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Artwork for I Hate Simkin

I Hate Simkin

604 Podcast Network
Nickelback
604 Records
Matthew Good Band
Vancouver
Theory Of a Deadman
Len
Major Labels
Montreal, Canada
Vancouver, Canada
Qualicum Beach, Canada
Los Angeles, United States
Canadian Music Industry
Toronto
Armchair Cynics
AI In Music
Carly Rae Jepsen
Marianas Trench
Holly Mcnarland
Gaye Delorme
Louise Burns

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... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes34Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusic CommentaryMusic

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Artwork for I Hate Simkin

Latest Episodes

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 strug... more

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... more

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 ... more

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... more

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Recent Guests

Ryan Worsley
Producer, mixer, and songwriter
Echo Plant
Episode: Ryan Worsley on his Studio Hospitalizing him, The JUNOs Fading, Producing Dear Rouge & More
Aaron Chapman
Vancouver historian, writer, radio host, and politician
Vancouver community
Episode: Historian Aaron Chapman on Iconic Vancouver Venues, Leaving Live Nation, His Punk Band & More
Kesi Smyth
General Manager, 604 Label Group
604 Label Group
Episode: From PA to Award-Winning Director: Emma Higgins On Her Rise With Kesi Smyth & Jonathan Simkin
Emma Higgins
Award-winning video director and filmmaker
604 Label Group (former head of videography)
Episode: From PA to Award-Winning Director: Emma Higgins On Her Rise With Kesi Smyth & Jonathan Simkin
Kevvy Maher
Musician, producer, co-writer known for Fake Shark Real Zombie, Jackalope, and co-writer of the I Hate Simkin theme
604 Records / Fake Shark Real Zombie / Jackalope
Episode: Kevvy Maher On Co-Writing With Carly Rae Jepsen, Comics vs Musicians, HMV Encounters With Gary Oldman And Tom Green & More
Steve Bays
Singer of Hot Hot Heat; involved with Mounties, Fur Trade, Left Field Messiah
Hot Hot Heat; Mounties; Fur Trade; Left Field Messiah
Episode: Steve Bays on Hot Hot Heat's Collapse, AI in Music Is Getting Scary, Latest on Mounties & More
Kayla Diamond
Musician and label founder
Kolossal
Episode: Kayla Diamond on Leaving Law To Launch a Label, How Spotify Has Made & Erased Careers & More
Alanna (Fionn member)
Member of Fionn, multi-instrumentalist
Fionn
Episode: Fionn On Why People Assume They're Bad Before They Even Play & Humiliation Of Their Early TikToks
Brianne (Fionn member)
Member of Fionn, multi-instrumentalist
Fionn
Episode: Fionn On Why People Assume They're Bad Before They Even Play & Humiliation Of Their Early TikToks

Host

Jonathan Simkin
Host of I Hate Simkin, veteran music executive with deep industry experience

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Grant Lawrence on 28 years inside the CBC, why 54-40 get snubbed by the Junos and more
Q: Okay. So, um, Grant, well, Grant currently is a on air celebrity at CBC. You host the top 10 show? Is that what it's called?
Grant describes hosting CBC Music Top 20, a tenure of around five years, and the evolution of the show from Top 30 to Top 20 as the network rebranded; he contextualizes his role within CBC Music.
Steve Bays on Hot Hot Heat's Collapse, AI in Music Is Getting Scary, Latest on Mounties & More
Q: What is the current state of the band and are there plans for future activity?
Steve Bays emphasizes that there's no active dynamics to guarantee a reunion unless the vibes and environment are right, but he remains open to future collaboration if the conditions align and the energy feels authentic.
From PA to Award-Winning Director: Emma Higgins On Her Rise With Kesi Smyth & Jonathan Simkin
Q: How has DEI influenced opportunities for women directors in Canada according to the speakers?
The speakers discuss how DEI policies and broader industry shifts opened doors in some periods but acknowledge that progress has been uneven and that ongoing advocacy remains important.
From PA to Award-Winning Director: Emma Higgins On Her Rise With Kesi Smyth & Jonathan Simkin
Q: What role did awards like the Junos play in her career and legitimacy?
She notes the award helped with visibility and certain practicalities like visa paperwork, and as a talking point that signals credibility to outsiders even if it wasn't the sole factor in getting jobs.
From PA to Award-Winning Director: Emma Higgins On Her Rise With Kesi Smyth & Jonathan Simkin
Q: How did Emma transition from early videography work to directing a feature film?
Emma talks about rewrites, Telefilm applications, assembling a core team, and securing external financing while she continued directing and building a body of work that demonstrated her capability to helm a large project.

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Frequently Asked Questions About I Hate Simkin

What is I Hate Simkin about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series operates as an unvarnished, insider's tour through the music industry, anchored by veteran executive Jonathan Simkin. Conversations typically center on career-defining moments, label politics, artist development, and behind-the-scenes stories from the Canadian music scene and beyond. Episodes blend hard-earned industry lessons with colorful anecdotes—from publishing deals and radio play dynamics to major label shifts, partnerships, and the evolving role of video, management, and marketing. A notable strength is the host's ability to draw out candid memories and strategic decisions, making it a valuable listen for anyone curious about dealmaking, artist growth, and the realities of navigating a long, turbulent industry. A recurrin... more

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Which podcasts are similar to I Hate Simkin?

These podcasts share a similar audience with I Hate Simkin:

1. Pivot
2. SmartLess
3. Adam Carolla Show
4. Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
5. The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast

How many episodes of I Hate Simkin are there?

I Hate Simkin launched a year ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on I Hate Simkin?

Recent guests on I Hate Simkin include:

1. Ryan Worsley
2. Aaron Chapman
3. Kesi Smyth
4. Emma Higgins
5. Kevvy Maher
6. Steve Bays
7. Kayla Diamond
8. Alanna (Fionn member)

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