Thoughts and Directions:

I’ve been thinking; there’s no equivalent for an oil painting, sculpture, etc. in pop music. Everything is reproduced. We pop artists make something, make a bunch of copies of it, and sell it that way. I love that, and I’ll keep doing it, but the idea of a ‘unique recording’ really interests me. Bootlegs are sort of unique, but not really, as they come from a public display, etc. Classical pieces and the like are commissioned, but for huge fees, as with most commissioned art, which makes unique art generally unavailable to the general public. So, I’d like to try making original works of art, comprised of songs that you choose. The idea is to balance the idea of a unique work of art with a more reasonable price structure. You can have something made for yourself, or for a loved one, either way is OK with me.

Here’s how it’ll work: The songs can be chosen from anything I’ve been a part of over the years; originals, any band I’ve been a part of, covers I’ve done, etc. I love learning new songs as well, but I will only do songs that I’m already familiar with in some way; if not the song in particular, at least the artist. I’m not ready to help people finish their songs, or write words to their tracks, or anything like that. It has to be a song that’s already been recorded in some way by a relatively established artist. If I can’t figure out a cool way to do a song, we’ll think of an alternative. I use a very simple setup to make recordings that are nice and personal. The methods will changefrom time to time depending on the environment, the songs, new ideas, new equipment, etc. For the most part, for now, the recordings will be performed by me, alone, live.

Any number of songs is okay. I make records that are from 1-2 songs to 10-20. It’s all decided by us. The price of the record will be determined by the number of songs, how hard it is to learn them :), and mostly, what you think is fair. The suggested range is $70-100ish per original song (anything I’ve been a part of writing, in any band) and $80-140ish per cover song. As with all things involving exchange, I’m flexible. I’ve tried to set a price range that values the idea of a unique piece of artwork, while being affordable for people that aren’t rich, so just pay what feels right for you. Any questions/ideas, lemme know, we can work something out.

I’ll perform the songs that we decide upon, using yr ideas and suggestions, in whatever way that feels right at the time (loud, soft, spoken, etc.). I’ll perhaps talk about the songs, and mark the date / place / recipient. Again, ideas are welcome and wanted (dedications, etc.). Perhaps I’ll write a note or a sketch on the package (simple, hand-written/designed) to commemorate it. Then, I’ll send it off to you, on a CD, or in any other reasonable format, if someone prefers that (digital file, cassette, ideas?). I will never play, or use in any way, that recording again. It's for you. Of course, in this digital age, I understand that you may choose to share the songs with other people, which of course is totally up to you. I can’t control that, just as a visual artist can’t control someone that wants to reproduce their work via scanning, copying, etc. Basically, though, I’m hoping you'll see it as I do, which is that you’re getting something that is one of a kind, from me to you. If you share it with friends, or of course play it for them, I hope it’s in that spirit. It will be an original work, directly from me to the person that wants it. I imagine it as something you have for yourself, maybe to play for visitors sometimes, just as a painting would be shown. I like the idea of one unique recording, that I never hear again (unless you play it for me), in someone’s home. I like the idea of people getting something that is unique; that’s rare these days. I like the idea of it being so closely between me and the listener. It feels like an exciting way to (re-)experience the things I’ve made, and to let others experience it in a way that they choose.

So... If you know what you want, how much you’d like to pay, how you’d like to pay, all that stuff, I’ve included a list below that will give me all the info I’ll need. Once you send the info and payment, I’ll get going making your recording. If there is anything I have a question about (a certain cover song, etc.), I’ll let you know. They generally take about a month or two, but they can be much quicker, depending on how big/complex yr ideas are, my schedule, your needs, etc.

So, just write down the following info and send it to me at

jonahstuff (at) gmail (dot) com

and put 'Unique Recording Info' in the subject line.

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*Song(s):
*Price:
*Contact info (Address/email/phone):
*Dedications/extra info:
*Anything else?
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Jonah Matranga, POB 170118, San Francisco, CA 94117

Just make sure to send an e to jonahstuff (at) gmail (dot) com letting me know when to expect it in the mail.
In either case, make sure to include that list with all yr ideas, contact info, etc. when you send payment, either in the payment email, or with the payment in the envelope.

If you have more general q’s that this info doesn’t address, just write to
jonahstuff (at) gmail (dot) com
and put ‘Unique Recording Q’ in the subject line.

Thank you for being a part of this idea. - Jonah