BESPOKEN

Billy Fields (Warner Music Experience) - Vinyl Won. Now What? | BESPOKEN Ep. 11

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Billy Fields, Warner Music Experience's self-described "vinyl guy" — the person responsible for making sense of the format's resurgence at one of the world's largest music companies. Billy traces his path from WMX sales rep to the person who, in 2008, was tasked with figuring out what to do with a vinyl market that had sold under a million units the year before. That market now moves close to 49 million units annually in the US alone, and Billy has had a front-row seat to all of it. Scott and Billy dig into the current state of the physical music landscape, including why independent retail is outperforming the broader market, late-2025 sales numbers (when the episode was recorded), and how labels should think about the price-value proposition, especially as they try to reach a new generation of buyers. The conversation gets into the details that matter: why packaging decisions, pressing weight, mastering, and inner sleeves all factor into whether a record holds its value with a fan. Billy shares his honest take on 180-gram vs. 140-gram vinyl and why he thinks the weight debate misses the bigger point. Billy also breaks down WMX's growing work with PET and recycled vinyl, what's working, where the industry still has gaps, and why keeping PET and PVC separate in the recycling chain is something the business needs to get right now, while the volumes are still manageable. Billy closes with a perspective on where the vinyl format goes from here and why 19 straight years of growth, combined with two decades of newly pressed records now entering the used market, sets up something that looks pretty solid for the long haul. Whether you work in physical music, run a record store, care about sustainability in vinyl manufacturing, or just love records, this one covers a lot of ground. 🔨 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels — major and independent — producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: atozmedia.com [https://www.atozmedia.com]

Noah Silver (Vertigo Vinyl) - Viral Vinyl Success | BESPOKEN Ep. 10

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Noah Silver, the owner and operator of Vertigo Vinyl. Billed as the world's fastest-growing record store, Vertigo has transformed from a teenage side hustle into a physical and online powerhouse for Gen Z collectors and beyond.   If you want to understand how the next generation is reimagining music consumption, this episode offers a rare look into the mind of a young entrepreneur leading the charge. Noah explains how he bridges the gap between digital discovery on TikTok and Instagram, and the high-demand world of physical media, creating a community where 90s indie icons and modern pop stars live side-by-side.   The conversation traces Noah’s entrepreneurial roots, from selling candles and clothing at 15 to launching a record website during the pandemic. Noah shares how he leveraged a massive social media following to open a storefront at Mercer University and eventually scale into an operation shipping tens of thousands of records a year.   We dive deep into what makes Vertigo unique in the vinyl space, focusing on their high-concept physical releases. Noah discusses his passion for shaped discs, including mass-releasing the first moon-shaped and cross-shaped vinyl records. He explains why these intricate designs appeal to a new generation of fans who view records as both music and art.   Noah also provides an inside look at the Vertigo Vault boxes, a curated service that introduces fans to new music without the "overstock" feel of traditional subscription services. He shares his strategy for balancing major pop releases from artists like Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey with 90s indie stalwarts like Mazzy Star and Jeff Buckley.   Finally, Noah discusses what is next for the brand, including his transition into becoming a Billboard reporter and his long-term goal of evolving Vertigo Vinyl into a full-scale independent record label.   🔗 Learn more about Vertigo Vinyl: https://www.vertigovinyl.com/ [https://www.vertigovinyl.com/]   🔨 For 30+ years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com [https://www.atozmedia.com]

Hopeless Records - Making a Positive Impact | BESPOKEN Ep. 9

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Louis Posen, Founder & President of Hopeless Records, and Christina Johns, the label’s VP of Operations. Hopeless is one of the most influential independent record labels of the last 30+ years, and a long-time partner of A to Z. In this conversation, Louis and Christina share Hopeless' origins, evolution, and their continued impact on music and culture. The episode traces the label’s unlikely beginnings, from Louis being "dared" to release a Guttermouth 7" and calling Fat Mike (Fat Wreck Chords) for advice, to Hopeless becoming a globally respected home for artists like Thrice, Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low, The Wonder Years, and more. Louis and Christina share stories from the early punk scene, the community that shaped them, and the ethos that still guides Hopeless today. We also dive deep into Hopeless’ recent acquisition of Fat Wreck Chords, exploring the decades-long friendship between Louis and Fat Mike, the plans for reissues and anniversary editions, and how Hopeless is working to reintroduce the Fat catalog, both to longtime fans and a new generation discovering punk for the first time. The conversation also highlights Hopeless’ commitment to physical media and the punk community’s love of vinyl, CDs, special editions, and collectible packaging. Christina breaks down how the team collaborates with artists to create unique variants, deluxe editions, and global D2C offerings that fans genuinely connect with. Finally, Louis shares the evolution of Sub City and the label’s philanthropic work, from Songs That Saved My Life to the Hopeless Music Academy, initiatives that have raised over $3M for more than 150 causes and created opportunities for young people to access the music industry. Whether you're a fan of punk and alternative music, someone curious about the legacy of Hopeless and Fat Wreck Chords, or an industry professional interested in physical media, artist development, and community-driven labels, this episode offers a rare inside look at one of independent music’s most meaningful institutions. 🔗 Learn more about Hopeless Records: https://www.hopelessrecords.com/ [https://www.hopelessrecords.com/] 🔨 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com [https://www.atozmedia.com]

Darryl Norsen - Behind the Art: Posters, Merch, and Vinyl | BESPOKEN Ep. 8

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Darryl Norsen, a graphic designer and art director known for his distinctive work with numerous estates and artists, including the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, Joni Mitchell, Little Feat, and contemporary groups like Phish, Green Day, Kurt Vile, and many more. This conversation dives deep into the art and inspiration behind album, poster, and merch design, exploring Darryl's process when working with archival projects versus new artists. Darryl shares his philosophy on using "organized chaos" as a design creed and why he believes designers should "get their hands dirty" by incorporating physical items like collage and imperfections into their work. He explains his perpetual search for interesting and sometimes esoteric typography, often redrawing or tweaking typefaces to ensure the final product is unique and memorable. Darryl makes a strong case for the importance of physical media (vinyl, posters, and CDs) and the lasting value of finding inspiration everywhere. Whether you're a designer looking for new inspiration, a fan curious about the design process behind your favorite artist's merch, or someone in the music industry looking to better understand creative design, this episode offers a peek behind the curtain of modern music art direction. 🔗 For more about Darryl Norsen: www.dnorsen.com [https://www.dnorsen.com/] 💿 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: www.atozmedia.com [https://www.atozmedia.com]

Ryan Mitrovich (Vinyl Alliance) - Gen Z & the Future of Vinyl | BESPOKEN Ep. 7

In this episode of BESPOKEN, host Scott Pollack sits down with Ryan Mitrovich, General Manager of The Vinyl Alliance, the international industry organization uniting labels, pressing plants, hardware makers, and retailers to shape the future of vinyl. This conversation dives deep into the state of the vinyl industry, exploring how Gen Z is driving the vinyl resurgence, why young collectors are investing in physical media, and what the Vinyl Alliance’s research reveals about the next generation of record buyers. Whether you’re a record collector, an indie label, or just curious about why vinyl sales keep climbing, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at where the industry is headed and what it will take to keep the format thriving for the next generation. 🔗 Learn more about the Vinyl Alliance: https://vinylalliance.org/ [https://vinylalliance.org/] 💿 For 30 years, A to Z Media has been the trusted manufacturing partner for artists and labels—major and independent—producing high-quality vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, and merchandise. Start your next project at: https://www.atozmedia.com [https://www.atozmedia.com] 🎙️ Special thanks to Audio-Technica for hosting this episode at their Technica House NYC space. The session was engineered by Jacob Derwin.