MusicWhat it’s like to work with Bruno Mars, according to Brazilian Mateus AsatoGuitarist born in Campo Grande and based in the USA worked with the singer both in his solo career and in the Silk Sonic projectBy Editorial Staff

Between 2019 and 2022, although not constantly — even due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the middle of the period —, Matthew Asato worked with Bruno Mars. Initially, the Brazilian guitarist performed shows with the American singer. Afterwards, he became involved with the project Silk Sonicformed by Mars alongside Anderson .Paakwith the right to a presentation at the 2022 ceremony of the Grammy Awards.

Today the position is no longer occupied by Asato, who gave way to Luke Aiono after deciding to focus on his solo career. However, memories of the experience are positive.

In an interview with Guitar Worldthe Brazilian based in the United States revealed some details about his work with Mars. According to him, the dynamics were “interesting”, since they had different languages ​​on the guitar — Bruno, it’s worth remembering, plays this and other instruments.

“There are similarities, but our differences are what make this meeting so beautiful. There are always cards you can play on the table to impress the other musician.”

Mateus highlights that Bruno’s main influence, not just on the guitar but on music in general, is the American funk of the 1970s. This, curiously, was never a specialty of the Brazilian, but he made an effort to keep up with the star.

“His music is led by 70s funk, and although I never mastered funk, I tried to cover the basics. I’m coming in as something different – ​​I’m a soloist. Bruno realized it could work because of that.”

“Brilliant musician”

At the time, Asato was already recognized worldwide for his guitar skills and had worked with several artists inside and outside Brazil, such as Jessie J, Tori Kelly and Sandy. Still, Mars’s multiple talents left him in awe.

“He is a brilliant musician, an exceptional singer and dancer who plays drums and guitar. I was impressed at that first rehearsal.”

The instrumentalist born in Campo Grande (MS) concluded by saying that he was aware of his profile not being aligned with the Silk Sonic project, with a sound even more focused on classic branches of R&B and soul music. This, however, ended up becoming a differentiator.

“I knew there were guitarists more suited to the Silk Sonic show. [Mas] Bruno felt it was a great combination because I could do the guitar ‘frying’ stuff on top.”

Mateus Asato and Bruno Mars

In a previous interview with the podcast Amplify (via Igor Miranda website), Matthew Asato revealed how he started working with Bruno Marsin his solo band, at the end of the last decade. Initially, he would only replace the main guitarist, who had to be away for some time to attend the birth of his son. It worked so well that the bond extended to Silk Sonic.

“It ended up that he broke up with his other guitarist, Bruno’s old guitarist went to do another job. He said: ‘Mateuzão, there’s this project for 2022 called Silk Sonic, and we want you’. It was Bruno’s side project with Anderson .Paak, a mix of Earth, Wind & Fire with something modern, but total 1970s. He said he would stay at Silk Sonic for 2022. So I was like: ‘Am I going to do my job or this?’. So I decided I couldn’t let it go. It’s hard to say ‘no’ to something that I already knew would be temporary. Plus, it was 1970s and I didn’t know how to play anything. michael jackson, James Brownetc. I saw that it would be a great school for me.”

Instead of remaining, Asato ended the collaboration in February 2023, after completing all previously established commitments. The reason? He wanted to work on his solo career — which should generate a new album soon. He admits, however, that he would have held on longer to perform with the singer at the São Paulo festival The TownSeptember 2023.

“The scales started to weigh more. I really enjoyed playing, but the realization of having signed with someone known worldwide in the position of sideman was complete. Perfect, but I said: ‘Now it’s time to move on to the next chapter of my life; I’m going to dedicate time to my things’. […] I was no longer with him at the shows in Brazil, which was a shame, because I left the band and, 15 days later, he announced a show in Brazil. I sent a message mockingly: ‘Really? Not even to let me know, ask me to stay a little longer’. But anyway, 2023 would have to be the year. 2020 was meant to be. So I spent the whole year with Bruno, I understood what it was like to be a sideman for a world-renowned guy, I fulfilled all the dreams I wanted.”

Without disguising the evidence

Even without going on stage, Mateus left his mark on those performances. It was he who indicated “Evidence”from Chitãozinho and Xororóto be played on occasion. In an interview with High HoursXororó, comments:

“At first, when they told me, I thought it had been Bruno himself, but later I found out that it was his musician who played, the John Fossit [tecladista]. […]. It was Mateus Asato who nominated, Bruno asked him to recommend three songs from here, and he said that ‘Evidence’ it was a national anthem.”

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