The Revue: Jon Coombs

Welcome to The Revue, where we ask some of our favourite people about some of their favourite things. The art, music, food, objects and philosophies that matter the most to them. 

Our latest guest is Jon Coombs: Vice President of A&R at Secretly Group, and a sharp-eyed collector of stories, songs and objects with meaning. From Letterman cue cards to John Prine records, poetry, and the fizz of Topo Chico, Jon talks us through the things that inspire him.

1.) Why is Top Chico your brand of choice?

Undisputed champ in both taste and aesthetic.

2.) Why do you have the Singe City NY Post frame? Is there a story behind it?

Deep in the pandemic, my wife and I were eating at a little Mexican spot near us in Bed Stuy. As we were finishing up, we noticed a crowd gathering and realized that someone was shooting a music video across the street. The scene escalated quickly: there were tons of extras, motorcycles, some nice cars, an ice cream truck, and then, seemingly out of nowhere, a guy walking around with a flame thrower. Seconds later, he was on top of the ice cream truck before hopping over to an MTA bus where he started spraying flames in the sky. We ran over, snapped some photos, and a few days later were on the cover of the NY Post amidst the chaos. Probably my first and last cover story.

3.) And the signed Letterman poster. How did you acquire that? 

Growing up in Indiana in the 1990s, Letterman was an icon. I’m the oldest of three boys and my parents would let me stay up to watch The Late Show with them every so often. I remember seeing his photo in the back of a Social Studies textbook in second or third grade, in a “Famous Hoosiers” section. His big, bucktoothed smile alongside Kurt Vonnegut, James Dean, and Larry Bird. I was on his show in 2007 and lucky enough to go back frequently when artists I work with would perform on The Late Show. I scored this cue card – one used in rehearsal for his final episode – in 2021.

4.) Let's talk about the corner of your office with the foam finger and the Faye Webster champagne. What’s the story behind them both?

The foam finger is from Kevin Morby and Hamilton Leithauser’s co-headline tour. They released a song together in the lead up to the tour which is still a favorite of mine. I got to see them perform it at Café Carlyle a few months back during Hamilton’s annual residency there. The bottle is from Faye Webster’s release party for her album I Know I’m Funny haha. Her mom decked out a few Veuve Clicquot bottles in the style of the album cover. The Webster’s are a fun family.

5.) Can you tell us the story about the Secretly Cake?

This one is tough but, long story short, the cake was purchased in celebration of an album we released and is completely devoid of all celebratory energy. This photo is in color. It’s a grey and brown cake with our company name off center, in a puny script. Despite all of this, it puts a smile on my face every time I see it.

6.) What sort of things do you like to keep in your office? Are they all objects with a personal story?

Most of the objects have a strong sense of humor. The photo of John Prine, the self portrait of my buddy Tyler, the Tim Lahan print, a note from Pat Flegel aka Cindy Lee, and that cake photo – they all put a smile on my face. One that’s a little more sentimental is the photo of the Prometheus statue in front of 30 Rock. My great aunt snapped this photo sometime in the 1940s while visiting NYC. She was a real firecracker who travelled the world, made friends everywhere she went, and was rip roaring hilarious.

7.) How about the Whitney hard hat?

My buddy Bijan Shahvali, of Intramural, posted a Whitney hardhat like this one. I mentioned it to a friend over at the museum, where I occasionally help program music, and she was kind enough to gift it to me.

8.) Can you discuss the two records you picked out for us? What makes them special?

Working with artists whose vision is as clear as Faye’s is one of the many highlights of the job. The economy she employs in her songwriting has always appealed to me. That and her sense of humor, both in her songs and in person. The first time we met, I think she said two words over the course of a few hours. By our second or third meeting, I knew we’d be friends for a long time.

Chanel Beads are making some of the most exciting and forward-thinking music out there. It’s easy to get caught up in the vibe of Shane’s songs because his melodies and knack for texture and space are so unique. That said, I’ve been a lyrics first listener my entire life and I hope people tune in to Shane’s. Not every song can read like poems but most of Shane’s do.  

9.) If you could have a long lunch anywhere in NYC, where would it be and what would you order? 

The Odeon always comes to mind. I had lunch there recently with a friend I don’t get to see too often. We got so comfortable that I thought we were going to have dinner there too. Salmon and fries is my go to. Café Mogador, which is down the street from my office, is another lunch time haunt that I never tire of.

10.) What are your style rules? How has what you wear developed over the last few years? Is there a JC uniform so to speak? 

I grew up going to Catholic school in the Midwest so there’s an appreciation for a practical uniform ingrained in me. I’ve been in New York for nearly my entire adult life too and I think my sense of style blends these facts. In working with musicians, who are on the front line of cultural shifts and trends, I think having a sense of style that is equal parts classic and practical is representative of what I try to do for artists and the type of record label we want to be. We think of ourselves as steady, reliable, and knowledgeable stewards for artist’s careers, and I’d like to think my style communicates that.

11.) What’s a work of art that changed your life?

John Prine’s catalogue. I knew a lot of his songs over the years but didn’t dive in headfirst until 2018 or 2019. His songs are little toolboxes for living - If something goes wrong, odds are one of them can help you sort it out. Also, the writing of Carson Mell and Ocean Vuong as well as the poetry of Ross Gay and Bob Hicok are always in rotation.