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

Tired of waiting for someone to give you a chance? Josh Baker's story proves you don't need permission to start building something meaningful in music.

Starting with literally nothing - a £20 generator and field parties where people told him to "turn this shit off" - Josh created his own opportunities when no one would book him. Fast forward to today, and he's co-founded You & Me parties, created Hide and Seek Festival, and launched Syntho, his artist education platform.

This isn't about becoming a mogul overnight. It's about taking the first step when you're tired of waiting for others to validate your vision.

Key Takeaways:

• Why you need initiative when no one's asking you to DJ
• How Josh went from £20 field parties to successful events
• The power of leverage: understanding when and how to hire help
• Why starting small with generators and boomboxes leads to bigger opportunities
• How to prove your worth when you can't get traditional bookings
• The evolution from solo artist to team leader
• Why house music wasn't mainstream 13 years ago (and what that meant for early adopters)
• How multiple projects can complement and support each other
• The importance of taking action rather than waiting for permission

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 waiting for permission. Hit play now to learn how to create your own opportunities in music.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

🎫 PRESALE ALERT: Chicago Music Nexus 2025 presale tickets are now live for 2 weeks only! Last year completely sold out, so don't sleep on this. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Want to know what separates artists who complain about the industry from those who actually change it? This conversation between the co-founders of Chicago Music Nexus reveals the mindset and actions required to "put yourself on" and create the opportunities you wish existed.

From Sherm's journey building Sherm in the Booth into a respected platform to my own path creating Elevated Frequencies and building an artist development program, we both understood what it meant to create rather than wait.

This discussion explores how our shared frustration with the lack of industry education events led us to co-found Chicago Music Nexus, transforming our individual visions into a collective movement that's changed an entire community.

Key Takeaways:

- Why waiting for permission kills more careers than rejection
- How to identify gaps in your scene and fill them yourself
- The mindset shift from consumer to creator of opportunities
- Building something valuable even with limited resources
- Why taking initiative opens doors you didn't know existed
- How to turn frustration with the industry into fuel for change
- The compound effect of consistently showing up and adding value
- Creating community around shared vision rather than personal gain
- Why the industry rewards people who take action over those who wait
- How one event can transform an entire scene's trajectory

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 waiting for the industry to change. This conversation reveals how to become the catalyst for the opportunities you want to see.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

Think your local scene holds the key to your DJ success? This conversation with Hiroko Yamamura will change that perspective entirely. Even in a major music city like Chicago, waiting for local validation can be a career-limiting strategy.

Hiroko reveals why looking beyond your hometown - even when it's a music capital - might be the most important move you make. But this conversation goes far deeper, offering insights into the psychology of DJing, crowd management, and what it really takes to sustain a career in this demanding industry.

Key Takeaways:

-Why local scenes often overlook talent in their own backyard
-How to build a career when your hometown doesn't support you
-The strategy of representing your city while building elsewhere
-How to read and control rooms with multiple distractions
-The psychology behind effective DJ transitions and crowd management
-Why empathy is essential for DJs - understanding crowd comfort and safety
-Why international opportunities can be easier than local ones
-Balancing artistic integrity with reading what the crowd needs
-Learning from different venue types and their unique dynamics

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 waiting for your local scene to validate you. This conversation reveals how to build a thriving career by thinking beyond your backyard while mastering the essential skills every DJ needs.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__
Connect with Hiroko: @hiroko__music

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

For our milestone 100th episode, we're celebrating in our brand new Chicago studio with someone who's been part of this journey from day one - my brother, Proppa. His recent success with Warner Bros. offers the perfect case study in what it really takes to break through in music.

From years of producing remixes to finally seeing his work gain major label support, Proppa's journey embodies the persistence required in this industry. Our conversation explores the reality behind "overnight success" stories and the importance of staying true to your vision even when progress seems slow.

Key Takeaways:

• The truth about how long success actually takes in music
• How to maintain belief in yourself when no one else does
• The mindset shifts that transform challenges into opportunities
• Finding balance between day jobs and creative pursuits
• Building genuine connections that survive industry challenges
• The importance of documenting your journey
• Why consistency matters more than overnight virality
• How siblings can help each other navigate the industry

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

Follow Proppa's journey: @itsproppa

Plus: Stay tuned for the announcement of our Chicago Music Nexus 2025 contest winner at the end of this episode!

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx