Episodes
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What happens when you build a record label around a single ideaâand commit to it for years?
This week I'm joined by Spencer Zahn, founder of Sudden Quarterly, one of the most thoughtfully designed new labels I've come across.
đš Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - http://hellbendervinyl.com
Every year follows a different creative theme. Every release is visually connected. Every record is a brand-new collaboration between artists who have never made an album together before.
We dive deep into why constraints can actually create more freedom, how Spencer plans years in advance, the challenge of balancing artistic vision with sustainability, and why he believes record labels should be experiencesânot just distribution companies.
SUDDEN QUARTERLY: https://suddenquarterly.com/
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**Use my Groover Promo Code to get 10% OFF your first campaign: OTHERRECORDLABELSVIP at www.groover.co
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We're officially halfway through 2026, and before you start planning the next release, stressing about Q4, or comparing yourself to other labels, let's take a moment to celebrate something far more important:
You're still here.
Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - hellbendervinyl.com
In this episode, Scott reflects on the most admirable quality shared by the best independent labels and artistsânot streams, sales, playlists, tours, or sold-out vinyl runsâbut persistence.
Drawing inspiration from recent guests including Kou Records, Alt Dub, Crestfallen, We All Speak In Poems, and others, this episode explores why the labels making the biggest impact aren't necessarily the biggest labelsâthey're the ones willing to keep showing up, taking risks, and committing to their vision year after year.
The future of your label starts with what you do next.
Our biggest discount ever is happening this week on The Record Label Academy - http://otherrecordlabels.com/academy
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Missing episodes?
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This week, Scott sits down with Enrico, founder of Inertial Music, an independent label based in Italy specializing in progressive metal, ambient, electronic, and atmospheric music.
Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - www.hellbendervinyl.com
In just two years, Enrico has built a catalog of physical releases, secured international distribution, and developed a reputation for thoughtful curation and transparency.
http://inertial-music.com/
They discuss the realities of launching a label, balancing a full-time career while running a growing music business, the enduring importance of vinyl and CDs, and why physical media remains a powerful way to deepen the connection between artists and listeners.
Get 10% OFF your first GROOVER campaign by using the code OTHERRECORDLABELSVIP -- otherrecordlabels.com/groover
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Thereâs a lot to keep track of when you're releasing music.
Release dates. ISRCs. Lyrics. Artwork. Press photos. Streaming links. Download links. Metadata. Songwriter information. And somehow, years later, you still need to find all of it again.
In this episode, I share one of the most useful systems I've ever created for managing releases: Release Central.
PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbendervinyl.com
Release Central is a simple Google Sheet that acts as a centralized home base for every album, EP, or single you release. It's where I keep all the important information related to a projectâfrom metadata and promotional assets to release schedules and private links. I've used this system for years across my own releases and recently started teaching it to my Labelmates VIP coaching clients, who have found it incredibly helpful.
Download your copy:đ otherrecordlabels.com/releasecentral
In this episode, you'll learn:
What Release Central isWhy every artist and label should have oneHow centralized metadata can save you time and headachesWhat information to include in your documentHow I use it during release campaigns and years laterHow to collaborate with artists, managers, publicists, and other team members using a shared release document---
Check our Groover to help you promote your next release. http://otherrecordlabels.com/grooverUSE CODE: OTHERRECORDLABELSVIP for 10% off your next campaign!
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In this episode, Scott sits down with Groover co-founder Dorian Perron to discuss how artists and record labels can get their music heard in an increasingly crowded music landscape.
Presented by: Hellbender Vinyl (www.hellbendervinyl.com
They explore the evolution of playlist pitching, why streaming numbers have become such a powerful metric, the role of blogs and tastemakers today, and how Groover grew from a simple Google Form into one of the most widely used music promotion platforms for independent artists and labels.
Dorian also shares practical advice on selecting the right curators, understanding rejection, positioning your music effectively, running successful Groover campaigns, and why many artists focus on the wrong metrics when promoting their releases.
If you're an independent label owner, artist, or music marketer trying to get more traction for your releases, this conversation is packed with useful insights.
Learn more about Groover and get 10% off your Groover credits using code OTHERRECORDLABELSVIP at:
otherrecordlabels.com/groover
Presented by: Hellbender Vinyl (www.hellbendervinyl.com
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PLAYBACK EPISODE!
Let's revisit one of my favorite interviews of all time, Terry Cole of Colemine Records!
Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - hellbendervinyl.com
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In this episode, we explore 10 real reasons why indie artists and record labels should seriously consider pressing vinyl records â even in a world dominated by streaming.
Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL
www.hellbendervinyl.com
From stronger profit margins and long-tail inventory to legitimacy, fandom, and discovering new audiences, vinyl continues to prove itself as more than nostalgia.
Scott shares observations from record stores, indie labels, younger music fans, resale culture, and his own experiences releasing records independently.
Why are teenagers lining up at 4am for Record Store Day? Why are used records suddenly worth real money again? And why does vinyl feel more culturally important now than it did 10 years ago?
We are supported by Squarespace. Use the code ORL10 for 10% OFF your next website or domain at otherrecordlabels.com/squarespace
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âDIY shouldnât mean being ashamed of excellence.â
In this episode, I sit down with the founders of http://hellbendervinyl.com
We talk about the modern Seattle music scene, DIY culture, youth creativity, recording music with teenagers, physical media, and why âreal life experiencesâ still matter in a hyper-online world.
Check out The Big Dark Records - http://thebigdarkrecords.com
Support provided by Squarespace - Get 10% OFF by using the code ORL10 at http://otherrecordlabels.com/squarespace
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If youâre an artist or running a label, is CD actually the smartest physical format right now?If youâre a fan, is it worth collecting, or just nostalgia?
Weâre digging into the real pros and cons on both sidesâno hype, no nostalgia bias.
Because this isnât just about a formatâŠItâs about understanding where the next opportunity might be hiding.
Get Books for Record Labels: http://otherrecordlabels.com/books
Learn more about managing your label's royalties: http://infinitecatalog.com/otherrecordlabels
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In this episode, I sit down with Brady (Alaskan Tapes), the artist and mind behind We All Speak In Poemsâa 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 shares how his journey evolved from early experimentation to a more intentional, emotionally-driven practiceâand how that same mindset shapes the artists and releases he supports.
This conversation goes deep into independence, creative identity, and the tension between art and algorithms.
If youâre running a label, releasing music, or just trying to stay grounded in your creativity⊠this oneâs for you.
Supported by Infinite Catalog - http://infinitecatalog.com/otherrecordlabels
Learn more about We All Speak in Poems: http://weallspeakinpoems.com
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Most music releases fail before they even come out.
Not because the music isnât good â but because thereâs 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 âdropsâ into focused campaigns that build real momentum over time.
Youâll 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 â start here.
Special thanks to Infinite Catalog - www.infinitecatalog.com
Grab more record label resources here: www.otherrecordlabels.com
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âHow you present something affects how you hear it.â
Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbenderviny.com
In this episode, I sit down with Charmaine and Randall of Kou Records â one of the most ambitious and creative indie labels Iâve come across â to break down their âcohortâ model: multiple records released together as a unified body of work.
We talk about:
Why they reject genre, algorithms, and streaming-first thinkingHow they combine music + visual art into a single experienceThe philosophy behind releasing 4â5 records at onceWhy physical products matter more than ever in the age of AI and âcontentâHow constraints (like recording an album in 4â5 days) actually unlock creativityThis is a masterclass in thinking differently about what a record label can be â 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
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Does the music you release actually need to be good?
Not just âgood enough.â Not just âinteresting.â 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 musicâbut often goes unspoken. If DIY culture is about freedom and expression, does quality even matter? Or are we sometimes hiding behind âlo-fiâ and âexperimentalâ as an excuse not to push ourselves?
This is a challenging conversationâfor you, and for me.
Weâll explore:
Whether indie labels should have standards (and how high they should be)Why great music is actually harder to find than you thinkHow to curate your catalog with intentionThe role of taste, accountability, and creative pressurePractical ways to raise your bar as a label ownerThis episode isnât about perfection. Itâs 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
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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 Recordsâa 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 youâre running (or dreaming of running) a record label, this episode is essential listening.
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Social media feels like a necessary evil for most indie artists and label owners.
You know you should be posting⊠but whatâs actually working? What matters? And is any of it even worth your time?
*PRESENTED BY LANDR* get.landr.com/otherrecordlabels
In this episode, Iâm not coming to you as an expertâIâm coming to you as someone figuring it out alongside you.
I break down 5 things Iâve personally noticed about social media that have helped me make sense of it allâfrom 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 youâve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or just completely uninterested in playing the social media game⊠this episode is for you.
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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 4â6 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 labelâs quality, design, and commitment to physical media.
Learn More: www.crestfallenrecords.com
Resources for Record Labels: www.otherrecordlabels.com
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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 â 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 HaveStep 2. Get New EmailsStep 3. Get an Email ToolStep 4. Create an Email ScheduleStep 5. Stay Consistent And Grow Slow***Get FREE Email Marketing Resources at http://otherrecordlabels.com/emailmarketing
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âHereâs some weird fruit. Trust me â once you bite into it, youâll love it.â
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 thatâs just a little⊠weird.
We talk about:
Why âweirdâ 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 itâs released
This is a conversation about creativity without handcuffs â and how to introduce listeners to music they didnât know they were ready for.
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In this episode, I break down four deceptively simple rules inspired by Make Your Own Rules by Andrew Huang â rules that every creative entrepreneur, indie artist, and record label owner needs to understand:
Do things you want to do
Donât do things you want to do
Do things you donât want to do
Donât do things you donât 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 â this episode is about the daily decisions that quietly determine your long-term success.
Book Recommends: http://otherrecordlabels.com/books
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âTwenty years as an artist prepared me to serve other artists better.â
This week on Other Record Labels, Scott sits down with Chris Kelly, founder of Alt Dub Records, a UK-based dub techno label thatâs 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 â and it shows. In this wide-ranging, unplanned conversation, we dig into Chrisâs 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
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