Episodes
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This episode is sponsored by Trackstack: the operating system built for music professionals who invest in each other. Trackstack Pro gives you access to a network of labels, curators, and artists where every connection you make is yours to keep. No algorithms, no platform holding your contacts hostage. Just real professional relationships that can turn into collaborations, bookings, and opportunities that can change the trajectory of your career.
Use code ELEVATED for 50% off Pro for 3 months at trackstack.app
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What happens when a producer's biggest hit pulls her away from the artist she actually wants to be? Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with J Worra, the Chicago-rooted, LA-based DJ and producer behind releases on Insomniac, Repopulate Mars, and her own new label Dialogxe.
J Worra opens up about growing up closeted in a small town, finding herself in Chicago's house scene, and the label deal that boxed her in for two years and made her lose herself completely. She breaks down why some of her biggest tracks cause internal conflict, why she started her own label instead of chasing another deal, and how creative freedom became non-negotiable. They get into imposter syndrome, the sexism she still runs into in a male-dominated scene, why relationships now matter more than talent, and the actual playbook for launching a label today, including why paying $500 for promo can beat waiting for someone to sign you.
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๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth:
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
This episode is sponsored by Trackstack: the operating system built for music professionals who invest in each other. Trackstack Pro gives you access to a network of labels, curators, and artists where every connection you make is yours to keep. No algorithms, no platform holding your contacts hostage. Just real professional relationships that can turn into collaborations, bookings, and opportunities that can change the trajectory of your career.
Use code ELEVATED for 50% off Pro for 3 months at trackstack.app
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You don't have to make music to build a respected underground label. Olivia Mancuso sits down with Nick Alatriste, founder of PNK Records โ the Miami minimal/tech house label that grew from an anonymous house-Twitter account into a label, event series, and management company.
Inside: finding his musical obsession at a six-hour PAWSA set at Club Space, signing artists nobody else would, and developing a sound instead of chasing big labels. Plus throwing your first party, Beatport genre boxes, and staying underground as you grow.
Essential for producers, DJs, and anyone building a brand in dance music.
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๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth: https://greenroomnetwork.com/creator/OliviaMancuso
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx---------------------------------------------
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Missing episodes?
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This episode is sponsored by Trackstack: the operating system built for music professionals who invest in each other. Trackstack Pro gives you access to a network of labels, curators, and artists where every connection you make is yours to keep. No algorithms, no platform holding your contacts hostage. Just real professional relationships that can turn into collaborations, bookings, and opportunities that can change the trajectory of your career.
Use code ELEVATED for 50% off Pro for 3 months at trackstack.app
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How do festival lineups actually get built โ and what really gets an artist booked, signed, and streamed? Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with Will Runzel, founder of artist management company Prodigy, who came up as a talent buyer and promoter before managing some of dance music's biggest acts.
Will breaks down how talent buyers really assemble festival lineups, how he booked now-headlining DJs like Zedd and DJ Snake for almost nothing early on, and how to spot a padded offer. They get into artist branding and vision, audience psychographics, owning a niche instead of chasing everyone, the unglamorous work ethic behind every breakout, and why every release is now an audiovisual project.
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Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
Instagram: oliviamancuso__
Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx
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This episode is sponsored by Trackstack: the operating system built for music professionals who invest in each other. Trackstack Pro gives you access to a network of labels, curators, and artists where every connection you make is yours to keep. No algorithms, no platform holding your contacts hostage. Just real professional relationships that can turn into collaborations, bookings, and opportunities that can change the trajectory of your career.
Use code ELEVATED for 50% off Pro for 3 months at trackstack.app
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Lee Burridge bet everything on a sound almost nobody was making โ and built a movement the rest of dance music is still chasing. Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with the All Day I Dream founder on conviction, commitment, and what it costs to build your own lane.
Lee traces the long, unlikely road to building All Day I Dream and why he let it grow slowly, on word of mouth, instead of chasing hype. He's candid on the realities of running a label on taste alone: the patience, the conviction to back a sound early, and how things you can't control โ like how platforms categorize your music โ can impact an artist's career.
For any DJ or producer, it's a masterclass in belief, patience, and protecting your sound when everything is changing around you.
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๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth:
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Mark Knight went from freezing on a construction roof to running Beatport's number one selling label. Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with the Toolroom founder. He explains why making a record is like managing a construction project, and why he never took a single day off building the company.
Inside Toolroom: 24 staff, 45 plus releases a year, fully self-funded with no investors, surviving on integrity, A&R, and artist development. They also dig into burnout, protecting your mornings, and the future of house music in the US versus the UK.
For any DJ, producer, or independent builder, it's a masterclass in work ethic and longevity.
Chicago Music Nexus is back for 2026, and this year, we are doing it across two full days.
November 20 is Field Day at Concord Music Hall, where you will get hands-on time with the tools, people, and sessions that actually move careers. November 21 is Conference Day at The Joinery, panels and workshops with the agents, A&Rs, and artists actively shaping the industry.
Presale opens June 25th. Sign up for texts to get access one day early.
Two-day passes are extremely limited. Do not sleep on this.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth.
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
At 38, Bontan still looks 23. He quit school at 17 to DJ pubs five nights a week, took a 6-month pay cut to chase the Bontan project from his parents' house, and just launched his own label North Drum at Fabrik London. He's signed to Hot Creations, releases on No Art, and his latest track just went viral overnight after a major pop star used it on a reel.
In this episode, Olivia sits down with Bontan to talk about what it actually takes to build a sustainable career in dance music, from surviving 6 months without income to defending a tour schedule that runs on 3 hours of sleep.
Chicago Music Nexus is back for 2026, and this year, we are doing it across two full days. November 20 is Field Day at Concord Music Hall, where you will get hands-on time with the tools, people, and sessions that actually move careers. November 21 is Conference Day at The Joinery, panels and workshops with the agents, A&Rs, and artists actively shaping the industry.
Presale opens June 25th. Sign up for texts to get access one day early: https://laylo.com/oliviamancuso/wxgwS3
Two-day passes are extremely limited. Do not sleep on this.๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
From a perfect SAT math score to a residency at Hรฏ Ibiza, Francis Mercier built his career on networking, not luck. Olivia Mancuso sits down with Francis Mercier, the Haitian DJ, producer, and Deep Root Records founder.
He breaks down spinning $300 frat parties at Brown and throwing his own New York parties when no club would book him yet. Francis also shares the seven-year grind to earn a major artist's recognition, and why connecting with people beats raw studio talent.
For any DJ or producer, it is a real blueprint on networking, resilience, and timing your move to a music city.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
What does it really take to get signed to a respected electronic label? Hint: it has nothing to do with your follower count. Olivia Mancuso sits down with DJ Tennis, founder of Life and Death, who didn't earn his first real DJ recognition until he was 40.
He traces his path from Italy's punk and DIY scene into Italo disco, house, and techno, and explains why wedding DJ work is underrated training. He also shares the rejected record that went Beatport number one for a year, and what he actually signs artists for: character, hard work, and vision.
For any producer chasing a sustainable career, it's proof the slow burn wins.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth.
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Most of what you call career work isn't actually moving your career forward. In this one, I'm breaking down the four habits quietly stalling most DJ careers right now.
I get personal about why I'm giving up my studio over a $1,100 rent hike, and why "knowing your worth" can be a costume for ego. I cover Instagram hack culture, the prerequisites you invent for yourself, and the feedback habit that quietly kills creative vision.
These habits feel responsible. They feel like progress. But in actuality, they're ceilings that inhibit growth.
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๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth:
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
What happens when one hate comment almost ends a 30-year career? Olivia Mancuso sits down with Laidback Luke, the Dutch DJ behind Mixmash Records and mentor to a generation of EDM giants. He opens up about losing the underground scene after his first hit, and the silent year that followed his MTV breakthrough. But he's still here. Still hungry. Still winning.
This conversation goes deep on what it actually takes to survive โ and thrive โ in dance music for three decades. Luke opens up about building MixMash Records from a website guestbook, mentoring a generation of artists that changed the game, and why his Kung Fu practice gave him the mental framework to handle the chaos of touring life.
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๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth:
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Going viral takes the same time as making the song. That's the mindset shift Tres Mortimer credits for breaking out of the Chicago local DJ scene. Olivia Mancuso sits down with Tres Mortimer, the producer behind Optics Records and the new party brand Slavic House Society.
They unpack the local to touring jump, why content has to be funded like studio time, and how hate comments means your content is working. They cover why remixes are losing grip, and his fresh Planet X signing with Ben Sterling. For any producer trying to grow past their home city, this one is a roadmap.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth:
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
AJ Christou went from hanging out at Sankys with a fake ID to becoming a resident at the same club, signing with The Martinez Brothers, and playing his first official Miami Music Week set at Wynwood Studios. In this episode, Olivia Mancuso sits down with AJ to break down how a Manchester teenager who hated electronic music the first time he heard it built a career in the global house and tech house circuit.
AJ shares the random chain of events that started his DJ journey: buying CDJs that sat untouched for 6 months, learning to mix for his sister's 30th birthday, and getting his first Sankys slot off a SoundCloud mix. He gets honest about why the "gatekeeping" complaint is mostly entitlement, why he moved to New York to study at Dubspot, and the real difference between Miami Music Week and ADE for emerging producers.
For any new producer trying to figure out where to invest first (music, networking, education, or production lessons), AJ lays out the exact order that worked for him and explains why showing up to the shows of DJs who play your music changes everything.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth:
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Laylo is the drop platform and CRM used by artists and promoters like Fisher, Chris Lake, James Hype, Mochakk, Whethan, and TekSupport to create hype around big moments and build a direct line to fans. With Laylo, you can capture phone numbers from social media and message your biggest supporters when tickets or merch go live, plus reward them with exclusives. It works across SMS, email, WhatsApp, and Instagram DMs, with integrations like Shopify and Spotify, voicemail hotlines, and a complete tour suite when youโre ready to hit the road. Laylo makes it easy and affordable for DJs to drop in your style and build a fandom that lasts.
Get 15,000 free messaging credits here with code Olivia15---------------------------------------------
Some DJs have a million followers but can't fill a 100-cap room. So what actually builds a career?
Olivia Mancuso sits down with Thatch Sammet, Director of Partnerships at Laylo, to break down the infrastructure behind real fan loyalty in electronic music.
They unpack the 1,000 true fans framework, the fan flywheel, and why owning your fan list beats chasing streams, followers, and the algorithm.
Real case studies: Griz's early access merch drops, Austin Millz' backstage giveaway system, the Dean Turley "Acting Tough" missed moment, and the night Skrillex crashed Dropbox with a Gmail link.For DJs, producers, and electronic artists who are tired of chasing virality and want to build a career that actually sells tickets and merch.
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๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
What happens when billions of streams stop meaning anything? In this episode of Elevated Frequencies, Olivia Mancuso sits down with multi-platinum artist Jonas Blue to talk about the moment commercial success stopped being enough.
Jonas opens up about the summer of 2024, when years of touring and making EDM left him feeling creatively empty and personally unhappy in London. Instead of staying comfortable, he made a drastic decision: sell everything, leave the major label system, and move to Miami to rebuild from scratch.
This conversation goes deep into what it actually looks like to rebrand after a decade at the top. Jonas talks about returning to his house music roots, DJing on vinyl again for the first time in years, and writing songs the way he always did: starting at the piano, not with drums and bass.
They also dig into why originality matters more than ever in the AI era, what Jonas learned by standing on the dance floor as a fan instead of behind the booth, and why the younger generation's relationship with phones is changing club culture for better and worse.
Whether you're an artist thinking about making a creative pivot or just curious about what happens when someone at the top decides to start over, this episode is a masterclass in trusting your gut.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Ever wonder what happens when two brothers make 500 tracks before one finally breaks through? In this episode, Olivia Mancuso sits down with Murphy's Law, the UK brother duo taking the US dance music scene by storm.
From growing up in a studio at the end of their garden (their dad played with Stevie Wonder) to making rap music as teenagers, Sonny and his brother Finn built their careers through relentless grassroots hustle. They share the full story behind their breakout remix of Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man," including the 13 month clearance nightmare and the McDonald's car park moment they got the news.
The conversation gets real about why being sober behind the decks makes you a sharper, more honest DJ. They break down the industry's ripping culture, why most DJ duos implode, and how they strategically built relationships with artists like Joseph Capriati and Jamie Jones.
Murphy's Law also reveal the trap of chasing a viral hit after your first big record, and why going back to making whatever feels cool is always the answer.
Whether you're an up and coming DJ or deep in the scene, this one's packed with real talk about resilience, patience, and playing the long game in dance music.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth.
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
What does it actually take to go from bottle service gigs to touring techno DJ? Flashgea has a very specific answer.
Olivia Mancuso sits down with Flashgea, a Bronx-born, Ecuadorian-Trinidadian producer and DJ who discovered rave culture at 20 years old on an illegal boat party during COVID lockdown and never looked back.
They cover the story behind Took the Night, his biggest track to date, how a single caption about the genre police triggered a viral moment that brought Hannah Laing, Sarah Landry, and eventually JSTJR into his orbit.
Flash breaks down the exact bar deal strategy he used to make free events financially viable, how he grew the Mezcla party series from a Brooklyn rooftop to a 1000-person birthday show, and why he asked for just two stops on JSTJR's tour and ended up with seven.
This episode is essential listening for any DJ or independent artist trying to understand how to build leverage before you have it, how to stay mentally grounded in the quiet periods between wins, and why being genuinely interesting outside of your genre matters more than most people admit.
Subscribe to Elevated Frequencies for weekly conversations with the artists, DJs, and industry figures actually building careers in dance music.
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Laylo is the drop platform and CRM used by artists and promoters like Fisher, Chris Lake, James Hype, Mochakk, Whethan, and TekSupport to create hype around big moments and build a direct line to fans. With Laylo, you can capture phone numbers from social media and message your biggest supporters when tickets or merch go live, plus reward them with exclusives. It works across SMS, email, WhatsApp, and Instagram DMs, with integrations like Shopify and Spotify, voicemail hotlines, and a complete tour suite when youโre ready to hit the road. Laylo makes it easy and affordable for DJs to drop in your style and build a fandom that lasts.
Get 15,000 free messaging credits here with code Olivia15:
https://laylo.com/auth?affiliate=eZ9o...Youโll also have a chance to meet Thatch Sammet, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Laylo and get direct insights on how to leverage the platform at Miami Music Nexus!
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What does it actually take to build a DJ career that lasts 16 years? The answer involves sacrifice, grief, loneliness, and a studio in an attic.
Olivia Mancuso sits down with Archie Hamilton, a UK-based house and tech house DJ and label founder who has spent over a decade and a half touring internationally and releasing music across multiple imprints.
This conversation gets real about the parts of the industry nobody glamorizes. Archie opens up about moving back home at 26 to pursue music full-time, why external studio setups quietly destroyed his creative output, and how building a home studio this year has him producing 6 hours a day for the first time in years. He talks about the discipline behind longevity versus the trap of chasing a two-year hype cycle.
From the TikTok effect on how music gets made, to the loneliness of touring, to why smart money habits matter more than most artists realize, this episode is a blueprint for artists who want a real career, not just a moment.
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Subscribe for more real industry insights and deep dives into electronic music!
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: oliviamancuso_
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Ever struggle to finish tracks because of endless screen time and studio distractions? Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with underground house heavyweight Josh Butler to discuss how strict time limitations actually fuel his creativity.
Josh reveals how balancing fatherhood with his DJ career forced him to embrace constraints, proving you can produce a great track in just three hours by stepping away from your phone and protecting your creative flow.
They also dive into his hands-on workflow with analog synthesizers, the minimal mixing principles of vintage dub reggae, and the launch of his new vocal-led imprint, MYC Records.
For electronic music producers, this conversation is a masterclass in working efficiently and keeping your focus strictly on the music.---------------------------------------------------------
Ready to turn Miami Music Week into more than just parties?
Join us at Miami Music Nexus and spend your time in Miami learning how to build real fanbases, tour smarter, and grow your career in electronic musicโwith industry pros who actually know what they're talking about.
๐ Get tickets here---------------------------------------------------------
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx -
Laylo is the drop platform and CRM used by artists and promoters like Fisher, Chris Lake, James Hype, Mochakk, Whethan, and TekSupport to create hype around big moments and build a direct line to fans. With Laylo, you can capture phone numbers from social media and message your biggest supporters when tickets or merch go live, plus reward them with exclusives. It works across SMS, email, WhatsApp, and Instagram DMs, with integrations like Shopify and Spotify, voicemail hotlines, and a complete tour suite when youโre ready to hit the road. Laylo makes it easy and affordable for DJs to drop in your style and build a fandom that lasts.
Get 15,000 free messaging credits here with code Olivia15.Youโll also have a chance to meet Thatch Sammet, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Laylo, and get direct insights on how to leverage the platform at Miami Music Nexus!
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What happens when a DJ bets her career on the one album she wrote only for herself?
Olivia Mancuso sits down with Sippy, the Australian-born bass music and dubstep producer who just wrapped her Scars In Stereo album tour. Sippy built a loyal fanbase on lighthearted, high-energy club sets. Then she released something completely different. They dig into how Sippy held onto years of moody, personal music before finally committing to an album, and how that decision had nothing to do with strategy or bookings.
Olivia and Sippy also break down when it actually makes sense to pivot your sound, how to build a fanbase that rides with you through career changes, and why chasing virality produces fans who will never buy a ticket or a piece of merch. This episode is essential listening for any artist trying to build something that lasts in dance music without losing themselves in the process.
Ready to turn Miami Music Week into more than just parties?
Join us at Miami Music Nexus and spend your time in Miami learning how to build real fanbases, tour smarter, and grow your career in electronic musicโwith industry pros who actually know what they're talking about.
๐ Get tickets here๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth.
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx
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Laylo is the drop platform and CRM used by artists and promoters like Fisher, Chris Lake, James Hype, Mochakk, Whethan, and TekSupport to create hype around big moments and build a direct line to fans. With Laylo, you can capture phone numbers from social media and message your biggest supporters when tickets or merch go live, plus reward them with exclusives. It works across SMS, email, WhatsApp, and Instagram DMs, with integrations like Shopify and Spotify, voicemail hotlines, and a complete tour suite when youโre ready to hit the road. Laylo makes it easy and affordable for DJs to drop in your style and build a fandom that lasts. Get 15,000 free messaging credits here with code Olivia15:
Youโll also have a chance to meet Thatch Sammet, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Laylo and get direct insights on how to leverage the platform at Miami Music Nexus!
Miami Music Week can transform your dance music career, but only if you arrive with a proven networking strategy. Olivia Mancuso delivers a solo masterclass on navigating the chaos, breaking down her "FBI approach" to intelligence gathering, identifying real decision-makers, and naturally bypassing gatekeepers before you even walk through the door.
Olivia also reveals how to craft the perfect 30-second elevator pitch without sounding like a walking EPK, and lays out a clear 90-day follow-up plan to turn the connections you make into real opportunities, whether that's getting tracks signed, securing bookings, or building relationships that actually last.
Subscribe for more real strategies, and join us at Miami Music Nexus on March 26th to put it all into practice!
๐ Want personalized guidance on your music career? Book a one-on-one consultation with Olivia on GreenRoom where you can get tailored advice on branding, business strategy, and sustainable career growth.
๐ Instagram: @oliviamancuso__
๐ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx - Show more
