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