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Episode 73: The Maverick, The Man and The Pioneer - An Interview with Russell C Brennan
Manage episode 521268890 series 3581386
The safest place in music is the middle of the road—and that’s exactly why Russell C Brennan never stands there. We welcome the multi-platform creator behind Future Legend Records to unpack how he built a lasting indie label, broke new artists with daring strategy, and kept control when the majors came calling. From selling 10,000 units in a month by phoning record shops to turning cult TV and film themes into a launchpad for fresh talent, Russell shows how a clear idea and relentless follow-through can bend the market to meet the music.
We explore the blueprint of indie longevity: why standing out beats chasing trends, how to pick partners who understand your vision, and what to do when “creative accounting” gets between you and your royalties. Russell takes us inside the writing of The Future Legend Records Story, shares candid lessons from leaving Sony and thriving with Pinnacle, and opens his producer’s notebook—tight arrangements, reverb as an instrument, and his ghost guitar technique that captures only effects for a haunting, cinematic feel.
The conversation widens into art and identity, framed by Russell’s connection with David Bowie and the Japanese concept of the geisha as a “total artist.” He explains why he’s known as the last male geisha, what it means to live as a work of art, and previews his upcoming documentary on Bowie in Japan alongside the book Hidden Bowie. We also dive into PsyKick Holiday’s pop noir sound—punk cello, koto, saxophone—and how AI video can elevate independent visuals without sacrificing originality.
If you’re an artist, producer, or label builder, you’ll leave with practical tactics and a mindset shift: nerve and knowledge are your greatest assets. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a creative jolt, and tell us the one bold move you’re ready to make next.
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Websites
www.jonnyamos.com
https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/
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Email
[email protected]
Chapters
1. Episode 73: The Maverick, The Man and The Pioneer - An Interview with Russell C Brennan (00:00:00)
2. Host Intro And Purpose (00:00:12)
3. Introducing Russell C Brennan (00:00:52)
4. Longevity Through Standing Out (00:03:35)
5. Reinventing Cult Themes To Break Artists (00:04:34)
6. DIY Sales, Sony Pushback, And A Trend (00:08:17)
7. Turning Down Majors And Protecting Vision (00:09:56)
8. Writing The Future Legend Records Story (00:11:01)
9. Indie Wars, Rip‑Offs, And Smarter Deals (00:13:12)
10. Joe Meek Connections And Revival (00:16:23)
11. The Last Male Geisha And Bowie (00:18:49)
12. Japan Trip And Upcoming Documentary (00:21:17)
13. Psychick Holiday And Pop Noir (00:23:58)
14. Workflow, Gear, And Ghost Guitar (00:27:26)
15. Advice To 18‑Year‑Old Self: Nerve And Knowledge (00:30:45)
16. Closing Reflections And Farewell (00:36:39)
74 episodes
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