Elevated Frequencies

Olivia Mancuso
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Entrepreneur and Chicago Music Nexus co-founder Olivia Mancuso cues up insider tips and real-world stories to help aspiring house and techno artists turn their passion into profit. After scaling her business from zero to six figures in six months, Olivia is ready to help with everything from setting up an LLC to building your personal brand. Each week, she’ll share personal insights alongside interviews with artists, promoters, label owners, and agents - all with the aim of elevating your house and techno journey. For more content on growing your career, brand, and business, check out Olivia’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/oliviamancuso__

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    12 Years to Go Viral (feat. OKAYVAL) | EF EP 139

    Viral fame looks like overnight success, but building a sustainable music career often takes a decade of grinding behind the scenes. Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with tech house artist OKAYVAL ( @OKAYVAL ) to dissect her journey from making beats in 2013 to dominating charts with viral hits like "Techno" and "Designer." They dive deep into the reality of modern music production, discussing how to evolve your sound design and mix engineer skills across genres like House and Big Room to finally find your unique signature. You’ll learn critical insights on the self-release vs. record label debate, producer tips for avoiding social media burnout, and how to navigate music industry marketing without losing your creativity. This episode is a masterclass on producer mindset, proving that staying humble and building genuine community is more valuable than just chasing algorithm trends or collecting plugins. 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 music—with industry pros who actually know what they're talking about.👉 Get tickets here 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

    28 min

  2. 12 FEB

    Singles Are Holding DJs Back (feat. ALLEYCVT) | EF EP 138

    Creating a cohesive body of work is the ultimate challenge for rising artists. We explore the pressure of music production while balancing a relentless release schedule and touring. Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with bass music powerhouse ALLEYCVT to discuss her journey from professional songwriting to becoming a headlining EDM producer. We dive into technical sound design, the complexity of mixdowns, and the workflow required to bridge melody writing with professional electronic music production in the studio. Learn how authenticity drives social media growth and why investing in a tour production team is vital for elevating your live DJing experience. Beyond studio gear, we discuss the producer mindset, navigating the music industry, and the importance of fostering a tight-knit community within the bass scene. Subscribe for more exclusive interviews and expert producer tips to level up your career! 👉 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

    27 min

  3. 5 FEB

    Why Avello Stopped Teasing His Music | EF EP 137

    Stop dreaming about the mainstage and start building your music career today. Discover how a bedroom producer went from downloading an Ableton Live trial to performing with Illenium at Lost Lands. Host Olivia Mancuso sits down with EDM artist Avello to decode his rapid ascent in the electronic music industry. Learn how he turned a basic studio setup into a touring reality through sheer focus. Master modern music marketing with Avello’s "Trust and Dopamine" content strategy. We break down why post-release promotion beats pre-release teasing and how to effectively cut through the noise on social media. Explore professional music production workflows, from mastering VST plugins like Serum to overcoming the learning curve of DAWs. Get essential producer tips on navigating label deals and refining your DJing skills. Whether you are focused on sound design or business strategy, this episode offers vital career advice. Shift your mindset from fear to "best case scenario" visualization to finally unlock your true potential. 👉 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

    40 min

  4. 29 JAN

    The Financial Mistake That Ends More Music Careers Than Bad Music | EF EP 136

    You're finally making money from music. Shows are coming in. Maybe you just got your first $10K, $50K, or $100K check. This is the moment every artist works toward—and the moment where most careers start falling apart. The music industry doesn't teach you what to do when the money actually arrives. There's no handbook for navigating profit vs. expenses, budgeting for inconsistent income, or knowing when you actually need professional financial help. By the time most artists realize they're in trouble, they've already made costly mistakes that set them back years. Jasmine Kwok has seen it from every angle. From artist relations to booking during the Avicii era, to banking, and now running ICONAC as a business manager for top DJs—she knows exactly where artists go wrong and how to fix it. This isn't just about managing money. It's about understanding the difference between a business and gambling, building the right team at the right time, and recognizing that financial literacy isn't optional if you want longevity in this industry. Key Takeaways: - The critical difference between a business manager, CPA, and financial advisor (and when you need each one) - Why most artists wait until there's a financial emergency to get help—and how much that costs them - The invisible infrastructure behind every successful artist that fans never see - What to actually do with your first big paycheck (hint: it's not buying a Rolex) - The "need vs. want" test that stops impulse purchases in their tracks - Red and green flags when interviewing business managers - Why communication matters more than technical expertise - How lifestyle creep kills more careers than bad music Whether you're just starting to make money from music or you're already earning six figures, this conversation will change how you think about building sustainable wealth in the music industry. 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. Connect with Olivia on Instagram Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

    30 min

  5. 22 JAN

    Sam Divine on Sobriety & Starting Over | EF EP 135

    When success starts destroying you, do you walk away or do you rebuild on your own terms? Sam Divine spent 25 years grinding her way to the top—from handing out flyers on Ibiza streets to becoming the Queen of Defected. But the journey nearly broke her. Depression, addiction, relentless touring, and the loss of her mother pushed her to a breaking point where the music that once saved her started hurting her. In January 2025, she checked herself into rehab. Not just for the drugs and alcohol, but for exhaustion. For being a workaholic who couldn't remember the last time she just breathed. What she found there changed everything. If you've ever felt like giving up, like the industry is too much, like you're losing yourself in the chaos—this conversation is for you. Because on the other side of rock bottom, Sam found something unexpected: a new era, a new label (555), and a profound new energy that's redefining what success means. Key Takeaways: Why being a workaholic is just as dangerous as being an alcoholicHow Sam went from hating her first sober gig to thriving in sobrietyThe real cost of 25 years on the road and how burnout compounds over timeHow rehab unlocked her creativity and led to writing "Scars" about addiction and faithWhat it means to rebuild your career when you can't even listen to music anymoreThe art of the 5-hour set and why going back to grassroots venues mattersHow losing her mother became the catalyst for finding herselfWhy the industry needs more female producers, not just more female DJsHow to maintain your standards while the industry evolves around youSam's journey proves that hitting rock bottom doesn't mean it's over—it means you finally have solid ground to rebuild from. Want personalized guidance on building a sustainable career in dance music? Book a consulting call with me on GreenRoom and let's map out your next move. Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

    46 min

  6. 15 JAN

    It's a Burden, But What Does It Outweigh? Will Clarke on the Artist's Trade-Off | EF EP 134

    Will Clarke posted that he was retiring. For 48 hours before revealing it was a remix album announcement, he experienced something unexpected: complete freedom. "I woke up the next day after retiring and was like, my god, this is so free." That moment revealed a truth most artists won't admit - this career is both a calling and a cage. Will's been doing this since he was nine years old, DJing longer than he hasn't, and sometimes the only way to remember why you started is to imagine walking away. Key Takeaways: - Why the artist career is gambling  - and what that really means- The truth about sacrifice: how to know if what you're giving up is worth it- Why playing more bad gigs than good gigs is the only path forward- The windscreen vs. rearview mirror: why regrets are valid but what's ahead matters more- Why dating outside the industry might save your sanity- The real question: would you still make music if no one was listening? If you're struggling with whether this career is worth the sacrifice, this conversation will give you the framework to decide. Need personalized guidance on building your career and protecting your mental health in this industry? Book a consultation with me on GreenRoom. and let's create a strategy that works for your life. Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

    38 min

  7. 8 JAN

    The Hidden Costs of Starting a Label with Charles D | EF EP 133

    Think running a label is just passion and good taste? Charles D is learning the hard way what it actually costs to build something from scratch. With releases on Drumcode and Pryda Presents, Charles has earned his stripes in techno. But now that he's launched KONKRTE, he's pulling back the curtain on what nobody talks about: the $2,500 per release, the £1,000 promo campaigns, and why most artists have no idea what they're signing up for. We get into his bootcamp tour with Eric Prydz (9 shows in 12 days, every set different), the imposter syndrome that comes from calling yourself an artist when you grew up in an immigrant household, and the difference between being a producer who makes things sound good versus being an artist who has something to say. Key Takeaways: • The actual breakdown of what it costs to release music on your own label • Why promo companies are eating most of your budget (and why you need them) • The difference between producers and artists - and why most never make the shift • Why imposter syndrome doesn't go away even after you've "made it" • The economics of running a label without burning your artists Need help building your artist brand or navigating the business side of dance music? Book a call with me on GreenRoom for personalized strategies that actually work: https://greenroomnetwork.com/creator/OliviaMancuso Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

    38 min

  8. 1 JAN

    Map Out Your DJ Career in 2026 Using This Framework | EF EP 132

    New year, same you? Good. Because I'm not here to tell you to hustle harder or add seventeen new habits to your routine. The artists crushing it right now aren't doing MORE than you - they're doing DIFFERENT. They've figured out how to stop being a full-time employee in their own career and start being the CEO. In this episode, I'm breaking down the one framework that separates DJs who plateau at year three from the ones who build sustainable, growing careers: Working ON your career versus working IN your career. And by the end, you'll have a four-week action plan to map out your entire 2026 strategy. Key Takeaways: • The difference between working IN (day-to-day tasks) vs ON (strategic planning) your career• Why most DJs spend 95% of their time on the wrong things and plateau as a result• How I built Chicago Music Nexus by spending 6 months exclusively working ON the business• Why some gigs are strategic moves and others are just survival mode• The 5 key areas where you need to work ON: strategic planning, content & releases, marketing assets, relationship building, and career development• The Weekly CEO Hour: How to implement strategic thinking without adding more work• The post-performance analysis framework (featuring insights from Rituals founder Rami Dabura)• Your 4-week action plan to completely map out Q1 and set yourself up for success Why This Matters: You cannot build momentum if you're constantly in the weeds responding to DMs, tweaking tracks that are already done, and staying busy without actually growing. Strategic thinking is what separates successful artists from everyone else - and it's the one thing most DJs completely skip. Want help building your 2026 strategy? Book a 1-on-1 artist development call with me on GreenRoom where we'll map out exactly what you need to focus on to reach your goals. Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__ Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Entrepreneur and Chicago Music Nexus co-founder Olivia Mancuso cues up insider tips and real-world stories to help aspiring house and techno artists turn their passion into profit. After scaling her business from zero to six figures in six months, Olivia is ready to help with everything from setting up an LLC to building your personal brand. Each week, she’ll share personal insights alongside interviews with artists, promoters, label owners, and agents - all with the aim of elevating your house and techno journey. For more content on growing your career, brand, and business, check out Olivia’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/oliviamancuso__

Information

  • Creator
    Olivia Mancuso
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Olivia Mancuso
  • Show Website
    Elevated Frequencies

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