Other Record Labels

Other Record Labels

Taking the Mystery out of Running a Record Label A podcast for independent record labels with interviews from Sub Pop, Ghostly International, Mute Records, Jagjaguar, and more. Tips and advice for people starting and running a record label. http://www.otherrecordlabels.com

Episodes

October 26, 2026 • 29 mins

Do you actually need an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to succeed in the music industry?

The short answer? No. But having the right EPK can make promoting your music, pitching your artists, and building relationships a whole lot easier.

In this episode of Other Record Labels, we're breaking down three different types of EPKs: the Release EPK, the Artist EPK, and the Label EPK.

We'll explore what each one is designed to accomplish, what...

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Download my FREE Record Label Toolkit: http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

What can independent record labels learn from the underground death metal scene?

In this episode of Other Record Labels, Scott talks with Ben from Iron Fortress Records, a Kansas City-based death metal label and distribution business that grew from a small hobby into a full-time operation.

Starting in 2022 with small vinyl releases and handmade cassette tap...

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October 12, 2026 • 21 mins

There's no single right way to run a record label. And sometimes, listening to too much advice—even from this podcast—can make you feel like you're doing everything wrong.

In this episode of Other Record Labels, we're talking about the importance of finding your own way as a label owner, and why copying someone else's strategy isn't always the answer.

Podcasts, books, and industry experts can provide incredible ideas an...

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What does starting a record label actually look like?

James Nixon is documenting the entire process.

James is a pianist, working parent, and the founder of Fern Rose Records. What began with sharing piano ideas online eventually turned into a plan to record the music he plays for his family, press it to vinyl, and build an independent record label around it.

In this episode, we talk about why he decided to start a label, building a...

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October 4, 2026 • 5 mins

There's still time to register!  I'd love to have you join us!

http://otherrecordlabels.com/labelmates

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September 28, 2026 • 18 mins

What if releasing more music is actually more important than making every release perfect?

In this episode, I make the case for quantity over quality—and why independent artists and record labels may need to rethink the traditional album cycle altogether.

We’ll talk about release frequency, building a catalogue, perfectionism, streaming momentum, and why we’re probably not very good judges of which of our own song...

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Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - http://www.hellbendervinyl.com

Poison Furrows is an underground label releasing black metal, dark folk, dark ambient, dungeon synth, and other music from the darker corners of independent music.

In this conversation, we talk about building a label around personal taste, why physical formats still matter in niche music communities, and the different roles of cassettes, CDs, and vinyl. We also get into...

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September 14, 2026 • 20 mins

What if the best way to figure out how to promote music is to look at how you discover music yourself?

--

PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL

Vinyl pressing for independent artists and record labels.

hellbendervinyl.com

-- 

In this episode, I share a simple exercise for reverse engineering the last few records...

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September 7, 2026 • 62 mins

This week I’m talking with Patrick McCarthy and Yosuke Kitazawa of Temporal Drift, celebrating five years of one of the most fascinating independent labels around.

PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - http://hellbendervinyl.com

We talk about building a two-person label, reissues vs. new music, licensing, release schedules, Hiroshi Yoshimura’s incredib...

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Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - http://hellbendervinyl.com

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25 Ways to Sell More Vinyl — Sponsored by Hellbender Vinyl

Pressing vinyl is the exciting part. Selling every last copy? That can take a little more creativity.

In this episode, I share 25 simple, unique ways to sell more vinyl—from hand-numbering and local variants to golden tickets, bundles, influencers, listening parties, and more. None of the...

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August 20, 2026 • 7 mins

What if record labels become more important in the age of AI—not less?

In this bonus episode, I explore why trusted, human-curated indie labels could become a safe harbor for music fans in a world increasingly flooded with AI—and why now might be the perfect time to build yours.

Learn more about Labelmates here: http://otherrecordlabels.com/labelmates

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What happens when you combine an enormous record collection, live radio, and the community of Twitch? In this episode, I sit down with Sam from Vinyl Junkies, the creator and host of a live vinyl stream that has grown into a remarkably active online community of music obsessives.

PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - www.hellbendervinyl.com

Sam broadcasts regul...

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Before hundreds of copies of your record get pressed, there’s one very important step: the test pressing.

PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - http://hellbendervinyl.com

In this episode, Scott breaks down everything artists and indie labels need to know about test pressings — what they are, where they come from, when you receive them, what they cos...

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Why do people love vinyl?

It's easy to point to the sound, the artwork, or the nostalgia—but those are really just symptoms of something much deeper.

PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL - http://hellbendervinyl.com

In this episode of For the Love of Vinyl, we explore the five pillars of vinyl: Ritual, Preservation, Luxury, Intimacy, ...

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Pressing a vinyl record is one of the most exciting moments in releasing music—but it's also one of the easiest places to make expensive mistakes. ----more----

PRESENTED BY Hellbender Vinyl - www.hellbendervinyl.com

----more----

In this episode, Scott breaks down the five biggest mistakes he sees artists and indie record labels...

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What separates a good record store from one you can't stop thinking about?

In this episode, I break down the ten things I believe every great record store has in common—from friendly staff and fair pricing to thoughtful displays, clear identity, and those little details that keep you coming back.

Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - http://hellbendervinyl.com 

Read more

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Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - www.hellbendervinyl.com

In this episode, Scott sits down with Cory Giordano of Inner Ocean Records to explore what independent labels can learn from today's vinyl market. Together they discuss why records continue to thrive, why customers are buying more physical music than ever, and how running a record store has completely changed Cory's approach to running a record label.

...

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Vinyl isn't making a comeback anymore.

It already came back.

Welcome to the very first episode of our For the Love of Vinyl Summer Series—a nine-part deep dive into everything independent record labels need to know about making, selling, collecting, designing, and celebrating vinyl records.

Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - http://www.hellbendervinyl.com

...

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What happens when you build a record label around a single idea—and 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.

🚨 Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - http://hellbendervinyl.com

Every year follows a different creative theme. Every release is visually connected. Every record i...

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