I Hate Simkin

Not the Plaque Series — something a bit looser. This week Jonathan digs through everything that's piled up around the 604 offices lately: Plaques, an award, and one very personal autographed CD, going through them one by one as each turns into a story. Jonathan also takes a look at just how much the music business has shifted — Warner Canada's leadership change, mass layoffs across the majors, and SOCAN's move to absorb CMRRA etc., as well as a longer term look at cultural and structural improvements that have happened across the years. The episode includes analysis & stories arou...

It's been almost two decades since Jonathan last spoke with Olivier and Sam of The Suits XL — the Quebec City pop act that became 604 Records' first francophone signing and first Top 10 pop hit with "Play." To mark the 20th anniversary reissue of their album Quarterlife Crisis, the trio gets back together (virtually) to trace the band's whole arc: how a manager named Frank connected them with 604, the marathon recording sessions with the Berman Brothers and legendary Quebec engineer Rob Einy, shooting the "Play" video in Cuba, and the stranger, moodier world of the "Low" video shoot in Bu...

CBC producer Taron Cochrane has spent years telling stories about Canadian music. In this conversation with Jonathan Simkin they cover everything from championing Saskatchewan artists to helping bring national attention to The Raccoons soundtrack revival.  Along the way they discuss Canadian punk legends DOA, The Northern Pikes, Propagandhi, rare vinyl collecting, music journalism, Expo 86, Walter Ostanek, and why Canada has far more musical history than most people realize. The conversation includes: Taron's role at CBC Saskatchewan & Manitoba Championing Saskatchewan artists on national radio The story behind The Raccoons revival W...

This episode is a little different. Jonathan is joined by his son, Connell Simkin Watt, and Connell's girlfriend, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Ally, for a conversation about songwriting, music school, and launching a career in today's music industry. Ally shares the story behind her upcoming debut single "Rabbit Hole," how a dream inspired the song, and what it's been like developing her sound while studying music in Toronto. She also opens up about pursuing music as a visually impaired artist and the impact she hopes her work will have. The conversation also covers: ...

Jonathan welcomes a true industry titan and longtime friend: Ron Burman, the legendary former A&R executive at Roadrunner Records who famously signed Nickelback. Jonathan and Ron jump into a time capsule to reconstruct the late-'90s grind that launched a multi-platinum powerhouse. They reveal how Chad Kroeger used to prank-call radio stations pretending to be an indie promoter, the exact moment Ron got goosebumps watching the band play "Leader of Men" in a damp Vancouver venue, and the uphill battle of pitching a mainstream rock band to a hardcore metal label. Plus stories like...

Jo Loewenthal joins Jonathan Simkin for part 2 of this chat exposing the music industry. Jo explains why he terminated his publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing and why he's now asking the Supreme Court of New South Wales to determine whether that termination was valid. The conversation expands far beyond one contract dispute. Jo and Jonathan discuss publishing deals, royalty collection societies, neighbouring rights, SOCAN, PRS, APRA AMCOS, governance issues, board structures, voting systems, artist representation, transparency, and the growing debate around how music royalties are collected and distributed around the world. Topics...

After seeing Jo Lowenthal publicly question how artists get paid, Jonathan reached out. What followed was a deep conversation about publishing, neighbouring rights, missing data, royalty collection systems, transparency, and why so many artists struggle to understand where their money actually comes from. Jo (lead vocalist of Tora) explains how years of auditing his own catalog led him into a maze of publishing societies, international royalty systems, privacy requests, and millions of lines of data. Along the way he discovered missing registrations, unexplained reporting gaps, and answers from industry organizations that raised even more questions. ...

We're back with the last episode of our second plaque series! From Theory of a Deadman fighting the "Nickelback clone" label, to the controversy around My Darkest Days' "Porn Star Dancing," to the emotional fallout after Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" era — this episode dives deep into the music industry politics, artist development, producer influence, and nostalgia resurgence bringing these bands back into the spotlight. Jonathan talks about: Chad Kroeger and Joey Moi's influence on modern rock How Theory of a Deadman finally escaped Nickelback comparisons The success and backlash of Porn Star Da...

Jonathan Simkin breaks down the real story behind Nickelback backlash, internet hate culture, Marianas Trench pressure, and the fallout between 604 Records and The Organ. From The Long Road selling millions while being labeled a "failure," to when Nickelback started to get public abuse, Jonathan explains what was actually happening behind the scenes during one of the biggest backlashes against a rock band. He looks back on giving up creative control on Marianas Trench's This Means War video, and why that song didn't connect commercially. He also responds in detail to comments and narratives surrounding The...

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...

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 r...

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, ri...

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...

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...

Kevvy Maher of Fake Shark joins I Hate Simkin to talk about behind the scenes stories of Canada's music and comedy industry. They cover: • How Carly Rae Jepsen's early album was nearly scrapped • Why "Call Me Maybe" became the single • From working at HMV to quitting for music • Building 604 Records' studio by accident • Sync licensing in NHL and NBA broadcasts • Comedy Here Often and the business of stand-up • Celebrity encounters with Gary Oldman and Tom Green • Why comedians are "the most vicious" industry And much more! This epis...

Steve Bays, singer of Hot Hot Heat, joins I Hate Simkin for an in-depth conversation about the realities of success in the music industry. From recording DIY demos and signing with Sub Pop and Warner Bros to touring internationally and landing major radio hits, Steve reflects on how fame reshaped his life and career. They explore why most bands don't last, how AI is changing music creation, the pressures of major labels, and what it takes to build a sustainable creative life after commercial success. Steve also discusses Mounties, Left Field Messiah, producing...

Kayla Diamond joins I Hate Simkin to chat about the realities of the modern music industry — the parts that happen after you make it. Kayla shares how she left law school to pursue music, accidentally hung up on the label that signed her, and quickly found herself navigating radio success, touring pressure, and an industry that didn't work the way she was promised. They explore how streaming platforms reshaped careers overnight, the emotional toll of bad management, why Kayla stepped away at her peak — and how she rebuilt her life and career by founding Kolossal Reco...

Fionn (Alanna & Brianne Finn Morris) sit down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about building a music career from childhood. From nearly losing their first audition to extortion pressure, to busking with their own speakers, to finally earning their first-ever Billboard #1 plaque, this episode breaks down the realities of artists people don't see online. They talk about:  The night someone tried to cancel their audition unless they were paid  Why people often expect female artists to be bad before they play  Bringing their own speakers to a record label audition  Why it really takes 10 years to b...

Danny Craig and Dave Benedict of Default join Jonathan Simkin for a brutally honest breakdown of how the band really got started — and what almost ended it. From Chad Kroeger discovering the band and early Vancouver showcases, to Greenhouse Studios, Nickelback tours, and the chaotic rise of Wasting My Time, this episode pulls back the curtain on how fast success actually works — and how fragile it is. They break down: • Why TVT Records failed them at distribution • The feeling watching Dallas' success after Default • Radio spins vs real album sales...

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan Simkin sits down with Tyler Connolly and Dean Back of Theory of a Deadman for a brutally honest conversation about record labels, ownership, and what it actually means to be a rock band in today's music industry. They break down why major label deals stopped making sense, the most exciting moments of their career, and the "old-but-new" sound they're chasing in their next chapter. From masters and short-term deals to cancel culture, social media backlash, and the illusion of success, this episode pulls back the curtain on what longevity...