SPF 30

15 tracks compiled exclusively for Uncut by Sub Pop label head Jonathan Poneman

ÒMY friend, it’s been a busy 30 years,” laughs Sub Pop co-founder Jonathan Poneman, “but the last year in particular has been really crazy.”

To celebrate three decades at the forefront of alternative music – from their grungey early days to their diverse present – Poneman and his Seattle-based team have put on a series of gigs, SPF30, including a free festival on the shores of the city’s Puget Sound in August. He estimates 30–50,000 fans turned up. “The music was a gift, all done for this community – geographically, musically – who have been so kind and patient with us.”

Poneman, who managed to see bits of every act who played, classes the day as the third best of his life, “besides the day of my birth and my marriage to my sweetheart… Every performance was a”t least great, and in some instances career-defining.”

To help celebrate their 30th birthday, Sub Pop have put together some of their finest music for our CD. Forget nostalgia – this is the present and future of the label. “The monolithic Sub Pop sound, the singular grunge thing, has long been built upon,” says Poneman, “and the roster’s a reflection of the musical interests of all the people at the label. My involvement is as listener and figurehead, and I get to talk to Uncut!”