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Phoenix Music & Media Group (PMMG) founded by Juan Coon and Aaron Brown
in 2001. This is an independent record company that is rising to the
top. The Indie label inked a deal with an exclusive agreement with Los
Angeles based Fase-1 Universal / Fontana Music. This is what every Indie
label dreams about, a joint venture with the majors. PMMG, has a
combination of local and national talent. You may remember, Sharon
Bryant from Atlantic Star. Bryant, sang lead on the hit song called,
“When Love Calls.” Foolish Heart also put Bryant on the map. You will
also get a chance to hear great sounds from Zen, Moments Notice,
Danielle Axxis and Pete Belasco to name a few. This label reminds me a
modern version of Motown. |
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Let’s all get ready for Phoenix to RISE.
Music can be very engaging and can be so powerful to make you feel an artist
sole. Well, PMMG has a rooster of artist that can touch listeners in a special
way. PMMG, is making stars come out in 2009. Many Independent label communities
feel they things are looking up for Indie labels. Better playing fields online
as well as airwaves. Now, reimbursement for individual sales are up and digital
music services are showing respect. Also, this year has been outstanding for
Independent Artists at the Grammy Awards. Artists winning over 50% of the
awards. This is a sign of growth for Indie labels and continued success.
The Association of Independent Music is a prime source for many Indie labels,
offering solutions and guidance for many. Most feel AIM is the reason Indie
labels are in the good place they are in now. The American Association of
Independent Music, serves the Indie community as their voice and continues to
promote better business conditions. So, you see being an Indie label has come a
long way. Center Stage had a chance to talk with Juan Coon, one of the founders
of the up and coming Indie label Phoenix Music & Media Group…Listen UP.
DM: Phoenix Music & Media Group – How did you come up with the name?
JC: The name actually has symbolic meaning for us. It represents rising up from
the ashes and flying high. My partner Aaron and I chose this name because we
both can identify with the concept of building our company from the ground up
and soaring into the sky- just like the mythological bird does.
DM:
Have you always wanted to start an Indie label?
JC: This entire journey for me was very much unplanned. I had all of this
creative energy that needed an outlet. I DJ, I produce, I’m an artist, I promote
parties - so the business of music has always been on my radar. Initially I flew
to Cali to meet with a label about heading its Urban Division and during the
meeting when I presented my materials and qualifications I was actually told by
the individual recommending me for the job that I was ready and capable of
starting MY own label! That blew me away because I was already in the corporate
mindset and ready to work for someone else. That prompted me to alter my view on
my destiny. |
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DM: When did you discover your musical talents?
JC: When I was a kid! My mother says I used to take the pots and pans out of our
cabinet everyday and beat on them with spoons and forks when I was a baby. No m
atter what they did I found a way to make noise! My family is very musically
centered. We always had LPs, tapes and even 8 tracks lying around and I would
collect them and just play them over and over. Eventually my mother bought me a
Dj set, with turntables, mixer and cassette deck. That was all it took. Every
minute from that point was spent on learning the craft of Djing. Eventually I
started music lessons, first violin, then guitar and lastly piano. That lead to
an interest in making my own music and piece by piece I put my studio together.
The rest is history. |
DM: You' re not only one of the founders of PMMG, but you are also a producer.
How long have you been a producer?
JC: My very first release was in the late 90’s on SPG records - it was a song
called New Breed. I was in a group called Disciples of Sound and I was signed to
Glenn Toby’s Company, International Entertainment Network. The album was
commercially very successful. All of the songs that got us this first deal were
produced by me and then Glenn linked up with us, produced us and aligned us with
a cast of All Star producers for our demo. We recorded in Queens, NY with the
same producers who worked with artists such as run DMC, LL Cool J and a hot up
and coming rapper named 50 cent. From this team I learned how to produce hits.
DM: PPMG signed a deal with Fase 1-Universal/Fontana Music…How did the
connection come about?
JC: Well the same motif pops up here. I met Lisa Thomas from Universal records
during one of my Cali DJ gigs. We talked and she was interested in taking some
of our music into her distribution network for HER label, but after meeting with
her she did something most industry people NEVER do. She said that I was ready
for my own label situation and personally introduced me to HER connect and
helped negotiate OUR deal! I owe her an incredible debt because I have never
seen that type of generosity in this business. For Phoenix Music & my production
team M.I.S, this was MAJOR!.
DM: How did you feel when you were inking the deal?
JC: Blown away! Aaron and I literally took a dream and made it a reality. Our
team, Julien Joseph, Ralph Maisonette and Larry Corn helped us start the ball
rolling and here we are today. Personally I can truthfully say that dreams do
come true and one day the behind the scenes of this Phoenix Movement is going to
make a great movie! It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done,
financially & otherwise. Back and forth to L.A, dealing with lawyers... Once we
signed, I was too drained to celebrate. But now comes the hard part - making
stars and hits . So we roll up our sleeves and get busy .
DM: Tell me about your roster on your20label?
JC: Person for person - people are comparing us to Motown. I find the comparison
flattering and respectfully I guess we have to try and live up to that. Sharon
Bryant-the former lead singer from Atlantic Starr, Aaron Brown & Moments Notice
- Jazz group, Pete Belasco-Neo soul superstar, Axis - rapper, Young Fresh from
ATL- rapper and Dannielle Bogan-R&B diva who reminds me of a young Minnie
Ripperton- our first release is a rap project featuring Zen- and we work with
Lafonda - an artist on loan from a Bronx based production crew called Sleepless
Music .
DM:
You have a hot new release single called, “I Love You” by Zen featuring
Sharon Bryant & Lafonda. Who discovered them?
JC: Well Sharon Bryant has Multi platinum hits with Atlantic Starr- she’s the
big Gun on this collabo. We are all honored to be working with her on the song.
If I never do another song -working with her was and is an honor - because she
is all THAT in my eyes. I met Lafonda at the BET awards in ATL 2 years ago and
we clicked so we exchanged numbers and she blew me away. We’ve only been
acquainted a short time but I would put her up against any artist out there.
Mark my words - she’s going to be a Beyonce type force in this industry when all
is said and done. And I guess I’d like to take credit for discovering Zen, but I
really have to give that up to Super Agent Glenn Toby who actually gave him his
first shot when he went=2 0by the name of Vanguard from Disciples
of Sound . |
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DM: Also, was it your idea to make your first album a combination of different
genres of music?
JC: Aaron and I both worked on this album to make it what it is. Since we do so
many different types of music, why not showcase it? The response has been
amazing - people love the variety! That blew me away. I guess people are tired
of the same old, same old and are ready to embrace diversity again. I never
would have predicted such a positive response to this album format!
DM: The album has so many talented acts. Was it hard for you to figure out which
one to release first?
JC: Not at all - Sharon Bryant on a record, multi platinum hits -incredible
singer- legendary ? This album is worth the price JUST because she’s on it in my
opinion. “I Love You” taps into something that Hip Hop hasn’t seen - a grown and
sexy type of genre. So with that in mind it was the obvious first choice for a
single. Watch how we work it. I want t o reach out to other artists like
Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, Patti Austin .. You name it. Let them know
they have a home with Phoenix Music & Media. They are legends and they deserve
this=2 0type of platform to express their creativity. We are going to break a
mold here. Watch and see.
DM: How do you find your talent?
JC: Someone will say “I know a great artist” and we’ll say "set up a meeting."
Just that simple. Ralph and Julien so far are neck and neck on the A&R grind.
Julien discovered Fresh from ATL. This kid is a monster - even HE doesn’t know
how good he is. He is up there with T.I. and Luda. So when people bring talent
to us we listen. We are willing to work with anybody that has integrity and a
desire to put 100% into their craft.
DM: They say the hardest part about being an indie label is distribution was
that hard for your label?
JC: Not at all. God blessed us with our current situation. I have 100% faith
that Fase 1/ Universal will set us up lovely. Look at their track record. They
MADE stars... Masta P, Cash Money. They have history so It’s sort of like a
marriage - you dance around - get to know each other and once you discover each
other's strengths -it’s on and popping.
DM: Do you let the artist have an input on the creative side?
JC: Definitely. We say, "do you", "You are a song writer? Bring it to the
table". For example one of our artists, Axis, produces some of his own joints.
Many of them write their own material in collaboration with us .We just oversee
the final product just to make sure it’s banging. We want everybody to eat and
be happy.
DM: What advice would you give someone starting their own label?
JC: Be humble, be persistent, be resilient, believe in God - through him all
things are possible. Also, align yourself with a great team. My team is
INCREDIBLE. Aaron, Julien, Larry and Ralph. These cats took this dream and
invested blood sweat and tears.
They are great at what they do and their efforts payed off
DM: What’s next for Phoenix Music & Media Group?
JC: We want to grow and make quality music that will stand the test of time
Listen to Zen, released on PMMG at
http://www.indyplaymusic.com/zen.htm
Or visit PMMG at www.phoenixmusicmedia.com
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