Gratitude: an interview with Jonah Matranga

by Renee Clark

What made you decide to become a musician? Was there any defining moment when you just knew that’s what you had to try and do?
It wasn't any one moment, I just sort of kept loving it, and I really believe that thing that you'd do if you never had to work is the thing you should try yr hardest to make yr work :)

What was your first instrument and how did you get it?
Guitar, pretty much. I bought my first electric from a couple that was making a documentary on kids and rock. They called it 'Jonah Wails'. Really!

How did you learn how to play it?
Regular old guitar lessons, learning Cars and Aerosmith songs, all the usual silliness. I didn't last long in lessons, just wanted to write my own tunes. Everything changed when I got my first 4-track, to record my ideas.

What musicians have influenced your style of writing/performing?
The short, forever list is Zeppelin, Miles Davis, Rickie Lee Jones, Prince, Public Enemy, Sinead O'Connor, U2, REM, The Clash, Billie Holiday, Bowie... Well, I guess it could get pretty long. People that go for it, in whatever way.

When did you decide to make music a career instead of just a hobby and what made you want to do it?
I think I sort of answered that one. It wasn't a decision so much as tireless curiosity.

Did you always want to be a musician? What did you want to be when you were 5 for example?
A superhero.

What do you think you would be doing right now if Gratitude didn’t get a record deal? Do you think you would have continued with the band and home made an album like you have done with past projects?
Yea, and that's probably what I'll always go back to. Sometimes I think I should just stick with that, but I love trying new things.

What was your inspiration to take a step out of the underground scene back into the major record label scene?
The songs, that's all. They just led me here. It's strange that way.

What was the hardest track to write or lay down on Gratitude?
The Greatest Wonder' went through a lot, but the way it finally turned out is so worth it.

What have been some of the reactions of your new music from fans from the other bands you have been in?
The funniest thing is that people seem to react to the fact that it's on a major label so much. I don't think it sounds that different from, well, me, but perception is funny. Mostly, though, seems like people like it. I'm very happy that there's trust between me and the people that listen to what I make.

Have you seen a demand for music from your past recordings from new fans?
Sometimes. It works all different ways. I want to have it all available, all the time. I'm trying to gather it : )

Have your goals as an artist changed at all since you first started performing?
Not really, but certain things keep coming into focus more and more clearly. Things like 'do what you love in ways that you love with people that you love in places that you love at time that you love', etc.' Every part of it is so important.

What were some of the things you did differently while making this album versus others you have done in the past?
As far as band stuff goes, not much. Rock is pretty simple, as far as I can tell. You just get in there and bang it out. We worked with amazing people in an amazing place, and just tried to live up to that opportunity.

What is your favorite song to perform and why?
At the moment, 'Someone To Love' feels really good. It always changes, it's fun.

What is one thing about warped tour that you looking forward to?
I just love the picnic aspect; it's such a fun mess, running around with everyone. I love that about festivals; there's no one scene, it's all jumbled. That's my favorite.

Do you have any other touring plans after warped?
Nothing yet. I'm curious to see what comes. This band has so many different sounds and feelings to it, everyone is thinking hard about which way to go.

What do you want people to take away from your music? Any certain message?
What goes into it for me is humility, understanding that there's a lot that I don't understand, but that I can try my best to be sweet and thankful regardless of the situation. Tough stuff, but a good life's work.

How do you think you have grown as a performer and musician since being in Gratitude?
I am learning more and more about the balance between the rights of the individual and the stability of community. Pretty deep stuff for a rock band, I know, but that's what it comes down to when I'm working with other people in any way. Taking care of myself without being an asshole to others. Balance.

What do you think sets you apart from all of the other up and coming bands?
There's no way to not sound like an asshole answering that, so I won't : ) I just do what I do, and I know where I'm coming from, and that's enough for me.

Any plans yet for a new single?
We're talking about 'Sadie' or 'Someone To Love'. I still the 'The Greatest Wonder' is ther special one, I'm trying to find a good movie or something for it. Who knows, I just love the songs.

Is there anything you know now about the music business that you wished you would have known when your first started out? (Any lessons learned the hard way).
Overall, I just wish that I could be better at letting go when people break promises or aren't honest with me in one way or another, that's hard. That's not a music biz thing, it's an everything thing. I just keep working on my honesty, and my boundaries.

What do you think is the weirdest you have been compared to?
Dashboard Confessional. It's weird cos he was so influenced by me, so to be compared to him feels a bit backwards. Nothing against him, just funny how things work.

Where do you see yourself or where do you hope to be 5 years from now?
I see myself working with young people in some way; perhaps at a camp or school, perhaps with families. But really, who knows!

Are there any bands out there right now that you think people should know about?
A woman named Bri, a band called Smoosh, um... Division Day always, 2 Neil Young records called Freedom and Sleeps With Angels, early Dylan stuff, Stars, Phil Krauth, there is so much music out there!

Is there anything you would like to add or say to your fans?
Just the same thank you that I will always mean. It's stunning and wonderful to have met people and supported myself and everything else by playing music and working hard to get it out there to anyone that might get something from it. Thank you. Stay nice.