This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with indie artist Michael Seyer, who’s spent the last decade shaping his artistic identity through nostalgic albums like Ugly Boy and Bad Bonez. His latest release, Boylife, blends dream pop and indie-folk into a heartfelt coming-of-age soundtrack, written between LA and tour stops across Asia and North America. Self-released through his new label, Seyerland Records, Boylife marks a new chapter—one where Seyer deepens his artistry while uplifting fellow independent musicians.

Ari and Michael dive into the making of Boylife, collaborating with a young producer, shooting music videos guerrilla-style in Japan, and staying fully independent—from DIY vinyl runs to self-funded tours. Seyer also shares how he’s building worlds around his music, launching his label, and navigating the tricky balance between art and promotion.

https://www.instagram.com/michaelseyer/

Chapters

05:20 – Getting Started with Internet Music & Early DIY Releases  

08:15 – Collaborating with Producer Christian Taylor on Boylife  

12:10 – How Making Boylife Reignited His Passion for Music  

14:45 – Staying Fully Independent in a Label-Dominated Industry  

16:50 – Seyer’s Licensing Deal with Virgin Records Explained  

22:05 – Pressing Vinyl & Distributing Music Through DistroKid  

25:50 – Behind the Scenes of Filming “Fiend” on the Streets of Japan  

35:40 – Launching Seyerland Records to Support Local Artists  

42:30 – What Artist Development Means & How He Approaches It  

52:30 – Navigating Social Media, Burnout, and Self-Promotion  

57:10 – Defining Success & What It Means to “Make It” in Music

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

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