Power 50 - #36: Johann Ponniah

BACKGROUND CHECK

After throwing a house party in his backyard to raise funds for an overdue gas bill in December 2009, Johann Ponniah started throwing regular warehouse parties and then formed a record label, I OH YOU Records, through Mushroom in 2010. All 11 acts currently signed to the label are Ponniah's friends or friends of friends and I OH YOU expanded to include a management arm, Converge Management, in 2017.

THE YEAR THAT WAS

I OH YOU Records released four albums that peaked in the top 20 of the ARIA Albums Chart in 2018: Bloody Lovely by DZ Deathrays (#4), For Now by DMA'S (#7), Sugar Mountain by Jack River (#11) and Echoes In Blue by City Calm Down (#20). Converge Management artists include Jack River and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever who have steadily gained traction both locally and internationally. Ponniah also co-founded the City Loop day party with Soothsayer, and programmed Laneway Festival's Block Party Stage in 2018.

2018'S CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT?

"I OH YOU label picked up seven ARIA nominations across Jack River (Best Breakthrough Artist, Engineer and Pop Release), DMA’S (Best Group, Independent Release and Rock Album) and DZ Deathrays (Best Hard Rock Or Heavy Metal Album)."