Think you need to stay in one lane to build a successful music career? Night Tales just proved that wrong by creating CLR (Colour, Love, Rhythm) - a groundbreaking event series that's taking them around the country.

CLR is a hybrid experience that partners with local bands, dancers, and cultural performers in each city, creating shows that reflect each community's unique identity. From working with a 10-piece marching band and Outkast horn players in Atlanta to collaborating with indigenous Navajo tribes in Utah, each show is completely different while maintaining the core Night Tales DNA.

Key Takeaways:

• Why owning your IP is crucial for long-term career sustainability
• How to expand your brand without confusing your core fanbase
• The importance of building community-focused experiences over traditional DJ sets
• How to handle inevitable setbacks when building something new
• How to balance multiple creative projects under one artist umbrella
• Why building your own infrastructure gives you creative freedom

Stop limiting yourself to one revenue stream. Hit play now to learn how Night Tales built a music empire that goes far beyond the decks.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

The music industry will change whether you like it or not. Chicago house legend Gene Farris has watched it transform completely over three decades - from needing vinyl releases to get overseas gigs to watching sync buttons replace beatmatching skills. His survival strategy? Build your own infrastructure.

With over 500 releases on Ferris Wheel Recordings, Gene has created his own platform where he controls the quality, sound, and standards. When the industry shifts in ways you don't agree with, you have two choices: adapt completely or build your own lane where your values still matter.

Key Takeaways:

• Why building your own platform is essential for long-term survival
• How Chicago's house music culture shaped modern dance music standards
• The controversial truth about sync buttons vs. traditional beatmatching skills
• Why technical proficiency still matters in an automated world
• How to maintain artistic standards while the industry evolves around you
• The importance of controlling your own distribution and releases
• How sobriety can unlock your true creative potential and productivity
• The evolution from underground warehouse parties to global recognition
• Why waiting your turn and building organically leads to lasting success
• The balance between staying true to your roots and adapting to change

Want to create your own events? Get my complete 9-part DIY Pop-Up Party Guide for $25 - everything from permits to promotion, venue negotiation, content creation, and more. Get it here.

The industry keeps changing, but your standards don't have to. Hit play now to learn how to build something you can control.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

Most DJs complain about not getting booked. Sarat, a drone pilot and DJ, created his own bookings instead. In just one year, he grew his sunrise sets from 30 people to 400+ people by building the scene he wanted to be part of.

Starting with nothing but a unique perspective of Chicago from his drone footage and a love for melodic house music, Sarat created sunrise events that serve a community craving something different from traditional club experiences. His story proves that when you stop waiting for permission and start solving real problems for real people, growth happens organically.

Note: Apologies for the shorter episode format - we lost some footage due to technical issues from the flood, but the story and insights remain powerful.

Key Takeaways:

• Why starting with 10 people is better than waiting for the perfect moment
• How to identify gaps in your local scene and fill them yourself
• Using your unique skills and perspective to create something original
• The power of consistency and respect in building sustainable events
• How word-of-mouth marketing outperforms paid promotion
• Why authentic experiences attract the right community
• Building something that serves people rather than just promotes yourself
• How to evolve your concept while maintaining your core audience
• The importance of contributing something beautiful to your community
• Why morning events create different energy than traditional nightlife

Want to create your own events? Get my complete 9-part DIY Pop-Up Party Guide for $25 - everything from permits to promotion, venue negotiation, content creation and more. Grab it here.

Stop waiting for opportunities. Hit play now to learn how to create the scene you want to be part of.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

Think you need millions of followers to build a successful music career? This conversation with Alex Hilburn, Co-Founder of Surge Marketing, will completely change how you think about fan engagement and marketing.

While most artists are burning money on digital ads and chasing follower counts, Surge has generated $3 million in ticket sales by turning regular fans into active ambassadors. Their secret? Understanding that one superfan with 1,000 followers can sell $50,000 worth of tickets because they have genuine influence within their network.

Key Takeaways:

• Why superfans matter more than follower counts in tough economic times
• How to identify and nurture your most engaged fans into ambassadors
• The psychology behind what actually motivates people to attend events
• Why word-of-mouth marketing outperforms digital advertising
• How to build genuine relationships instead of transactional interactions
• The difference between fans and superfans (and how to create more of the latter)
• Why people want to go where their friends are going
• How to create authentic community around your music
• The evolution from digital ads back to relationship-based marketing
• Why consistency and authenticity build sustainable fan bases

Stop chasing metrics and start building relationships. Hit play now to learn how superfans could transform your music career.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS.

Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/

Think starting your own label is always the right move? Kyle Watson's insights about the current industry landscape might change your perspective entirely. While everyone is rushing to launch their own platforms, few are discussing the unintended consequences this creates for collaboration, content creation, and building careers.

From running No Context with his wife, Tash, to navigating the realities of social media as an artist, Kyle reveals the challenges and opportunities facing today's music industry. His 15+ year journey offers hard-won wisdom about persistence, authenticity, and building something sustainable in an increasingly complex landscape.

Key Takeaways:

-Why the proliferation of artist-owned labels is changing collaboration dynamics
-How to navigate release decisions when multiple labels are involved
-The reality of social media pressure
-Why content creation has become as important as music creation
-How to balance artistic integrity with business and social media demands
-The reality of learning label management from scratch
-Why having a supportive partner in business can be a game-changer
-How to maintain creative authenticity while building something sustainable
-Why persistence and long-term thinking trump viral moments
-The new rules of collaboration in an oversaturated label market
-How to build genuine connections in an increasingly competitive industry

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: patreon.com/oliviamancuso

The industry has changed - make sure your strategy has too. Hit play now to understand the new dynamics shaping modern music careers.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS.

Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/

Think you need to appeal to everyone to succeed? This conversation with John Hanna of Deep Tropics will completely change your perspective on building a sustainable music career.

While most artists chase broad appeal and try to please every possible audience, Deep Tropics has built North America's greenest festival by doing the exact opposite - doubling down on their specific values of sustainability, mindfulness, and community. Their approach proves that depth of connection trumps reach every single time.

Key Takeaways:

• Why trying to appeal to everyone naturally dilutes your artistic vision
• How to build deeper connections with your audience instead of casting a wider net
• Why talent buyers prefer artists with clear positioning over generic crowd-pleasers
• The business case for niching down rather than broadening your appeal
• How to identify and communicate your unique values as an artist
• Why authentic positioning creates more opportunities than mass appeal
• Building a sustainable career through community-first thinking
• How to stand out in an oversaturated market by being specific
• The courage required to niche down and why it pays off
• Creating memorable experiences that people want to be part of, not just attend

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Hit play now to learn why the riches really are in the niches.

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

My studio flooded on June 25th. Everything is damaged. However, I'm here to show you how to navigate setbacks in your career without losing your momentum.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of losing my dream podcast studio just two months after investing $15,000 into building it. From vintage furniture sourced across Chicago to countless hours of equipment setup - all destroyed by a malfunctioning pipe in the bathroom above.

But this isn't a sob story. It's a lesson in resilience, emotional regulation, and why the way you handle setbacks determines your success more than the setbacks themselves.

What You'll Learn: 

• Why every DJ needs business insurance
• How to move through the stages of grief quickly instead of staying stuck for months 
• The difference between emotional regulation and toxic positivity 
• Why your support system is your most important business investment 
• How to audit your surroundings when crisis hits 
• The mindset shift that separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up

Key Takeaways:

• It's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it
• Peaks and valleys are inevitable - flexibility beats rigidity
• Tomorrow isn't promised, so start taking risks now
• True entrepreneurs choose uncertainty over safety every time

Support the Show: This show is sponsored this month, but this is the first and only month the show has been sponsored. In order to reach that as a regular milestone, I need your help. If you found value in this episode, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and subscribe if you haven't already.

For personalized advice on growing your career, brand, and business, check out my artist development program at patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS.

Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/

Want to know what separates artists who build lasting careers from those who flame out? It's not talent, connections, or luck - it's ego management. Damon DeGraff's journey from managing music's biggest names to launching his own artistic career reveals how ego quietly sabotages more careers than any external factor.

After decades of developing artists like D'Angelo and Mark Ronson, Damon breaks down the ego traps that keep artists stuck: focusing on what other DJs are doing instead of your own work, hoarding opportunities instead of creating abundance, and protecting your position instead of expanding your influence. His philosophy challenges everything we think we know about competition and success.

Key Takeaways:

-Why focusing on other artists' success is killing your momentum
-How to shift from scarcity mindset to abundance thinking
-The vulnerability required to transition from behind-the-scenes to spotlight
-Why helping others succeed creates more opportunities for yourself
-How to compete without letting ego drive your decisions
-Why "what's for me will be for me" is a career game-changer
-How work ethic and consistency trump natural talent
-The power of putting ego aside to allow others to succeed

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

Want to know how to read and control any room, no matter how diverse the crowd? Ms. Mada's unique perspective as both booking operations manager and resident DJ at Space Miami offers insights that most artists never get access to.

From handling Miami's most eclectic crowds - mixing Space regulars with first-time tourists experiencing the legendary venue - to building her reputation as one of the industry's most respected selectors, Ms. Mada reveals what it really takes to move people through music. Her philosophy of immersive learning and strategic positioning proves that sometimes the best education comes from putting yourself directly in the environment you want to master.

Key Takeaways:

- How to read rooms with multiple audience types and expectations
- The psychology behind effective crowd control and energy management
- Why immersive learning beats online education every time
- Building credibility through proximity and consistent value
- Handling industry frustrations and difficult situations with grace
- The importance of understanding venue dynamics and crowd psychology
- How to balance artistic vision with crowd expectations
- Why working in the industry while building your career accelerates growth
- The art of selection: choosing tracks that move diverse audiences
- Building relationships that support long-term career development

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: https://patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Stop trying to learn from your bedroom. Hit play now to discover why immersive learning could be the key to mastering your craft.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

Want to expand your music career beyond your home market? Jeff's strategic approach to building Short Circuit across multiple cities offers a blueprint for sustainable geographic expansion.

Jeff reveals how he identifies the right partners in each market and creates authentic events that resonate with local scenes while maintaining his brand identity. His journey from corporate lawyer to label owner proves that expansion doesn't require aggressive tactics or massive budgets - just the right strategy.

Key Takeaways:

- How to identify the right partners and promoters in new markets
- Why working with independent promoters can be more effective than major players
- The importance of aligning your expectations with realistic demand
- How to maintain your brand identity while adapting to different scenes
- Building relationships that support long-term expansion rather than one-off events
- Why being intentional about market selection prevents costly mistakes
- The power of organic relationship building over forced networking
- How to create events that feel authentic to each local scene
- Strategic timing for multi-city tours and label showcases
- Why sustainable growth beats rapid expansion every time

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: https://www.patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Stop limiting yourself to one market. Hit play now to learn how to strategically expand your reach across multiple cities.

CHICAGO MUSIC NEXUS PRESALE ENDS TONIGHT, 6/19, AT MIDNIGHT. SECURE YOUR PASS AT THE LOWEST PRICE POINT POSSIBLE: http://www.chicagomusicnexus.com

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx