Mattson 2

Um, Yeah Arts

New LP Agar out 11/11 on vinyl and 9/16 digital via Um, Yeah Arts

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Mattson 2 – “Peaks of Yew”
“Peaks of Yew’ finds Jared locking into a hypnotic raga groove as layers of eastern-leaning atmospherics, provided by Farmer Dave Scher, wash through the spaces. It’s a track that glistens across an orange reddish sky before erupting into flames. – Aquarium Drunkard

Mattson 2 – “Dif Juz”
“…guitar and drum magic in motion for a three-and-a-quarter-minute cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway—lingering flecks of sun burning off the horizon.” – Impose

Twin brothers Mattson 2 occupy a space between surf rock and jazz.  As much as they joke about twin telepathy, it seems it’s at work during moments of improvisation on Agar, which was recorded live in the studio. The LP will be released by Um Yeah Arts, a label run by surf/skate film director Thomas Campbell. They’re on an extensive several month US tour this fall.

The Mattson 2 are pleased to announce their new full-length album, Agar. The new album finds the Mattsons striding into a new realm of sound that blends their signature jazz soundscapes with the ethereal sonic structures and haunting landscapes of improvisational Raga techniques. This time around, the Mattson 2 have gone deeper and darker, balancing a perfect ebb and tidal flow of sound to create something truly mesmerizing. In order to create the stunning musical journey of Agar, the Mattson 2 went to the studio with producer Thomas Campbelland the legendary John X Volaitis – who has worked with the likes of the Rolling Stones, David Bowie andPhoenix. And for the first time ever, the Mattson 2 recorded the album live in the studio, further adding to the exciting layers of improvisation and perfectly composed chaos via their inimitable drums, guitar, and loop based sound.

The much-anticipated follow-up to their dynamic Feeling Hands (2011) is truly a marvel of jazz-rock orchestration and arrangement. The droning vistas of Agar are as technically liberating as they are hauntingly avant-garde. And it shows the twins more telepathically connected than ever as they move in and out of colorful Raga forms and the exotic landscapes that transcend the concept of modern musical performance.

Video for “Black Rain” off their previous record, Feeling Hands

Taking the album name from the gelatinous substance that binds and connects items in a petri dish (also “Raga” backwards), one could say Agar is the perfect figurative definition of a duo continually fueling and feeding each other’s sensational musical creativity. Agar shimmers and shakes with sagely nods to the past and the soaring modern wizardry of Jared’s untamed guitars and Jonathan’s tribally-hard-bop drumming. With Campbell and Volaitis at the helm, Agar’s vast sounds and stylings explore new levels of sonic compositions while further connecting the unique kinship of the Mattson sound.  Agar is awash with the sun and surf as much as it is mysterious metal jazz. It’s an album that glistens with a beautiful weirdness, conjuring images of neon-light rain dances and electric fireworks into the darkening summer skies.

Agar has also found the Mattson 2 teaming up with Farmer Dave Scher (who has worked with Interpol, Kurt Vile and Vetiver). Scher’s musical capabilities bring a unique (and pivotal) symphonic layer to the diverse Agarsound vistas. And for the first time, the Mattson 2 have brought in a voice to add to the emotional complexity ofAgar. Maryann Tran brings her unique hypnosis of wordless sounds that are both euphoric and “Easternly” majestic. All of this adds up to make a layer cake of moody sounds, hypnotizing effects, and otherworldly innovations. And further pushing the Mattson 2 into exciting new musical directions that don’t just go with the flow…they make the flow.

:: Tour Dates ::

New York, NY – St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club
October 2, 2014
10pm, 21+

New York, NY – Black Bear Bar
Presented by Max Fish
October 3, 2014
Doors 9pm, 21+

Yorklyn, DE – House Industries
October 4, 2014

Lancaster, PA – American Bar and Grill
October 5, 2014

Cleveland, OH – Happy Dog
October 7, 2014

Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle
w/ Communist Daughter
October 8, 2014
$10, 9pm, 21+

Goleta, CA – The Mercury Lounge
October 18, 2014

Costa Mesa, CA – Casa
October 24, 2014

01. Peaks of Yew
02. Dif Juz
03. Pure Ego Death
04. Meluminary
05. Agar