Label Feature #9: People of Punk Rock Records (EN)
By Simon Daley
Founded in 2018 by Anthony Grenier, People of Punk Rock Records (POPR) exploded onto the music industry scene with over 40 vinyl record projects released in under 3 years.
Quickly joined by designer and musician Juan de Lange, the duo now run the label between their respective homes in Canada and South Africa. Combining new releases with limited edition reissues, POPR has a passionate following and even partnered on a new festival launch in 2019. We caught up with Anthony and Juan to discuss the catalysts behind their success, how they were uniquely set up for the challenges of 2020 and what the new year holds for the label.
You launched POPR in 2018 with a release by Quebec-city based FULLCOUNT. What was the inspiration for starting a new label?
Anthony: Most FULLCOUNT members have been friends for over 20 years now. In the mid 2000s, some of the guys in the band played in a band called Emotional Distress and I helped them release their album in 2004. In 2018 FULLCOUNT was getting ready to release their second album and I had become much more active in the punk rock scene, it was only natural that I helped them release their album. However, I came in a little late because their vinyl pressing was already underway. Officially, it’s only the CD version of their album that’s on POPR Records and that’s where it all “started again”.
For a few years now, I had been managing a Facebook page called People of Punk Rock, a page on which I promote mainly local events but also on which I shared videos of bands in concert. Since the page was already well known in the punk-rock scene in Quebec, it was only natural to launch the label People of Punk Rock Records.
It’s quite unusual for a label to be launched by two people living on different continents. How did you two originally connect and does co-running a label via the internet pose any unique challenges?
Anthony: Basically, I managed the label’s beginnings on my own for a while until Juan de Lange became interested in my products and I launched an album by his band Setbacks in May 2019. Talking with him often, our association was only natural. I couldn’t even say exactly when it happened!
Honestly, we don’t see too many challenges (except maybe the fact that he can’t help me with packing and shipping everything that’s sold!!) There’s also the advantage that we have different musical knowledge and contacts, the mix is perfect. He is planning to move to Canada soon! Watch us when it happens!
Juan: I think it’s more than unusual, we think it’s legendary!! We connected first through Setbacks along with co-working on Red Bridge Fest 2019 together. I feel that myself being based in South Africa and Anthony in Quebec doesn’t cause any issues, as a matter of fact, it actually drives us to be more proactive and drive the label in the direction we want to take it.
The past few months have been challenging for many musicians and the wider industry. As a label, how has POPR adapted to these unprecedented circumstances?
Anthony: Luckily I now work from home so I save a lot of time normally spent in the car and replace it with time spent packing and mailing! Of course we haven’t made any sales at concerts or festivals this year but luckily online sales have more than exploded.
Juan: Well, it has given us the opportunity to help musicians/bands produce merchandise other than records (t-shirts, caps, skateboard decks, etc) and even release their material in these hard times where bands are unable to tour and play live shows.
What’s one piece of advice that you would give to someone wanting to start a new label in 2021?
Anthony: It’s an easy question! Have time, space and a willing spouse. 😉
Juan: NEVER PRESS CD-R’s if you are going to press CDs!
Which three releases have been important or unexpected milestones for the label since you launched?
Anthony: To name just three, I would say Ten Foot Pole – Simmer Down, Adhesive – Resolving Neighbour Disputes and Reset – No Worries.
Juan: From my side Sick Shift, Ten Foot Pole and Bodyjar have been the highlights for me as I grew up listening to these bands so much and they were some of the first bands that got me into punk music.
In 2019 POPR launched Red Bridge Fest, a new Punk Rock festival in Pont-Rouge, Quebec. How was the reaction to the inaugural event and will there be another?
Anthony: In fact, it was our friends Vincent Bussières and Amélie Guérard who launched the festival. It’s theirs, it’s their baby. Juan and I are, so to speak, partners who help them on many levels. Graphic design, management of social networks, advice, etc etc. The 2020 edition was supposed to be officially presented by People of Punk Rock Records but it’s postponed to 2021 for the moment…
The first edition in 2019 was incredible. No bad comments to my memory! The site of the festival is incredible and Vincent/Amélie have done everything possible to make it memorable. It’s no lie to say that everyone who was there for the first edition is VERY looking forward to the next one!
Juan: Red Bridge Fest was a great success and it seemed that everyone had a great time. There will most definitely be more where that came from. 2021 has been booked but who knows what the future holds during their uncertain times.
What do the first few months of 2021 and beyond hold for the label?
Anthony: It’s February and we already have 12 albums announced. It’s off to a great start, let’s just say! To be continued for the rest of the year but we are really motivated by several upcoming announcements!
This interview was translated from the French-language version, available here.
To purchase tickets for Red Bridge Fest 2021 visit lepointdevente.com.
For more information about the label and releases visit peopleofpunkrockrecords.com.