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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 Christian Taylor, 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
