Other Record Labels

In this episode, I sit down with Brady (Alaskan Tapes), the artist and mind behind We All Speak In Poems—a project that exists somewhere between a label, a creative platform, and a philosophy. PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbendervinyl.com   We talk about the quiet power of ambient music, building a world around your art, and what it really means to create without chasing numbers. Brady s...

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...

“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, a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 t...

“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...

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   T...

“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 expe...

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...

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...

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...

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 Rec...

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...