I Hate Simkin – Details, episodes & analysis

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I Hate Simkin

604 Podcast Network

Music

Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 33

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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Score global : 73%

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Louise Burns on Signing for Madonna, Early Stardom, & Major Label Exploitation of Teenagers

Season 1 · Episode 15

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 • Duration 01:20:28

What really happened behind the scenes of North America's biggest pop wave?
Jonathan Simkin sits down with Louise Burns to unpack her journey being thrown in the deep end of the music industry as a teenager — from being signed by Madonna to navigating the intense experience of record labels pressuring teenagers to lose weight.

Louise reveals never-before-heard stories from the early 2000s pop machine with Lillix, a forgotten album that never came out, and what it was really like to grow up inside the Canadian music industry while the rest of the world was watching.

This episode blends nostalgia, insight, and raw honesty about the realities of success, creative control, and the business of making it big in music.

🎧 I Hate Simkin is where 604 Records founder Jonathan Simkin shares unfiltered conversations with the artists who shaped Canadian music — from massive pop moments to the scenes that never made the headlines.

The full video episode is available on Youtube too. If you're enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating/review, it helps us big time!

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The Dave Genn Interview Part 2: The Experience of a Band Collapsing, Canada's 90s Rock Explosion & Holly McNarland's Era

Season 1 · Episode 14

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 49:32

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan Simkin (604 Records) sits down with Dave Genn (54-40) to look back on the wild early days of Vancouver's rock scene — from Dead Surf Kiss (DSK) and 24 Gone, to Holly McNarland, Matthew Good Band, and beyond.

They revisit the chaos, the friendships, and the heartbreak that defined the 90s Vancouver music era — including a Detroit radio hit they never even knew about, record deals that almost happened, and how creative relationships can implode under pressure.

👉 You can watch the full episode now on Youtube (@IHateSimkin) — it's a crash course in Canadian music history, told by two people who lived it.

If you're enjoying the podcast please leave a rating/review, it helps us big time!

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Canadian Music Legend on Nickelback, Marianas Trench & the Real Music Biz | I Hate Simkin X Ralph James #5

Season 1 · Episode 5

Friday, July 11, 2025 • Duration 56:08

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

How the Music Industry Changed: Publishing, Sync, and Artist Freedom | Jodie Ferneyhough x I Hate Simkin #3

Season 1 · Episode 3

Friday, June 27, 2025 • Duration 01:19:57

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

From Guns N' Roses to Holly McNarland: The Real Story of Canada's Music Industry | I Hate Simkin #3 w/ Brian Hetherman

Season 1 · Episode 3

Friday, June 13, 2025 • Duration 01:08:40

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

One-Hit Wonders, Creative Control & the Chaos of Artist Development | I Hate Simkin X Michael McCarty #2

Season 1 · Episode 2

Friday, May 30, 2025 • Duration 01:16:14

🎙 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

Why Nickelback Got Hate for Being Too Popular | Mike Kroeger x I Hate Simkin #1

Season 1 · Episode 1

Friday, May 16, 2025 • Duration 47:48

🎙 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.

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I Hate Simkin: The Stories They Don't Tell in Music Docs

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 • Duration 00:56

🎙 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.

#IHateSimkin #604Records #MusicPodcast #JonathanSimkin #PodcastTrailer #MusicIndustryUnfiltered

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The Dave Genn interview part 1: The Matthew Good Band implosion, Reflections on The Armchair Cynics and more

Season 1 · Episode 13

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • Duration 41:01

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!

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Todd Hancock on Being Fired from CFOX for Making too Much Money, Being on Air Every Day with his Ex-Fiancé & More on I Hate Simkin

Season 1 · Episode 12

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 01:01:33

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!

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I Hate Simkin – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

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Apple Podcasts

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I Hate Simkin – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Other1

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities