Other Record Labels

One of the biggest questions new label owners ask is: When can I officially launch my record label?Is it when you announce the name? Post a logo? Release your first record?
PRESENTED BY LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels
In Episode 3, Scott explains why the real answer has less to do with a launch date—and everything to do with what he calls the pipeline.
This episode breaks down why a record label isn’t legitimate because of one release, but because of what comes next. Scott walks through how professional labels think months (and years) ahead, and why momentum, consistency, and planning are what separate sustainable labels from one-off projects.
You’ll learn:
What a “pipeline” actually is and why every label needs one before launching
How far ahead your releases should realistically be planned
A manageable release cadence for one-person and small labels
How to stagger projects across 3, 6, and 12-month timelines
Why pipelines build confidence with artists, press, and fans
A strong pipeline keeps your label from stalling after the excitement of release day and helps you build a healthy, sustainable catalog over time—even when some releases perform better than others.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit
 
Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels
In Episode 2 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott dives into branding—specifically how to name your label, define your identity, and build a brand that actually connects with the right audience.
If you’ve been stuck obsessing over the perfect label name, this episode is your permission slip to move on. Scott breaks down why your name won’t make or break your label, what does matter when choosing one, and how to avoid common mistakes that can slow you down before you even release music.
This episode covers:
Why most successful labels weren’t built on clever names—but clear identity
Practical rules for choosing a label name (logos, domains, searchability, and social handles)
How niche, taste, and curation form the real foundation of your brand
Using genre, geography, format, and values to “dog-whistle” to your audience
Translating your niche into visual branding, design, and consistency
Branding isn’t just logos and colors—it’s the sum of your taste, your mission, and the community you’re building. When done right, someone should be able to spot one of your records from across the room and know it belongs to your label.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit
 
Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels
 
Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest reasons people never start a record label. That quiet (or loud) voice asking: Who am I to do this? Why would anyone care about my taste, my curation, or my point of view?
In this episode, Scott breaks down why imposter syndrome never really goes away—even for Grammy-winning label owners—and why that’s actually good news. Instead of waiting to feel “qualified,” he reframes the conversation around what truly makes a record label valuable: your unique taste, your lived experience, and the specific combination of influences only you can bring to the table.
You’ll learn how to:
Understand why imposter syndrome is normal at every level of the music industry
Identify the unique ingredients that make your label different (genre, geography, format, values, and that all-important X-factor)
Stop comparing yourself to existing labels and start owning your own curation
If you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, feeling like an outsider, or waiting for permission to begin—this episode is your reminder that no one else can build the label you’re meant to create.
Because yes, we’re all imposters. And that’s exactly why your record label matters.

Why I’m Optimistic About The Music Industry
Times are tough in the music industry—and there’s no point pretending otherwise. Streaming payouts are shrinking, costs are rising, the economy is squeezing fans, and AI plus the distraction economy are reshaping how people engage with music.
In this episode of Other Record Labels, I acknowledge the very real challenges indie labels and musicians are facing right now—and then I make the case for optimism.
 
PRESENTED BY LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels
I share five reasons why, despite everything working against us, I genuinely believe the future still holds opportunity for independent artists and labels. From the quiet resurgence of physical media, to the power of human connection, to why your unique label path may actually be the solution—not the problem—this episode is about perspective, resilience, and rebellion.
If you’ve been feeling discouraged, burned out, or close to giving up, this conversation is for you.
Because even when it doesn’t make sense, we’re still here—and that matters.
 
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Lesson 4 — HELPING YOUR NEW RELEASE
Bonus Release Questions You’re Probably Asking Right Now
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This episode is a rapid-fire support library for all the extra stuff that can trip up a release if you’re DIY. Think of it as your “release survival guide” for the details that matter once the plan is in motion. Plus we look at the big macro picture of staying in the game long enough to see success happen for you and your releases!
 
This episode is taken from the masterclass, New Release Blueprint, available exclusively in The Record Label Academy. Get lifetime access today: http://otherrecordlabels.com/academy

FOR THE LOVE OF VINYLPresented by A to Z Media (atozmedia.com)
What makes a Christmas record timeless? Why do holiday albums outsell almost everything else on vinyl every December? And which Christmas records are actually worth owning?
In this festive episode of For the Love of Vinyl, host Scott Orr is joined by Terry Cole of Colemine Records and Plaid Room Records (Loveland, Ohio) for a deep dive into the world of Christmas records. From Vince Guaraldi and Bing Crosby to Michael Bublé, Phil Spector, and soul Christmas classics, Scott and Terry unpack why holiday records remain one of the most powerful rituals in vinyl culture.
They explore:
Why Christmas records sell at a completely different scale than regular vinyl
The best-selling Christmas albums of all time (and the surprises)
Underrated holiday records every collector should know
Original vs. traditional Christmas songs—and why originals are so hard to pull off
Whether Christmas albums are a smart investment for indie artists and labels
How record stores prepare all year for a few short weeks of holiday madness
Along the way, you’ll hear personal favorites, controversial takes (yes, Wonderful Christmastime comes up), behind-the-scenes retail data, and why Christmas music might be the most “evergreen” genre of them all.
 
Presented by A to Z Media — your go-to partner for custom vinyl pressing and physical media manufacturing.
Learn more at atozmedia.com
 
Order the new Cher Xmas Album here: plaidroomrecords.com

Lesson 3 — PROMOTING YOUR NEW RELEASE
How to Promote a Release Without Losing Your Mind
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Promotion doesn’t have to mean gimmicks, burnout, or spending money you don’t have. In this episode, you’ll learn how to pitch your release to press and playlists, create real marketing opportunities, find your unique angle, and make release day count. We’ll also dig into what a smart post-release campaign looks like so your music keeps moving long after launch day.
 
This episode is taken from the masterclass, New Release Blueprint, available exclusively in The Record Label Academy. Get lifetime access today: http://otherrecordlabels.com/academy

Lesson 2 — PREPARING YOUR NEW RELEASE
The Release Prep Checklist: Dates, Goals, Lead Time, and Distribution
PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels
Before you promote anything, you need a real plan. We’ll walk through how to know when your music is actually ready, how to pick a strategic release date, and how to build a workback schedule that keeps you on track. Plus we’ll cover setting measurable goals, organizing your assets, and choosing the right distributor so your release is built to succeed.
 
This episode is taken from the masterclass, New Release Blueprint, available exclusively in The Record Label Academy. Get lifetime access today: http://otherrecordlabels.com/academy

Lesson 1 — INTRO TO YOUR NEW RELEASE
Why Great Music Gets Ignored (And How to Fix It)
PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels
You can make an amazing record and still have it flop if the release plan isn’t there. In this episode, we break down the real reasons new music gets ignored—low effort, no lead time, weak post-release follow-through, bad luck, and even the hard truth about quality. Consider this your mindset reset before you plan your next release.
 
This episode is taken from the masterclass, New Release Blueprint, available exclusively in The Record Label Academy. Get lifetime access today: http://otherrecordlabels.com/academy

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Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels