Interview Wednesdays: Jonathan Mattson - Part II

The Mattson 2 with Ray Barbee
photo by Embry Rucker

Last Wednesday you read about Jonathan Mattson and the band he shares with his twin brother Jared - The Mattson 2. I'm proud to bring you Part II of Jonathan Mattson's interview. Read on to discover how Jonathan is a bit of a renaissance man...

Where did you grow up and where is home now?

I was born in Encinitas, CA then moved to central California when I was 2, then back to Encinitas when I was 8. So I spent most of my childhood in Encinitas.

Please tell us how you both got started. Did you start as things are today, with you on the drums and Jared on guitar? Did you both ask your parents for instruments for your birthday or had you played in school...

Well we actually both started on guitar in junior high. There was a little guitar after school special - and we asked our mom if we could join, and she signed us up. We basically wanted to start playing guitar because our older brothers played also. But guitar wasn't right for me, so I switched to bass - then bass wasn't good for me - so I switched to drums.

Did you start out jamming together or learning separately?

Well once I took up the drums, we pretty much played all the time together and jamming would become our practice. And it was so nice to be together all the time because we really got to practice together and in a sense became one unit - which eventually created a tight, cohesive combined sound.

What was one of the first songs you learned how to play?

Well we pretty much started playing rock tunes like Led Zepplin. Probably the first jazz tunes we played (and we had no idea what we were doing) were Full House and Mr. P.C.

You mentioned your older brothers played guitar. So there are other musicians in your family?

Yeah actually our older brother Micah Mattson is a guitarist in a good punk/alternative rock band called Kut U Up.

Any other siblings?

Yes my twin brother Jared, older brother Micah, older sister Sarah and oldest brother Aaron.

Where did your appreciation for jazz stem from?

Well my dad listened to a lot of jazz, and he also listened to a lot of classical - I strongly credit him.

When you are not playing music, what do you most like to do?

I love reading books, and listening to music, doing my artwork, and largely association with my good friends. They are genuine supporters of our music.

Art by Jonathan Mattson
(Click on the photos to make them larger)

What is the last book you read?

Haruki Murakami: Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

What is the last CD or album that you played?

The Apex by Little Creatures.

Being from a coastal town, do you surf?

Yes.

Do you play locally when you are home?

Yeah, we play shows around San Diego, Oceanside, Encinitas, but we also play a lot in L.A. and San Francisco and perhaps where we have the most recognition is Japan.

What is your favorite local place to play?

Hmmmm I like to play art shows at Thalia Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach - that's always a fun and very appreciative crowd.

What is your favorite place to eat at home?

I really like a taco shop right by my house called Rico's - they have the best burritos.

I believe I learned about Ray Barbee just after I learned about The Mattson 2, due to your collaboration together. I noticed that your CD with Ray Barbee is no longer available. Any word on whether that CD will become available again?

Well that CD is only out in Japan right now...so we are waiting for it to be released in America. It will be out soon hopefully, I'm kind of not sure about all that stuff.

When can we look forward to the next CD from The Mattson 2?

We have an EP that is coming out on Galaxia - hopefully within the next couple of months at the latest. It features 2 songs with Ray Barbee as a special guest, also a performance by John McEntire from Tortoise and The Sea and Cake. It's recorded mostly all at SOMA music studios in Chicago by John McEntire. And the rest of the record is recorded and mixed in San Francisco at Function 8 Studios by Monte Vallier. So it's a good mix of two amazing recording engineers.

The last question is, what is the funniest thing you saw today?

A monkey...

Awesome. Thank you again, Jonathan. You can be sure I'll give a shout out on PineappleLuv when the new EP for The Mattson 2 becomes available.

Monkey business with The Mattson brothers

photo by Embry Rucker

Interview Wednesdays: Jonathan Mattson - Part I

The Mattson 2
photo by Embry Rucker

Recently I had the pleasure of seeing my new favorite band, The Mattson 2, play live in San Francisco. Twin brothers Jared and Jonathan Mattson are the players who make up this formidable duo, with Jared on guitar and Jonathan on drums. I should mention that Jonathan had a drum solo that evening that blew the room away.

Jonathan graciously took time out of his summer to grant an interview to PineappleLuv. Today please enjoy Part I and do come back next Wednesday for Part II, where you'll learn how these dynamic brothers started playing music and when you can get their new CD.

I am no music critic, so would you mind educating us on the style of music you play? I notice on the MySpace page for Mattson 2, that you have many diverse influences.

Well I would say our music is rooted in Jazz structure-but I would hardly call it straight ahead Jazz---it is basically our own kind of music---I've never heard much like it - but I guess you could say it’s a music that is inspired by traditional and modern Jazz, while also being very inspired by the 1990’s-modern day Chicago post rock scene. We aren’t trying to do what Chicago is doing though, it is just one of the many styles of music that we are inspired by and have a great appreciation for.

One thing I'd like to mention is that when I listen to your songs, there is some sort of driving force to them that is very engaging, and keeps me tapping my foot and wanting to pay attention and to not be distracted away from listening. That is unusual for me.

Thank you, that is a great compliment. That’s what we are trying to do - we want people to be attentive to our music and recognize subtle details and changes in the music.

You have such great fashion sense. You both look so nice in your suits! In fact I noticed at your show at the John Colins Lounge, that a lot of men came in suit pants or some variation of a suit. I am certain you have inspired them, which is a wonderful thing!

Yeah I think an image for a band is one of the most important things about the band---I mean you can be a super good musician, but you can be even better by the whole presentation of what you are making - a complete art form visually and musically.

Any recommendations for the men out there on a good fitting suit?

Well I'm a big thrift store shopper, so I find a suit that is my color…and that fits me pretty well. Then I take it to my tailor, and she doctors it up for me, makes it perfect.

What has been one of your favorite places to tour and where are you hoping to go that you've never been?

Well I have been super fortunate to tour in Japan 4 times! Its definitely one of my favorite crowds to play for; many have amazing ears that just pick up on all the subtle details, and changes in the music, and many also are super into the improvisation side to our music.

We are looking forward to traveling to Europe soon - we are going there this month, to Copenhagen and Finland - and we will hopefully play some shows and get some good exposure out there!

What is the most recent piece of music…or art…or slice of life that inspired you?

Probably Todd Rundgren’s music, and also the Cocteau Twins. Something that has also been a huge inspiration for me is working with Thomas Campbell - He is a famous artist/film maker/record producer, and he has been working with us on a lot of our music.

Also we have a project going on with two Japanese musicians, Chocolat & Akito, that have amazing voices and a unique and cohesive style of composing. Those have been some really positive inspirations for us.

When you played live, something that struck me was that you acknowledge your audience and show appreciation for them. You also both took the time to talk to people during your break. It made me think you must have grown up with wonderful parents.

Of course, my parents are amazing people, I don’t know who I would be without their help---I see so many kids with just no respect for anyone, so many people that put themselves above other people - but my parents helped to instill in me a good attitude, and I developed a good heart toward people. And I love a good audience because I like to hear their response to our music - and a good audience really inspires and effects the way I play.

Thank you, Jonathan.

At the John Colins Lounge on June 16

Jared Mattson

Jonathan Mattson

Boy, his last answer really meant something to me. Until the new CD is available, I encourage everyone to listen to the songs on their MySpace page. Ode to Lou and Erase Your Face happen to be my favorites. Lets give these gentlemen a little shout out here or on their blog as a send-off for their upcoming trip to Europe. Until next Wednesday...