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!
--------
34:20
--------
34:20
Uncovering The Darkest Side Of The Canadian Music Industry | Karen Bliss on I Hate Simkin #7
Journalist Karen Bliss joins Jonathan for an unfiltered conversation about the Canadian music industry. They dive into the intimidation of networking and personal insecurities, investigating allegations and the emotional weight of journalism. Chapters: 06:35 Navigating the Music Industry: Personal Experiences 12:48 Mentorship and Community in Music 16:06 Investigating Allegations in the Music Industry 24:44 The Struggles of Investigative Journalism 30:10 The Impact of COVID on Careers 34:31 The State of Canadian Music Industry 39:14 The Shift in Artist Development 44:04 The Changing Landscape of Fame and Success
--------
45:52
--------
45:52
The Wild Story Behind Len, Lawsuits & The Fall of Song Corp | I Hate Simkin X Mark DiPietro #6
From indie cred to legal disasters — this episode goes deep into the real stories behind some of Canada’s most iconic music moments. Jonathan sits down with Mark DiPietro (DSK, Teenage USA, Song Corp) to talk about the wild ride of managing artists like Len, dealing with explosive fame, and the career landmines most people never see coming. They unpack: The bizarre rise of Len and what happened after The value and illusion of “indie credibility” How artist relationships can make — or break — your label Why The Weeknd succeeded and Song Corp collapsed The importance of mentorship in a chaotic industry And how some wounds in music take decades to heal It’s nostalgic, insightful, and sometimes absurd — a must-listen for anyone trying to understand the Canadian music industry from the inside out. 🎙 Full episode out now on YouTube + all podcast platforms. Chapters: 02:53 The Music Business Journey Begins 06:08 The DSK Connection 08:48 The Rise of Len and 'Steal My Sunshine' 11:59 The Complexities of Artist Relationships 14:48 Navigating the Music Industry's Challenges 18:13 The Impact of Indie Cred 21:13 How Music Consumption has Changed 26:59 The Aftermath of Legal Battles 37:54 The Aftermath of Fame for Artists 41:31 Mentorship and the Journey of Teenage USA 42:57 The Evolution of The Weeknd 44:40 Defining Success in the Music Industry 45:40 Navigating the Challenges of Record Labels 47:39 Lessons from the Fall of Song Corp 51:41 The Journey of Selling and Regaining Control 01:07:44 Reflections on the Music Industry and Personal Growth 01:12:27 The Nickelback Phenomenon and Closing Thoughts #IHateSimkin #MarkDiPietro #Len #StealMySunshine #CanadianMusic #MusicIndustry #IndieMusic #TeenageUSA #TheWeeknd #ArtistRelations #Nickelback #604Records #MusicPodcast
--------
1:12:02
--------
1:12:02
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
--------
56:08
--------
56:08
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
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
Canada - english