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Jonathan Poneman
Jonathan Poneman
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Jonathan Poneman

Sub Pop Records

Seattle, WA USA

"At the end of the day, you're going to live and die, succeed and fail by your wits. And I think the important thing is to have the courage of your convictions and to have a sense of humor."

Career Roadmap

Jonathan's work combines: Entrepreneurship, Music, and Accomplishing Goals

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Day In The Life

Co-Founder

I find and sign local bands and release some of the finest independent music around from "Nirvana" to "The Shins."

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    As a kid, he says he was not very coordinated, wasn't good at sports, but found guitar and rock and roll to be a saving grace.

  • 2.

    Played with several bands, wanted to be a pop star; eventually, he accepted that that dream wasn't going to work out.

  • 3.

    Says it's important to realize that, "if you fail, that's just a chapter in your story; it's not the story in and of itself."

  • 4.

    After that, he got into radio; started to realize he also enjoyed the business side of music.

  • 5.

    Decided he would do one successful thing in music, then he'd probably get a conventional job.

  • 6.

    Went into business with his friend Bruce Pavitt developing Sub Pop Records.

  • 7.

    They never imagined how huge the label would get-thought Nirvana would sell maybe 200,000 records, not ten million records.

  • 8.

    Says if you stop thinking of happiness and passion as "options" and start thinking of them as "necessary," you'll take steps to creating a fulfilling life.