Other Record Labels

How to Switch Digital Distributors

Switching digital distributors can feel terrifying — what if you lose your Spotify streams, your playlists, or your hard-earned momentum? In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I safely transferred one of my own tracks (with over 200,000 streams and dozens of playlist placements) from CD Baby to LANDR… without losing a single play.
I’ll share the simple 4-step process to move your release to a new distributor while keeping your existing ISRCs, metadata, and playlists intact. It’s easier than you think — and yes, I tested it myself so you don’t have to.
🎧 In this episode:
Why artists and labels might switch digital distributors
What actually happens to your stream counts and playlists when you do
The exact step-by-step transfer process (CD Baby → LANDR)
How to know it worked (and when to delete your old release)
Common mistakes to avoid during the switch
🔗 Resources & Links:
Watch the video walkthrough + download the checklist: otherrecordlabels.com/transfer
Get 20% off LANDR: landr.com/otherrecordlabels
If you’ve been thinking about switching distributors but you’re scared of losing your stats, this episode will show you how to do it confidently — and keep your streams safe.

King Volume Records - (Record Label Interview)

“If you put your artists first and try to think about what would be the best thing for them, eventually your needs will get met.”
What if a record label ignored the “industry rules,” bundled three unknown bands into a cassette box—and sold out?
Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels
Todd White of King Volume Records joins Scott to share how his DIY indie-metal label went from a fun side project to his full-time job.
We cover:
The cassette bundle strategy that built early community
Why Bandcamp is more valuable than chasing Spotify streams
How to sign artists by putting their needs first
The $150,000 Kickstarter success story and what made it work
Why creative, imperfect marketing beats polished “content”
This episode is packed with label-building breakthroughs, mindset shifts, and real tactics you can steal today.

The Environmental Impact of Vinyl - (For the Love of Vinyl) - Episode 10

Vinyl records are often celebrated for their warmth, their permanence, and their beauty — but what’s the real environmental cost of keeping this format alive?
Presented by ⁠A to Z Media⁠ - http://atozmedia.com
In this episode, Scott sits down with sustainability experts Ryan Weitzel and Vladimír Víšek to explore the environmental impact of vinyl records — from raw materials and manufacturing to packaging, shipping, and the small but powerful changes that can make the industry more sustainable.
It’s a nuanced conversation about responsibility, data, and the quiet revolution already underway inside pressing plants around the world.
Because sustainability in vinyl isn’t about one big decision — it’s about hundreds of small, deliberate ones that add up to real change.
 
 

How to Survive When the Music Industry Sucks

Feeling like the music industry kinda sucks right now? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Other Record Labels, Scott opens up about the discouraging moments that come with running a label or making music when everything seems down — the numbers, the engagement, the excitement. He shares three powerful ways to push through the slump: reconnecting with your “why,” doing something drastic to reignite your passion, and persevering for the long game.
Whether you’re an artist, label owner, or just someone who loves music, this episode is your reminder that you’re not done yet — and that the work you do still matters.
 
This episode is brought to you by LANDR.You’ve probably heard of LANDR as a mastering service — but it’s so much more now. With LANDR Studio, you get everything you need to make, release, and grow your music — samples, plugins, mastering, distribution, and more — all in one place.A huge thanks to LANDR for supporting the Other Record Labels community and helping make these weekly episodes possible.👉 Check out LANDR Studio and get 20% off at landr.com/otherrecordlabels

Hideout Records (Record Label Interview)

Meet Danny in our upcoming Labelmates Group! http://otherrecordlabels.com/register
In this episode, Scott talks with Danny from Hideout Records, a brand new jazz label based in Vienna, Austria. Danny shares how his journey as a bassist, studio owner, and producer led to launching a record label that supports the local jazz community.
They discuss the blurred lines between creativity and entrepreneurship, the challenges of balancing multiple musical roles, the story behind Hideout’s unique name, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of every great label.
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own label — especially one rooted in passion and purpose — this conversation will inspire you.
👉 Learn more at otherrecordlabels.com
 
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Ready to simplify your music workflow? Try LANDR Studio — the all-in-one platform for mastering, samples, plugins, distribution, and more.
👉 Get 20% off your subscription at landr.com/otherrecordlabels

Have I told you this story?

In this episode, I want to share my story of how Other Record Labels began — not as a company, but as a podcast born from frustration, burnout, and a desire to connect with other indie label owners. How this rainy day moment in 2017 turned into hundreds of interviews with the world’s most inspiring labels and the creation of a thriving community for label owners.
If you’re feeling stuck or alone in your label journey, you’ll relate to this one — and you’ll want to check out Labelmates, our 6-week group program for indie label owners. Learn, grow, and find your people.👉 Join now at otherrecordlabels.com/register

Portal of Eels - (Record Label Interview)

“Every release is a statement in time — even if people don’t find it now, they might discover it years down the road.”
In this episode of Other Record Labels, I chat with Bryan, the founder of Portal of Eels, a new independent record label from Denver, Colorado.
Presented by LANDR - The Official Digital Distributor of Other Record LabelsSign Up: landr.com/otherrecordlabels
We talk about the label’s origins, what it’s like to release your first vinyl record, and how to stay encouraged when promotion feels like a slot machine.
Bryan shares lessons from running a one-person label, the importance of community, and the joy of creating something lasting.
 
Join our upcoming Labelmates: http://otherrecordlabels.com/register
Check out Portal of Eels: https://portalofeels.bandcamp.com

Sun Records - (Record Label Interview)

This week, I sit down with Chase and Laura from Sun Records — yes, the Sun Records. The birthplace of rock & roll, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison first got their start.
Presented by LANDR - Click here for an EXCLUSIVE subscription discount: http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels
We talk about what it means to protect and evolve a label that helped invent modern music. How do you stay true to Sam Phillips’ “perfect imperfection” while still making new records in 2025?
This episode is part music history, part masterclass in legacy label management — and 100% inspiring for anyone running or dreaming of running their own label.
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LABELMATES - Our Fall 2025, 6-week Labelmates Sessions start on October 21st. Tuesdays at 4:30PM Eastern. Grab your spot here: http://otherrecordlabels.com/register

The Real Reason People Start a Record Label

Why do people really start record labels?
For some, it’s not always about money, streams, or press coverage. A lot of times, it’s about fulfillment, legacy, and the simple joy of working with great music.
In this episode of Other Record Labels, I share why I believe labels still matter and why so many indie label owners take the leap. From retirees starting labels as their “second act,” to artists who just want to build community, this conversation is both inspirational and practical.
I also talk about our upcoming Labelmates Core Sessions Cohort, a 6-week program I’m hosting to help indie label owners find clarity, confidence, and fulfillment while building their own version of success.
Register for Labelmates: http://otherrecordlabels.com/register
Labelmates - Fall 2025 Cohort | Oct 21 - Nov 25 | Every Tuesday at 4:00PM Eastern

The New Record Label Model

In this episode, Scott Orr explores The New Record Label Model—a way of running a label that’s actually rooted in the oldest history of the music business.
Presented by LANDR - [landr.com/otherrecordlabels]
From early companies that sold machines first and music second, to today’s indie labels building sustainable, multi-faceted businesses, Scott makes the case for why the healthiest, most innovative labels are no longer “just record labels.”
Based on his new book Why We Still Need Record Labels, this episode is both a celebration and a roadmap for indie label owners who want to thrive in today’s industry.
GRAB THE NEW BOOK: http://geni.us/whyweneedrecordlabels