AI is showing up everywhere in the music industry — writing emails, summarizing deals, generating marketing plans… and now, drafting contracts.

But just because AI can help with music law, doesn’t mean it should.

---- Presented by LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels ----

In this episode, I sit down with Cassandra Spangler, a New York–based music and entertainment attorney, to talk honestly about the growing trend of artists and indie labels using AI tools like ChatGPT for legal work — and why that can quietly put your catalog, your money, and your artists at serious risk.

We dig into:

• Why AI-generated contracts often sound legit — even when they’re wrong

• The hidden dangers of missing clauses, loopholes, and jurisdiction issues

• Why “I didn’t understand the contract” isn’t a legal defense

• The lack of accountability, confidentiality, and attorney-client privilege with AI

• How artists and labels are using AI the right way — as a starting point, not a replacement

This isn’t an anti-AI episode. I openly talk about how I use AI daily — including for this podcast. But when it comes to contracts, rights, royalties, and long-term careers, this conversation draws a clear line between helpful tools and costly shortcuts.

**Get in Touch with Cassandra Spangler: https://www.cspanglermusiclaw.com/

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

Starting a record label is exciting—but sticking with it is where the real work begins.

In Episode 8 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott focuses on one of the most important (and underrated) qualities of successful labels: consistency. Not hustle. Not volume. Not chasing trends—but showing up in a sustainable, repeatable way over time.

This episode explores:

• Why consistency matters more than frequency

• Choosing a release cadence you can actually maintain

• The difference between full-length releases, singles, and supplemental content

• How the pipeline supports consistency and prevents burnout

• Why a label’s greatest asset is its catalog, not any single release

• How labels act as a bridge between artists and music fans

Scott reframes the role of a record label as a long-term conduit—balancing the infinite appetite of music fans with the creative rhythms of artists—and explains how thoughtful consistency builds trust, momentum, and sustainability for everyone involved.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

Contracts and royalties are where a lot of people get stuck—and for good reason. Record labels have a long history of bad deals, broken trust, and artists getting the short end of the stick. In Episode 7 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott tackles this head-on and explains how modern independent labels can do things differently.

This episode walks through the fundamentals of contracts and royalties from a practical, empathetic perspective—without legal jargon and without pretending there’s a one-size-fits-all solution.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why you do need contracts—and why they protect artists as much as labels

• When to involve a music attorney (and why templates and AI contracts fall short)

• Common contract terms artists actually care about (term length, exclusivity, territory)

• How licensing master recordings works for indie labels

• Why 50/50 profit sharing has become a modern standard

• How to structure fair splits while keeping the label sustainable

• The importance of having these conversations before any music is released

Scott emphasizes that the most important part of any contract isn’t the paperwork—it’s the conversation. Clear expectations, honest communication, and transparency from day one are what turn contracts from something scary into something empowering.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

People love to say there’s no money in the music industry. And honestly? It can feel that way—especially when you’re just getting started.

In Episode 6 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott tackles this myth head-on and shares what he’s seen firsthand after nearly a decade of working with independent labels across every genre imaginable. Not major labels. Not household names. Real, niche, often obscure labels that are quietly building sustainable, profitable businesses.

This episode breaks down:

• Why some indie labels are thriving while others stay stuck

• The difference between struggling revenue streams and sustainable ones

• Traditional label income (streaming, physical sales, sync, merch)

• Why the healthiest labels rely on multiple revenue streams

• How predictable income and release cycles balance each other

• The power of creating one unique revenue stream no one else has

Scott explains why diversification—not chasing trends—is what keeps labels alive long-term, and why many of the most inspiring labels succeed by combining music with something bigger: studios, stores, education, events, or entirely new ideas that only they could create.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

In Episode 5 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott walks through what actually happens when you’re ready to release music—and how to do it in a way that gives your record the best possible chance to succeed.

From choosing the right release date to working backward months in advance, this episode breaks down the practical realities of releasing music today, especially if you’re dealing with physical formats, digital distribution, and limited time and resources.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to choose a release date that serves the music (not just the calendar)

• Why working backward from release day is essential—especially for vinyl and physical formats

• What assets you need before release day (artwork, photos, videos, press materials, instrumentals)

• How pre-release singles, preorders, and promotion fit into a release timeline

• Why release day is not the finish line—and how to think about the long tail of your music

One of the most intimidating questions new label owners face is: How do I actually find artists for my record label? And right behind it: How do I even approach an artist without feeling awkward or unqualified?

PRESENTED BY LANDR - landr.com/otherrecordlabels

In Episode 4, Scott breaks this down in the most practical—and human—way possible. Instead of chasing hype or cold-pitching strangers, he explains why the healthiest labels grow slowly, organically, and through genuine relationships.

This episode explores:

• Why most labels start with the founder’s own music or close community

• How to “expand your radius” from friends to friends-of-friends to wider scenes

• Matching your label’s stage with artists at the same point in their career

• Using Bandcamp as a powerful (and underused) artist discovery tool

• Why community matters more than connections

• The right mindset for approaching artists: being a fan first, always

Scott shares real stories from his own label’s early days and explains why starting from authenticity—not opportunity—is the foundation of long-term trust, sustainable growth, and meaningful releases.

One of the biggest questions new label owners ask is: When can I officially launch my record label? Is it when you announce the name? Post a logo? Release your first record?

PRESENTED BY LANDR - http://landr.com/otherrecordlabels

In Episode 3, Scott explains why the real answer has less to do with a launch date—and everything to do with what he calls the pipeline.

This episode breaks down why a record label isn’t legitimate because of one release, but because of what comes next. Scott walks through how professional labels think months (and years) ahead, and why momentum, consistency, and planning are what separate sustainable labels from one-off projects.

You’ll learn:

• What a “pipeline” actually is and why every label needs one before launching

• How far ahead your releases should realistically be planned

• A manageable release cadence for one-person and small labels

• How to stagger projects across 3, 6, and 12-month timelines

• Why pipelines build confidence with artists, press, and fans

A strong pipeline keeps your label from stalling after the excitement of release day and helps you build a healthy, sustainable catalog over time—even when some releases perform better than others.

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest reasons people never start a record label. That quiet (or loud) voice asking: Who am I to do this? Why would anyone care about my taste, my curation, or my point of view?

In this episode, Scott breaks down why imposter syndrome never really goes away—even for Grammy-winning label owners—and why that’s actually good news. Instead of waiting to feel “qualified,” he reframes the conversation around what truly makes a record label valuable: your unique taste, your lived experience, and the specific combination of influences only you can bring to the table.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand why imposter syndrome is normal at every level of the music industry

• Identify the unique ingredients that make your label different (genre, geography, format, values, and that all-important X-factor)

• Stop comparing yourself to existing labels and start owning your own curation

If you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, feeling like an outsider, or waiting for permission to begin—this episode is your reminder that no one else can build the label you’re meant to create.

Because yes, we’re all imposters. And that’s exactly why your record label matters.

Branding Your Record Label (Why the Name Matters Less Than You Think)

In Episode 2 of How to Start a Record Label This Year, Scott dives into branding—specifically how to name your label, define your identity, and build a brand that actually connects with the right audience.

If you’ve been stuck obsessing over the perfect label name, this episode is your permission slip to move on. Scott breaks down why your name won’t make or break your label, what does matter when choosing one, and how to avoid common mistakes that can slow you down before you even release music.

This episode covers:

• Why most successful labels weren’t built on clever names—but clear identity

• Practical rules for choosing a label name (logos, domains, searchability, and social handles)

• How niche, taste, and curation form the real foundation of your brand

• Using genre, geography, format, and values to “dog-whistle” to your audience

• Translating your niche into visual branding, design, and consistency

Branding isn’t just logos and colors—it’s the sum of your taste, your mission, and the community you’re building. When done right, someone should be able to spot one of your records from across the room and know it belongs to your label.

This episode will help you stop overthinking, pick a name, define your niche, and start building a label identity that feels intentional, confident, and unmistakably yours.