Todd Hancock on Being Fired from CFOX for Making too Much Money, Being on Air Every Day with his Ex-Fiancé & More on I Hate Simkin
Canadian Radio personality Todd Hancock sits down with Jonathan to look back on his career. They talk through the real reason CFOX fired him, how he built a better career for himself in podcasting, and his experience spending every morning on TV with his ex-fiancé. Todd & Jonathan also both update listeners requesting Chad Kroeger joins their pods, Jonathan explains why he had hard feelings about Theory of a Deadman leaving 604, and the difference between the likes of Josh Ramsay and Chad in dealing with the public. The full episode is available on Youtube in video also - Please leave a like/rating/comment wherever you watch or listen, it helps us with our reach a lot!
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Dallas Smith on Why he Took the Solo Country Gamble, The Manager that Nearly Bankrupted Him & More on I Hate Simkin
Dallas Smith sits down to trace a remarkable career arc: early club nights (Studebakers), a TVT deal that nearly derailed everything, and the eventual reinvention from rock frontman to platinum country artist. They discuss the business nightmares of label bankruptcy and locked masters, the relationship with Joey Moi & Mountain View, why 604’s hands-on model mattered, and how streaming and touring economics now change the way careers are built and paid. Dallas also opens up about the personal cost of touring, family challenges, and the friendships that outlasted it all. The full episode is available in video on Youtube also!
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Gaye Delorme's Untold Story of Novelty Music & Cheech & Chong Collabs, And Behind The Scenes Of Nickelback's Biggest Album: All The Right Reasons
Gaye Delorme was one of Canada’s most respected — and underrated — musicians. He never became a household name as a solo artist, but his fingerprints are all over legendary moments in music. From writing The Rodeo Song (a platinum-selling Canadian classic) to collaborating with Cheech & Chong on Earache My Eye, Gaye’s career was unconventional, hilarious, and brilliant. In this episode, Jonathan shares personal stories of meeting Gaye near the end of his life and being gifted Gaye’s own platinum record. We dive into why musicians revered him, how his larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression, and what it meant to be a “fixer” lawyer in the Canadian music industry. Jonathan also dives deep into the making of Nickelback’s blockbuster album All the Right Reasons—from the pressure after The Long Road, to hearing “Photograph” for the first time at 2 a.m., to Daniel Adair joining the band and the wave of online hate that ironically helped them sell out arenas. Hear how late-night phone calls, unexpected country influences, and a medieval castle wedding all tie into the band’s most successful era.
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I Hate Simkin Plaque Series Vol. 2 | Behind The Rise & Fall of Holly McNarland And How LEN Went from Underground Toronto Band to Global One-Hit Wonder
In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan reflects on managing Canadian rock singer Holly McNarland — from her edgy Sour Pie EP to her Juno-winning breakthrough with Stuff. Holly’s powerful voice, raw personality, and unforgettable stage presence made her stand out, but timing, life changes, and the harsh realities of the industry shaped her path. Jonathan shares candid stories about touring, the challenges of management, and why talent isn’t always enough in the music business, as well as a look at Holly's later work and what she's up to now. He also looks back at the plaque for You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, the album by LEN which included one of the biggest hits of the 90s, Steal My Sunshine - The story of how it came to be is filled with twists, chaos, and unforgettable moments. Jonathan shares his behind-the-scenes perspective on working with Marc & Sharon Costanzo — from early underground albums, to MuchMusic snow jams, to negotiating samples, to the international explosion of Steal My Sunshine. This episode dives into quirky brilliance, lawsuits, budgets blown on partying, and the reality of what happens when one hit song takes a band around the world. 🎙 Hosted by Jonathan Simkin, I Hate Simkin pulls back the curtain on the music industry with raw, unfiltered stories.
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I Hate Simkin Plaque Series Vol. 1 | Carly Rae Jepsen’s Secret Album & The Gamble That Made Matthew Good
In this first episode of a brand-new I Hate Simkin mini-series, Jonathan Simkin—President of 604 Records—digs through the plaques he’s been given over the years and shares the never-before-heard stories behind them. 🎶 Part One: Carly Rae Jepsen The untold story of her unreleased album that almost changed everything Why her admiration of Marianas Trench drew her to 604 Records The surprising ambition she had early on: starting her own label Her unique “listening party” feedback method that shaped her music The making of Tug of War and how Jonathan first signed her after Canadian Idol 🎸 Part Two: Matthew Good Band Jonathan’s high-stakes gamble to land him a record deal without knowing the industry How label execs chose not to help during Matthew’s bipolar struggles Why the angsty Canadian rock scene of the 2000s didn’t fully break into the U.S. Honest reflections on an era of Canadian music that almost broke through globally This episode blends untold stories of Carly Rae Jepsen’s rise and Matthew Good’s struggles, giving you an unfiltered look at the Canadian music industry—straight from the guy who lived it. 👉 Don’t miss this deep dive into Canadian music history. Full episode out now!
I Hate Simkin is a no-holds-barred music industry podcast hosted by veteran music executive Jonathan Simkin. With decades in the business, Simkin has seen it all—and now he’s telling the stories. Each episode, he sits down with artists, managers, and industry insiders he’s crossed paths with over the years to revisit the wild, weird, and game-changing moments that shaped their careers. From behind-the-scenes chaos to untold anecdotes, I Hate Simkin is a deep dive into the music industry like you’ve never heard before. Unfiltered, insightful, and always entertaining—tune in for the real stories behind the music. 🎙️🎵 #IHateSimkin
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