311 Hacks The Music Industry With Tech, Independence And A DIY Ethos

Some people talk about disrupting the system. Nick Hexum and 311 are actually doing it.

311 recently came through Houston on tour and played at the 713 Music Hall. I had the privilege of showing up a few hours before the band took the stage to sit down with the band’s founder and lead singer Nick Hexum.

We spent an hour or so talking about a wide range of topics. I was impressed with Hexum but left the interview feeling a little inadequate. Hexum and I are the same age (I have him beat by just a few months), but he has accomplished much more than I in his time on this planet.

As the frontman of 311, Hexum has spent over three decades pushing musical boundaries—from funk-rock and reggae-punk hybrids to chill ballads that defy easy labels. But it’s not just the band’s sound that’s evolved. Hexum is also challenging the music industry’s outdated business models by using technology and taking a more independent approach.

From Rock Star to Label Founder

Today, Hexum isn’t just continuing to make his own music—he’s helping other artists do the same.

With his new startup label platform called SKP, he’s giving musicians an alternative to traditional record deals. SKP provides digital distribution, promotional support and a way to stay independent—all without demanding ownership of an artist’s music.

Hexum and I talked about the sometimes contentious relationship between artists and labels, and the traditional revenue model. This fresh model flips the typical record label arrangement upside down.

“Now, with this label platform we’re doing, we’ve been able to flip that in the opposite where the distributor and label services platform would take 12% and give the artist 88%,” Hexum told me. “Completely flipping it.”

It’s a response to decades of experience where artists signed away their rights for small royalty checks, often without clear accounting or control. Now, Hexum wants to put power back in the hands of creators.

From Cassette Tapes to Airplane Studios

Hexum’s journey has adapted over the years with the evolution of technology. He started on a four-track cassette recorder, moved to eight-track tape and later recorded in iconic LA studios. But now? He writes and records from a laptop with a MIDI controller and a pair of headphones—often while flying.

“That has been super helpful—the convenience that the new technology can give you,” he said.

This shift has given Hexum more freedom to create, no matter where he is. And more importantly, it’s given artists everywhere the chance to make professional music without needing expensive gear or studio time.

Streaming, Vinyl and Changing How Fans Listen

Hexum uses Apple Music to stream lossless-quality tracks and manage demos. He values the convenience—but he hasn’t given up on physical music either. He and his band still release music on vinyl, recognizing how fans appreciate something they can see, hold and collect.

Instead of focusing only on one-off singles, Hexum prefers releasing four-song EPs. These smaller collections give fans a more complete experience, including both catchy singles and deeper tracks that show a broader range of creativity.

Blockchain and Better Business Models

Hexum is also watching blockchain closely. He believes it can solve long-standing issues in music—like delayed royalty payments and ticket scalping.

Through SKP, his team is developing “clever contracts”—a simpler alternative to Ethereum smart contracts. These digital agreements allow for automatic, transparent payments to artists without middlemen taking a cut.

He also sees potential for blockchain to reduce scalping by tying tickets to verified identities, making resale more controlled and fair for fans.

Touring Through the Generations

While some bands only tour with a new album to promote, 311 has toured every summer—no matter what. That consistency, Hexum said, helped them stay strong even when CD sales collapsed and streaming changed everything.

Their audience now includes both longtime fans and a younger crowd discovering songs like “Amber” and “Champagne.” Hexum said the band’s mix of rock, reggae, hip hop and pop has helped them stay relevant across decades.

“We keep finding new eclectic ingredients to try sticking together and see how they fit,” he said.

Redefining What Success Looks Like

Hexum wants artists to think like owners, not employees. That mindset shift is key to building careers that last. When pop artist Chapel Roan recently said record labels should offer healthcare, Hexum saw it differently.

“Why would you want to be an employee when you can be an owner?”

Rather than rely on labels for support, Hexum believes in helping artists build their own businesses. His approach combines fair compensation, creative freedom and a model that rewards long-term thinking over short-term fame.

The New Rock and Roll Dream

For decades, going platinum was the goal. But in today’s music world, the dream has changed. Artists want control over their music, their money and their message. And thanks to technology, they don’t need a major label to make it happen.

Technology empowers freedom for artists. Today, the smartest move an artist can make is owning the path they’re on.