented through desperate times. In a wider context, David Lynch for his singular and magical vision, Jack Kerouac’s words for showing me a different side to the world I thought I knew at 15 and Ralph Stanley, who chills me with his stunning voice and stories of life.

Which TV programme couldn’t you live without?

I could live without it all, but probably the good episodes of Twin Peaks – Audrey Horne ruined my expectations of life.

Tell us about any guilty pleasures lurking in your CD or film collections…

At different ends of the naff spectrum, The Offspring and Barbra Streisand and film-wise, probably BMX Bandits, Happy Gilmore and Star80.

Favourite film?

It changes a lot but David Lynch’s Blue Velvet never drops out of my top five. The Last Picture Show is something really special as is Paris, Texas. I love films with strongwilled, troubled characters at their heart – the ones, in other words, closest to life. My ultimate film, I think, is Texas Chainsaw Massacre. My secret ambition in life is to one day direct horror.

I’m also really interested in films that make me think about photography differently and I’d highly recommend Dogtooth. It’s very dark but shown in a very light and subtle way.

Favourite book?

JailBait Justice by Danny Hogan, as I know what he put into that book and I’ll take any opportunity I can to promote a pal’s work!

I also loved The Ongoing Moment by Geoff Dyer and Desolation Angels by Jack Kerouac. Also, Photography After Frank by Philip Geffer, as photography consumes my life and if I’m not making images, or looking at them, I’m reading about them.

Is there a song or individual piece of music you always come back to?

A version of False Hearted Lover’s Blues by Ralph Stanley, from the album Ralph Stanley, as it just always seems apt. I’m very good at falling in love; less good at falling out of it. I’m also completely obsessed with Lonely Lowdown Blues by The Booze right now, as it soundtracked the last road trip I made across America with photographers Matt Martin and Alex Wein and reminds me of good times and 27 hours of straight driving, trying to get to Memphis.

What are you reading at the moment?

Moby Dick and From

Here to There: Alec Soth’s America.

Tell us about a live music/theatre/ cinema experience that sticks in your memory...

Foals at Brighton Dome a few months ago, as it was pretty much perfect due to the amazing girl I went with. Oh and British Sea Power in Berlin on my birthday (thanks Sally!), which was a run of small, beautiful things coming together to make a perfect night.

Is there a book/record/ film/play/person that made you want to do what you do now?

Desolation Angels by Jack Kerouac and Junky by William Burroughs, which made me realise you will always be on your own in the late/early hours when it’s just you and your brain.

Also Tearing Down The Streets: Adventures In Urban Anarchy by Jeff Ferrell. I was aware we were all being conned and sold a lie but I just didn’t really know what to do about it until I read this book.

I don’t think I’d be running my own business and trying to provide jobs for others if it wasn’t for Ferrell’s account.