Other Record Labels

Building a Record Store for Music Lovers

Presented by GROOVER

What does it take to build a record store in 2026? In this episode, Scott sits down with Clifton, founder of Sisyphus Record Works, an independent online record shop specializing in jazz, classical, international music, and releases from small, independent labels.

With plans to open a physical storefront, Clifton shares his approach to curating a unique catalog, building a loyal customer base, and navigating the challenging economics of vinyl retail. They discuss why major-label records are becoming increasingly difficult to sell, the importance of packaging and customer experience, and how Sisyphus has achieved an impressive 87% returning customer rate.

Thanks to Groover.co for sponsoring today's episode, use coupon code OTHERRECORDLABELSVIP to get 10% off your first campaign! http://groover.co

 

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https://sisyphusrecordworks.com/

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