Jonathan Simkin Featured in Billboard Canada
Billboard Canada names 604 Group President Jonathan Simkin #7 on this year’s Power Players list under Labels & Label Groups
We’re excited to share that Jonathan Simkin, President of the 604 Group and co-founder of 604 Records, has been featured in Billboard Canada for his continued impact on the Canadian music landscape.
A former criminal and refugee lawyer, Jonathan entered the music industry in the early ’90s. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to spot talent, signing artists like Nickelback and Marianas Trench. In 2001, he co-founded 604 Records with Chad Kroeger and helped grow it into one of Canada’s most successful independent labels, home to multi-platinum artists like Carly Rae Jepsen, whose Call Me Maybe has surpassed a billion streams on Spotify.
Over the past year, he launched the archival imprint 604 DECADES, signed breakout country artist Chevy Beaulieu, celebrated 30 years with Nickelback as they were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, and expanded Comedy Here Often? into a full podcast network, where he also launched his own podcast, I Hate Simkin.
Jonathan also continues to use his platform to advocate for artists, penning a guest column for Billboard Canada calling for reform around neighbouring rights. Known for his honesty and irreverent take on the industry, he summed it up best in the article:
“You’ve got to love the weirdos,” he says. “I love the weirdos.”