Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast I Hate Simkin

🎙 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. 

🎙 Welcome to I Hate Simkin — the unfiltered podcast hosted by 604 Records co-founder Jonathan Simkin.

You've heard the music. Now hear the chaos behind it. Every episode, Simkin sits down with the artists, agents, and music lifers who've helped shape 604 Records — and survived him in the process.

No PR polish. No soft edits. Just the real stories about fame, failure, label politics, and the stuff that never makes the press releases.

📌 New episodes drop every second Friday.

🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more. 

🎙 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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

This interview went on for a while, so we're doubling up with a part 2 this time next week!

Dave Genn of 54-40, formerly of Matthew Good Band, and producer of many albums including Marianas Trench's Fix Me sits down with Jonathan Simkin to look back on decades shared in the Canadian music industry.

Dave gives us the inside track on how one of the biggest bands in Canada was doomed from the start despite so much popularity, why you shouldn't expect your favourite bands to stay together, and a look back on the Armchair Cynics new music 20 years after their big push to make it in the industry.

They also reflect on the chaos of Canadian rock in the 2000s, and laugh through stories of the records that almost never saw the light of day.

The full episode is available in video on Youtube, and part 2 is out this time next week.

If you're enjoying the podcast please leave a rating/review as it helps us reach more people who want insider info on the biggest acts in Canada across the last 30 years!

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!