Jonah Matranga
Jonah Matranga is one of my favorite musicians ever, and I’ve loved all the body of work he has done through out the years and it was awesome that he kindly gave up his time to answer my questions. Even better he touring in September here in Australia. So read folks and if you live in Aussie go to a show.
Thu Sep 6 – AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY – The Sando
Fri Sep 7 – AUSTRALIA, NEWCASTLE – The Cambridge Sidebar
Sun Sep 9 – AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE – The Worker’s Club
Wed Sep 12 – AUSTRALIA, PERTH – The Academy
Sat Sep 15 – AUSTRALIA, BRISBANE – The Crowbar
1. How have things changed for you as musician all the years of playing in various bands and your solo stuff?
41, which is the final age mentioned in a tune I wrote called ’14 to
41′. One of the final lines in that tune is ‘you’re all those things and
then you’re none’. That sounds a bit bleak, but it’s meant to say that I
think growing up is not needing to be defined by any identity, style,
look or anything else.
just really liked the idea of having totally separate versions of the
tunes. One version is me completely solo. The other is with all of these
people I’ve never met chipping in their ideas. It was an amazing
process to create it.
was made with Ian Love in Brooklyn. We just traded ideas until we had
something we loved. It’s still a record I’m quite proud of.
think there is a them of letting go on the album. Making space for
what’s next, which is just what that little word ‘and’ does.
record on lots of small independent labels around the world, do a
partnership. I think it worked out wonderfully.
and everything, I suppose. I just really enjoy the feeling of getting
woken up by a melody or a lyric, then following it through and showing
it to people. It’s all an amazing process that teaches me things
constantly.
has been a fan of my music for many years, so he just called me up to
see if I’d come and sing on a couple of tracks. He also had me on a Lupe
Fiasco track he produced. He’s a really great guy, and such a
hard-working artist too. He inspires me.
really what it’s all about. The idea and inspiration has to come first,
but right after that is showing the ideas to people in the most
personal, authentic way possible. Minimal bullshit, maximum music.
there’s such a direct connection possible. I like playing with all
sorts of technology to find new ways to say hi.
love to sing old jazz standards, maybe some classical too. So much,
really. I’d love to learn traditional songs from tons of cultures around
the world. I’d love to play the drums in a band. Bass, too. Yea, so
much.
it happens, this September I’ll be there for the first time in years.
I’m looking forward to it. Say hi if you make it out to a show!