Other Record Labels

“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, and streaming-first thinking

How they combine music + visual art into a single experience

The philosophy behind releasing 4–5 records at once

Why physical products matter more than ever in the age of AI and “content”

How constraints (like recording an album in 4–5 days) actually unlock creativity

This is a masterclass in thinking differently about what a record label can be — 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

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 “experimental” as an excuse not to push ourselves?

This is a challenging conversation—for you, and for me.

We’ll explore:

Whether indie labels should have standards (and how high they should be)

Why great music is actually harder to find than you think

How to curate your catalog with intention

The role of taste, accountability, and creative pressure

Practical ways to raise your bar as a label owner

This episode isn’t about perfection. It’s 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

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 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 you’re running (or dreaming of running) a record label, this episode is essential listening.

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 noticed about social media that have helped me make sense of it all—from 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 you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or just completely uninterested in playing the social media game… this episode is for you.

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 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 label’s quality, design, and commitment to physical media.

 

Learn More: www.crestfallenrecords.com

 

Resources for Record Labels: www.otherrecordlabels.com