Other Record Labels

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...

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit   Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels   In Episode 5 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott walks through what actually happens when you’re ready to release music—and how to do it in a way that gives your record the best possible chance to succeed. From ch...

One of the most intimidating questions new label owners face is: How do I actually find artists for my record label? And right behind it: How do I even approach an artist without feeling awkward or unqualified? PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels In Episode 4, Scott breaks this down in the most practical—and human—way possible. Instead of chasing hype or cold-pitching strangers, he ex...

One of the biggest questions new label owners ask is: When can I officially launch my record label? Is it when you announce the name? Post a logo? Release your first record? PRESENTED BY LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels In Episode 3, Scott explains why the real answer has less to do with a launch date—and everything to do with what he calls the pipeline. This episode breaks down why a re...

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit   Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels In Episode 2 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott dives into branding—specifically how to name your label, define your identity, and build a brand that actually connects with the right audience. If you’ve been stuck...

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit   Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels   Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest reasons people never start a record label. That quiet (or loud) voice asking: Who am I to do this? Why would anyone care about my taste, my curation, or my point of view? In this episod...

Why I’m Optimistic About The Music Industry Times are tough in the music industry—and there’s no point pretending otherwise. Streaming payouts are shrinking, costs are rising, the economy is squeezing fans, and AI plus the distraction economy are reshaping how people engage with music. In this episode of Other Record Labels, I acknowledge the very real challenges indie labels and musicians are fac...

Lesson 4 — HELPING YOUR NEW RELEASE Bonus Release Questions You’re Probably Asking Right Now PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels   This episode is a rapid-fire support library for all the extra stuff that can trip up a release if you’re DIY. Think of it as your “release survival guide” for the details that matter once the plan is in motion. Plus we look at the big macro picture of sta...

FOR THE LOVE OF VINYL Presented by A to Z Media (atozmedia.com) What makes a Christmas record timeless? Why do holiday albums outsell almost everything else on vinyl every December? And which Christmas records are actually worth owning? In this festive episode of For the Love of Vinyl, host Scott Orr is joined by Terry Cole of Colemine Records and Plaid Room Records (Loveland, Ohio) for a deep div...

Lesson 3 — PROMOTING YOUR NEW RELEASE How to Promote a Release Without Losing Your Mind PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels   Promotion doesn’t have to mean gimmicks, burnout, or spending money you don’t have. In this episode, you’ll learn how to pitch your release to press and playlists, create real marketing opportunities, find your unique angle, and make release day count. We’ll al...

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...