This week we welcome a dear friend of mine to the podcast,  @KAYA.musique ! KAYA (aka Jean-Philippe Kaya) skillfully merges his background in classical piano and film scoring with a passion for DJing and producing electronic music. Hailing from Bordeaux, France, with parents from Cameroon and Congo, and having lived across the US and Canada, KAYA draws from a rich tapestry of influences to craft his signature sound.

Today I’m very excited because not only do I get to sit down with one of the first friends I made when I moved to LA, but I also get to chat with a social media powerhouse who has somehow cracked the code on going viral (and has nearly 4MM social media followers across platforms to boot). When I first met  Alex Drachnik (Drax), she was a personal trainer, a nutritionist, a production assistant on major network TV, and a blossoming TikTok personality. This is, of course, after finding success as a body builder and a concert photographer.

After gaining 1 million TikTok followers in just one month, Alex has truly carved out her space in the social media world. Now, she’s the founder of Drax Social, a full-service production agency specializing in short-form content for major brands and personal brands alike. With a passion for entertaining and educating the world, Alex is here to share her story, insights, and tips on mastering the social media landscape. Let’s get inside the mind of this social media guru Alex Drachnik!

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Since moving to Los Angeles in 2013, Jake Clavette has spent over a decade immersed in music. From starting his first business in 2016 writing music for TV, film, and other projects, to working with iconic brands like Ray-Ban, Tidal, Roc Nation, and FOX, he’s built an impressive portfolio.

As a producer, he worked from 2014 to 2018 writing songs for pop artists, including the hit 'Cigarettes on Patios' for BabyJake, which is Gold Certified with over 157 million streams on Spotify. Under the name Clavette, he’s created music that’s been supported by industry giants like Diplo, Claptone, Lane 8, and many others, amassing over 1.85 million streams on Spotify.

He’s also collaborated with artists like N2N, LEFTI, Boogietraxx, and Racket Club (that’s me), and have been involved in event production with collectives like Los Angeles Music Project and Top Shelf Disco. In 2022, he founded Stereo Punks, focusing on organizing and producing premier events at top venues like Sound, 1720, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Trusted by Houston Hospitality, he’s curated unforgettable experiences for various properties, with plans to expand across the country.

Please welcome to the show, a DJ, producer, composer, and promoter making waves in the music scene—Clavette!

James Gross is the definition of a jack of all trades and a serial entrepreneur. He stepped his foot in the music industry door nine years ago when he began shooting photo and video for concerts and festivals. Then he fell into artist management when he realized he could do a good do a better job than many of the managers he saw in the business.

He quickly started his own artist management company which has a full roster of artists, before starting a venture called IndustryHours that began as an app and is now a monthly series where music industry professionals and creatives can go to connect.

Hannah Bowers is a singer, songwriter, producer, mental health advocate, emotional intelligence assessor and entrepreneur. Her multifaceted artistry is expressed in an array of collaborative projects aimed to empower others to embrace their individuality. She is the founder and CEO of PAL, a community of creatives supporting each other’s personal and professional growth through positivity, authenticity and love.

Check out our chat that covers the underserved nature of mental health in the creative community, transitioning from hobbyist to entrepreneur, overcoming self-doubt, and the power of collaboration and support in the creative journey.

Thank you Hannah Bowers!

Visit www.therackethouse.com for more info and sign up for a chat with me!

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I sat down with Mark Andrezyk, head of talent at Framework, Sound Nightclub, Spotlight LA, and one of the biggest stages at a very prominent festival in the desert ;) to understand what he looks for when he books artists to play his events. We talked about the dos and donts of the music industry, what up-and-coming artists should focus on (hint: it's your music, your ability to perform, and your brand), and what he bases his decisions on.