Anyone that takes chances -- Prince, Fugazi, Zeppelin, Scorsese, Coppola, PE, Sinead, U2, Radiohead, Dave Chappelle, Pearl Jam, Bjork, Miles Davis, President Obama...
"The next real literary 'rebels' in this country might well emerge as some weird bunch of anti-rebels, born oglers who dare somehow to back away from ironic watching, who have the childish gall actually to endorse and instantiate single-entendre principles. Who treat of plain old untrendy human troubles and emotions in U.S. life with reverence and conviction. Who eschew self-consciousness and hip fatigue. These anti-rebels would be outdated, of course, before they even started. Dead on the page. Too sincere. Clearly repressed. Backward, quaint, naive, anachronistic. Maybe that'll be the point. Maybe that's why they'll be the next real rebels. Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The old postmodern insurgents risked the gasp and squeal: shock disgust, outrage, censorship, accusations of socialism, anarchism, nihilism. Today's risks are different. The new rebels might be artists willing to risk the yawn, rolled eyes, the cool smile, the nudged ribs, the parody of gifted ironists, the 'Oh how banal.' To risk accusations of sentimentality, melodrama. Of overcredulity. Of softness. Of willingness to be suckered by a world of lurkers and starers who fear gaze and ridicule above imprisonment without law. " David Foster Wallace
Sounds Like
Elliott Smith meets U2, or Sinead O'Connor as a boy, or like someone that loves Zeppelin but sounds nothing like them, or... “You may know singer-songwriter Jonah Matranga from his various group projects--Far Gratitude, New End Original and the anagrammatic onelinedrawing — but music made under his own name still sounds as sweet... Matranga may have done his best work while flying solo.”
-ALTERNATIVE PRESS
“A loose, free-roaming approach to songwriting that pushes his music beyond the normal sad-sack singer/songwriter cliches”
-PITCHFORK
“One of music’s most charismatic, tuneful, purist geeks...”
-ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“It is this comfort level and humility that surrounds Matranga and makes you fall in love with him, despite the fact that you’ve never
met”
-CHATTANOOGAN.COM
“His intimate sets can last hours, when the lovable, neurotic rock geek interjects compelling and playful banter between - and sometimes during
- songs.” - MEANSTREET
“No Belle & Sebastian, New Pornographers, or Strokes for me last week, but I did see Jonah two nights in a row - he never disappoints (I actually sold my Saturday night Strokes tickets outside Hammerstein Ballroom before heading to Snitch).
BROOKLYN VEGAN
“I must say that Jonah is one of the most genuine, passionate, and
sincere people I’ve ever talked to in my life. Music is his life and
sharing that love with others is his major goal.”
ABSOLUTEPUNK.NET
“Jonah Matranga has played hundreds of shows and met thousands of people, but he still remains one of the most human and accessible people in rock today. That his quirky, self-referential style of performance works in so many venues: big, intimate, recorded and
processed, is testament to the appeal of the man himself .”–
PUNKBANDS.COM
“Is there a more hardworking and
veracious guy in rock music?” – ANGRYAPE.COM
“One of the most influential artists
out there.” – INTERPUNK.COM
Hi, I'm Jonah. It's a long story, but basically, CLICK HERE to say hi, keep in touch, talk to cool people, get downloads, CDs, shirts and more at www.jonahmatranga.com.
If you or someone you know wants to subscribe to my excellent and personal e-list, go here:
'And' IS OUT NOW. My new album, 'And' is finally out in all the countries, on all the labels. Huge thanks to the many, many people that have helped in its creation and release. More on that in the coming days, for now I'm still and always rushing around in the middle of tour to keep in touch and figure out different ways to spread the word. Please tell yr friends and local record shops. It should be in stores, and online, and who knows.
On that note... Finally, here is a simple, secure way to buy and download 'And' directly from me. You'll get the whole album, plus a bonus track, all in hi-res .mp3 format (much better quality than iTunes). I've also included album cover art and all the liner notes, lyrics, and even chords to play along if you like. You can pay via PayPal or credit card. The page will try to get you to use PayPal, which is fine, but on the lower left is the link for credit cards. I've just tried it myself, and it's very easy, thank goodness. I'll be expanding the download sales stuff all the time, but this seems a good place to start. Thanks so much, for all the ways.
Hey Jonah, wish u where able to come back to Australia . . . would love too hear your version of Be Quiet and Drive again. If u are bored check out our track "Hollywood", we think it has old FAR sounds rubbed off on it. Thanks mate. Take care.
Jonah, it's been ages since I've checked in to see what you're up to. I remember meeting you when you came to Australia three years ago and thinking it was one of the happiest days of my life! I still have the photo of us on my chest of drawers.
Not only do I love yer music but the attitude of sharing you encourage with yer art. I hope to let you know you've not only inspired my music but inspired the ways in which I present it! Thanks jonah!
You may, now, pre-order the "Memoria - A Tribute To The Alternative 90s" CD (out in october 2009) on the french indie record label Yr Letter Records, here: http://yrletter.bigcartel.com
1. Frank Turner - Sally (Kerbdog) 2. Gâtechien - Bombtrack (Rage Against The Machine) 3. Dead Pop Club - I Was Dreaming (Les Thugs) 4. Walter Schreifels - When You Sleep (My Bloody Valentine) 5. DevonMiles - Getchoo (Weezer) 6. Cooper -Static (Jawbox) 7. Lula Fortune - Fuzzy (Grant Lee Buffalo) 8. Down To Earth - Let Me Drown (Soundgarden) 9. Billy Gaz Station - Grant Hart (The Posies) 10. Powell - Head To Wall - Feat. Cyesm (Quicksand) 11. Luis Francesco Arena - I Like It (Far) 12. Lead Orphans - Corduroy (Pearl Jam) 13. Atomic Garden - Grudge (Mega City Four) 14. Run Ronie Run - Foreign Devils On The Silk Road (Chokebore) 15. Mr Moustache - Dust Cake Boy (Babes In Toyland) 16. Novels - Aneurysm (Nirvana) 17. Jonah Matranga - Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) (Deftones)
hey jonah, just heard that song you did with lupe fiasco, so sick... love the diversity. enjoy your weekend and learn to snowboard, then come to tahoe.
hey your still around?? i used to have a bunch of your music a few years ago. and i just got my old ipod working and found all your old music as well as i just watched dakota skye and it had that wonderful song "i got my list." so i did my googling and found out... it was YOU!.
oh how excited i am that your still making beautiful music.
Hi Jonah. Just downloaded the cover album but haven't got the chance to listen to it yet. Really excited about your version of Beyoncé's Irreplacable. Sounds like fun. I will let you know which cover song I like best pretty soon. Have a splendid weekend.
It was great seeing you tonight. Thanks for a great show. I got 3 1/2 songs on my flipvid (memory ran out halfway through Yr Letter). I'll be posted them on YouTube in the morning for sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw0hvGl8UyU Jonah! Here's a video of you and me playing Yr Letter together on my birthday. It's pretty dark but you can still get the jist of the best 5 minutes of my life. Just thought I'd share.
Jonah! I get to see you tonight, tomorrow, AND Saturday. And I made it all work out with my work schedule. Be proud. I have a little birthday something for you, too. See you tonight! Pumped!
