Canadian Music Legend on Nickelback, Marianas Trench & the Real Music Biz | I Hate Simkin X Ralph James #5
In this episode of I Hate Simkin, music industry legend Ralph James sits down with Jonathan Simkin to pull back the curtain on the real business behind the bands. They dive into Ralph’s wild journey from rock musician to booking agent to industry gatekeeper — and the crucial role he played in the rise of bands like Nickelback and Marianas Trench. From Canadian touring nightmares to artist reinvention, from merit-based representation to the chaos of live shows, Ralph shares hard-earned truths about the ever-changing music industry. Plus: industry controversies, substance abuse, gambling, and what success really looks like after decades in the game. 🎙 Whether you're a die-hard music fan or just industry-curious, this one’s packed with unfiltered insights and backstage stories. Chapters: 02:00 Ralph’s musical past & Harlequin 04:59 Touring Canada & artist management 10:05 Marianas Trench: evolution & strategy 15:02 Nickelback’s early struggles 19:56 Controversies & misunderstandings in music 24:54 Merit, representation & fairness 31:08 Early career challenges 32:04 How the live music business changed 34:38 Reinvigorating a career 36:26 Passion for the job 37:18 Listening properly 39:13 Relationship-building in the industry 40:31 Reflections on success 42:00 Gambling & substance abuse 43:21 The future of the biz 51:17 Indie artist hustle 53:40 Creative freedom in production
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How the Music Industry Changed: Publishing, Sync, and Artist Freedom | Jodie Ferneyhough x I Hate Simkin #3
In this episode of I Hate Simkin, music publisher and rights management expert Jodie Ferneyhough joins host Jonathan Simkin for a deep dive into the evolution of the music industry in Canada and beyond. They cover how artists today are gaining independence from major labels, the growing importance of music publishing and sync licensing, and what it really takes to build a sustainable music career in the streaming age. They share insights from working with legacy estates like Glenn Gould, the rise of ambient music, and what the future looks like for music rights, catalog value, and niche genres. Whether you're a musician, manager, or just love music industry stories, this episode is packed with insider knowledge you won't want to miss. Chapters 02:46 The Changing Canadian Music Industry 05:49 Personal Journeys in Music Management 11:54 The Confusing Role of Labels Today 15:10 Artists Taking Control of Their Careers 18:02 Reflections on Major Labels and Their Future 27:36 The State of the Music Industry 30:06 Creating a Hub for Artists 32:29 The Shift to Digital and Niche Markets 36:07 What Is Success in the New Music Landscape 43:48 The Crazy Value of Music Catalogs 55:27 The Mystery of Sync Licensing 01:00:10 Building a Music Rights Management Company 01:04:20 The Glenn Gould Administration 01:07:44 The Rise of Ambient Music
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From Guns N’ Roses to Holly McNarland: The Real Story of Canada’s Music Industry | I Hate Simkin #3 w/ Brian Hetherman
Brian Hetherman joins Jonathan Simkin for an unfiltered dive into the chaos, quirks, and culture of the Canadian music industry through the ’90s and early 2000s. This is unfiltered, behind-the-scenes storytelling from two people who’ve seen it all. 🎧 Subscribe & follow I Hate Simkin wherever you get your podcasts. 📌 New episodes every second Friday. Chapters 03:10 The Much Music Video Awards and Industry Politics 06:05 A&R Experiences and Band Signings 08:51 The Evolution of Age of Electric and Static in Stereo 15:00 Early Career Experiences in the Music Business 17:53 Strip Bar Obsessions and Rock Band Culture 20:57 Management Challenges and Artist Relationships 26:55 The Impact of Major Label Mergers 29:49 Holly McNarland and Her Musical Journey 33:35 The Unconventional Approach to Music Business 36:33 Navigating the Challenges of Music Funding 38:39 The Evolution of Indie Labels and Global Reach 40:05 The Impact of Major Labels on Artist Success 43:29 The Rollercoaster of Fame and Its Aftermath 47:57 The Shift from Physical to Digital Music 51:20 The New Dynamics of Touring and Revenue 53:29 The Changing Landscape of Music Videos 56:18 The Role of Canadian Funding in Music Production 01:01:15 Reflections on the Music Industry's Evolution IHateSimkin #BrianHetherman #CanadianMusic #MuchMusic #604Records #MusicIndustry #HollyMcNarland #AgeOfElectric #PodcastFullEpisode #SpotifyPodcasts #ApplePodcasts
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One-Hit Wonders, Creative Control & the Chaos of Artist Development | I Hate Simkin X Michael McCarty #2
🎙 EPISODE 2 — I HATE SIMKIN ft. MICHAEL MCCARTY Michael McCarty (former SOCAN exec and publishing legend) joins Jonathan Simkin to talk about the realities of working with artists — from spotting talent early to surviving the music industry long term. They dive into: The rise of Steal My Sunshine and Call Me Maybe Creative control in music videos vs. major label expectations What artist development actually means behind the scenes Why songwriting still trumps hype One-hit wonders and what defines “lasting” success The Wild West era of sampling — and what’s changed Digital collectibles & future artist revenue streams This is unfiltered, behind-the-scenes storytelling from two people who’ve been in it for decades. 🎧 Subscribe & follow I Hate Simkin wherever you get your podcasts. 📌 New episodes every second Friday. Chapters: 01:17 The Origin of 'I Hate Simkin' 03:06 Polarizing Figures in the Music Industry 07:10 Early Career Reflections and Aggression in Law 09:05 The Journey of Matthew Good and Music Publishing 12:46 Artist Development and the Role of Publishers 15:08 The Evolution of Music Videos and Creative Control 20:39 The Impact of 'Steal My Sunshine' and Sampling 32:08 The Enduring Nature of Music and Licensing Trends 34:34 The Impact of 'Call Me Maybe' and the Download Era 37:43 Identifying Talent: The Art of A&R 40:08 The Intrigue of Music Videos and Artist Personas 42:20 The Reality of One-Hit Wonders 43:34 The Craft of Songwriting: More Than Meets the Ear 45:05 The Challenge of Repeated Success in Music 48:39 Green Lighting: The Decision-Making Process in Music 51:32 Lessons from George Lucas and the Beatles 57:06 The Evolution of Music Production and Artist Development 01:06:55 The New Era of Music: Technology and Direct Artist Engagement 01:12:49 The Future of Digital Collectibles in Music #IHateSimkin #MichaelMcCarty #MusicIndustry #604Records #OneHitWonders #ArtistDevelopment #CallMeMaybe #StealMySunshine #MusicVideos #PodcastLaunch #MusicPodcast #SpotifyPodcasts #ApplePodcasts #FullEpisode
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Why Nickelback Got Hate for Being Too Popular | Mike Kroeger x I Hate Simkin #1
🎙 EPISODE 1 — I HATE SIMKIN ft. MIKE KROEGER (Nickelback) Nickelback’s Mike Kroeger joins longtime friend and 604 Records co-founder Jonathan Simkin to kick off the first episode of I Hate Simkin. They dive into the real story behind the iconic “I Hate Simkin” T-shirt Why fans seem to punish success and love their artists tormented Three Doors Down vs. Nickelback: The rise, the resentment, and the industry’s double standard Label politics, Twitter pile-ons, and the truth about staying normal in a chaotic business 🎧 Subscribe & follow I Hate Simkin wherever you get your podcasts. 📌 New episodes every second Friday.
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
Buy your 'I Hate Simkin' shirt here: https://604shop.com/products/i-hate-simkin-tee
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