Other Record Labels

Lesson 2 — PREPARING YOUR NEW RELEASE The Release Prep Checklist: Dates, Goals, Lead Time, and Distribution PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels Before you promote anything, you need a real plan. We’ll walk through how to know when your music is actually ready, how to pick a strategic release date, and how to build a workback schedule that keeps you on track. Plus we’ll cover setting m...

Lesson 1 — INTRO TO YOUR NEW RELEASE Why Great Music Gets Ignored (And How to Fix It) PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels You can make an amazing record and still have it flop if the release plan isn’t there. In this episode, we break down the real reasons new music gets ignored—low effort, no lead time, weak post-release follow-through, bad luck, and even the hard truth about quality...

Sign up to my mailing list here: http://otherrecordlabels.com/list   Use the code BLACKFRIDAY50 for our Biggest Discount Ever! http://otherrecordlabels.com/academy   Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels  

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In this episode, Scott talks with Silas, founder of Chalkpit Cassette Club and creator of The Next Wave, the monthly cassette-and-magazine discovery series that has quietly become one of the most innovative physical music platforms in the indie world.   ***Get 20% OFF your LANDR Subscription! - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels    Silas shares the origin story of Chalkpit — from inheriting his gr...

Switching digital distributors can feel terrifying — what if you lose your Spotify streams, your playlists, or your hard-earned momentum? In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I safely transferred one of my own tracks (with over 200,000 streams and dozens of playlist placements) from CD Baby to LANDR… without losing a single play. I’ll share the simple 4-step process to move your release...

“If you put your artists first and try to think about what would be the best thing for them, eventually your needs will get met.” What if a record label ignored the “industry rules,” bundled three unknown bands into a cassette box—and sold out? Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels Todd White of King Volume Records joins Scott to share how his DIY indie-metal label went from a fu...

Vinyl records are often celebrated for their warmth, their permanence, and their beauty — but what’s the real environmental cost of keeping this format alive? Presented by ⁠A to Z Media⁠ - http://atozmedia.com In this episode, Scott sits down with sustainability experts Ryan Weitzel and Vladimír Víšek to explore the environmental impact of vinyl records — from raw materials and manufacturing to pa...

Feeling like the music industry kinda sucks right now? You’re not alone. In this episode of Other Record Labels, Scott opens up about the discouraging moments that come with running a label or making music when everything seems down — the numbers, the engagement, the excitement. He shares three powerful ways to push through the slump: reconnecting with your “why,” doing something drastic to reigni...

Meet Danny in our upcoming Labelmates Group! http://otherrecordlabels.com/register In this episode, Scott talks with Danny from Hideout Records, a brand new jazz label based in Vienna, Austria. Danny shares how his journey as a bassist, studio owner, and producer led to launching a record label that supports the local jazz community. They discuss the blurred lines between creativity and entreprene...

In this episode, I want to share my story of how Other Record Labels began — not as a company, but as a podcast born from frustration, burnout, and a desire to connect with other indie label owners. How this rainy day moment in 2017 turned into hundreds of interviews with the world’s most inspiring labels and the creation of a thriving community for label owners. If you’re feeling stuck or alone i...

“Every release is a statement in time — even if people don’t find it now, they might discover it years down the road.” In this episode of Other Record Labels, I chat with Bryan, the founder of Portal of Eels, a new independent record label from Denver, Colorado. Presented by LANDR - The Official Digital Distributor of Other Record Labels Sign Up: landr.com/otherrecordlabels We talk about the label...

This week, I sit down with Chase and Laura from Sun Records — yes, the Sun Records. The birthplace of rock & roll, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison first got their start. Presented by LANDR - Click here for an EXCLUSIVE subscription discount: http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels We talk about what it means to protect and evolve a label that helped invent modern music. How do you stay tr...

Why do people really start record labels? For some, it’s not always about money, streams, or press coverage. A lot of times, it’s about fulfillment, legacy, and the simple joy of working with great music. In this episode of Other Record Labels, I share why I believe labels still matter and why so many indie label owners take the leap. From retirees starting labels as their “second act,” to artists...

In this episode, Scott Orr explores The New Record Label Model—a way of running a label that’s actually rooted in the oldest history of the music business. Presented by LANDR - [landr.com/otherrecordlabels] From early companies that sold machines first and music second, to today’s indie labels building sustainable, multi-faceted businesses, Scott makes the case for why the healthiest, most innovat...

“Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know the process—just ask questions. That’s how I learned everything.” Presented by A to Z Media ( http://atozmedia.com )   In this episode, we sit down with Patrick from A to Z Media, one of the most trusted names in vinyl pressing and packaging. Patrick pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to bring music from digital files to a physical record you can...

In this episode, I share some updates on the podcast and community, including the release of my new book Why We (Still) Need Record Labels, which explores the value and evolution of indie labels today. Order Here: http://otherrecordlabels.com/book   I also talk about the upcoming Labelmates cohort, a small group program for aspiring label owners. (otherrecordlabels.com/labelmates)   Special thanks...

Hey friends, Scott here, just wanted to pop on an intro this cool episode of a great podcast you may not be familiar with. Our friends at A to Z Media – Have a podcast of their own. And if you like Other Record Labels or you like For the Love of Vinyl – you’ll love Bespoken. A podcast by a to Z media that Dives into the world of independent music and physical media culture. In this episode of BESP...

There’s one record label the world doesn’t have yet—the one only you can create. In this episode, I’ll share why the most successful indie labels today are the ones that are hyper-specific, intentionally niched, and built around their founder’s unique obsessions. You’ll learn how to uncover the “secret ingredients” that make your label stand out—whether you’re brand new or you’ve been running a la...

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a bold claim: record labels are obsolete. With home studios, DIY distribution, and powerful marketing tools, artists can now write, record, release, and promote their music all on their own. So… are labels officially irrelevant? Presented by LANDR [landr.com/otherrecordlabels] We break it down into three common reasons people say we don’t need record labels anymo...

“Don’t just release your music willy-nilly—give it its own day in the sun.” Releasing music isn’t just about finishing the recording—it’s about picking the right release date. In this episode, we break down three essential factors every indie artist and label should consider before choosing when to release a single, EP, or album. Presented by LANDR - [ http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels] From plan...

“It isn’t luck, it’s tenacity. It’s going to as many sales as you can, and always asking if there are records.” In this episode of For the Love of Vinyl, Scott chats with Jay Clarke, owner of Time Capsule, a small collectibles shop in southern Ontario and the face of a beloved vinyl-hunting YouTube channel. Presented by A to Z Media [atozmedia.com] Jay shares his decades of experience digging thro...

Submitting your music to blogs, playlists, or radio can be overwhelming... and often discouraging. In this episode, Scott shares five essential steps to take before you pitch your music to press, curators, and influencers. Learn how to stay organized, build the right list, craft simple pitches, and avoid common mistakes that keep your music from being heard. Presented by LANDR - landr.com/otherrec...

"You’re not gonna stop, are you? This isn’t just a career — it’s in your DNA." Burned out? Cynical? Ready to give up on music? In this episode, I’m sharing five real-world truths that might change your mind — or at least give you a healthier perspective before you walk away. We’ll talk about why record labels are like trumpets, the surprising power of yet (just like the meme), how hiatuses can act...

Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels In this episode, we dive into the growing world of cassette tapes and share five essential tips you must know before pressing play on your first tape release. From manufacturing small runs to prepping your audio, designing artwork, selling online or in stores, and making your cassettes irresistible to fans—we cover it all. Whether you're doin...