Bassist with 25 years of recording and performing experience currently in LA. Lauryn Hill, Chrissie Hynde, Angels and Airwaves, Taking Back Sunday, Glassjaw, All American Rejects, Patrick Stump, Butterscotch, The Greatest Showman,The Electric Company... I'd love to collaborate with you and make your project exactly what you want it to be!
With me you get an instant band member...someone that will care about your music as if it was my own. Creating interesting and supportive parts with the right tone and feel is my wheelhouse. I'm known for my heavy fuzz tone with Taking Back Sunday as well as my deep pocket and warm tone on records like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. I truly love collaborating to make your vision of the song happen. I've played on Broadway, been a writing member of major label rock bands, and have worked with icons like Chrissie Hynde and Mary J Blige.
I go in deep, work hard and fast and take notes/feedback/criticism well. I love to create original basslines, but I am also a solid sight reader if you are inclined to send written parts.
I endorse Fodera Basses, Aguilar Amplification, DR Strings and Reunion Blues cases
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Credits
30 Reviews
Endorse Matt Rubano
check_circleVerifiedWhat a joy working with Matt. Not only is his resume awesome, but he's a really thoughtful player. He reached out before starting work on the song to talk about his initial ideas and make sure we were on the same page, and followed up throughout the process with updates and a rough sketch of where he was headed. The end result was awesome and totally elevated the track. Hire him!
check_circleVerifiedOne of the best bass players ever. Matt's tone is amazing and his playing is so tasty. Unique and creative basslines but sits right in the pocket and serves the song with exactly what it needs.
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Working with Matt was great. He completed an original bass part for my song. He went above and beyond. The bass was of course great. Yet, he was also quick to respond, gave me great and usable feedback that will help me moving forward and was passionate about getting the project right. I highly recommend utilizing Matt! I would definitely do so again.
check_circleVerifiedI'm somewhat new to the songwriting/recording process and Matt was very patient and accommodative while I worked out some of the kinks. Very professional and responsive. Would definitely work with him again!
I always love working with Matt! He is my go-to-guy whenever I need the best bass groove for my songs. Fun to work with, creative and professional. He will level up any track he touches. Grateful to know this man (even outside of music)!
Matt is as pro as it gets. I was lucky to have played with him in Taking Back Sunday, but he has a long history playing all styles of music. If I call Matt to play on something, I can always be sure it’s going to come out the best it could possibly be played, period. There’s no one I’ve ever met who can do it better.
Working with Matt was a pleasure. He helped bring my songs to life and delivered quality ideas in a short space of time. I'm looking forward to collaborating with Matt again soon.
Matt Rubano is a legend!! I asked him to come up with a bass line for the song I wrote and it was truly the grooviest thing I’ve ever heard. A joy to work with and collaborate with! 🙌🏾
Matt is a world-class musician and person. After having the pleasure of spending 8 months on tour with him, I asked him to record a bass track for a song I was producing. He delivered exactly what I wanted with basically zero guidance. Some players just know what to do without having to be told. The word professional doesn't even begin to cover it.
My band had the opportunity to work with Matt and we’re blown away. His playing hit hard, he adapted to our genre in a short amount of time, he’s super professional, communicative, takes feedback well, and very time efficient. Hoping that I have the honor to work with him in the future!
-Alika from All Hype
Matt has been making music for years. He is a great bass player and a superb musician. Any parts that are required for your project he can play. Matt is super easy to work with and extremely polite. For the recent project that he helped me with, his playing added great depth to the rhythm section. The project's drums were pre-recorded and Matt's playing sat in the track nicely and tightened up the overall feeling of the song. I would definitely call upon Matt's skills the next time I need another session bass player!
I’ve known Matt for Almost 2 decades, and he has always been one of the most phenomenal players I have ever met. Matter of fact, I asked him to join my band full-time because he is such a force to be reckon with. He is able to not only play any style you ask, He has no ego in his parts and take direction well, and on top of that, he’s just a really good person. And- he’s become a really great friend of mine because of so. I cannot endorse another bass player more.
-Tom DeLonge Angels and Airwaves / Blink-182
Matt is a true professional in every sense of the word. He is my go-to Bass Player for all genres, and is a master at his craft! We've had multiple sessions together, and he's always quick to adapt to exactly what I'm envisioning, as well as contributing his own brilliant ideas that push the track to the next level! He is an amazing player all around, and our sessions always have great energy and vibes.
Matt is an incredible musician and a wonderful collaborator. He has a deep knowledge of his instrument while bringing a cool and fun vibe to the room. He can lay down bass lines in multiple genres with equal conviction and authenticity. I highly recommend him!
Ruby is a bonafide virtuoso on the bass, this can’t be contested. This has come with years of sacrifice for the craft, thousands of miles traversed for the spirit of collaboration and connection through the majesty of music. It’s through that exploration that Matt has become the powerhouse he is today. He’s not only someone I can constantly learn from, but he’s someone I am lucky enough to have painted the world with music together.
One of the most versatile musicians i've ever worked with. Beyond his technical abilities which are endless, he gets music! Understands what you're going for without a major effort to telegraph exactly what you want. Matt will put the same amount of effort and enthusiasm into your work as you did when you wrote it. A serious player and a good human being.
Matt is a consummate pro. He understood exactly what I was going for on the song I hired him for. Nailed the part, added some extra sauce that totally elevated the track. He delivered great sounding files with a couple of options for me to choose from. Turned it all around quickly. Super cool to work with. Will definitely hire him again.
I've had the honor of hiring Matt to play on several tracks for me over the last few years. He's quick, precise, and extremely easy to work with. The reason he is my go-to guy for bass is because he has such a wide range of experience, and I like to work with musicians that are comfortable and creative in any genre, time signature, arrangement, wardrobe etc. Looking forward to working with him on my next record!
If versatility is a premium, than Matt is the gold standard for not only bass, but also composition, education, and arrangement. Ever ready to improve and adapt to best serve the song, ensemble dynamic, and/or student; Matt is as consummate as you’ll - ever - find.
I had the privilege of hiring and working with Matt on a session recently. He came recommended from a good friend/fellow industry professional. Matt showed up on time, was super prepared, and brought a few different basses that all equally sounded amazing. The client was after a very specific sound/part for the tune we were working on--and their expectations were beyond exceeded. Not only did Matt get the part nailed in the matter of a couple of takes, but he is SO humble, and easy to work with. Couldn't recommend enough!
Interview with Matt Rubano
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Acquiescing to the task at hand. Lots of people talk about versatility, few actually have it. My career has put me in so many different kinds of situations and Ive learned from all of them. Working with me, you get the benefit of all of it.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: More than anything, I care about your music. I want everything I play on to be something I would want everyone on earth to hear! I have played bass on a number of records where my part is one of the defining elements of the piece. There isn't always an opportunity to do that but I bring my full experience and enthusiasm to every musical endeavor.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to have a chat with the client beforehand to fully understand the project and the goal. Then after Ive received the files, I like to jump right in.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Output Platform Desk Yamaha HS7s Api 512c RNDI UA Apollo Twin Logic X
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Thats a tough one... working in music puts us all around so many inspiring people. Besides the older greats, I love Jacob Collier, Anderson Paak, Josh Homme, and Raphael Sadaaq to name a few.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most commonly I am adding an original bass part to a song as the last element or in the final stages of the production. I love working closely with the artist/producer to help realize their vision of the piece. Im happy to contribute as much or as little is necessary to nail it.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I was hired to be one of many musicians on The Greatest Showman soundtrack as session bassist for some of the NYC dates. I had worked with Alex Lacamoire before and was happy to be back in the studio with him not to mention Shawn Pelton, Matt Beck, Larry Campbell... they were just really enjoyable dates with super talented people and it yielded a soundtrack that many people love.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Since quarantine began I have been working on remote sessions with artists all over the country and teaching a bit of bass/music lessons on Zoom. Ive also been using the time to expand my palette musically and listen to some of the iconic artists I have skipped over.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Tim Lefebvre and Sean Hurley
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: No one will put more of their focus on your project than I will. I see each piece as an advertisement or representation of what I am about. We're in it together.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The collaborative aspect of working with someone else as a tool for them to accomplish their goal.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Q: "How long will this take?" A: "Not long at all" I usually can return files day of, or the following day.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Its easy or can be replaced by someone else grabbing a bass or a midi patch and 'getting it done'
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A lighter, an Allclad pan, a tarp... oh wait.. you mean like music gear? Wouldn't really help on an island would it.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Ive been playing professionally for just under 25 years. I was a late bloomer who barely squeeked into Berklee and then dropped out to go on tour. From there a potent combo of opportunity and preparation got me started working on sessions in NYC and touring with bands in my early 20s. I played on the grammy winning Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and then joined Taking Back Sunday a few years later. NYC was home for most of it so in between tours I would be working in town doing sessions and as a sub on broadway musicals.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: As far as bass players go, I don't do the Bass Olympics thing. Im a rhythm section player who lives for the song.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: pssshhhhh Herbie Hancock. Do you really need a why?
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Keep it simple, but make it dope.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I have spent a good amount of time playing Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, Pop and Broadway.
I was the Bassist, Co-writer in this production
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