Videos
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…
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,…
Imagine flying across the world for a booking made on MySpace #djlife #housemusicdj #housemusic
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…
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…
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…
No One Is Teaching Industry Etiquette (This Competition Is Changing That) | EF EP 131
Think learning to DJ means mastering your equipment? You're missing the entire point. Your Shot just wrapped their first-ever US competition after 15 years of success in Australia, and what I witnessed at the LA finals completely shifted my perspective. Hundreds of people across LA and New York signed up…
'I Turn Down More Gigs Than I Accept': The ANATTA Approach | EF EP 130
Most artists think saying yes to every opportunity is how you build a career. ANATTA proves the opposite is true. Since our last conversation, ANATTA has mastered one of the hardest skills in this industry - strategic rejection. He turns down more bookings than he accepts, including clubs he's been…
Should You Adapt to Trends? Ferreck Dawn's 20-Year Answer | EF EP 129
The world is at 134 BPM right now. Your sound sits at 125. Do you adapt or wait for the trend to pass? This is the choice every producer faces, and Dutch house legend Ferreck Dawn has navigated it for over two decades. Fresh from Amsterdam Dance Event, Ferreck breaks…
The Real Timeline to Quitting Your Day Job as a DJ with Malone | EF EP 129
Most artists agonize over when to quit their day job. Malóne spent 9 years building his career strategically until the timing was finally right. After nearly a decade of playing Miami clubs, growing his WHYNOTUS label, and building the right relationships, quitting his corporate job before Miami Music Week wasn't…
Why Desperate Artists Fail (And Grateful Ones Succeed) | EF EP 127
Most artists think gratitude is just feel-good fluff. But what if I told you it's actually one of the most powerful business strategies you can use to transform your career? In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing the exact gratitude practice that took me from making $30,000 a year in…
How to Turn Your Other Skills into Career Gold with Rebūke | EF EP 126
Most artists compartmentalize their lives - music over here, other interests over there. Rebūke shows how to fold your entire self into your music career. The same kid who got pulled out of geography class to fix teachers' computers now creates stunning 3D visuals that have transformed his live shows…
How Jamie Jones Mastered the Long Game | EF Ep 125
Most DJs burn out, fade away, or get replaced by the next big thing within five years. Jamie Jones has been dominating dance music for over two decades. So what's his secret to mastering the long game? In this rare, in-depth conversation, we dive into the strategic decisions and mindset…
'Not Everyone Deserves Access': Controversial Strategy Behind Chicago's Biggest Party | EF EP 124
Most people think inclusivity is the key to building a successful venue or event. Dom Brown built his empire doing the exact opposite - and he's not apologetic about it. As the founder of Porn & Chicken (Chicago's most legendary weekly party), owner of Never Have I Ever bar, and…
Your Most Valuable Fans Aren't Who You Think They Are | EF EP 123
Think you know who your most valuable fans are? This conversation with Ritesh Patel, co-founder of Ticket Fairy, will completely flip your understanding of fan value and event data. While most artists focus on big spenders and VIP customers, Ritesh has discovered through processing over $300 million in ticket sales…
$9K Debt to $200K Months: Marketing Events When Nobody Knows You | EF EP 122
Think you need a big budget and industry connections to throw successful events? Kyle Cassico proves otherwise. He went from $9,000 in credit card debt to building a thriving experiential company, and his guerrilla marketing tactics work whether you're throwing your own events or trying to get booked. Kyle breaks…
"Going Viral Changed Everything": Lawrence James on Breaking Out of Your Local Scene | EF EP 121
Think you need millions of followers to break out of your local DJ scene? Lawrence James from Crossfader proves that one viral video can change everything - but only if you know what to do next. Lawrence went from playing the same local clubs seven nights a week to touring…
Stop Being Broke: The Financial Wake-Up Call Every DJ Needs | EF EP 120
Think you need to wait until you're making six figures to start planning your financial future? Think again. DJ and financial advisor Danner destroys every excuse artists make about money management and reveals why wedding DJs often out-earn nightclub residents by thousands. This isn't your typical "save money" advice -…