Features
Bassist Matthew Jurasek – Bass Musician Magazine Q&A
Meet Bassist Matthew Jurasek in this Bass Musician Magazine Q & A…
Name:
Matthew Jurasek
Born In What City:
Bergenfield NJ
Current Band(s) I am playing with:
D & M
Former Bands I Have Played With:
Zero Strikes Back, The Matthew Curran Band, MTM Trio, Outside The Box
CD’s I’ve Released/ Been a Part Of:
D&M – Wait For Me EP – (April 2012)
Matermathu – Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City (Nov. 2011)
Describe The Way You Play Bass:
It has been drilled into my head through schooling that the bass defines the composition. I try to do this by adding subtle melodic lines to everything I play.
What Made Me Decide to Play Bass:
Bassists always have work. Really though, I played guitar and piano before I ever considered bass, and I quickly realized that everyone is always looking for a bassist.
Musical Influences:
Matt Grundy from Donovan Frankenreiter’s band is a major influence on my style, as well as Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas from Mutemath. These guys push the boundaries in a sense, and keep coming up with innovative lines. Other major influences range from Noel Redding and Billy Cox, to Jaco Pastorius and Charles Mingus.
Favorite Musical Styles:
Anything that grooves, including disco and maybe a little polka in there too.
My Bass(es):
Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
Warwick 5-string Corvette Std.
My Amps and Other Gear:
Acoustic – 260 100W 1×10” Mini-stack
Electro-Harmonix – Bass Micro Synthesizer
Best Bass Advice You’ve Ever Received:
If you play a wrong note, play it again and its jazz.
One Piece Of Advice For Other Bassists:
If you play a wrong note, play it again and its jazz.
Favorite Quote or Life Philosophy:
Don’t eat the yellow snow; metaphorically speaking.
Most Amazing Gig so Far:
Every gig is amazing in its own way. Its hard to pick just one, but headlining at the Stone Pony, where I grew up seeing my favorite artists, was probably my most gratifying moment.
Dream Gig:
To play a private recital for Kevin Spacey and Joan Rivers. And I wouldn’t mind having a headlining spot at City Winery in New York.
Most Embarrassing Moment on Stage:
When I was 14 or 15, someone told me it would be cool if I tried to spin my bass around my body and catch it. Needless to say I failed at that, and ripped the cable out from the amp and it nailed me in the head.
Favorite Tip to Share on Traveling With Your Bass:
Always have it close to you. I usually don’t trust anyone else to look after my things.
What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Musician:
I’d probably be working in a fish market in NJ somewhere. But I could never see myself not playing music.
The Question No One Ever Asks Me, But I Have Been Dying to Share:
How much can you bench – and the answer is 6 reps of 5,230 pounds….. on a bad day.
What You Can Look Forward to From Me this Year:
D&M will be touring a lot this summer, so look out for updates on our website: www.wearedandm.com Check out my Facebook for more info about shows!
Find Me Online:
Website www.matthewjurasek.com
Twitter: follow me @mathu_john
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewjurasek