Tour Blog: Mikeé J Reds UK Tour with Jonah Matranga (Part Two)

In the latest in our series of exclusive tour blogs, Mikeé J Reds will be regularly producing blogs whilst on his joint UK tour with Jonah Matranga (of Far.)

Reds and Matranga recently released a split EP together and are touring throughout the UK to promote the release.

In this lengthly update, Reds talks us through his and Jonah's shows in London, Stoke, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

May 28th

After Southampton, we were to drive to the town of (UK TV Show) The Office - Slough. The show was to be only Jonah and really just a flying visit as we move on to the night show in London. We turned up at the venue, which was a rather large youth centre really not knowing what to expect. It looked like the kind place you could have based a modern Byker Grove (old kids TV drama) in. Anyway the sad truth of the matter was that this place was being shut down, and then pulled down, due to lack of funds sadly. Jonah was here to play it’s farewell show. In truth its pretty heart breaking to see something with such potential just go to waste and probably become a car park or whatever, lets just hope the they build a new one soon. The show was sweet and quite sad, everyone knew why they were there so there was an air of sadness in the room however Jonah played like he does for ever show, with his heart.

To London we go, we were to be playing at The Garage in Islington, now I have not spoken highly of my experience there from the tour before back in November with Jonah. The room is soo long and the crowd were so talkative over every act including Jonah’s which if you have been to one of his shows you will find a rarity. Not only that last time a 7 or 8 piece full band played and were being drowned out by these talkers, it was crazy and disheartening, so I didn’t have much hope.

Before the show we dropped by a good friends house to greet them as they were leaving and were hugely generous to leave us their keys and beds for the day/night. Whilst we were I did it a little interivew, where I was asked about how I became involved with Jonah, what my thoughts was on music, why I did it etc. Interviews for me are nice and all but a lot of them are so samey and never really have much depth to their questions, it feels like a lot of them are there just to fill in a space, this one however felt comfortable and real, it was a pleasure to do. After me Jonah stepped in and spoke many words. Unless you ask the right questions you won’t get the right answers.

We arrived at the venue with plenty of time. What was odd this time was that the room was busy, but just seemed so much smaller which was for me great, I always I lose people in that long room, so I came in with a feeling of ease. With all my gear all safely in the green room (was like a sauna in there) I went out to watch the first act, Kendal (I am sorry for the spelling) she was something quite different about her, it was easy to feel what she was aiming for in the songs and lyrics and she showed it in her voice, body language and way she played her hollow bodied electric guitar.

Up next was the FID boys, after a few tech issues; DI boxes can be a bitch they started. It was pretty obvious to see that the guys were a little nervous this is their first tour ever and this time they had people in the crowd they know. There is nothing worse than playing to people you know, when you are not feeling so confident. Their set was great, they did well, not as sharp as the night before but still to a high standard, their front man Lewis has a great on stage presence and holds the crowds attention not only with his powerful and quite enticing voice but also his movements and witty banter which then all complemented by the rest of the band.

Before I knew it I was on stage and it just felt right. As I said before Southampton was very hit and miss and quite frankly that was from start to finish, however this set started off well and ended well, the crowd was respectful, polite and most of all listening, it made my day. I had a ball on stage and got some great feedback afterwards. I left the stage thinking, you know what “I like The Garage”

On this show again I was main support, this never really dawns on me to after. It’s an odd one as its not an ego thing its just a “shit really? Me?” Life is funny like that and I feel very lucky.

Next up my hero and touring buddy Jonah. If I thought the crowd was quiet when I played, my god the room just went dead, along with everyone moving to the front to see and hear him as much as they possible can. When you see Jonah you want to absorb all that is there and not miss a thing.

The night was fantastic and was all filmed by two friends, Jay and Deb. They were there all night getting great shots and footage, which I can not wait to see, it also doesn’t hurt that they are like some of the nicest people I have ever met. At the end of the night people queued up to meet Jonah, you can see them standing there, uncomfortable, jittery wondering what to say and how to say it, worrying they will bore him etc. I know this feeling because it was only a year ago that I was in that very same boat.

May 29th

Anyway we are now off to Stoke, the night before someone told me it was only an hour and a bit away this was received with relief and a little confusion as I was sure it was pretty up north. My initial thought was sadly right so 3-4 hours later as we were in Stoke at Harry’s Bar. The place seemed quite manic, lots of people there none being the crowd yet, lots of amps and such. I met the promoter he seemed nice and so I settled down to read my book (Michael McIntyre' autobiography).

Tonight there are 5 bands/artist. Two being full bands which is a first for us on this tour so far. I missed most of the first band but what I heard was nice, good vocals and he seemed really nice. Jonah and I had gone to get food at the Indian Restaurant next door. To say we made a mess would be an understatement, oh well.

Just as I was finishing I get a message from Mark of FID saying the pickup I lend them for their acoustic guitar is not working. I am now full of panic that my one and only pickup for the tour was now dead, the guys in FID were now being mic’d up etc but with no much luck, however the four soldiered on, got the crowd on their side and finished an overly techy issued set well to a good applause.

Happy as I was for them I needed to find out if my pickup was broken or not, if so then what? So I run to get the pick up and dash around looking for a tuner to see if the damn thing will even be picked up. Thankfully it worked. Up next was another band before my set; they were a strong Fall Out Boy-type band and that’s no bad thing at all as they were well received.

Next was me, much like yesterday the crowd had been really great to everyone, talking less and even quieter during the quieter parts. I played well, good banter and I left happy with my performance.

Jonah followed up and the crowd was similar to last night; push forward and go silent. The show begins, people dare to blink in case of causing a sound. The set is a bit different this time round as Jonah is joined by an old friend of his Alan the drummer. They work perfectly well together and it adds a new dynamic that everyone seems to enjoy. To end the set, Jonah requests for the PA to be switched off, after a few failed attempts the PA is finally put to rest and all that left is on is the disco lights, that every once in a while hit’s a point where no lights are on and everyone is left in pitch black till the next note is hit.

The night was great, crowd totally lapped it up singing a long to the songs that clearly have touched them so much, a common place for Jonah’s work.

May 30th

Today we're heading to Edinburgh. It's 3 hour or so drive, sounds long but pretty much a simple straight road. Thankfully it went fast. We're playing a venue that I have played before in a previous band and all I seem to remember that the cheese from the local kebab house was like chalky cardboard and the venue was completely empty. This time I had high hopes for the venue but not the for cheese.

The show was good, in fact I met some people from the world of Facebook which was in all honesty pretty awesome; how something so simple can bring people together.

It was also nice to see the FID boys to have a set without any tech issues, so their set was very strong plus it didn’t help that they had some fans and family there singing along. Speaking of which Jonah got some great sing-a-longs going.

May 31st

Watch out Aberdeen because here we come two days in a row in the same venue! It's hard enough to get one crowd at one venue let along two at the same one! Well quite frankly I was wrong, I mean it is Jonah Matranga after all and as it is said not one set is ever the same.

Aberdeen is beautiful, hilly but so nice. We arrived at the venue (Tunnels).

The show goes great, much like all the other crowds, they really listen and seem to enjoy the show. Jonah has gone for a different approach to the night and is playing songs chronological to keep the two nights different. The atmosphere is mellow and nice. The night is great and the promoter has been a pleasure to work with.

June 1st

Aberdeen Part 2! It sure was good to have my own room and bed; the I had been given a room in a Bed and Breakfast. I met up with Jonah for lunch and we each do an interview for two cool guys from Hercules Moments. Not only is the interview great but so is the food; a small little sandwich/panni place.

My fear of it being weird playing again and this time to no crowd, rears its ugly head. I get proven wrong by the time FID are half way through their set (which is great plus with a few different numbers to previous shows, though they missed out 'Hold On' which is a winner in my book.) The room was getting busy, all the tables and chairs on the bottom floor were full so in fact the second night is to be busier than the first.

By the time I am on stage, the room is even busier but again in silence by the time I start belting out my first tune. To prevent complete utter boredom as some people are there both nights, I threw in another song, which in all honesty I could not remember till I started playing it, but it went really well. The set was good and again I left the stage happy with it, oddly a common place on this tour for me.

For Jonah's set the room just gets even more silent. This set seems to be again different but some how more personal than any other night so far. It's more touching and sad but with true stories between, after and during the songs (if you have seen Jonah you will know what I mean). Tonight in my opinion was the best night for Jonah’s set, last night was great but tonight was some how even better, so a big thank you to Aberdeen for making this happen!

Jonah ends the night with a walk around sing song yet keeping it real and personal, then sings without a guitar about being yourself and not a cool image. Being cool is so uncool. Enjoy being a freak, we are all one, it just takes time to realise it but when you do, its freeing.

Remaining Dates:
June
05 Trillian's, Newcastle

'Countrysides' by Jonah Matranga/Mikee J Reds is out now on Engineer Records.

Jonah Matranga: Official Website
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Mikee J Reds on Facebook.