I Hate Simkin

We're back with the plaque series for three more episodes! Jonathan Simkin reacts to some of the biggest records and strangest success stories of his career.
He breaks down how Matthew Good went from playing small Vancouver cafes to becoming one of the biggest bands in Canada, why Two Heads exploded worldwide, what major labels get wrong after a hit song, and how a funeral ballad quietly became one of 604 Records' most streamed songs ever.
The episode also dives into:
The early Matthew Good Band years
CFOX Seeds and Vancouver rock history
Why some artists become "one-hit wonders"
How losing the person who signed you to a label can put your music career on the shelf
The emotional impact of Dancing in the Sky
Coleman Hell, Mad Dog Jones, and Thunder Bay's weird creative scene
Why some Canadian bands never fully crossed into the US
Canadian Live rock scenes in the 90s
Featuring stories about Matthew Good, Coleman Hell, Dani and Lizzy, Nickelback, Mad Dog Jones, 21 Pilots, Carly Rae Jepsen, Pure, Dreamworks Records, Columbia Records and more.
Each segment is also available on Youtube (or soon will be). Like, reviews, shares, subscribing etc. help us big time. Thank you for listening!

Ryan is one of Vancouver's most respected producers, mixers, and songwriters. He has worked with artists including Dear Rouge, Fake Shark, The Royal Foundry, and many others across the Canadian music scene.
In this episode, Ryan breaks down how he built his studio from the ground up, how it hospitalized him with anxiety, and the art of being a good hang to move up in the music industry.
Topics include:
- Building Echo Plant Studio
- Why he left a heavily religious upbringing 
- Why mixing, producing, and songwriting require different mindsets
- Dear Rouge and Fake Shark
- The JUNOs are dwindling into nothingness
- Harrowing stories of anti-semites you come across from time to time in Music
- And much more!
This episode is also available in video form on YouTube. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist's career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

Vancouver historian, musician, and author Aaron Chapman joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from punk rock stages to city politics.
Aaron spent over 20 years working inside Vancouver's live music world, including at major venues like The Commodore Ballroom during the shift from House of Blues to Live Nation. He shares what changed behind the scenes as the industry became more corporate—and what that meant for musicians, venues, and audiences.
The conversation dives into the rise and fall of Vancouver's live music ecosystem, why mid-level bands struggle today, and how licensing laws, rising costs, and shifting nightlife habits reshaped the city's entertainment culture. Aaron also discusses his decision to leave Live Nation after two decades and pursue a run for Vancouver City Council with the OneCity party. He explains what pushed him toward politics, what he believes the city is getting wrong, and the small practical changes he thinks could make a real difference—especially for arts, venues, and local businesses.
This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist's career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

We're giving you the ultimate 4/20 guide on 4/19!
Jonathan Simkin sits down to chat through the best music you can listen to on 4/20, ranging from trippy Intraset tunes to Peter Tosh to Born Slippy by Underworld.
There's chat on why there's such a range of music linked with Cannabis and nostalgia around iconic live performances for stoners.
Just search 60420 or Hazy Days for either of the playlists mentioned during the podcast.
We'll have a regular episode as usual on Wednesday. This episode is also available on video on YouTube. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist's career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

Emma Higgins and Kesi Smyth join I Hate Simkin for a full-circle conversation about building careers in music, film, and everything in between.
Emma went from PA'ing on music video sets to becoming an award-winning music director with a feature film now streaming. Kesi helped shape 604 Records from the ground up and now runs the label as General Manager.
Topics include:
Starting at the bottom and breaking into directing
The collapse of music video budgets (and what replaced them)
What it really takes to make a feature film
The difference between talent vs confidence in creative careers
Industry gatekeeping, funding, and how projects actually get made
The reality of touring with major artists like Justin Bieber
Emma also breaks down how her film Sweetness went from idea to theaters, including funding, casting, and surviving production.
This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms and in video on YouTube. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.