June 19, 2025

How to Take Your Music to New Cities with Jeff Sorkowitz | EF EP 104

How to Take Your Music to New Cities with Jeff Sorkowitz | EF EP 104

Want to expand your music career beyond your home market? Jeff's strategic approach to building Short Circuit across multiple cities offers a blueprint for sustainable geographic expansion.

Jeff reveals how he identifies the right partners in each market and creates authentic events that resonate with local scenes while maintaining his brand identity. His journey from corporate lawyer to label owner proves that expansion doesn't require aggressive tactics or massive budgets - just the right strategy.

Key Takeaways:

- How to identify the right partners and promoters in new markets
- Why working with independent promoters can be more effective than major players
- The importance of aligning your expectations with realistic demand
- How to maintain your brand identity while adapting to different scenes
- Building relationships that support long-term expansion rather than one-off events
- Why being intentional about market selection prevents costly mistakes
- The power of organic relationship building over forced networking
- How to create events that feel authentic to each local scene
- Strategic timing for multi-city tours and label showcases
- Why sustainable growth beats rapid expansion every time

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: https://www.patreon.com/oliviamancuso

Stop limiting yourself to one market. Hit play now to learn how to strategically expand your reach across multiple cities.

CHICAGO MUSIC NEXUS PRESALE ENDS TONIGHT, 6/19, AT MIDNIGHT. SECURE YOUR PASS AT THE LOWEST PRICE POINT POSSIBLE: http://www.chicagomusicnexus.com

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

00:00 - Taking Risks for Fulfillment

01:02 - Building a Sustainable Career in Dance Music

02:26 - The Importance of Networking

05:42 - Transitioning from Law to Music

10:56 - The Value of Direct Communication

14:48 - Location and Success in the Music Industry

19:01 - Empowering Artists to Create Their Own Opportunities

20:31 - Intentionality in Venue Selection

23:06 - Finding Your Musical Identity

27:09 - The Value of Niche Markets

29:00 - The Importance of Belief and Risk

31:53 - Balancing Work and Fun in the Industry

34:22 - Setting Goals for Success

40:37 - Building a Brand and Community

43:25 - Future Aspirations and Growth