Other Record Labels

What happens when a musician gets tired of fighting with technology and decides to build his own?

In this episode of Other Record Labels, Scott sits down with Ryan McKendall of Lofty Audio, the creator of LOOPGROUND, a creative looping application designed to make experimenting with sound feel fun and intuitive.

Presented by Groover - http://groover.co

Ryan shares his journey from classical piano and teaching to synthesizers, ambient music, YouTube, and eventually software development. We explore how he used AI-assisted coding to turn an idea into a real product, despite having no traditional programming background.

Along the way, we get nerdy about synthesizers, the strange psychology of repetitive music, creative limitations, gear obsession, and why the best tools aren't necessarily the ones with the most features.

LOOPGROUND: https://www.loftyaudio.com/loopground

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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 information to include, and how to create something useful without overcomplicating the process.

DOWNLOAD MY FREE RECORD LABEL TOOLKIT: http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

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 tapes, Ben has built an international distribution network, importing and selling underground metal releases from around the world.

https://www.ironfortressrecords.com/

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 and inspiration. But there's a downside: they can also convince you that you need to do everything you're hearing.

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Presented by Squarespace - Use coupon code ORL10 to get 10% off your first record label website with Squarespace: www.otherrecordlabels.com/squarespace

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 an audience by being genuinely useful, documenting the process publicly, turning followers into supporters, manufacturing vinyl, funding a first release, and figuring things out as you go.

It’s a great look at what starting a small record label actually looks like when you’re right in the middle of doing it.

Learn more about Fern Rose Records at fernroserecords.com.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace.

Build a beautiful website for your record label, artist project, or creative business at otherrecordlabels.com/squarespace.

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

http://otherrecordlabels.com/labelmates

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 songs are actually the “best.”

This isn’t an argument for making bad music. It’s an argument for making more music, releasing more often, and giving yourself more chances to connect with listeners.

Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - hellbendervinyl.com

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 artist relationships, pressing records, finding new music, managing the cost and risk of physical releases, and why slowing down can sometimes be an important part of building a sustainable label.

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

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PRESENTED BY HELLBENDER VINYL

Vinyl pressing for independent artists and record labels.

https://www.hellbendervinyl.com/

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In this episode, I share a simple exercise for reverse engineering the last few records you discovered — and using those discoveries to rethink how you promote your own releases.

We talk about the weird and unpredictable ways music finds us, why there probably isn’t one perfect marketing strategy, and why effective promotion is really a combination of low-stakes, mid-stakes and high-stakes actions happening at the same time.

Instead of searching for the one big promotional win, maybe the goal is simply to give your music as many opportunities as possible to bump into the right people.

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 incredible Surround, Les Rallizes Dénudés, and how they’ve built a catalogue that can stretch from beautiful environmental ambient music all the way to abrasive Japanese psych and noise — and somehow still feel like the same label.

And we try to tackle the interesting thought: Are we eventually going to run out of incredible forgotten records to rediscover?

Check out Temporal Drift: http://temporaldrift.today

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

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 these ideas will sell 1,000 records overnight, but if each helps move just one or two extra copies, suddenly those boxes in your garage start disappearing.

This episode is sponsored by Hellbender Vinyl, helping independent artists and record labels bring their releases to life on vinyl. http://www.hellbendervinyl.com

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

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 - http://www.hellbendervinyl.com

Sam broadcasts regularly from a collection of more than 13,000 records, describing Vinyl Junkies as “Social Radio”: no algorithms, just records, music discovery, and real-time conversation.

We talk about Sam’s history as a record collector, how his collecting habits have evolved, and what inspired him to start broadcasting his records online. We also dig into why people keep showing up to listen together, what he has learned about the audience and community surrounding Vinyl Junkies, and why an old physical format seems to work so well on a platform like Twitch.

STREAM VINYL JUNKIES: https://www.twitch.tv/vinyljunkies

Download my FREE Vinyl Toolkit: http://otherrecordlabels.com/vinyl

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 cost, and most importantly, what you should actually be listening for.

We’ll talk about how test pressings differ from the finished record, how to properly listen and approve them, what to do when something sounds wrong, and whether you really need test pressings in the first place.

Download my FREE Vinyl Toolkit: http://otherrecordlabels.com/vinyl

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, and Discovery. These five ideas help explain why records continue to captivate music fans in a streaming-first world—and why some vinyl releases become treasured keepsakes while others are quickly forgotten.

Whether you're an artist, record label, collector, or simply curious about the resurgence of vinyl, this episode will change the way you think about making records people genuinely want to own.

Download my FREE Vinyl Toolkit here: http://otherrecordlabels.com/vinyl

If you want to create vinyl that connects with fans, it starts by understanding why they love it in the first place.

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.
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PRESENTED BY Hellbender Vinyl - http://www.hellbendervinyl.com

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In this episode, Scott breaks down the five biggest mistakes he sees artists and indie record labels make when producing vinyl records. From underestimating timelines and ordering the wrong quantity to overlooking vinyl mastering and failing to create a release plan, these are the lessons that can save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.

Whether you're pressing your very first record or your fiftieth, this episode will help you make smarter decisions, create a better product, and give your release the best possible chance of selling out.

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FREE VINYL GUIDE: http://otherrecordlabels.com/vinyl

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This episode is brought to you by Hellbender Vinyl.

If you're ready to press your first record—or your fiftieth—Hellbender Vinyl makes the process simple. From choosing the right packaging and vinyl colors to navigating mastering, manufacturing, and delivery, their team helps artists and indie labels create records that fans will treasure.

Whether you're pressing 100 copies or planning a much larger release, you'll get personal service, transparent communication, and exceptional quality every step of the way.

Learn more and get a quote today at hellbendervinyl.com.

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

Whether you're a lifelong crate digger, opening your own shop, or simply love discovering music in person, these are the qualities that turn a store into a destination.

Along the way, I share stories from some of my favorite record stores, why certain shops just feel different the moment you walk in, and how the best stores create an experience that goes far beyond selling vinyl.

Presented by Hellbender Vinyl - http://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.

They dive into hype stickers, packaging, collectability, reissues, inventory strategy, long-tail sales, bundle economics, and why indie labels often make better vinyl releases than the major labels. They also tackle one of the biggest questions facing independent labels today: should you sell out quickly, or build a catalogue that continues selling for years?

Download my FREE Toolkit for making vinyl records: http://otherrecordlabels.com/vinyl

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

In this opening episode, I make the case for why every indie label should seriously consider pressing vinyl.

Download my FREE Vinyl Toolkit - http://otherrecordlabels.com/vinyl