Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they dive into another episode of Agony Art, answering real questions from Ellevate clients and breaking down what it really takes to build an artist's career today.

In this episode, they discuss the slow, steady growth of early-stage artists and question whether signing a record deal is the only way to accelerate that momentum. Charlotte breaks down the importance of finding a label partner that shares your exact niche and community ethos, while Jasmin highlights alternative routes like publishing and distribution deals.

Finally, they tackle the age-old question: "What is success?"—moving past arbitrary streaming numbers to focus on creative freedom and consistency.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin discuss:

• The "Fast-Track" Trap: Why you should be careful about using paid campaigns to inflate your numbers, and the value of organic growth over quick fixes.
• Choosing the Right Partner: What artists should look for in a label (using historic indies like XL Recordings and Warp as examples of strong community ethos).
• Measuring Success: How defining what success looks like on a personal level is far more valuable than chasing major-label validation.
• The Myth of Arbitrary Numbers: Why labels don't just sign artists based on a magical "monthly listener" threshold, and why consistency in your overall career matters.

Listen now to explore:

• How to analyze what your business and creative team actually need right now.
• When it makes sense to seek a label deal versus exploring other financial avenues like a bank loan or publishing deal.
• Why signing a label deal is never the final goal—it's just a tool to help you achieve long-term sustainability.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/

ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios

ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions!

We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint.

In this episode we answer the questions:

• I'm relaunching my career after being a vocalist on dance tracks and I want to be a pop artist with my own project. Should I create a whole different persona?
• How do you feel about seeing Pink Pantheress being the youngest and first female winner of Producer of the Year at the Brit Awards?

We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions!

To submit questions for future episodes please email [email protected] with the subject line POD Q&A

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they follow up on last week's Spotify discussion and tackle one of the industry's most pressing questions: Can the modern music business still produce global megastars, or are the current systems stifling the development of the next generation?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin dive into how streaming algorithms, label strategies, and the attention economy are changing artist development.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin discuss:

• The Megastar Dilemma: Is the current industry landscape actually conducive to creating the next Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber?
• Early-Stage Investment: Why it's harder for real, developing artists to find the backing they need as industry priorities shift.
• Algorithm vs. Individuality: How pushing artists to conform to trends makes it incredibly difficult for unique, trendsetting superstars to emerge.
• Authentic Fan Connections: Why building consistency and a deep, loyal audience is the real engine for building a sustainable, long-term career.

Listen now to explore:

• How the lack of real human development is affecting the longevity of new artists.
• The pressure to "game" the algorithm versus building a true artist brand.
• Why patience and organic growth matter more than ever in a fast-paced market.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/

ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios

ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

We are back! After a short break to "live life" and find new inspiration, Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) return with an unfiltered look at the multi-layered impact of AI on the modern music landscape. From productivity tools to manufactured "clipping" campaigns, this episode explores the fine line between innovation and industry-scale gaming.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin discuss:

• "Clipping": Charlotte breaks down the strategy of using marketing agencies to flood socials with "fan-made" content and fake fan accounts to manufacture virality.
• Authenticity vs. Automation: Jasmin shares her perspective as an artist on the pressure to use AI
• The Problem with Playlists: Why Spotify has become "boring" through safe, predictable algorithms, and why the power of the artist-curated playlist is making a comeback.
• The Saturation Point: A deep dive into why major platforms like Spotify may be squeezing artist royalties even harder as they reach maximum market penetration.
• Speed vs. Sustainability: Why Charlotte advocates for "consistency over time" and why artists should choose organic growth over "get-rich-quick" hype schemes.

Listen now to explore:

• How to use technology to streamline your workflow without losing your artistic soul.
• The reality of "test bands" created by labels to game the system.
• Jasmin's challenge: She has until May 6th to share her curated "11 album" playlist—hold her accountable!
• Why investing in your own artistry is always a better spend than splurging money on a campaign with no strategy.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/

ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios

ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials

https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess

https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en

Charlotte's Socials

https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

🥋 New Episode Alert: Artist Side Hustles or Great Fan Experiences?

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they dive into the increasingly creative—and sometimes questionable—ways artists are forced to diversify their income in 2026. With streaming payouts still under fire, the "side hustle" has moved far beyond the merch stand.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin examine where we draw the line between a brilliant brand extension and a desperate sign of the times.

They discuss:

• The Dojo Meet & Greet: The story of Freddie Gibbs offering Kung Fu lessons as a VIP experience. Is this a genius way to share a personal passion, or is it "performing" for the payout?
• The Social Anxiety Standoff: Summer Walker’s infamously uncomfortable fan meet-and-greets. When an artist is clearly struggling with the interaction, does it still provide value for the fan, or does it feel transactional?
• The "Producer Date" Hustle: Jasmin shares a wild story about a producer selling one-on-one "dates" for cash.
• The Big Question: Are these clever hustles a natural extension of an artist's brand, or a glaring signal that artists simply aren't earning enough from their music to survive?

This episode is an essential listen for any artist or manager looking to build new revenue streams without diluting their artistic integrity.

Listen now to explore:

• Why revenue diversification has become a survival requirement in the modern industry.
• The ethics of commercial fan experience—when does it stop being about the art?
• How to identify a side hustle that actually strengthens your brand rather than making it look "cheap."
• Whether the "star power" of an artist is diminished when they have to sell their time in such a specific way.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

This episode was supposed to be published on 11th March. Apologies for the delay.

To celebrate Women’s History Month 2026, Charlotte and Jasmin are pulling back the curtain on the "Packaging Process." Why is it that female artists are so often pressured to fit into a pre-approved box to be considered marketable?

In this episode, we look at the high cost of the industry’s branding machine. We revisit the cautionary tale of Britney Spears, exploring how the system turned on her the moment she stepped outside the role of the "innocent and disempowered" girl.

But the tide is turning. We’re celebrating a new wave of artists like GIRLI and Chappell Roan, who are successfully building brands that completely bypass the "male gaze". From GIRLI’s raw, political alt-pop to Chappell’s "femininomenon", these artists are proving that catering to women and queer communities isn't just a niche—it’s the future.

We also have the "messy" conversation about internalised misogyny and how the industry is designed to pit female artists against one another rather than fostering community. Jasmin talks about the very real feeling as a female artist of pulling yourself apart.

Listen now to explore:

• The "Good Girl" Trap: Why the industry punishes female artists who deviate from their initial "packaging."
• Bypassing the Male Gaze: How GIRLI and Chappell Roan are rewriting the rules of artist branding.
• Internalised Misogyny: Dealing with the pressure to compete instead of collaborate.
• The Skill Standard: Why women are often forced to work twice as hard to prove their technical "exceptionalism."

Ahead of this podcast we should note that Wasserman has now renamed a The-Team since recording.

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a high-stakes discussion on the power structures and ethical crossroads of the music industry.

In this episode, they dive into the recent fallout surrounding Casey Wasserman and his appearance in the Epstein files, a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the talent and sports world. They discuss the swift response from artists like Chappell Roan, who ended her representation immediately, and ask the hard question: What does it mean for an artist to stand on principle in a system built on gatekeeping?

Charlotte and Jasmin explore the harsh reality for artists who aren't in a "power position." When finding a new agency or music partner is notoriously difficult, how do you leave a team you no longer align with? They talk about the vulnerability of needing your team to be genuinely excited about you, and the fear that walking away might mean losing your only seat at the table.

The conversation then expands to the industry's largest players—like Spotify. In a world where consumer behavior and artist discovery are dictated by a few tech giants, is a boycott even possible, or does it feel like "career suicide" for early-stage artists?

Listen now to explore:

• The Wasserman Fallout: Breaking down the Epstein file revelations and why artists like Chappell Roan left immediately.
• The Power Imbalance: Why it’s significantly harder for developing artists to hold big players to account compared to superstars.
• The Struggle for New Partners: The daunting reality of finding a new team that is genuinely excited about your project.
• The Responsibility of the Artist: Is it fair to expect early-stage artists to lead the charge on industry accountability?
• The Spotify Stranglehold: Can artists actually afford to boycott the platforms that dictate global listening habits?

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions!

We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint.

In this episode we answer the questions:

• How would we spend £100k to break an artist
• How is Jasmin managing relocating her life and music career to Bali?

We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions!

To submit questions for future episodes please email [email protected] with the subject line POD Q&A

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they follow up on the AI debate, moving past the headlines to ask the ultimate question: Where is this actually going?

As more "virtual" talent secures multimillion-dollar deals and dominates the news cycle, the industry is divided. But is the hype real, or is it a carefully manufactured bubble?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin pull apart the business model behind the machine. Charlotte highlights a crucial industry observation: how many AI artists receiving massive media attention appear to be artificially inflated by heavy ad spend rather than genuine, organic fandom.

Together, they weigh up the practical future of these projects:

• The Touring Test: Can an AI artist truly tour the world? Will fans ever be willing to pay high-tier ticket prices for a live show with no human heart at the center?
• Quality vs. Novelty: Is the music actually good enough to stand the test of time, or is the "AI" label just a gimmick that will eventually wear thin?
• The Long Game: If the goal isn't human connection, what is the "end game" for the tech companies and labels backing these entities?

This is a must-listen for artists and industry professionals trying to understand if AI artists are a legitimate new frontier or a temporary distraction fueled by marketing budgets.

Listen now to explore:

• The "smoke and mirrors" of AI success: How ad spend is used to create the illusion of virality.
• The viability of AI live shows and whether a hologram or screen can ever replace the energy of a real performer.
• Whether the quality of the music can ever match the soul and relatability of human-led projects.
• The ultimate objective: Is the end game about art, or is it about data and intellectual property?

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchesshttps://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a candid and necessary conversation about the current state of the UK's biggest music night. Following the recent nominations, the industry is asking: Why is the BRIT Awards still struggling to get R&B right?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin dive into the glaring absence of artists like Odeal and Elmiene from the R&B category—two artists who had undeniably massive years, sold-out shows, and critical acclaim, yet were completely overlooked.

They tackle the uncomfortable questions the industry is whispering:

• The Identity Crisis: Why were artists who don't technically make R&B nominated over the very people leading the genre’s resurgence?
• Exclusion or Ignorance? Is the voting committee’s oversight a result of a deep-seated lack of understanding of the genre, or is there a more systemic issue of colourism at play?
• The "R&B" Label: How the industry’s broad-brush approach to "Black music" often erases pure R&B artists in favor of more "pop-leaning" alternatives.

This is a vital discussion on representation, the power of gatekeepers, and why the UK’s R&B scene deserves more than just a footnote in award season.

Listen now to explore:

• The fallout from the 2026 BRIT Award nominations and the R&B category snubs.
• Why artists like Odeal and Elmiene are essential to the culture—and why the BRITs missed them.
• The debate between systemic exclusion versus a simple lack of genre literacy among voting members.
• How we can fix the voting process to ensure actual R&B artists are recognized and celebrated.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/