Photos and review by Rebecca Clark
Nestled in the scenic hills of Himrod, NY, Jonah Matranga of Onelinedrawing brought something truly special to Sapalta, a warm, intimate performance that blended deep emotion, spontaneous covers, and honest connection. With a stunning backdrop, incredible food, and the most welcoming hosts, the venue itself felt like a perfect match for the raw beauty of Jonah’s music.
Jonah took the stage solo, just a guitar, a phone, a few beats, and a heart full of stories, yet delivered a show that could rival a full band. There’s something magical about the way Jonah performs. Whether singing to a packed venue or a small, cozy crowd, Jonah gives everything. It’s not about numbers; it’s about presence. Every lyric felt lived-in, every note came from a real place.
Grunge vibes carried into Jonah’s set after opener Emit Clark played a deep Soundgarden cut, sparking Jonah to played a hauntingly beautiful cover of Pearl Jam’s “Release.” From there, Jonah weaved through originals and deep cuts, including “Serious Question.”
Each song carried intention “Tenderwild,” which Jonah dedicated to his wife which included his wedding vows in the lyrics, and another dedicated to Joel Kircher, one of the opening acts who referred to Jonah as an idol.
Joel Kircher kicked off the night, bringing a unique presence to the stage. With a rich, low vocal tone reminiscent of Johnny Cash, but entirely his own, Joel’s sound blended southern rock warmth with a grounded authenticity that would resonate with any Americana fan.
Emit Clark followed, with heartfelt originals, singing each song with genuine energy and heart. You could feel how closely he connects with his lyrics, his performance was filled with emotional intensity and a sense of deep sincerity. He may be early in his music journey, but he’s already making a mark.
After a short break and a weather shift that brought everyone inside, each artist did second sets. When Jonah launched into the second set with “Get My List,” and then continued with a thoughtful mix of covers and originals. Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees,” Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So,” and a song sent out to theSTART showed Jonah’s love for musical storytelling, while fan favorites like “This Is Water,” “Everyday Angels,” and tracks from Visitor gave long-time listeners what they came for.
A standout moment was Jonah’s performance of “Every Mistake,” introduced with the line, “We’re all trying to be perfect for each other, but it’s a fool’s errand.” That vulnerability is the heart of Jonah’s songwriting, real, messy, human. The song “Free” brought a different kind of magic, fun, liberating, and full of Jonah’s quirky charm, a reminder to embrace our weird and wonderful selves.
Toward the end, Jonah sang a beautiful rendition of “Stay,” calling it a song about wanting to stretch moments like puddy. And in a sweet, spontaneous gesture, Jonah also sang “Happy Birthday” to Sapalta’s manager, Christina.
There’s something timeless about a performance like this. It didn’t rely on flashing lights or theatrics, just stories, connection, and songs delivered straight from the heart. Jonah is a rare artist in today’s industry: a truly gifted songwriter, unapologetically authentic, and a kind soul on top of it all.
Seeing Jonah again after all these years was like reconnecting with an old friend, comforting, familiar, and deeply moving. This show was a reminder that some of the most powerful performances happen in the smallest spaces, when the music is real and the artist gives everything, no matter the size of the crowd.
Jonah Matranga Photo Gallery
Joel Kircher Photo Gallery
Emit Clark Photo Gallery
