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 over 20 years working inside Vancouver's live music world, including at major venues like The Commodore Ballroom during the shift from House of Blues to Live Nation. He shares what changed behind the scenes as the industry became more corporate—and what that meant for musicians, venues, and audiences.

The conversation dives into the rise and fall of Vancouver's live music ecosystem, why mid-level bands struggle today, and how licensing laws, rising costs, and shifting nightlife habits reshaped the city's entertainment culture. Aaron also discusses his decision to leave Live Nation after two decades and pursue a run for Vancouver City Council with the OneCity party. He explains what pushed him toward politics, what he believes the city is getting wrong, and the small practical changes he thinks could make a real difference—especially for arts, venues, and local businesses.

This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist's career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

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 to Peter Tosh to Born Slippy by Underworld.

There's chat on why there's such a range of music linked with Cannabis and nostalgia around iconic live performances for stoners.

Just search 60420 or Hazy Days for either of the playlists mentioned during the podcast.

We'll have a regular episode as usual on Wednesday. This episode is also available on 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's career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

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.

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 early album was nearly scrapped
• Why "Call Me Maybe" became the single
• From working at HMV to quitting for music
• Building 604 Records' studio by accident
• Sync licensing in NHL and NBA broadcasts
• Comedy Here Often and the business of stand-up
• Celebrity encounters with Gary Oldman and Tom Green
• Why comedians are "the most vicious" industry

And much more!

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.

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 signing with Sub Pop and Warner Bros to touring internationally and landing major radio hits, Steve reflects on how fame reshaped his life and career.

They explore why most bands don't last, how AI is changing music creation, the pressures of major labels, and what it takes to build a sustainable creative life after commercial success.

Steve also discusses Mounties, Left Field Messiah, producing, fatherhood, and why longevity matters more than viral moments.

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.

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 school to pursue music, accidentally hung up on the label that signed her, and quickly found herself navigating radio success, touring pressure, and an industry that didn't work the way she was promised.

They explore how streaming platforms reshaped careers overnight, the emotional toll of bad management, why Kayla stepped away at her peak — and how she rebuilt her life and career by founding Kolossal Records.

This episode is about artist development, control, burnout, and why longevity in music often means redefining success entirely.

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.

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

From nearly losing their first audition to extortion pressure, to busking with their own speakers, to finally earning their first-ever Billboard #1 plaque, this episode breaks down the realities of artists people don't see online.

They talk about:

• The night someone tried to cancel their audition unless they were paid
• Why people often expect female artists to be bad before they play
• Bringing their own speakers to a record label audition
• Why it really takes 10 years to build a music career
• Embarrassing early TikToks and learning the hard way
• How Canadian radio still changes careers
• Going from living together their entire lives to finally living apart
  
  
  This episode is about patience, growth, gender bias, and surviving the long middle of a creative career.
  🎧 This episode is available on Youtube in video form. Subscribe to IHS for more biweekly nostalgic music interviews. Likes & comments help us out big time. Thank you to everyone who feeds back!
  🎤 Guest: Fionn (Alanna & Brianne Finn Morris)
  🎙️ Hosted by Jonathan Simkin

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 Kroeger discovering the band and early Vancouver showcases, to Greenhouse Studios, Nickelback tours, and the chaotic rise of Wasting My Time, this episode pulls back the curtain on how fast success actually works — and how fragile it is.

They break down:

• Why TVT Records failed them at distribution

• The feeling watching Dallas' success after Default

• Radio spins vs real album sales

• Touring with Nickelback, Bush, and arena crowds

• The financial reality behind "platinum" success

• Business mismanagement, unpaid taxes, and lost revenue

• Why Default disappeared — and how close they were to staying massive

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.