Elevated Frequencies

• 'I Don't Care About Your Follower Count': Slugg's Music-First Philosophy | EF EP 116

  Most labels won't sign you without 10,000 followers. Slugg's Get Busy label will sign an artist with 20 followers if they make better music than someone with 20,000. This conversation will completely change how you think about building a music career in the social media age.While the industry obsesses over vanity metrics, Slugg has built his reputation on a simple philosophy: good music makes people move, period. From his early days in Orlando to playing Paradise with Jamie Jones in Ibiza, his journey proves that staying true to your sound - even when others don't understand it - eventually pays off.Key Takeaways:• Why music quality should always trump social media metrics when signing artists• The entrepreneurial mindset every modern DJ needs: labels, events, and multiple revenue streams• Why patience and learning from mistakes are essential for long-term success• How to "play the room" and adapt your sets while staying true to your sound• Building genuine fan relationships that create superfans who travel across the country• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who keep you groundedStop chasing metrics and start chasing musical excellence. Hit play now to learn how authenticity built Slugg's career from the ground up.THE LINK - Chicago Music Nexus Pre-Party is LIVE! Join us on November 21st, 10 PM - 2 AM at Loft 22 for the official CMN pre-party. Network with fellow attendees, panelists, and Chicago's music community before the main event.DJ CONTEST: Submit your 20-30 minute mix by October 6th for a chance to win the opening slot, free CMN 2026 ticket, and more! Send mix + bio + tracklist to [email protected]: fourvenues.com/chicago-music-nexus-the-linkCMN Main Event: chicagomusicnexus.comConnect with me: @oliviamancuso__Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

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• "I ALMOST QUIT DJING": Bijou's Brutal Career Reset | EF EP 115

  Most artists think talent is enough. Bijou proves that discipline is what separates the successful from the struggling. After 13 years of building his career around G-House, he hit a wall - he hated his music, hated touring, and wanted to quit everything.Instead of giving up, he rebuilt his entire approach to artistry. We're talking 13 years of sobriety, 6 AM wake-ups even while touring, cold plunges, meditation, and meal prep routines that most people think are impossible for a DJ lifestyle.The result? Fisher is now playing his tracks in Ibiza, he's signed to Catch & Release, and his Mind Eraser tour is selling out venues across the country. This isn't just a comeback story - it's a blueprint for what happens when you treat your body and mind as seriously as your music.Key Takeaways:• Why getting comfortable in your career is the most dangerous place to be• How 13 years of sobriety unlocked his true creative potential• The morning routine that gives him 3 hours of distraction-free time daily• Why he switched from G-House after years of success and how he navigated the transition• The psychology behind why fans stick with artists through genre changes• How meal prep and fitness routines directly impact studio productivity• The mindset shift that turned career crisis into creative breakthrough• How building genuine fan connections creates loyalty beyond any single sound• Why discipline, not talent, determines long-term success in musicStop making excuses about your schedule. If a touring DJ can wake up at 6 AM, meal prep, and maintain strict routines while traveling the world, you can build better habits too. Hit play now to learn how discipline became Bijou's secret weapon.Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

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• The Uncomfortable Truth About Who's Really Winning in House Music | EF EP 113

  Most artists won't say this out loud, but DJ Lady D will: the house music scene has a problem, and it's not what you think. Chicago's House Music Queen is calling out the uncomfortable truth about who's really getting rewarded in dance music - and it's not always the people who deserve it.While the world's best DJs created the culture in Chicago, only a handful are seeing the financial success that matches their influence. Lady D breaks down why focusing on the past might be holding the scene back, and what artists need to do differently to build sustainable careers.This isn't just about Chicago house music - it's about every artist who's wondered why talent doesn't always equal success, and what you can actually control in an industry that loves to celebrate history while the future slips away.Key Takeaways:• The controversial truth about focusing on history vs. building profitable careers• How to navigate the cyclical nature of the music industry without burning out• Why "moderation is sexy" and could save your career and your life• Why giving back to your community isn't just good karma - it's good business• How to balance creative passion with financial sustainabilityThe industry rewards who it wants to reward, but your response to that reality is what defines your career. Hit play now to hear the truth most people won't tell you.Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

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• How to Build Multiple Revenue Streams as an Artist w/Night Tales | EF EP 113

  Think you need to stay in one lane to build a successful music career? Night Tales just proved that wrong by creating CLR (Colour, Love, Rhythm) - a groundbreaking event series that's taking them around the country.CLR is a hybrid experience that partners with local bands, dancers, and cultural performers in each city, creating shows that reflect each community's unique identity. From working with a 10-piece marching band and Outkast horn players in Atlanta to collaborating with indigenous Navajo tribes in Utah, each show is completely different while maintaining the core Night Tales DNA.Key Takeaways:• Why owning your IP is crucial for long-term career sustainability • How to expand your brand without confusing your core fanbase• The importance of building community-focused experiences over traditional DJ sets• How to handle inevitable setbacks when building something new • How to balance multiple creative projects under one artist umbrella • Why building your own infrastructure gives you creative freedomStop limiting yourself to one revenue stream. Hit play now to learn how Night Tales built a music empire that goes far beyond the decks.Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

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• The Industry Will Change Whether You Like It or Not: Gene Farris' Strategy | EF EP 112

  The music industry will change whether you like it or not. Chicago house legend Gene Farris has watched it transform completely over three decades - from needing vinyl releases to get overseas gigs to watching sync buttons replace beatmatching skills. His survival strategy? Build your own infrastructure.With over 500 releases on Ferris Wheel Recordings, Gene has created his own platform where he controls the quality, sound, and standards. When the industry shifts in ways you don't agree with, you have two choices: adapt completely or build your own lane where your values still matter.Key Takeaways:Why building your own platform is essential for long-term survivalHow Chicago's house music culture shaped modern dance music standardsThe controversial truth about sync buttons vs. traditional beatmatching skillsWhy technical proficiency still matters in an automated worldHow to maintain artistic standards while the industry evolves around youThe importance of controlling your own distribution and releasesHow sobriety can unlock your true creative potential and productivityThe evolution from underground warehouse parties to global recognitionWhy waiting your turn and building organically leads to lasting successThe balance between staying true to your roots and adapting to changeWant to create your own events? Get my complete 9-part DIY Pop-Up Party Guide for $25 - everything from permits to promotion, venue negotiation, content creation, and more. Get it here. The industry keeps changing, but your standards don't have to. Hit play now to learn how to build something you can control.Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

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