Elevated Frequencies
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 personalized advice on growing your career, brand, and business, check out Olivia’s artist development program at patreon.com/oliviamancuso
Recent Episodes
156
June 18, 2026
Inside Beatport's #1 Selling Label ft. Mark Knight | EF EP 156
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 fut
155
June 11, 2026
Still Playing Bars When His First Hit Dropped (ft. Bontan) | EF EP 155
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 survivin
154
June 4, 2026
How Francis Mercier went from Frat Parties to Selling Out Clubs Worldwide | EF EP 154
From a perfect SAT math score to a residency at Hï 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,
153
May 28, 2026
The Rejected Track That Built Life And Death, ft. DJ Tennis | EF EP 153
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 s
152
May 21, 2026
Use 'Delete These 4 Things From Your Career Strategy Before It's Too Late | EF EP 152
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 actual
151
May 14, 2026
How to Stay in the Game When the Game Keeps Changing ft. Laidback Luke | EF EP 151
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 — and thrive — in dance music for three decades. Luke opens up about buil
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