Hey friends, Scott here, just wanted to pop on an intro this cool episode of a great podcast you may not be familiar with.

Our friends at A to Z Media – Have a podcast of their own. And if you like Other Record Labels or you like For the Love of Vinyl – you’ll love Bespoken. A podcast by a to Z media that Dives into the world of independent music and physical media culture.

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack welcomes Ken Shipley, co-founder of the influential reissue label Numero Group. Known for its meticulous packaging, deep archival research, and genre-spanning catalog, Numero has spent over two decades preserving overlooked artists and forgotten underground music scenes, from soul and funk to punk, post-hardcore, early emo, and beyond.

This conversation centers on Sequoia, Numero’s ambitious new 7-inch box set documenting the first decade of American emo. Described by Ken as a “30-year sequel” to his 1995 compilation Eucalyptus, Sequoia is both a love letter and historical archive, featuring 27 vinyl records, a 136-page hardcover book, and packaging that faithfully recreates the tactile, handmade spirit of ’90s DIY culture.

Ken shares insights into Numero’s creative process, how physical media becomes a vehicle for storytelling, and why their mission goes beyond nostalgia—it's about preserving cultural memory. This rare behind-the-scenes conversation reveals the values, vision, and detail-driven ethos of one of the most respected archival labels in the industry.

A to Z Media is proud to have worked with Numero Group on countless vinyl releases, boxed sets, merch, and, of course, Sequoia. Whether you're a fan of emo, punk, or the art of vinyl packaging, this episode is a must-listen.

Learn more or order Sequoia: https://numerogroup.com/products/sequoia

For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels (major and independent) producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com

There’s one record label the world doesn’t have yet—the one only you can create.

In this episode, I’ll share why the most successful indie labels today are the ones that are hyper-specific, intentionally niched, and built around their founder’s unique obsessions. You’ll learn how to uncover the “secret ingredients” that make your label stand out—whether you’re brand new or you’ve been running a label for years but still feel undefined.

Presented by LANDR - [landr.com/otherrecordlabels]

We’ll explore how combining your unique passions—musical and non-musical—creates a one-of-a-kind identity for your label, and why being oddly specific is the best way to thrive in today’s music industry.

Plus, I’ll talk about my new book Why We (Still) Need Record Labels (out this week!).

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally start (or reimagine) your record label—this is it.

👉 Order the new book: otherrecordlabels.com/book 👉 Apply for Labelmates: otherrecordlabels.com/labelmates

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a bold claim: record labels are obsolete. With home studios, DIY distribution, and powerful marketing tools, artists can now write, record, release, and promote their music all on their own. So… are labels officially irrelevant?

Presented by LANDR [landr.com/otherrecordlabels]

We break it down into three common reasons people say we don’t need record labels anymore:

1. Artists can do it all themselves.

2. The old gatekeepers are gone.

3. The art comes from artists, not labels.

But here’s the twist—just because artists can do everything doesn’t mean they want to. Many crave teammates, collaborators, and communities that labels provide. And while the industry has changed, labels still offer something algorithms and DIY platforms can’t: curation, creativity, and connection.

Tune in as we explore why the role of labels may be shifting—not disappearing—and how indie labels can thrive in this new era of music.