Matt Jasper Releases “Bored Games” — An Indie Rock Reflection on Identity, Humor, and Human Connection
On March 2, 2010, indie rock singer-songwriter Matt Jasper unveils Bored Games, a sharp, emotionally resonant, and often wry collection of twelve songs that blend pop-rock sensibility with confessional storytelling. Recorded, mixed, and mastered at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Music, Bored Games was produced and engineered by Jake Skolnick (Mannequin Vanity Records, Quel Bordel) and features drums by Eric Lense of Snarky Puppy. Jasper handles all vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and bass duties himself, crafting a cohesive sound that’s both intimate and full of dynamic character.
Across tracks like “Game Over,” “Amanda,” and “Infomercial Blues,” Bored Games explores modern ennui and emotional contradiction with melodic precision and lyrical wit. Jasper’s songwriting evokes the classic charm of early Ben Folds and the emotional honesty of Elliott Smith, while building a sonic world where love, boredom, humor, and heartbreak are equally at play. “Cats On The Prowl” nods to the absurd, while “The Patient Waltz” closes the album with quiet grace and introspection. It’s a record that moves effortlessly between catchy hooks and poignant lyrical observations—made all the more affecting by its raw, real-life production.
“I wrote Bored Games in a period of transition—graduating, starting over, watching people around me try to make sense of love, ambition, and late-night cable TV,” says Jasper. “The album title is a bit of a joke, but it’s also about the quiet battles people play with themselves every day. I wanted to capture that tension between being amused and being overwhelmed.”
With Bored Games, Matt Jasper cements himself as an indie artist who knows how to turn small moments into songs that stick with you long after the final track ends. Available now on all major platforms.
All songs written by Matt Jasper
All songs published (c) 2010 by What’s The Matter Music (BMI)
Vocals, Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitars: Matt Jasper
Drums by Eric Lense
Produced by Jake Skolnick
Recorded at NYU Stienhart School
Assistant Engineers: Eric Didriksen and Eric Xu
Art Direction and design: Amanda Lodi
Cover Art based on photography by: Victoria Lodi