We’re looking forward to introducing you to James Jones. Check out our conversation below.
Hi James, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
While it is semi related to my work as we run the record label as well, but the thing I am most excited about outside of the record store is that the band I am in Dude Man Sir has finally finished recording our new 12 track album! We started in February of this year and we are self producing it so a lot of learning has been involved. All we have left is mixing and mastering then we send out for some records!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am James lee Jones of rotten princess records the label and rotten princess records east the store! We seek to provide underground culture to an area starved for different! Our idea of culture seems to be spreading beyond our original expectations and that is totally cool by me! I have been involved in underground music as a performer since I was 15. I was an enthusiast for sometime before I joined in. Skateboarding has been very important to me since early childhood so that explains the skateboard side of our store. I still skate avidly at the ripe old age of 44. I should probably quit but I love it way too much so I just keep doing it forever! Same with music I’d say….ha ha ha. Rotten princess seeks to provide a true alternative experience be it through our record store/skareshop or through our record label and even through our all ages shows! Too much in this world is cookie cutter why should we let that happen to punk.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was this very person you are reading about! My life right now was my dream for myself when I was 12. I had to do a bunch of lame stuff on the way to the top of the bottom of the barrel to get to where I am but I guess that’s how it goes. You gotta be willing to work hard to do life on your terms! I am still a janitor for a great company 3 to 4 nights a week so it’s not all wine and roses but it’s worth it to me!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yeah a few months ago! A bunch of terribly personal stuff happened to me all of which made me question everything about myself but I decided the work I do is too important to so many other people. So even though everyday is a challenge I still get up and get it going! I had to stop and realize I wasn’t the problem. I was letting someone else’s skewed perception of me make me question myself in a way that was completely incorrect! Nothing will ever stop me!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
All though I have never met him I have always admired Ian Mackaye from Dischord records! He has stuck to an admirable set of ethics for 40 plus years in one of the most toxic industries….the music industry. Also his musical endeavors have always been stellar!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Nothing…I would do everything I do but even harder if that is possible.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Rottenprincessrecords
- Facebook: Rottenprincessrecords
- Other: https://Rottenprincessrecords.bandcamp.com
