Nick and Ally from Sleepy Gonzales join their project manager Joseph for a candid conversation about their new music, creative process, and wildest band stories.

They open up about getting in trouble for their "murdery" music videos, Nick's passion for low-level pro wrestling, and how touring shaped their perspective on collaboration and authenticity. From songwriting dynamics to the evolution of their sound, this episode offers a raw and funny look inside one of Vancouver's most original indie acts.

If you love honest music talk, creative chaos, and behind-the-scenes insights from Canadian artists — hit play.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:29 The Completely Random Formation of the Band

07:10 Pro Wrestling Dreams Distracting from the Music

09:47 Why Touring is the Best Experience of their Life

13:55 The New Variation in their Sound

20:09 Visual Storytelling & 'Murdery' Music Videos

25:14 Themes and Messages in Their Music

Kenn and Dave dive deep with Jonathan Simkin into the evolving music industry, exploring the challenges of staying relevant in a fast-changing digital world.

They look ahead to the new content coming from Armchair Cynics, insights into the effort to launch the band in the 2000s, and why there is a growing and niche fanbase building for them and other classic rock bands.

Hear candid & funny stories and insights from two seasoned musicians navigating today's landscape.

Canadian pop duo Fionn (Alanna & Brianne) join Kevvy Maher (Fake Shark, 604 Records) on Verses to reveal the stories behind their viral single "Blow" and fan favorite "Banshee." They break down their unique 15-minute songwriting rule, share behind-the-scenes moments from recording Everyone's a Critic, and talk about the thrill of hearing their music on Vancouver radio.

The trio also dish on prepping for Fionn's first U.S. tour, road-trip mishaps, and what it takes to succeed in today's Canadian indie pop scene. Perfect for fans of indie pop, songwriting podcasts, and anyone curious about the modern music industry.

The full episode is also available in video on Youtube!

Chase The Bear & Danny Craig of Rock Is Dead sit down with Jonathan Simkin to chat through the band's origin story, adapting to the way music is consumed now, and where Rock music is going now.

The band also talk influences from Chad Kroeger to Beethoven & Paganini, and exchange stories with Jonathan and Danny about some of the biggest songs and artists in history.

The full ep is also available wherever you get your audio podcasts! Check out the Verses social channels for more: https://www.instagram.com/verses.604/ & https://www.tiktok.com/@verses.604

Jonathan Simkin of 604 Records sits down with country artist Mitch Zorn to talk about the booming Kelowna music scene, the excitement of signing to a label, and how radio, streaming & viral moments impact artists today. Mitch shares thoughts on his new EP, staying authentic in the digital age, and why AI should enhance—not replace—creativity

In this episode they explore:

Kelowna's vibrant music scene

The emotional ride of signing a record deal

How streaming and radio shape artist careers today

The thrill (and reality) of viral moments

Mitch's new EP & upcoming tour plans

The weirdness of AI in music right now 🤖

Reflections on live shows, memorable moments & big dreams

Subscribe for more behind the scenes interviews with Canada's emerging artists.

Jonathan Simkin sits down with Dave Faber of Faber Drive to talk through the making of Seven Second Surgery, late-night studio tales, vocal surgery and recovery, why some records break in Canada but not the US, and 604 Records’ plan to reissue and upscale videos for the band’s 19th anniversary. Dave also walks us through his son’s meteoric rise (Powfu / “Coffee For Your Head”), the legal/clearance journey, and what it’s like managing family in the streaming era.

• Faber Drive / Dave Faber —https://www.instagram.com/davefabermusic/?hl=en

• Verses — https://www.tiktok.com/@verses.604

• Jonathan - https://www.tiktok.com/@604simkin

Timestamps:

00:12 — Intro

01:48 —Dave's early career

04:37 — Pre-Faber Drive projects

06:02 — Family & kids (Isaiah, Henry)

08:39 — Signing story: Chad, Joey, Brian & how 604 got involved

12:24 — The producer dream team: Chad Kroeger, Joey Moi & Brian Howes

15:16 — Recording Seven Second Surgery — long sessions & memories

16:07 — Joey’s studio advice (loosen up in the booth)

19:47 — Vocal surgery: polyp / voice recovery

20:38 — Canada vs. US: what worked and what didn’t

24:20 — Demos, comeback single Get Up & Dance & “I Can’t Keep a Secret”

26:16 — Chief / Kevin Zaruk and team stories

28:12 — Later albums, singles still played today (Tongue Tied, When I’m With You)

31:27 — 19th anniversary reissue — upscales, vinyl & deluxe plans

33:46 — New acoustic recordings + cover (“(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight”)

36:34 — Faith in the music business — navigating conscience & challenges

39:29 — Powfu (“Coffee For Your Head”) story — beats, clearance & Columbia deal

44:14 — Streaming numbers, catalog value & Marianas Trench box set anecdote

46:36 — Legacy, fans, and final thoughts

47:35 — Close

Charlie Kerr of Hotel Mira sits down with Freeze The Fall to talk about the journey from local Kelowna music scenes to creating technically complex, emotionally powerful music. They break down songwriting processes, unexpected influences, and how technicality and creativity collide in the studio. The conversation dives into:

How Freeze The Fall members met and started making music together.

The balance between melody, technical complexity, and collaborative songwriting.

Inspiration from unexpected sources like folklore, ethereal vibes, and contrasting musical styles. Building a fanbase through live shows and the YouTube reactor community.

Upcoming concept albums, interactive storytelling, and the joys of creating immersive music experiences.

This episode is full of insight on collaboration, originality, and connecting with an audience.

The Armchair Cynics sit down with Jonathan to revisit a wild chapter of Canadian alt-rock: the Killing the Romance era, the story behind "Coal Mine," why "Starting Today" still hits, and the hard drive discovery that unearthed unreleased demos.

They break down recording with Dave Genn, sessions with Chad Kroeger & Joey Moi at Mountain View, mixes by Mike Fraser, and why the band passed on a Theory of a Deadman tour. They also dive into AI video upscaling (restoring "A Blaze," "Coal Mine," and "Bang" from old MuchMusic sources), Victoria, BC music scene of the 2000s, and reuniting at 604's studio on the legendary Little Mountain Sound console. Plus: life after the band—production, coral farming (Beyond the Reef), and an AC/DC cover band—then back together to record again.

🎧 Listen to Verses on all audio platforms. 📺 Watch the newly upscaled videos soon and follow for 604 Decades releases.

Timestamps:

0:12 - Intro

1:38 - How it went for the Armchair Cynics

4:28 - How 604 discovered the band (the Victoria connection)

10:35 - AI upscaling + MuchMusic archives: restoring "A Blaze," "Coal Mine," "Bang"

20:28 - The timing in their lives for committing to music

23:35 - Working with Dave Genn, Chad Kroeger & Joey Moi (Mountain View) Mixes by Mike Fraser; studio gear & Little Mountain console

27:28 - Saying no to a Theory of a Deadman tour—what changed

28:47 - Why the island is a weird place

30:22 - Life after the band

36:54 - Reuniting at 604, vinyl ideas & the 604 Decades plan

After six months without speaking due to a personal and professional dispute, Jonathan Simkin (604 Records founder, music lawyer, and manager) and Andrew Hyatt (award-winning Canadian country artist) reunite for the first time — on Verses.

This is more than a standard music industry podcast episode. It's a raw, unfiltered, and often funny conversation between two major voices in the Canadian music scene with a complicated history. They open up about what caused their falling out, how they've changed, and where their relationship — and the industry — is headed.

Along the way, Jonathan and Andrew share behind-the-scenes music business stories, lessons learned from decades in the industry, and personal insights into songwriting, divorce, politics, and the realities of navigating both friendship and career in music.

If you're into Canadian music industry stories, artist-manager dynamics, music business conflicts, and authentic artist interviews, this reunion episode delivers it all.

🎧 Available now on YouTube & wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps: 0:12 – Introduction to the episode & the dispute 14:58 – Jonathan's career as a lawyer & how it shapes conflict resolution today 22:32 – The tweet that landed Jonathan in hot water 25:50 – Andrew on writing music about divorce & fan reactions 44:02 – Political inspiration behind Andrew's new music 57:57 – Jonathan's backstage joke that rattles musicians 59:52 – Why music award shows aren't as great as they seem

#VersesPodcast #JonathanSimkin #AndrewHyatt #MusicIndustryStories #CanadianMusic #BehindTheScenesMusic #ArtistInterview #MusicBusiness #MusicReunion #604Records #CountryMusic #ArtistManagerRelationship #MusicIndustryPodcast #CanadianCountryMusic

Jonathan Simkin sits down with Dave Benedict (Default) and Brett & Nolan from The Vidos to talk new music, their upcoming tour, and the lessons learned from years in the music industry. From high school band days to navigating record labels, the conversation covers authenticity in songwriting, the urgency of career goals, and the bonds that keep musicians going. Plus—stories about hockey, unexpected inspirations, and why long-lasting industry friendships are rare treasures. #TheVidos #DaveBenedict #VersesPodcast #DefaultBand #CanadianMusic #RockMusic #MusicPodcast #TourLife #Songwriting #BehindTheScenesMusic