Identical twins Jared and Jonathan Mattson have created a world where the hard bop jazz stylings of Art Blakey meld with the reverberated surf rock of Dick Dale. In between the Mattson 2’s mashup of surf and jazz exists a perpetual merry-go-round of Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd ambient psychedelia, tapping atmospheric sojourns into Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western territory and dramatic rhythmic interludes reminiscent of classic ’80s New Wave. For a duo, there’s enough music going on to conjure a renegade orchestra.
In 2013, the Mattson 2 made their Big Sur debut at the Mollusk Jamboree at Fernwood. On Friday, they’ll be back. This time, they’ll perform at Henry Miller Library with local fave Sky Country opening.
Get acclimated with the Mattson twins by checking out the following records:
Introducing the Mattson 2 (2010): In addition to the accompaniment of Aakaash Israni on bass, J and J enlist the help of several guests, including Barbee, John McEntire (Tortoise/Sea and Cake) and many others. From the opener “Longing of the Leftist,” this dense debut never goes in the direction you expect.
Feeling Hands (2011): There are many reasons why the Mattson 2 scored a Best Jazz Album award at the San Diego Music Awards with Feeling Hands. But “Ode To Lou” may be at the top of the list. Blues and jazz fusion in the vein of Al DiMeola come together to construct what could be several separate suites. Guest Tom Griesser delivers some killer tenor sax chops, while Jared (on guitar and loops) shows off some stellar moves spanning the entire fretboard.
Agar (2014): Released on surf/skate film director Thomas Campbell’s Um Yeah Arts label, the Mattson’s most recent release, a five-track EP, opens with the nearly 10-minute “Peaks of Yew.” Soaked in Eastern philosophy and images of Mescalito, Jonathan and his drums lock in with Farmer Dave Scher on pedal steel, and a sequential raga groove erupts. This existential piece sounds like a musical interpretation of a Philip K. Dick story that you can’t put down.
THE MATTSON 2 and SKY COUNTRY. 8pm Friday, Aug. 28. Henry Miller Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. Sold out. www.henrymiller.org
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