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Most music releases fail before they even come out. Not because the music isn’t good — but because there’s no real strategy behind it. Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbendervinyl.com In this episode, I walk through 5 essential principles every artist should follow when preparing a new release. These are simple, practical shifts that turn scattered “drops” into focused campaigns that build real momentum over time. You’ll learn how to think beyond release day, create clarity around your music, and use each release to grow your audience and your catalog. If you want your next release to actually do something — start here.   Special thanks to Infinite Catalog - www.infinitecatalog.com Grab more record label resources here: www.otherrecordlabels.com  

“How you present something affects how you hear it.” Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbenderviny.com In this episode, I sit down with Charmaine and Randall of Kou Records — one of the most ambitious and creative indie labels I’ve come across — to break down their “cohort” model: multiple records released together as a unified body of work. We talk about: Why they reject genre, algorithms, and streaming-first thinking How they combine music + visual art into a single experience The philosophy behind releasing 4–5 records at once Why physical products matter more than ever in the age of AI and “content” How constraints (like recording an album in 4–5 days) actually unlock creativity This is a masterclass in thinking differently about what a record label can be — and why the future might belong to labels willing to take creative risks. Kou Records: www.KouRecords.com   Proudly Supported by Infinite Catalog: www.infinitecatalog.com  

Does the music you release actually need to be good? Not just “good enough.” Not just “interesting.” But truly great? PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbendervinyl.com In this episode, we unpack a question that sits right at the heart of indie music—but often goes unspoken. If DIY culture is about freedom and expression, does quality even matter? Or are we sometimes hiding behind “lo-fi” and “experimental” as an excuse not to push ourselves? This is a challenging conversation—for you, and for me. We’ll explore: Whether indie labels should have standards (and how high they should be) Why great music is actually harder to find than you think How to curate your catalog with intention The role of taste, accountability, and creative pressure Practical ways to raise your bar as a label owner This episode isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty. And asking yourself: are you doing your best work?   Learn More at OtherRecordLabels.com   Get Easy Royalty Management with Infinite Catalog - http://infinitecatalog.com/otherrecordlabels  

What does it actually look like to take over a legendary indie label? In this episode, I sit down with Emmy Black, the new owner of Bar/None Records—a label with nearly 40 years of history and a roster that helped launch artists like They Might Be Giants and Yo La Tengo. PRESENTED BY LANDR - get.landr.com/otherrecordlabels We talk about what it means to inherit a legacy, how to modernize an indie label without losing its identity, and the real, behind-the-scenes work of running a record label in 2026. This is a conversation about stewardship, taste, relationships, and the long game of building something that lasts. If you’re running (or dreaming of running) a record label, this episode is essential listening.  

Social media feels like a necessary evil for most indie artists and label owners. You know you should be posting… but what’s actually working? What matters? And is any of it even worth your time? *PRESENTED BY LANDR*  get.landr.com/otherrecordlabels In this episode, I’m not coming to you as an expert—I’m coming to you as someone figuring it out alongside you. I break down 5 things I’ve personally noticed about social media that have helped me make sense of it all—from short form vs long form, to why quantity might matter more than quality, to why curation could be the most important skill moving forward. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or just completely uninterested in playing the social media game… this episode is for you.

In this episode, Scott talks with Bryce, founder of Crestfallen Records, a Pittsburgh-based DIY metal label that has quietly become one of the most respected names in the modern deathcore and metalcore vinyl scene. ***Presented by LANDR - get.landr.com/otherrecordlabels *** In just five years, Bryce has released 60+ vinyl titles, many with 4–6 variants each, turning Crestfallen into a destination label for collectors who want beautiful physical editions of heavy music. What makes the story remarkable is how it started: Bryce launched the label right after college with almost no experience, a small internship at another DIY label, and a willingness to email bands he loved and ask if he could press their albums on vinyl. The risk paid off. Today Crestfallen is embraced by the scene it serves, with fans praising the label’s quality, design, and commitment to physical media.   Learn More: www.crestfallenrecords.com   Resources for Record Labels: www.otherrecordlabels.com  

Email marketing might be the most boring topic in the music industry… and also the most profitable. PRESENTED BY LANDR - get.landr.com/otherrecordlabels In this episode, Scott breaks down why email lists remain the most powerful marketing tool for record labels and indie artists — even in a world obsessed with TikTok, reels, and algorithms. While platforms come and go, email has quietly remained the most reliable way to reach fans, sell records, and stay top of mind. Scott explains why email consistently outperforms social media in ROI and conversions, and walks through the five simple steps any label can use to start building an email list today. If you run a record label or release music as an independent artist, this might be the most important marketing strategy you're overlooking. Step 1. Gather Any Email Address You Have Step 2. Get New Emails Step 3. Get an Email Tool Step 4. Create an Email Schedule Step 5. Stay Consistent And Grow Slow   ***Get FREE Email Marketing Resources at http://otherrecordlabels.com/emailmarketing  

“Here’s some weird fruit. Trust me — once you bite into it, you’ll love it.” What if your record label operated like a farmers market for strange, exotic fruit? PRESENTED BY LANDR - get.landr.com/otherrecordlabels In this episode, I sit down with Aaron of Weird Fruit Records, a Santa Cruz-based label born out of pandemic farming, unconventional recording spaces, and a love for music that’s just a little… weird. We talk about: Why “weird” is a compliment Recording inside hollowed-out redwood trees Building a label around production and collaboration The per-project label model (instead of restrictive long-term deals) Balancing artistry, engineering, and marketing Why some music needs to slow down before it’s released This is a conversation about creativity without handcuffs — and how to introduce listeners to music they didn’t know they were ready for.

In this episode, I break down four deceptively simple rules inspired by Make Your Own Rules by Andrew Huang — rules that every creative entrepreneur, indie artist, and record label owner needs to understand: Do things you want to do Don’t do things you want to do Do things you don’t want to do Don’t do things you don’t want to do Confusing? Good. PRESENTED BY LANDR: landr.com/otherrecordlabels   These four ideas will completely reshape how you prioritize your time, evaluate opportunities, set boundaries, and build something truly original. If you run a label, make records, or consider yourself DIY — this episode is about the daily decisions that quietly determine your long-term success.   Book Recommends: http://otherrecordlabels.com/books  

“Twenty years as an artist prepared me to serve other artists better.” This week on Other Record Labels, Scott sits down with Chris Kelly, founder of Alt Dub Records, a UK-based dub techno label that’s been quietly selling out vinyl releases and building serious momentum in under two years. Presented by LANDR - landr.otherrecordlabels.com   Chris is an artist-first label owner with decades of experience in sound, design, and culture — and it shows. In this wide-ranging, unplanned conversation, we dig into Chris’s musical roots, his obsession with imperfection, how strong branding and genre focus fuel demand, and why patience (especially with vinyl) is one of the hardest skills to learn as a label owner. www.altdub.com bandcamp.altdub.com  

Why aren’t your records selling? This week, I’m breaking down five common reasons your CDs, tapes, vinyl (and even your streams) might be stuck… and what to do about it. ---- Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels ---- No, I’m not promising you’ll magically sell out overnight. But I do believe in the compound effect: a bunch of small 1% improvements that add up—going from no sales → a few sales → more sales → “okay wait… this is working.” Everything in this episode comes from a mix of my own experience, the labels I’ve interviewed and learned from, and one underrated perspective: I’m also a buyer. I’m constantly checking out new music, adding albums to Apple Music, ordering on Bandcamp, digging through stores… and I can’t tell you how often a label makes it weirdly difficult to even listen to the music, let alone buy it. So here are the five reasons your records aren’t moving: You make it really hard If people can’t instantly hear what you do and instantly find where to buy it, you’re losing them. Fast. You’re not asking (explicitly) Press is great—but are you actually selling to retailers, distros, and your buyer list? One post isn’t a campaign. Your package is unappealing Artwork, presentation, bundling, and the whole campaign vibe matter more than most labels want to admit. Your pricing structure is off Too high, too low, shipping friction, perceived value—pricing is psychology and math. Your music is bad (or not interesting yet) Sometimes it’s not ready. Sometimes it’s the wrong fit. Sometimes it’s “good” in the worst way: forgettable. Let’s talk about aiming for interesting. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this episode is meant to give you practical tweaks you can make immediately—without turning your label into some salesy corporate robot. Listen now and pick one change to implement this week.

AI is showing up everywhere in the music industry — writing emails, summarizing deals, generating marketing plans… and now, drafting contracts. But just because AI can help with music law, doesn’t mean it should. ---- Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels ---- In this episode, I sit down with Cassandra Spangler, a New York–based music and entertainment attorney, to talk honestly about the growing trend of artists and indie labels using AI tools like ChatGPT for legal work — and why that can quietly put your catalog, your money, and your artists at serious risk. We dig into: Why AI-generated contracts often sound legit — even when they’re wrong The hidden dangers of missing clauses, loopholes, and jurisdiction issues Why “I didn’t understand the contract” isn’t a legal defense The lack of accountability, confidentiality, and attorney-client privilege with AI How artists and labels are using AI the right way — as a starting point, not a replacement This isn’t an anti-AI episode. I openly talk about how I use AI daily — including for this podcast. But when it comes to contracts, rights, royalties, and long-term careers, this conversation draws a clear line between helpful tools and costly shortcuts. **Get in Touch with Cassandra Spangler: https://www.cspanglermusiclaw.com/  

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit   Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels Starting a record label is exciting—but sticking with it is where the real work begins. In Episode 8 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott focuses on one of the most important (and underrated) qualities of successful labels: consistency. Not hustle. Not volume. Not chasing trends—but showing up in a sustainable, repeatable way over time. This episode explores: Why consistency matters more than frequency Choosing a release cadence you can actually maintain The difference between full-length releases, singles, and supplemental content How the pipeline supports consistency and prevents burnout Why a label’s greatest asset is its catalog, not any single release How labels act as a bridge between artists and music fans Scott reframes the role of a record label as a long-term conduit—balancing the infinite appetite of music fans with the creative rhythms of artists—and explains how thoughtful consistency builds trust, momentum, and sustainability for everyone involved.  

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit   Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels   Contracts and royalties are where a lot of people get stuck—and for good reason. Record labels have a long history of bad deals, broken trust, and artists getting the short end of the stick. In Episode 7 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott tackles this head-on and explains how modern independent labels can do things differently. This episode walks through the fundamentals of contracts and royalties from a practical, empathetic perspective—without legal jargon and without pretending there’s a one-size-fits-all solution. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you do need contracts—and why they protect artists as much as labels When to involve a music attorney (and why templates and AI contracts fall short) Common contract terms artists actually care about (term length, exclusivity, territory) How licensing master recordings works for indie labels Why 50/50 profit sharing has become a modern standard How to structure fair splits while keeping the label sustainable The importance of having these conversations before any music is released Scott emphasizes that the most important part of any contract isn’t the paperwork—it’s the conversation. Clear expectations, honest communication, and transparency from day one are what turn contracts from something scary into something empowering.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit   Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels   People love to say there’s no money in the music industry. And honestly? It can feel that way—especially when you’re just getting started. In Episode 6 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott tackles this myth head-on and shares what he’s seen firsthand after nearly a decade of working with independent labels across every genre imaginable. Not major labels. Not household names. Real, niche, often obscure labels that are quietly building sustainable, profitable businesses. This episode breaks down: Why some indie labels are thriving while others stay stuck The difference between struggling revenue streams and sustainable ones Traditional label income (streaming, physical sales, sync, merch) Why the healthiest labels rely on multiple revenue streams How predictable income and release cycles balance each other The power of creating one unique revenue stream no one else has Scott explains why diversification—not chasing trends—is what keeps labels alive long-term, and why many of the most inspiring labels succeed by combining music with something bigger: studios, stores, education, events, or entirely new ideas that only they could create.