Painfully Optimistic was launched in October 2019. We partner with independent artists and their teams to offer full-service digital marketing solutions to better connect with new and existing listeners. Genre-agnostic and with no minimum budgets, we give artists and labels the right tools to maximize their growth and income in the modern music industry through services including e-commerce and release strategy, branding and creative, digital advertising and more.
With 25+ years of experience in the music industry, we have developed a unique skill set and a vast network of collaborators to help our clients navigate this evolving landscape. Our team provides a full range of client-specific services; whether you are promoting a record, a tour, a merch drop, or anything else, we want to help you put your best foot forward.
Check out our website for a closer look at some of the projects we’ve had the pleasure of working on.
#painfullyoptimistic
Portlandoregon’s Jackpot Records knows good music, and we’re honoured to have worked on some amazing and exclusive re-issues over the years. From Nirvana to The Meters to Ennio Morricone and now (again) Martin Denny, Jackpot’s latest 3-album vinyl bundle set features Forbidden Island, Enchanted Sea and Exotic Percussion on some gorgeous tropical colourways. If you pre-order before tomorrow’s release date there’s a discount on the full bundle. Head over to jackpotrecords.com before these sell out!
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@jackpotrecords #MartinDenny #Exotica #SpaceAgePop #LoungeMusic #JackpotRecords #discogs #vinyl #ForbiddenIsland #EnchantedSea #ExoticPercussion
Habibi’s Dreamachine is earning rave reviews from critics and fans alike. The album struck a chord with listeners and spent six consecutive weeks in the NACC college radio top 20! The sonic evolution Habibi takes on with Dreamachine results in music that is as fearless as it is enthralling. We’re proud to have collaborated with such a dynamic group. Check out some of the sales creatives we made to help shift some D2C LPs.
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@habibitheband@Killrockstarsofficial #KillRockStars #Brooklynmusic #newyorkmusic #Habibi #habibitheband #dreamachine #garagerock #inmydreams #ontheroad #indiemusic
If you know our work you’ll know that Kill Rock Stars is a longtime partner of ours, and as such have played a big role in helping Painfully Optimistic establish its own brand values. We’ve had the chance to work on some awesome KRS projects over the years. As we slowly get this account back up to speed we’d like to tell you about some recent ones.
Here’s a roundup of some KRS projects we’ve had the pleasure of working on in the last 4-6 weeks: Logan Lynn “SOFTCORE”, Tele Novella “Marry Me”, Joh Chase “SOLO”, Ryan Cassata & The Top Surgeons “This Machine Kills Transphobia”, Circles Around The Sun & Mikaela Davis “After Sunrise”.
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#KillRockStars #LoganLynn #Softcore #TeleNovella #JohChase #SOLO #RyanCassata #TheTopSurgeons #ThisMachineKillsTransphobia #CirclesAroundTheSun #mikaeladavis
Congrats to @teke_teke_band , who have found themselves as one of the talented faces of the forthcoming Assassin’s Creed: Shadows game. T::T’s ‘Meikyu’ was used in the new game trailer for Assassin’s Creed: Shadow (and we think it was for the best part!), and their original rendition of the franchise’s theme, Ezio’s Family Theme, is available on all streaming platforms now ahead of the full official soundtrack coming with the game later this year. Painfully Optimistic has been working with T::T since their debut full-length Shirushi on Kill Rock Stars, and seeing them recognized in this way is nothing short of amazing. We’re excited to see what new heights they will reach!!!
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#teketeke #assassinscreed #assassinscreedshadows #AssassinsCreedValhalla #assassinscreedmusic #ubisoft #ubisoftmusic #assassinscreedcodenamered #assassinscreedmirage #killrockstars @killrockstars@ubisoft@ubisoft.music
What a show! We’re thrilled to see Goldie Boutilier light up Toronto’s Budweiser Stage opening for Orville Peck. Two years ago we had the pleasure of working with Goldie on her rebrand from her former major label persona as Goldilox, with Cowboy Gangster Politician becoming the first of her independently released works to appear on her new Spotify profile. Her journey since has been nothing short of inspiring. Full case study on the website, link in bio. A big thank you to @stevetaylorphoto for the killer photo of Goldie’s performance.🎉
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@goldieboutilier@orvillepeck@budweiserstage #goldieboutilier #orvillepeck #toronto #livemusic #budweiserstage #stampedetour
Did you find what you were looking for in this past record store day? We did! We had the opportunity to work on the @montrealstars reissue of 2010’s fan-favourite album ‘The Five Ghosts’ alongside the first-ever pressing of ‘The Séance EP’ for a deluxe double Record Store Day 2024 edition sale. Full case study on the website, link in bio.⭐🖤👻
Let us know in the comments if you bagged a copy of this or any other RSD doozies.
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@laromarecords #recordstoreday #lastgangrecords #syof20 #montrealmusic #rsd2024 #rsd24 #recordstoreday2024 #stars
@titusbank just released his latest single ‘Hide Me Like You Do’ via @everythingxforever 🔥 Check out Titus on your favorite streaming service
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#titusbank #everythingforever #painfullyoptimistic #vancouver #vancouvermusic #newmusicalert
@killrockstarsofficial 30-year anniversary celebration continues with a steady stream of reimagined versions of songs from their catalogue all bundled into one awesome compilation. The best part is this celebration will continue all year long 🥳
Visit killrockstars.com to subscribe to the comp and receive a new track in your inbox almost every week for the rest of the year!
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#killrockstars #killrockstarsrecords #loganlynn #standinginthewayofcontrol #hallelujahthehills #chateauchateau #tamaraphek #krs30yrs #painfullyoptimistic
We’re avid podcast listeners which is why we were so excited to work with @b__l__u__e__j to help promote this episode featuring Chris Vanderkooy of a peach Pit.
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#podcast #musicpodcast #bluej #peachpit #chrisvanderkooy #thejpod #painfullyoptimistic