Emily O’Brien may have peaked in the heyday of mixed CDs and still believes that the entire culture of cool lives within a solid playlist. She founded Substitute Scene Records in 2017, in hopes of sharing great music on a wider scale, aiming to create an inclusive community that helps new artists get started. The label roster focuses mostly on female and/or queer artists and continues to grow, releasing records that fall somewhere on the indie rock spectrum.

A digital media professional by day, at night she is likely spinning dream pop vinyl in the corner of your favorite Brooklyn bar or hanging around a small cap venue, introducing people to each other. She lives in East Williamsburg with her partner and lots of records.