I Hate Simkin

The Mailbag Episode - Why Dallas Left Default, Elliot Smith Was Unique, Nickelback's San Quentin & More

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

Quarterlife Crisis at 20: The Suits XL on Losing Yohann, Disappearing After a Top 10 Hit & More

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 a

Taron Cochrane on Saskatchewan's Deep, Diverse Range of Music, Northern Pikes, Reviving The Raccoons & More

CBC producer Taron Cochrane has spent years telling stories about Canadian music. In this conversation with Jonathan Simkin they cover everything from championing Saskatc

Ally Baran & Connell Simkin Watt On Marianas/Nickelback Concerts Behind The Scenes, Being Blind In Music & More

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 conversati

How Nickelback Got Signed: A&R Legend Ron Burman on the Early Days of Nickelback & 604 Records

Jonathan welcomes a true industry titan and longtime friend: Ron Burman, the legendary former A&R executive at Roadrunner Records who famously signed Nickelback. Jonath

The Music Industry Is Rigged? Jo Loewenthal on the Truth Behind Publishing Deals (Part 2)

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 Pub

Jo Loewenthal's Shocking Audit of the Music Industry - Part 1

After seeing Jo Lowenthal publicly question how artists get paid, Jonathan reached out. What followed was a deep conversation about publishing, neighbouring rights, missi

The Plaque Series Part 2 Episode 3: Carly Rae's I Really Like You, My Darkest Days' Pornstar Dancing, & Theory of a Deadman's Scars & Souvenirs

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'

The Plaque Series Part 2 Episode 2: Nickelback's The Long Road, Marianas Trench's Astoria, & A Rant On The Organ's Acceptance Speech

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.

The Plaque Series Part 2 Episode 1: Matthew Good's The Last of the Ghetto Astronauts, Coleman Hell's 2 Heads, & Dani & Lizzy's Dancing in the Sky

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

Ryan Worsley on his Studio Hospitalizing him, The JUNOs Fading, Producing Dear Rouge & More

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 oth

Historian Aaron Chapman on Iconic Vancouver Venues, Leaving Live Nation, His Punk Band & More

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 ov

The 60420 Special - Music & Marijuana and Our Best Picks for 4/20

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

From PA to Award-Winning Director: Emma Higgins On Her Rise With Kesi Smyth & Jonathan Simkin

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

Kevvy Maher On Co-Writing With Carly Rae Jepsen, Comics vs Musicians, HMV Encounters With Gary Oldman And Tom Green & More

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 earl

Steve Bays on Hot Hot Heat's Collapse, AI in Music Is Getting Scary, Latest on Mounties & More

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

Kayla Diamond on Leaving Law To Launch a Label, How Spotify Has Made & Erased Careers & More

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 scho

Fionn On Why People Assume They're Bad Before They Even Play & Humiliation Of Their Early TikToks

Fionn (Alanna & Brianne Finn Morris) sit down for an honest, unfiltered conversation about building a music career from childhood. From nearly losing their first auditi

Dave Benedict & Danny Craig on Default's Rise & Fall, Watching Dallas' Country Career, How TVT Records Failed them & More

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 K

Theory of a Deadman pt.2: The Nickelback Relationship & The New Sound in Upcoming Music

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 label