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Exclusive: Jonah Matranga Track By Track

Jonah gives us an inside look at his new album 'You're All Those Things And Then You're None'.

Rock Sound is proud to present an exclusive stream of Jonah Matranga's new album 'You're All Those Things And Then You're None'. Not only that but we've got a track by track of the record written by Jonah himself, all you need to do now is start the album on the player below and read on, over to you Mr Matranga...



My new album is a two-volume set. The first is me alone in a room with a guitar, the songs as nude as can be. Two of those tunes are on a split with Mikee J Reds called 'Countrysides' that just came out on Engineer Records.

The second version, the one I'll babble about here, is all of us. It was made with contribution from more than fifty people around the world, most of whom I've never met, lending their voices and other various instruments and sonic skills. It was all done purely on a volunteer basis, just for the fun of it. It's one of the most gratifying, challenging things I've ever done, and I'm really happy that it happened. Hope you dig it. I humbly recommend listening as you read, with headphones preferably. Also, for those that love to listen and make too, I've included the chord changes with lyrics on the physical versions and with the download. Maybe we can play together sometime. I'd like that.

01. This Is Who I'm Gonna Be
I just had to start the record with this one. I started writing it backstage at a benefit with HR from Bad Brains. When I saw him nodding his brilliant, stoned head to the chorus, I knew I had something worthwhile. I love the idea of not waiting around to turn into some perfect person we're always working towards. It's somewhere in the family tree of 'Lukewarm', '14-41', 'Livin Small' and 'What I've Wanted To Say'. All these songs trying to make friends with who we are. The drums are by my buddy and sometimes touring drummer Allan Oakes. Matt Jones, also from the UK, chipped in boiling guitars and delicious bass. Marissa Lorusso played sweet glockenspiel in the choruses and bridge. There's a dane mix of this one hiding too. Someday…

02. Roots
This has two of my favorite sonic moments on the record. The middle was gonna just be whistling like Otis on 'Dock Of The Bay', but then people send in such sweet stuff based on that melody, I turned it into more of a soundscape. Also, the choir that comes in at the end are just an amazing bunch. They're called Free Choir, from Portland. My friend Gavin started it. Kimya Dawson loved it, so she started the Olympie Free Choir. You can start your own! Speaking of lovely Gav, who I've made lots of stuff with over the years, he plays drums on this and lots else. His awesome friend Nick Jaina came to his place that day and we ended up doing a really chilled-out take on this, with Nick playing gorgeous, understated electric guitar. There are several other layers from various places on this too. Lots of beauty went into this one. And a sentiment I'm really feeling lately, too.

03. Sweet Life
Free Choir rocks it out on this one, too. Also, Joshua Badillo made a brilliant backing track for this one. And my buddy Scarth on awesome keys too. But really, the moment on this one for me is the beginning, just quiet, weird guitar. It's one of the first ideas I got for the record, before anyone had even heard the music. I just gave BPM and key and mood, and people sent stuff in. This was just perfect. I heard the song entirely just listening to that little idea, in a beautiful living room in NYC, late at night with my girlfriend. Sweet Life indeed.

04. Happy-Hee
The simplest little tune, the most ambitious process. I can't tell you how many different people I recorded this song with, just gathering different voices everywhere I could. I could probably make ten more versions of this with all the different takes. Maybe sometime when I'm not so nuts putting the record out. This started as a little pocket-recorded idea a couple years ago, one of the first ideas that got the new album going. I heard it first as sort of a Moldy Peaches kinda duet, so I'm happy Kimya ended up on it, somethin nice about that. The way it turned out is pretty much a good metaphor for my whole weird career. A sprawling, weird, heartfelt mess. Thanks for caring. This song is most definitely by and for and about us. And yup, that's the Free Choir again, holdin it down for the refrain. There's a little 'one more' at the end that's from me conducting them at Gav's house in Portland. Sweet memories.

05. You Belong To Me
Remind me sometime to tell you the story of how my daughter changed the way I think about love. I'm really good at knowing things, and I'm pretty terrible at belonging. This song is that story. I was very careful with this. I just wanted to say it as simply as I could. I'm happy the Casio feel made it in there. That was just me sorting out the arrangement simply, but then I couldn't figure out a better way to sing it. Just step by precious step. This is one of those tunes that might go by on some days, but I'll bet it'll show its purpose on a day when you're really in love, or otherwise overwhelmed. Like I did that day so many years ago, maybe you'll finally understand the difference between knowing someone and belonging to someone. Here's to it.

06. Hold On
I had the starting couplet for a long time. At first it was 'when I was young…', and of course it's still as much to myself as to anyone. I had trouble with this arrangement. Gavin helped out a ton with his simple, direct ideas. Always serving the song. This arrangement was stubborn and winding, which is fitting given the tune. One of my fave moments on the whole album is the second verse, with the crunchy overdriven acoustic. That was Kerry's idea. She did the photos for the album too, and was part of its creation as much as anyone. She's the embodiment of someone that isn't a 'professional' musician or anything, but she just hears things, and articulates them perfectly. Thanks to her for that and so much more.

07. I Just Died In The Air Tonight
I thought of this chorus in Jamaica, of all places. I was there singing at a friend's wedding (please, have more weddings in awesome places and have me come sing there!). All at once I had this idea to make a huge lyrical quilt of all these 80s moments and images, all mixed up. A whole different take on sampling. I just heard a Weezer tune where Rivers does a very similar thing, that was a neat feeling. I hope to compare notes with him sometime, see who got more tunes in there. Speaking of which, I'm gonna have some sort of contest where the person to count and identify all the different tunes I reference will win something awesome. So, get listening and enjoy a great pop time.

08. Secret World
At first, I didn't imagine myself singing this one. The chorus came to me, and it was so sweet and innocent and pure. I thought of finding some young pop singer to make it all sugary-sweet. I can still hear that. For now, though, it was really nice to finish the lyric and make a dreamy, homemade version. I played it for my daughter. I told her it reminded me of her and her boyfriend(!), all the cute, romantic stuff they do. She was annoyed with me at first, as only a teenager can be, but then she softened and said she could see that. It's just for love. That perfect, young love. It'll never get old. I'm happy for this one. It reminds me.

09. Unparalyze
This is about as far away from the last one as a tune can get. It's about the part where the sweet innocent burst freezes you in your tracks when things get scary, as it always does. Some really neat ideas on this one, great guitar from David Cohen. Gav on drums, and also the excellent. Britton Holland. 2 people that have been friend for 20+ years, playing in different times and places, chipping in to the same song. Such a feeling. All that aside, the moment of this song is the end, where Kat Marsh just lifts to a place I never saw coming. I wasn't sure how this tune was gonna end. I had the idea to have some sorta Keith Moon raveup rockout at the end. I asked Kat to sing some ideas for the record, and when sent me her hypnotic, gorgeous take on it, the whole tune was transformed. My friend Amani wants to make a remix based on the 'be where you are' part. I could listen to that forever. Good advice too. This one sounds amazing on headphones!

10. Full Of Wonder
Gotta start by saying that first percussive sound you hear in this tune is my best friend's five-year old son beatboxing. He is then joined by the sound of a tap dancer from France. I think I can safely say there's never been a tune that started quite like that! Beyond that, more great drums from Gav, and really cool fills from someone else who sent stuff in super-early and I'm so happy it got used. More great guitar from David. Free Choir lifting it up. All set to a sweet rant about just a few of the weird ways I see the world and am awed by it. Oh, FYI, I had this chorus for around 15 years before it finally found a home. What this reminds me to do is take my time with ideas. Let them evolve as they do. Never rush for the sake of commerce or anything else. That's the only way it's worth it. Thank you for being patient and understanding with all the twists and turns over the years, over the course of this album, over the course of this writing.


If you like what you hear then head to jonahmatranga.com, click on Yard Sale and do a deal with the man. If you want to do the old-fashioned iTunes thing then you can do that too, this link is the acoustic version and this one will buy you what you are currently listening to. Sounds good doesn't it.

Jonah tours the UK soon. Go say hello at the following locations.

MAY
26 - KINGSTON New Slang (with Frank Turner)
27 - SOUTHAMPTON Hamptons
28 - LONDON Garage
29 - STOKE Harry's Bar
30 - EDINBURGH Bannerman's
31 - ABERDEEN The Tunnels
JUNE
01 - ABERDEEN The Tunnels
02 - LEEDS The Well
03 - YORK The Basement
05 - NEWCASTLE Trillians

Get tickets here.