Your name:
Jonah Matranga.

Where are you from? (city/country)
San Francisco, CA, USA.

Your sound can be described as?
Curious.

Fill us in on the history - where did your band/act start, what changes and developments have happened along the way and where are you now?
I’ve been in several bands; worked in all sorts of ways. Rock bands like Far, New End Original, Gratitude and a quasi-solo thing called Onelinedrawing. It’s come back to truly solo, DIY style – little labels, playing in whatever way seems fun in the moment.

What’s your earliest memory of developing a passion for music?
High school, high, listening to The Who in the rain, thinking I liked music better than people.

Your influences (musical, political etc) and why?
People that take chances and say their truth, ugly or not. Zeppelin, Prince, Raymond Carver, Sinead O'Connor, Public Enemy, Dylan, Miles, Bowie, [I] could go [on] forever.

What’s your Mum or Dad’s favourite record/song and why do you love/hate it?
My Mum loves Johnny Cash lately which is fine with me. She likes country music that’s sort of awful as well, that’s not so much fun.

Most memorable gig you’ve played and why?
Worst – 3am at some dive bar in Birmingham, Alabama, to a room full of drunk hicks (and a handful of really nice, sympathetic people that stayed up late with me).

Best – Le Batofar, Paris, Spring 2006 – A boat on the Seine, an actual little docked boat converted into a rock club. Beautiful night.

What’s the most naughty thing you and/or the band have gotten up to on tour?
I don’t do drugs and I’m not violent or mean-spirited so it’s all about fun, hot sexiness when it feels right for me and any interested parties. Those tales are my own and they are naughty in the best way.

Do you drink? And if so what’s you’re favourite rock ‘n’ roll recipe? If you don’t drink would you care to elaborate as to why?
Got into way too much trouble growing up, was on probation and all and Dad drank himself to death, which seems like a pretty good hint to stay away from the stuff.

What was the first record that you ever owned and tell us the story of how it came into your possession and why you loved it?
I remember the Beatle’s blue and red double vinyls. They were Mum’s of course. Paperback Writer still rocks me; I just ripped that from vinyl, so nice to hear it with kid ears.

What’s the best thing about the music scene you are involved in and why?
I hate scenes. I don’t fit. It sure is nice finding good people, though.

What’s the worst thing about the music scene you are involved in and why?
See above.

How did you get involved in the music scene you find yourself in now?
I have done everything I can to divorce myself from scenes. I hope that I run into other people wanting to just do their thing and make a little family.

Any parting words?
I cannot wait to get to Australia for the first time and I can’t believe that me singing and making my little ideas has led to that. I look forward to being part of that community (but not any scenes).