Show Notes
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
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