On this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler sits down with music critic Kevin Alexander of On Repeat Records ( https://thekevinalexander.substack.com/ ) for a conversation about creativity, measuring success, and the craft of writing with authenticity. The two explore what it means to build something meaningful in an age driven by metrics, using a clip from musician Ned Russin (Glitterer, Title Fight - @glitterererer ) as a jumping-off point. Together, they unpack how artists can find fulfillment in smaller, more intentional audiences, how to recognize when a piece of art “completes itself,” and why genuine connection beats scale every time.
Main topics covered:
Reviewing Ned Russin’s new Glitterer track “Stainless Steel”
How to measure success as a creator without chasing metrics
The balance between audience growth and artistic integrity
The skill of eliciting deep responses from readers and listeners
Why great art doesn’t scale—it spreads
Writing when inspiration strikes versus grinding through edits
The importance of authenticity over polish in creative work
How to know when to stop editing and ship your work
Building community through shared taste and genuine engagement
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and show setup
03:00 The Scranton game and Kevin Malone parallels
04:45 Reviewing Glitterer’s “Stainless Steel”
08:25 Drawing influence lines from Weezer to post-hardcore
12:00 Audience growth and how artists measure success
15:00 Picking the right ruler to measure creative progress
17:00 How Kevin thinks about engagement and reader connection
21:00 When creativity flows versus when it takes work
23:00 Collaboration, feedback, and knowing when a piece is done
27:00 The role of authenticity in modern criticism
32:00 Why great art doesn’t scale—it spreads
33:30 Closing reflections and where to find Kevin’s work