Sub Pop, my most beloved record label, is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. Co-founders Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman started a radio show in 1979, which turned into a fanzine, later to become the official Sub Pop Records we’ve all come to love. It’s hard to say exactly when Sub Pop “started” because in a decade it morphed from strictly a passion to a business.
Sup Pop is partially responsible for surfacing the 90’s grunge scene in Seattle, releasing albums by Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney. The label is now shaping the sound of indie music, signing bands such as The Postal Service, The Shins, Iron & Wine, and a slew of other amazing acts.
Jon Poneman is still running Sub Pop, although Pavitt resigned in 1996 to raise a family and experience life’s other offerings. NPR recently interviewed Poneman, at which time he gave an update on what’s going on at the label and listed his five favorite Sub Pop released songs.
If you are looking for a fascinating story, read more about Sub Pop. Not only are they the most revolutionary independent label of the last decades, but have had a truly inspiring battle to get there. They saw a lot of rough times, and weren’t always able to treat artists as well as they would have liked. Pavitt says in an interview with Pitchfork, “We opened the doors to our very, very tiny office on April 1, 1988, and by May 1, 1988– 30 days later– we thought we were going out of business.” The dark years at Sub Pop got so bad that they had to beg the phone company to give them 10 more days of service. Then in 1995, verging bankruptcy after the label spent a lot more money then they could afford, Sub Pop was forced to sell 49% of the company to Warner Bros.
Thanks Sub Pop for all that you’ve done!
Jonathan Poneman’s 5 Favorite Sub Pop Records Songs:
Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
Sub Pop website | NPR radio interview with Poneman | Pitchfork interview with Pavitt and Poneman
Although they left the Sub Pop label, you couldn’t go wrong with any Pernice Brothers song. Joe Pernice is brilliant.