Meet Jonathan Prather | Musician & CEO (DarkStar Music LLC)

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

Hi Jonathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Initially, I wanted to start my own label solely to have full creative control over my music. Then I realized I could help other growing artists have access to things like photographers, videographers, high-quality engineers, etc. It became a movement for local creatives to have an opportunity to showcase their talents as well as find more ways to better their craft.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been recording music since 2019. Produced for a little while before that for about 3 years and got told too often that maybe I should try writing because of my ability to sing. I released my first single, “Toast” back in Feb. 2020 on all streaming platforms, and then my first EP in September 2020 as well. 2020 also included 2 other singles and a Christmas-themed R&B project.

I think what I’m most proud of has to be the growth over such a short amount of time. I think when someone is on a journey musically, trying to find a sound and a direction to go in, it takes some time to create something different at first. I was able to find a very unique sound in a shorter amount of time than expected.

Was it easy? Of course not. Honestly, I think if it had been I wouldn’t even be able to appreciate music as much as I do currently. But the long nights and mental struggles that occurred during the process of finding myself end up being worth it. They end up making you a stronger, more confident you in the long run.

All I can say is that good music speaks for itself when it gets put in front of the right people, or put in front of people at all. So if you get an opportunity, I can guarantee the hook will get stuck in your head.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So, I’m big on food. My inner fat kid loves to try new places especially in a city where new restaurants and food trucks can pop up in the blink of an eye.

Slim & Huskies – Black-owned pizza spot with a few locations throughout Atlanta. Probably the BEST pizza you will get and an ambiance that is full of culture. The music is always some classic throwbacks, the staff is great and don’t treat you like they hate their job, and all for a price that is pretty reasonable considering all that you get for it.

Flying Biscuit Cafe – Breakfast spot in Atlanta next to Lenox. Honestly, I’m really there for the mimosas. BUT their food is good too. It’s just in a nice area with a bunch of shopping to do around it. I’m actually not even big on breakfast, but the breakfast here is TOP-tier.

Big Sky – Brunch/Bar in Buckhead. It’s really a running pattern with the mimosas; especially when they are bottomless. But their Nashville Sliders? Craziest spicy chicken and waffles combo I’ve ever experienced. Truly outmatched.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So two books that really stand out with my current mindset would be “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks and “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene. They paved a more open way of thinking about my successes and failures. You know, I went a long time harping on the negative things that happen in life. When you spend all your time mad at the world that things aren’t going your way, you miss the things that are meant to brighten your day. So long story short they helped me sort of train my brain to think positively more often. It seems draining to think negatively ALL the time. I get sometimes and that bad days happen, but ALL the time doesn’t give you space to enjoy anything.

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Image Credits
Tonio Howard – TooChillShots Photography