I still remember about the very fist night when I saw those two men. It was in an art show hosted by Paul Frank, and Robin Kegel leading Crème (now Gato Heroi) at that time. They were doing their things in 5 men band including Ray Barbee, and those sets literarily blew all audience away. After a week or so, surprisingly I met the twins in a college; we were in a same school. The Twins? They are Jonathan and Jared Mattson playing in a mininal jazz unit called, the Mattson 2. Many of you might hear the name, and their tunes played in Thomas Campbell’s Sprout and Present. They've played shows in Japan, through out Europe and South America in the last year, and have obtained a lot of funs outside of surfing community too. Now Re:Cal Mag sits down and talks with The Mattson 2. These brothers are pushing boundaries while effortlessly keeping it classic. Get to know them a little better in our exclusive interview with the band.



Re:Cal Mag (Below R): So can you two introduce yourselves??
Jonathan (Below Jo): My name is Jonathan Mattson, and I am 24 years old.

Jared (Below Ja): My name is Jared Mattson, and I’m also 24 years old. We live in Cadiff, San Diego.

R: How many albums do you have by now?
Ja: We Currently have two albums- LP Ray Barbee Meets the Mattson 2, and EP Introducing the Mattson 2. We are working on our new Mattson 2 debut full length; then we will work on a new EP with Tommy Guererro. All of our records are produced by Thomas Campbell. We love working with T-moe; we have a good connection. Jonathan and I write all the music, except for our collaborations, and Thomas tells us, from a listeners’ point of view, what he likes and dislikes


R: I cannot wait to listen in your new album! By the way, I don’t want to ask you guys about Thomas (Campbell) or Ray (Barbee) or some other guys this time anymore because those questions can be seen in lots of other media. But I am pretty curious that do you guys have any mentors for guitar and drum?
Ja: Growing up I had two main guitar teachers: Chris Meadors helped me develop my early style and technique at an early age…his direction I value to this day. My second teacher was my Jazz teacher named Bob Boss. He is a local Jazz guitar legend in San Diego. He taught me a lot about Jazz theory and solo styling. He definitely encouraged me to always develop my own style, not to copy other Jazz guitarists.


R: What events started you down the path to making music?
Ja: The paths that started us playing gigs were simple things like playing in Cafes and Bars, just developing our skills. The main gigs that helped us get our name out there were the art shows we played for Thomas Campbell’s art shows.
R: What are any of the places you've been to on your tours?
Jo: Well last year was a very productive year. Were we very fortunate to go to Japan a few times, we also went to Northern Europe: to Copenhagen Denmark, Helsinki Finland, and The Hague Netherlands. We also where able to go to Sao Paulo Brazil, and Santos Brazil with the backing support from Photographer Jair Bortoleto and Clothing company COTTON PROJECT--headed by Rafa Verandos.

R: Anything got influence on you other than music?
Jo: Oh of course! I love the Japanese Novelist Haruki Murakami--my friend Akito Katayose got me into him---he told me to check out his book "Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" ever since then I have just been in love with his books----they really touch this beautiful nostalgic channel. I also love the Director David Lynch---I just finally finished watching the Twin Peaks series and that just really blew my mind--the music, the story line, and the charters---all that stuff was super awesome.

Ja: Thomas Campbell's art had a huge influence on fueling our creativity. Growing up as one of Jehobah's Witnesses had an influence on life.

R: So do you do other types of artistic activity besides music?
Jo: Yeah I do some pen and ink drawings. I haven't done it in a while but I used to do art a lot-----I love creating super busy detailed pieces---usually and big pieces of paper----I guess its like a more abstract style, but very detailed, and I usually only use red paint pens, with Black sharpies, and Black ball-point pens.

Ja: I mostly only do music...occasionally I write solo guitar pieces influenced by New Music. I love improvised music and experimental music.


R: Do you have any of your favorite up and coming artists?
Jo: Well I really love this Japanese Inde Rock band called Chocolat and Akito----Akito was in a famous band in the 90's called GREAT 3, and Chocolat has been a singer for a long time also, but they started this awesome band Chocalat & Akito--and they play more inde/post rock. They've also been doing some collaboration with John McEntire (from Tortoise/The Sea and Cake) and other guys from the chicago scene.

Ja: I'm really into the new Beach House record, Teen Dream!!


R: Surfing/ Skateboarding? Any influence from those activities?
Jo: I love both avenues. One of my favorites movie ever made is the old Zero video "Thrill Of It All"---it came out when i was in Junior high. Me and Jared grew up, and spent most of our life in Encinitas California--and the Zero team more or less originated out of Encinitas----and it seems like this skate team just change the whole skate culture in this area----I remember after "Thrill of it all" and "Misled Youth" came out all these Punk Rockers started to emerge---it really influenced a lot of people---and I just loved the shots in the film---and the locations they were skating at---places that you cant even think of skating now--the whole state is just so skate proof now---everything is constructed now to discourage skateboarding---and i think these movie were around the time when this transition of skate proofing was starting to happen. And the music in these films also totally blew my mind--they had stuff like Black Flag, Modest Mouse, and Danzig---this music that no one was that into at the time.


R: School and future plan?
Jo: School has been very inspiring---we both attend and study music at UCSD--and the music program there is just so awesome---its super experimental and really creative and the factuality really encourage people to develop there own sound--it just depends on weather or not some of the students are driven enough to make this happen---Jared and I have also had the privilege to be along side people like Steven Schick (one of the worlds best Percussionist) and also Mark Dresser (one of the most innovative creative Upright Bass players). Oh of them have been very inspiring to us---some records that they have done that have influenced me is Steve Schick's collection of the greek composer Iannis Xenakis's Percussion Works; and Mark Dressers rhythmically demented-mind blowing Time Changes. The current plan is to finish writing material for upcoming new Mattson 2 release-----and continue composing for some various collaborations we have on the horizon---and to keep touring in places like Japan, Brazil, and Europe.


R: Let me ask this question! What’s the favorite local restaurant in California?
Jo: This under the radar chinese restaurant right by my house called Mandarin City!!

Ja: I love Mandarin City too, but I would have to say that my favorite spot is Rico's Taco Shop in Encinitas. I always order the California burrito.


R: Then, any favorite places in California?
Ja: We love to camp in Big Sur, Travel to Los Osos, Santa Cruz, Encinitas, San Francisco


R: This is my last question… which 5 Musicians people should listen?
Ja: Ah man so many different ones----lets see. I love Scott Walker, The Cocteau Twins, Jackie Mclean, Steve Reich, and Tortoise. Tortoises new record: "Beacons of Ancestorship" is so beautiful----I just love there new approach--much more subtle melodies, and they didn't use Vibraphones or Marimba---its more Keyboard and double drums oriented---and the productions was very nice. I really recommend that record

Jo: Okay, Bill Evans Sunday at the Village Vanguard, Jesus Mary Chain Psycho Candy, John Coltrane A Love Supreme, The Smiths Strange Ways Here We Come, and Tortoise TNT!!


R: Thanks so much!! I will see you guys in your next live them.


Check out Mattson 2's live information, or to know just about them more please visit their website and MySpace:
http://mattson2.com/
http://www.myspace.com/themattson2

Special Thanks: Ian McCarty
Interview&Text: Kenta M.
Photo by: Jair Brtoleto, Graciela Leon, and Kenta M