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: instagram.com/@oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx

00:00 From Technician to Artist: The Journey Begins
03:00 Confronting Imposter Syndrome: The Artist's Identity
06:01 The Immigrant Experience: Balancing Family Expectations and Personal Dreams
09:12 The Breakthrough: Connecting with Eric Prydz
11:49 Navigating the Music Industry: The Economics of Running a Label
14:56 The Bootcamp Experience: Touring with Eric Prydz
17:50 Collaborative Creativity: The Making of 'Cycle'
20:58 The Art of Production: Balancing Nerdiness and Creativity
23:58 Setting Up for Success: A and B Sessions in Music Production
26:55 Launching Concrete: Lessons from Drumcode
30:03 Future Aspirations: Expanding the Label and Collaborations