Matson Jones

Matson Jones was a highly distinctive quartet from Fort Collins, Colorado, that operated at the intersection of indie rock and chamber music during the mid-2000s. Their lineup was famously unconventional: two cellos, an upright bass, and drums, with no guitars or keyboards.

This configuration allowed them to explore a 'cello rock' sound that was far more aggressive and rhythmically focused than their peers. The cellists, Martina Grbac and Anna Mascorella, utilized percussive bowing techniques and rhythmic 'chugging' that mimicked the role of power chords, while Matt Regan's upright bass provided a massive, often distorted low-end foundation. Their career peaked with releases on Sympathy for the Record Industry, a label known for garage rock and blues-punk, which speaks to the band's gritty, unpolished aesthetic. Critically, they were often compared to the more experimental side of the 4AD roster or the darker elements of the Cursive-led Omaha scene. They remain a cult favorite for their ability to strip rock music of its standard tools while retaining all of its visceral impact.