A Dirty Dozen with AARON MATTISON from EZRA BELL – October 2025

Photo credit: JCPenney

According to a recent press release: “Ezra Bell, one of the 21st century’s most organically successful folk / Americana bands, has released their new single “let me in” and announced their ninth studio album, Chin Chin, a tribute to the band’s lead singer and lyricist Ben Wuamett. The new track sums up the living contradiction that is the life of a man and the fate of a band, with lyrics that reflect Ben’s turn toward guarded optimism in the last years of his life. Ezra Bell first formed in Portland, Oregon in 2013, before later relocating to Salt Lake City. The eight-member “folkestra” – Ben Wuamett (lead vocals), Aaron Mattison (horns, backing vocals), Elizabeth Anderson (violin and strings, backing vocals), Tommy Mortensen (bass, tap dancing, backing vocals), Jonathan Myers (drums and percussion), Jeremy Asay (pianos and organs, backing vocals), David Asay (guitars and banjo), Maurice Spencer (guitars, backing vocals) – has since released a gusher of albums and EPs, generated tens of millions of streams, built up over a hundred thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, and played and sung its way into the hearts of countless loyal fans all over the US and beyond. While a Super Bowl commercial in 2015 featuring Ezra Bell’s cover of the Sam Cooke hit “Wonderful World” pushed them further into the limelight, organic growth has always been the main fuel for the collective’s journey. So much of that centers on the songs, with Ben’s distinctive keening, scratchy vocals delivering his often dark lyrics with a heart-on-sleeve honesty that fans find empathetic and even, according to some, lifesaving. Ezra Bell’s gritty, homegrown, eclectic approach to instrumentation and arrangements has also been part of its DNA from the start.” We get Aaron to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Chin Chin is a very special part one of a two-part tranche of tunes. It represents the last two years we had with Ben, our lead singer and lyricist. The breath of the sounds will likely be the first thing that hits you, from haunting violin to rocking guitar, orchestra and big band horn section, there’s even a tap dance solo.  For the diehard fans, hope and a laugh. I think this is the most positive and hopeful set of tunes we’ve had so far.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Music has always been my refuge.  The band room was the only place in school that worked for me. The slow methodical payoff of practice, the willingness to fill a role and serve the song has always been comforting. My people are always other musicians, it’s where I find friends and family. It’s a strange and lovely kind of person who is compelled to do such an odd thing.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

A life of great music, and a preference for acoustic and analogue sounds. Saying yes to every type of ensemble: classical, marching band, choir, country, jazz, or dance band. Probably a bit heavy on 30’s-70’s American songbook and 2000’s hip-hop. But honestly…trying to find something worth listening to in almost anything is a good game.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Obviously, Ben. Miss him every time we play.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Working with my local middle school jazz band. Motorcycles around Mt St Helens are great too.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Kinda our biggest problem…circus music, americana, jazz, folk, I don’t know.  The fun part is following the song, not the genre.  Cringe: circus music, also probably correct.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Cooks: Liz and Aaron.  Jeremy with the drinks and pian. Dave with the sweet electric skateboard.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’d have to make up a story; it would involve Miles Davis.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Best part: knowing what you are supposed to be doing. Losing time writing, playing or recording, having bandmates. No longer a musician? When I get to that point, I’ll teach or mentor, not sure there is such a thing as no longer a musician.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

What is music?  The intersection of everything.  Meaning suspended in time and space. Magic not to be trifled with, a jealous lover who wants your devotion. The best of what we are. Don’t ask how the band got its name.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Nope, everything in its place and time. Make a new tune, don’t waste time worrying about an old one.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

As to a historic session, I’m not about to claim that I belong there but Birth Of The Cool. It’s about not trying to prove anything when everyone else is caught up in bullshit.

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Category: Interviews