Album of the Week #10: Jonah's onelinedrawing - sketchy EP #1
Album: sketchy EP #1
Artist: Jonah's onelinedrawing
Year: 1999
I can't remember the exact date when I first saw Jonah Matranga perform, although it must have been early 2000 as I'm sure that sketchy EP #2 was already out at the time. He's a bit of polarizer at his solo shows, really. Some people will claim that he's a shameless narcissist who ego-trips his way through performing: he does have a penchant to suddenly stop playing a song (in the middle of the song) and just talk about whatever is on his mind. Then there are his small legion of fans, myself included, who don't think this is narcissism at all, but someone who wants to have a dialogue with those who enjoy his music. Jonah comes off as a really interesting, and sometimes paradoxical, performer who puts on both "living room" shows (which are awesome!) and electrifying club shows. Anyway, the first time I saw Jonah perform was with the bands Sunday's Best and Wheat at the Fais Do Do in LA. Jonah cast a completely magic spell as the first act and I had to pick up something, which just happened to be sketchy EP #1.
This is probably the strongest release he will ever put out in my eyes -- even though it does not contain what I think is his best song, "Always." The album has a great range of topics and tones, going from silly moral parables like "15,000" to the profound epiphanies ode "14 to 41" to the ultimate frustration and anger catharsis song "Better than This." I have used this short collection both as a soother for bouts of depression and for a joyriding soundtrack. There's nothing like shouting along with "Better than This" when you're feeling blue.
Jonah does not beat to anyone else drum (in fact, he usually does not perform with a drummer at his solo shows) and yet he loves playing covers. He wants everyone to enjoy his music, but does not want to put out records through a large recording company. I have seen him perform in more various guises and at more venues than almost any other band (Silver holds that distinction), and have never seen the same show or heard the same rants twice.
Plus, he used to perform with R2-D2. Seriously.
As a special bonus off, I'm including a very early, very lo-fi, one track recording that I did of 15000 in late 2000. It's just me with a keyboard, bass, and microphone. Take it with a grain of salt.
Artist: Jonah's onelinedrawing
Year: 1999
I can't remember the exact date when I first saw Jonah Matranga perform, although it must have been early 2000 as I'm sure that sketchy EP #2 was already out at the time. He's a bit of polarizer at his solo shows, really. Some people will claim that he's a shameless narcissist who ego-trips his way through performing: he does have a penchant to suddenly stop playing a song (in the middle of the song) and just talk about whatever is on his mind. Then there are his small legion of fans, myself included, who don't think this is narcissism at all, but someone who wants to have a dialogue with those who enjoy his music. Jonah comes off as a really interesting, and sometimes paradoxical, performer who puts on both "living room" shows (which are awesome!) and electrifying club shows. Anyway, the first time I saw Jonah perform was with the bands Sunday's Best and Wheat at the Fais Do Do in LA. Jonah cast a completely magic spell as the first act and I had to pick up something, which just happened to be sketchy EP #1.
This is probably the strongest release he will ever put out in my eyes -- even though it does not contain what I think is his best song, "Always." The album has a great range of topics and tones, going from silly moral parables like "15,000" to the profound epiphanies ode "14 to 41" to the ultimate frustration and anger catharsis song "Better than This." I have used this short collection both as a soother for bouts of depression and for a joyriding soundtrack. There's nothing like shouting along with "Better than This" when you're feeling blue.
Jonah does not beat to anyone else drum (in fact, he usually does not perform with a drummer at his solo shows) and yet he loves playing covers. He wants everyone to enjoy his music, but does not want to put out records through a large recording company. I have seen him perform in more various guises and at more venues than almost any other band (Silver holds that distinction), and have never seen the same show or heard the same rants twice.
Plus, he used to perform with R2-D2. Seriously.
As a special bonus off, I'm including a very early, very lo-fi, one track recording that I did of 15000 in late 2000. It's just me with a keyboard, bass, and microphone. Take it with a grain of salt.