# Jonah Matranga

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American musician (born 1969)

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Jonah Matranga Background information Born Jonah Sonz Matranga (1969-08-11) August 11, 1969 (age 56) Origin Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. Genres Alternative rock indie rock emo post-hardcore pop punk Occupations Musician songwriter Instruments Vocals guitar Years active 1991–present Labels Equal Vision Jade Tree Epic Atlantic Iodine Member of Sons of Alpha Centauri Formerly of Far New End Original Gratitude Website jonahmatranga.com

Musical artist

**Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga** (born **Jonah Sonz Matranga**, August 11, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and [onelinedrawing](/source/Onelinedrawing), and has previously been part of the bands [Far](/source/Far_(band)) and New End Original (an anagram of "onelinedrawing") and [Gratitude](/source/Gratitude_(band)). He now continues to work and tour under onelinedrawing.[1]

## Biography

### Early life

Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga grew up in [Brookline, Massachusetts](/source/Brookline%2C_Massachusetts). He left in 1987 to attend [Pitzer College](/source/Pitzer_College) in [Claremont, California](/source/Claremont%2C_California), where he majored in English and began making music by himself. After graduation, he moved to Sacramento to form [Far](/source/Far_(band)) in 1991.

They made four albums, including the classic *[Water and Solutions](/source/Water_and_Solutions)*, before disbanding in December 1998. During this time, Jonah married in April 1994, and his daughter was born that August. He divorced two years later. In 1999, he moved to the Bay Area. He currently lives in Portland, making music and raising his daughter.

### Solo career and New End Original

After the demise of [Far](/source/Far_(band)), Jonah began to perform with a tape recorder and touring under the name [onelinedrawing](/source/Onelinedrawing), which had been the name of a cassette he had released on [Kevin Seconds](/source/Kevin_Seconds)'s Pop Rockit Records. He released two EPs in 1999 (Sketchy EPs #1 and #2) of bedroom demos. He put out two further EPs in 2001 – "Always New JanJun00" and "Always New JulDec00".

In 2000, he formed and fronted New End Original, a band that primarily performed full-band versions of onelinedrawing songs. With the lineup completed by [Texas Is The Reason](/source/Texas_Is_The_Reason) alumni Scott Winegard (bass) and Norman Arenas (guitar), and drummer Charlie Walker (ex-Chamberlain), they released one album [Thriller](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thriller_(New_End_Original_album)&action=edit&redlink=1) and a single for Lukewarm.

Much of his solo material has also been self-released, though often subsequently distributed through labels such as Crank! and Corrupted Image. However, his two full-length onelinedrawing albums, *Visitor* (2002) -a mixed bag of acoustic-based home recordings spanning a few years- and *The Volunteers* (2004) were released by [Jade Tree Records](/source/Jade_Tree_Records).

The Volunteers possessed a more polished sound – courtesy of mixer Dave Sardy, who had previously worked with Matranga on Far's *Water and Solutions*.

Matranga retired the onelinedrawing moniker in 2004 and now intends to put all future solo releases under his name. In December 2004, Jonah began offering custom-made recordings of songs by himself or others through his website, in order to offer a one-of-a-kind musical artpiece. Information about this and his many other ideas can be found on Matranga's website,[2] where he can also be contacted personally.

In 2005, Matranga put out *Sketchy EP #3*, as well as a DVD, *There's a Lot in Here*, both of which are available on a sliding scale ("pay what you can") from ([\[1\]](http://jonah.safewebshop.com)) Matranga's personally-maintained online store. The DVD *There's a Lot in Here* was re-released with a bonus CD on February 21, 2006, through [Equal Vision Records](/source/Equal_Vision_Records).

Matranga's song "Crush on Everyone" was featured in the score to the 2008 [John Humber](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Humber&action=edit&redlink=1) film [Dakota Skye](/source/Dakota_Skye_(film)) and "Got My List" was sung by the movie's protagonists.

### Guest appearances

Jonah has contributed backup vocals to *[War All the Time](/source/War_All_the_Time_(Thursday_album))* (by [Thursday](/source/Thursday_(band))) on the track "Steps Ascending", and to the [Deftones](/source/Deftones)'s acoustic remix version of "[Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)](/source/Be_Quiet_and_Drive_(Far_Away))" and a cover of [Sade](/source/Sade_(band))'s song "[No Ordinary Love](/source/No_Ordinary_Love)", both of which the Deftones released as b-sides (also, several Deftones members contributed to Far's cover of the [Jawbox](/source/Jawbox) song "Savory").

He has also contributed to previous [Matt Nathanson](/source/Matt_Nathanson) releases, a song called "Swamp" for [tweaker](/source/Tweaker_(band)) (a.k.a. [Chris Vrenna](/source/Chris_Vrenna), former member of [Nine Inch Nails](/source/Nine_Inch_Nails)), which ended up a b-side for the album *[The Attraction to All Things Uncertain](/source/The_Attraction_to_All_Things_Uncertain)*, and to two [Fort Minor](/source/Fort_Minor) songs for the album *[The Rising Tied](/source/The_Rising_Tied)*: "Red to Black" with [Kenna](/source/Kenna); and the single "[Where'd You Go](/source/Where'd_You_Go_(Fort_Minor_song))" with [Holly Brook](/source/Skylar_Grey), where he also appears in the video. "Where'd You Go" managed to reach the #4 spot at the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100).

Matranga's name does not appear on the title card before and after the video, though he is credited on the album. He attributed his video anonymity (jokingly) to his name being too long and "music biz yuck". He often expresses his negative opinion of the music industry's business ethics.

In 2005 he co-wrote "Calling" for [Taproot](/source/Taproot_(band)), the first single from their album *[Blue-Sky Research](/source/Blue-Sky_Research)*. He also appeared on *[Food & Liquor](/source/Food_%26_Liquor)*, the debut album for [Lupe Fiasco](/source/Lupe_Fiasco), on the track entitled "The Instrumental", which appeared on the *[Madden 07](/source/Madden_07)* soundtrack. Jonah sings a hook ("And he never lied, 'cause he never said anything at all") directly taken from the lyrics from "Nestle", a song from the Far album *Water & Solutions*. The track was produced by [Mike Shinoda](/source/Mike_Shinoda) of [Linkin Park](/source/Linkin_Park) and [Fort Minor](/source/Fort_Minor).

Jonah has also lent his vocals on Atlanta-based band [minus]'s (later changed to [minus driver]) song "Hesitant and Polite" which appeared on their album *Structure of Simplicity*.

Jonah returned to the onelinedrawing name in 2012 for [Audio Antihero](/source/Audio_Antihero) label's "[Some.Alternate.Universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Some.Alternate.Universe&action=edit&redlink=1)" compilation for the [FSID](/source/FSID) charity. He contributed "Friendship Tango".

Jonah sung backing vocals for Zebulon-Raleigh, North Carolina–based songwriter [Nick Driver](/source/Nick_Driver)'s independent release *Poets' Corner Volume One* track titled "Universal Love" in late 2012.

In August 2021, UK stoner/post-rock band [Sons of Alpha Centauri](/source/Sons_of_Alpha_Centauri) released their latest album *Push* featuring Jonah as guest vocalist on all nine tracks. This was a notable departure from the band's formerly instrumental sound.[3]

## Discography

### Solo releases

- Jonah Sonz Matranga – *[Songs I Hope My Mom Will Like](/source/Songs_I_Hope_My_Mom_Will_Like)* (1994)

- Jonah Matranga – *[Jonah's One-line Drawing](/source/Jonah's_One-line_Drawing)* (1998 Poprockit)

- Jonah's Onelinedrawing – *[Sketchy EP #1](/source/Sketchy_EP_1)* (1999)

- Jonah's Onelinedrawing – *[Sketchy EP #2](/source/Sketchy_EP_2)* (2000)

- onelinedrawing/[Sense Field](/source/Sense_Field) – [Split EP](/source/Split_EP_(with_Sense_Field)) (2000)

- onelinedrawing/[Rival Schools](/source/Rival_Schools_(band)) – *[Rival Schools United by Onelinedrawing](/source/Rival_Schools_United_by_Onelinedrawing)* (2001)

- onelinedrawing – *[Always New Jan-Jun 2000](/source/Always_New_Jan-Jun_2000)* (online 2000, CD 2001)

- onelinedrawing – *[Always New Jul-Dec 2000](/source/Always_New_Jul-Dec_2000)* (online 2000, CD 2002)

- onelinedrawing – *Always New 2001* (online 2001 only)

- onelinedrawing – *[Visitor](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Visitor(album)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2002 [Jade Tree](/source/Jade_Tree_Records))

- onelinedrawing – *[The Volunteers](/source/The_Volunteers_(album))* (2004 [Jade Tree](/source/Jade_Tree_Records))

- Jonah Matranga – *[There's a Lot in Here](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=There%27s_a_Lot_in_Here_(DVD)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2005 Ewusl Vision)

- Jonah Matranga – *[Sketchy EP #3](/source/Sketchy_EP_3)* (2005)

- *[Jonah Matranga / Frank Turner Split](/source/Jonah_Matranga_%2F_Frank_Turner_Split)* – Split 12 inch vinyl (2006)

- Jonah Matranga – *[The Three Sketchys](/source/The_Three_Sketchys)* (2006)

- Jonah Matranga – *[And](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=And_(Jonah_Matranga_album)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2007 [Limekiln Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Limekiln_Records&action=edit&redlink=1) (USA)). (Also released on [Blacktop](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blacktop_Records&action=edit&redlink=1) in Canada, [Arctic Rodeo](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arctic_Rodeo&action=edit&redlink=1) in Germany, Daymare in Japan, [Xtra Mile](/source/Xtra_Mile) in UK and Yr Letter Records in France.)

- Jonah Matranga – *And Furthermore* (*And* B-Sides & Acoustic Versions)

- Jonah Matranga – *Fort Teen* (2009) 100 hand numbered, hand made cd of home recordings between 1984–87

- Jonah Matranga / [Kevin Seconds](/source/Kevin_Seconds) – split 7 inch vinyl (December 2009) (Blacktop – Canada)

- Jonah Matranga – *You're 16, You're 23, You're 32* (DIY boxset) (2009)

- Jonah Matranga – *[You're All Those Things And Then You're None](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=You%27re_All_Those_Things_And_Then_You%27re_None&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2010)

- Jonah's Onelinedrawing – *[Me and You are Two](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Me_and_You_are_Two&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2014)

- Jonah Matranga / Mikee J Reds *Countrysides* EP, "Sweet Life" "Secret World"

- Onelinedrawing - *[Tenderwild](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tenderwild&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2022)

#### *The Three Sketchys*

*The Three Sketchys (1999-2005)* is an anthology containing the contents of three albums:

- *Sketchy EP #1* by Onelinedrawing (1999)

- *Sketchy EP #2* by Onelinedrawing (2000)

- *Sketchy EP #3* by Jonah Matranga (2005)

along with a bonus track: a new mix of "The Big Parade" from *Sketchy EP #2*. The recordings span 1999–2005 and are described by the artist as a collection of "homemade" tracks spanning several years. It was released in 2006 by OLD Records, a self-managed label by Jonah Matranga.

### Band releases

- [Far](/source/Far_(band)) – *[Sweat a River, Live No Lies](/source/Sweat_a_River%2C_Live_No_Lies)* (1991 Enharmonik Studios)

- Far – *[Listening Game](/source/Listening_Game)* (1992 Rusty Nail Records)

- Far – *[Quick](/source/Quick_(album))* (1994 Our Own Records)

- Far – *[Tin Cans With Strings To You](/source/Tin_Cans_With_Strings_To_You)* (1996 [Epic](/source/Epic_Records)/Immortal)

- Far – *Soon* EP (1997 [Epic](/source/Epic_Records)/Immortal)

- Far – *[Water & Solutions](/source/Water_%26_Solutions)* (1998 [Epic](/source/Epic_Records)/Immortal)

- Far – *[At Night We Live](/source/At_Night_We_Live)* (2010 [Vagrant](/source/Vagrant_Records))

- Far – Pony 7" on Bright Antenna (December 2009)

- [New End Original](/source/New_End_Original)' – *Lukewarm* single (2001 [Jade Tree](/source/Jade_Tree_Records))

- New End Original – *[Thriller](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thriller_(New_End_Original_album)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2001 [Jade Tree](/source/Jade_Tree_Records))

- [Gratitude](/source/Gratitude_(band)) – *[Gratitude](/source/Gratitude_(Gratitude_album))* (2005 [Atlantic](/source/Atlantic_Records))

- Gratitude – *Drive Away* single (2005 [Atlantic](/source/Atlantic_Records))

- Gratitude – *This Is the Part* EP (written as *This Is th EP Art*) (2005)

- [I Is Another](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Is_Another_(band)&action=edit&redlink=1)[4] – *[I Is Another](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Is_Another_(album)&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2013 [Arctic Rodeo Recordings](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arctic_Rodeo_Recordings&action=edit&redlink=1))

- [Camorra](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Camorra_(band)&action=edit&redlink=1)[5] – *[Mourning, Resistance, Celebration](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mourning,_Resistance,_Celebration&action=edit&redlink=1)* (2017 [Arctic Rodeo Recordings](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arctic_Rodeo_Recordings&action=edit&redlink=1))[6]

- [Sons of Alpha Centauri](/source/Sons_of_Alpha_Centauri) – *Push* (2021 Exile on Mainstream Records)[3]

- [Sons of Alpha Centauri](/source/Sons_of_Alpha_Centauri) – *Pull* (2024 Exile on Mainstream Records)

### iTunes Releases

- I Believe Barack Obama 2009[7]

- I Still Miss Someone (J.Cash Cover) 2009[7]

- What Beyonce Said To Jay-Z Before She Left Him For Me (Irreplaceable Cover) 2009[7]

- Live in Rotterdam December 15, 2007 (15 song set with new, old and cover songs) 2009[7]

- Live at Hotel Cafe, LA, CA May 6, 2009 (various songs and various covers) 2009[7]

- Live in Rotterdam DIY Download 2009-07-14 (17 song set with Iamani)[7]

- Live in Amsterdam DIY Download 15/07/09 (14 song set)[7]

- Live in Leuven DIY Download 2/03/09 (17 song set)[7]

- Random Covers, Vol.1 DIY Download (11 homemade recordings of various covers) 2009[7]

### Books

- Jonah Matranga – *[Alone Rewinding](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alone_Rewinding&action=edit&redlink=1): 23 Years of Fatherhood and Music* (2017)

### Television appearances

- The Classroom Series – Season 1: Episode 1 "Alone Rewinding with Jonah Matranga" (October 16, 2017) *first aired November 6, 2017*

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tour_1-0)** ["Live Review"](http://intunemusiconline.com/2008/09/11/matt-pryor-kevin-devine-jonah-matranga-asbury-park-94/). inTuneMusic.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["- Jonah Is Here. So Are You"](http://jonahmatranga.com/). *jonahmatranga.com*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-thesleepingshaman.com_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-thesleepingshaman.com_3-1) ["Review: Sons of Alpha Centauri 'Push'"](https://www.thesleepingshaman.com/reviews/s/sons-of-alpha-centauri-push/). August 19, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["I Is Another"](https://arcticrodeorecordings.com/wordpress/?page_id=1275). *Arctic Rodeo Recordings*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Camorra"](https://arcticrodeorecordings.com/?page_id=3552). *Arctic Rodeo Recordings*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["CAMORRA "Mourning, Resistance, Celebration" EP is now up"](https://arcticrodeorecordings.com/?p=3618). *Arctic Rodeo Recordings*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-jonahmatranga.com_7-8) [Jonahmatranga.com](http://jonahmatranga.com/jtunes/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090825033255/http://jonahmatranga.com/jtunes/) August 25, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

## External links

- [A 2012 Interview With Jonah on Shattered Glass Media](http://www.shattered-glass-media.co.uk/?p=1471)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

- [Jonah's Website](http://www.jonahmatranga.com/)

- [A 2009 interview with Jonah Matranga](http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/04/an_interview_w_10.html)

- [Jonah Matranga interview on Rockmidgets.com](http://www.rockmidgets.com/features.php?page=3&id=1174&page=3)

- [jonahmatranga.com: The Three Sketchys (1999-2005)](https://web.archive.org/web/20081010235334/http://www.jonahmatranga.com/jtunes/3sk.html)

- [jonahmatranga.com: Yard Sale](https://web.archive.org/web/20080907023446/http://jonahmatranga.com/pages/yardsale.html)

[Template:Jonah Matranga](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Jonah_Matranga&action=edit&redlink=1)

v t e Far Jonah Matranga Shaun Lopez John Gutenberger Chris Robyn Studio albums Listening Game Quick Tin Cans with Strings to You Water & Solutions At Night We Live EPs Soon

Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jonah Matranga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Matranga) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Matranga?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.