J E R E M Y
Jeremy Yohai is the Vice President of A&R and Writer Relations at Downtown Music Publishing.
New York - Born and raised.
How do you create a life with purpose?
Knowing that I’m there for my family and friends and that I’m able to wake up and make a living doing something that I’m passionate about.
What do you believe is the most important rule for modern etiquette?
We all need to stop bringing our phones to, or looking at them while in meetings and meals. We are all so caught up in everything else going on, that we are missing the moments that we are living in.
What is your hustle?
I live in New York and I work in the music business, I’m always hustling.
What do you love to talk about over dinner?
I love geeking out over my favorite albums, bands and new releases. Then it'll turn to new restaurants to check out in the city, and by the end of the night I’m all about the Knicks.
What is art to you?
Anything that is created with passion.
What lesson did you learn the hard way?
Don't know if I learned this the hard way, but early on in my career - I thought it was all about being creative, but that’s only a small part of it. This business is so much about knowing how the machine works.
What music do you listen to at home?
Right now it’s a lot of Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and Paul Simon (because our son is loving these guys). The Beasties, The Misfits, Nas, and ATCQ are always in the rotation.
If you could provoke change in any area of the music business, what would it be?
I could say something profound about royalty payments from online streaming services, but I really just want MTV to show videos again.
In what ways can we be more socially responsible for the future health of the industry?
Well on a very local standpoint, I would love to see the industry in New York work together more, and be more supportive of each other. Nashville, LA and London all have tighter and more supportive communities. Of the writers, producers and artists that I work with, more are living and working in LA and Nashville. New York is responsible for creating some of the most influential music ever, but the city has turned it’s back a bit on the music community and it has affected the industry.
New York is the most inspiring city in the world, but the current environment has made it a challenge to create here. There has to be some support from the city.
Can you give an example of a thought process that you use in your work?
I try to be as open as possible and look at every song and artist in his or her own unique way. The minute that I feel indifferent about something, I’m done with it. Meaning, there’s not enough time in the day to work on projects that I’m indifferent about. I began working in music because I love it and I try to keep that passion in all of my projects.
Tell me about an aspiration that you are still heading towards?
As things continue, I would love to be a part of a project that changes music history, the industry and culture. For example - The Dark Side of The Moon, Nevermind, Joshua Tree, Thriller, or Purple Rain.
Describe which are your favourite shoes from your wardrobe?
I used to be a bit of a sneaker head but I've been done with that for a while now. Maybe my Jordan 5s that I got back in 1998 before the retro sneaker craze really hit. I still have those 15 years later.
Photography by Isaac Rosenthal