Other Record Labels

Inertial Music - (Record Label Interview)

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
 
 
 

The Simple System I Use for Every Release

There’s 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 project—from 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:👉 otherrecordlabels.com/releasecentral
In this episode, you'll learn:
What Release Central is
Why every artist and label should have one
How centralized metadata can save you time and headaches
What information to include in your document
How I use it during release campaigns and years later
How to collaborate with artists, managers, publicists, and other team members using a shared release document
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Check our Groover to help you promote your next release. http://otherrecordlabels.com/grooverUSE CODE: OTHERRECORDLABELSVIP for 10% off your next campaign! 

Interview with Groover founder Dorian Perron - (Industry Insights)

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
 

Interview with Colemine Records - (PLAYBACK EPISODE)

PLAYBACK EPISODE!
Let's revisit one of my favorite interviews of all time, Terry Cole of Colemine Records!
Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - hellbendervinyl.com

10 Reasons Why You Should Do Vinyl...

In this episode, we explore 10 real reasons why indie artists and record labels should seriously consider pressing vinyl records — 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
 
 

The Big Dark Records - (Record Label Interview)

“DIY shouldn’t mean being ashamed of excellence.”
In this episode, I sit down with the founders of The Big Dark Records, a Seattle-based label focused on developing young artists and preserving the creative spirit of the Pacific Northwest.
Presented by HELLBENDER VINYL - http://hellbendervinyl.com
We talk about the modern Seattle music scene, DIY culture, youth creativity, recording music with teenagers, physical media, and why “real life experiences” 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

The Return of the CD

If you’re an artist or running a label, is CD actually the smartest physical format right now?If you’re a fan, is it worth collecting, or just nostalgia?
We’re digging into the real pros and cons on both sides—no hype, no nostalgia bias.
Because this isn’t just about a format…It’s 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
 

We All Speak in Poems - (Record Label Interview)

In this episode, I sit down with Brady (Alaskan Tapes), the artist and mind behind We All Speak In Poems—a 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 practice—and 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 you’re running a label, releasing music, or just trying to stay grounded in your creativity… this one’s for you.
 
Supported by Infinite Catalog - http://infinitecatalog.com/otherrecordlabels
 
Learn more about We All Speak in Poems: http://weallspeakinpoems.com
 

How Great Record Labels Release New Music

Most music releases fail before they even come out.
Not because the music isn’t good — but because there’s 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 “drops” into focused campaigns that build real momentum over time.
You’ll 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 — start here.
 
Special thanks to Infinite Catalog - www.infinitecatalog.com
Grab more record label resources here: www.otherrecordlabels.com
 

Kou Records - (Record Label Interview)

“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