I Hate Simkin
Podcast Description
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
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the music industry, exploring topics such as fame, label politics, and lesser-known anecdotes. Example episodes include discussions on why Nickelback faced backlash for their success and the dynamics between Three Doors Down and Nickelback, showcasing the unique pressures in the industry and the chaos behind the scenes.
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
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 in creative careers
- Industry gatekeeping, funding, and how projects actually get made
- The reality of touring with major artists like Justin Bieber
Emma also breaks down how her film Sweetness went from idea to theaters, including funding, casting, and surviving production.
This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms and in video on YouTube. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.