Meet Jay Crash | Owner & Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay Crash and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The mission behind Terminus Hate City has always been to rally and revolutionize support for Atlanta’s local DIY, and independent music community, while bringing that same lasting impact to other cities around the nation and eventually the world.

Unlike most giant corporations that are constantly cutting budgets (and ties) to hire work outside of their immediate community, we prioritize local talent and generate abundant opportunities for independent Atlanta based musicians, artists and small businesses. I’m dedicated to ensuring that the results of our work directly benefit our local economic community. Within the Metro Atlanta area alone, countless bars, venues, restaurants, gig workers, vendors, and contractors are part of our daily operations and ever-expanding network. Through event planning, artist management, development and music distribution, all free from corporate oversight and middlemen, we foster authentic connections within a natural network.

I strive to continually unearth innovative approaches that will empower independent musicians, and forge a path that amplifies their creativity and financial success. By embracing our local ATL roots, we seek to build long-term partnerships with establishments that sustain the music industry, which fuels economic growth and job creation. These “independent” and “support local” ideals are also based off of the local multiplier effect: the longer, and faster a dollar circulates within a specific community or region, the more income, wealth and jobs it creates.

Inspired by the worldwide influences of Atlanta, I aim to see Terminus Hate City extend our reach, and unleash that cultural potential of other cities nationwide and globally. Music and art is crucial to our quality of life, and to be able to express those things means a better, more well-balance society as a whole. Even though we will always be headquartered in Atlanta, I want to showcase what every city’s diverse local music scene has to offer; to bring exposure to incredible artists who deserve recognition for their never ending grind. Whether it means sleepless nights sending out emails and setting social media posts, or traveling in a van cross country to help manage a tour, helping create opportunities for artists to connect with new fan bases and markets is THC’s number one mission. While we aren’t the first to ignite the spark of artistic revolution, we are certainly more than eager to help carry the flame. Atlanta is the birthplace of the modern renaissance, and we will work tirelessly to keep that fire going.

What should our readers know about your business?
Terminus Hate City stands out from other record labels in a significant way – we are 100% musician owned and operated. This means that our artists always come first, and we prioritize their rights and earnings. I firmly believe that artists should retain full ownership of their music, and THC never takes a higher percentage than what the artists make from their royalties. It’s disheartening to see record labels claim a large portion of an artist’s income. While I understand the need for securing risks and return on investments, I find it unacceptable and insane that the industry standard often involves taking the majority of an artist’s income, not just from physical sales but also from streams, which should ideally be a significant part of a musician’s salary as passive income.

Operating with these ideals does come with its challenges. Striving to do things the “right” way and challenging industry norms doesn’t always lead to instant success. Our philosophy revolves around growing together, with a strong emphasis on artists taking responsibility and independence, especially regarding their finances and the intellectual rights they may risk giving away. We are determined to change certain industry standards, but it requires artists be cautious about whom they entrust with their rights and financial well-being.

Getting to where we are today hasn’t been easy. Being completely independent from investors, larger labels or entities has required a good bit more grit than other start ups have gotten. This is not to say that in envy by any means, I value the lessons that come with hard work, and “problem solving” a way into success. This has required dedication, perseverance, and a strong belief in our mission. I have faced obstacles like financial constraints and navigating an industry that often favors established norms. However, we have overcome these challenges by staying true to our values, continually learning, and adapting our strategies to the ever-evolving music landscape.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well that’s easy! Being an Atlanta native, this is one of my favorite games. We would have to go to East Atlanta and see a show at one of the dive bars, either The Earl or 529, depending on what show is going on when. Flatiron is a priority stop. Little Five Points is an alternative, subculture lifestyle safe haven, and would want to go get coffee at Java Lord’s, maybe some lunch at El Myr, and then see what’s playing at the Star Bar, or if it’s a Monday night (any and every Monday night), free comedy hosted by an Atlanta OG, Mr. Rotknee himself.

The Masquerade at Underground Atlanta is another must-stop for show-going, there is bound to be a worthwhile show at some point in the week.

If I’m wanting to go on a nice but pseudo-grungy dinner experience, I would hit up Argosy in EAV for a burger or a steak.
I can’t talk about food without mentioning Daddy D’z BBQ on Memorial is a must for lunch. It is the best barbecue in Atlanta in my opinion, and has been in the same spot, in the neighborhood I grew up in, for as long as I can remember.

If we are going to the club for a late night drink, there’s a few different options, but MJQ is a staple, and well worth the 10 or 20 dollar cover charge. It’s also one of my favorite aspects of Atlanta that is sadly going away with all of the changes in the city, but The Drunken Unicorn is a 200 capacity venue attached on the other side of MJQ Nightclub. Pre-covid, Drunken Unicorn became a known name in the underground punk and metal world. Post-covid there was not really anyone to promote shows there, and so we stepped in, and while we have not had as many shows there this year as we did last year, we still happily do business with them… I digress to my point of why I think it’s so cool. The fact that there’s one of Atlanta’s most well-known hip-hop clubs and also an underground rock n roll venue underneath the same parking lot (yes underneath a parking lot) is apropos to Atlanta’s diversity.

Honestly I could go on about a ton of other people, places and things in Atlanta, so I’m not sure a week would even be enough to show a friend who isn’t from here all the sites!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I would like to shoutout my business partner and first artist on the label, Ryan Buck. One of the most talented bassists in the city, if not the southeast, and overall incredible musician. He’s been there since day one, and in general Ryan has seen the vision I’ve had for THC since the very beginning. Not only do we work side by side on this, but we have a blackened death metal band called Imperii.

On the show and promotion side of things, I’m ever grateful to Syd Howell Presents and Bill from 40oz Booking because they have both been a part of the Atlanta punk and metal scene for years… SHP has been putting on shows for the metal and rock scene for over a decade, and 40oz Booking has been going for about half as long. I have learned so much working with both of these companies and the guys that run it. I’m incredibly grateful to both for including us in as much as they have. At times it’s incredibly humbling, and at others, seeing a successful end result of a large event, and witnessing the joy that others experience from it, is incredibly rewarding. Working with these promoters is amazing because we get to be a unified, but fully autonomous team rather than cut-throat competition. It is refreshing, and what this city needs.

I would also like to shout out all of the bands, fans and businesses who have opened their doors to us, accepted a show offer, submitted music, and made the leap to join the label family. That trust is not taken for granted, and I take pride in putting in the work that these bands deserve.

Last, but not least, we would not exist without the entire Atlanta music community at large… the underground punk and metal scenes are where our roots are, and where they will always be.

Website: https://www.terminushatecity.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terminushatecity/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terminushatecity/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddrTUjf8Gi5F2K25CLHLqw

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Tvpes (Anthony Wendelboe – goes by Tvpes / Tvpes Media) First pic: Jeri Mize Second pic: Tvpes Crowd shots: Jeri Mize