Are these artist side hustles or just great fan experiences?

Is A24 the future of record labels?

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they dive into another episode of Agony Art, answering real questions from Ellevate clients and breaking down what it really takes to build an artist's career today. In this episode, they discuss the slow, steady growth of early-stage artists and question whether signing a record deal is the only way to accelerate that momentum. Charlotte breaks down the importance of finding a label partner that shares your exact niche and community ethos, while Jasmin highlights alternative routes like publishing and distribution deals. Finally, they tackle the age-old question: "What is success?"—moving past arbitrary streaming numbers to focus on creative freedom and consistency. In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin discuss: * The "Fast-Track" Trap: Why you should be careful about using paid campaigns to inflate your numbers, and the value of organic growth over quick fixes. * Choosing the Right Partner: What artists should look for in a label (using historic indies like XL Recordings and Warp as examples of strong community ethos). * Measuring Success: How defining what success looks like on a personal level is far more valuable than chasing major-label validation. * The Myth of Arbitrary Numbers: Why labels don't just sign artists based on a magical "monthly listener" threshold, and why consistency in your overall career matters. Listen now to explore: * How to analyze what your business and creative team actually need right now. * When it makes sense to seek a label deal versus exploring other financial avenues like a bank loan or publishing deal. * Why signing a label deal is never the final goal—it's just a tool to help you achieve long-term sustainability. Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ [https://ellevate.studio/] ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios] ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios [https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios] Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess [https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess] https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en] Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en] https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/]

Your Music Industry Agony Aunties:006

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions! We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint. In this episode we answer the questions: * I'm relaunching my career after being a vocalist on dance tracks and I want to be a pop artist with my own project. Should I create a whole different persona? * How do you feel about seeing Pink Pantheress being the youngest and first female winner of Producer of the Year at the Brit Awards? We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions! To submit questions for future episodes please email community@ellevate.studio [community@ellevate.studio] with the subject line POD Q&A Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ [https://ellevate.studio/] ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios] ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios [https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios] Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess [https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess] https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en] Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en] https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/]

How do we develop the next generation of superstars?

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they follow up on last week's Spotify discussion and tackle one of the industry's most pressing questions: Can the modern music business still produce global megastars, or are the current systems stifling the development of the next generation? In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin dive into how streaming algorithms, label strategies, and the attention economy are changing artist development. In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin discuss: * The Megastar Dilemma: Is the current industry landscape actually conducive to creating the next Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber? * Early-Stage Investment: Why it's harder for real, developing artists to find the backing they need as industry priorities shift. * Algorithm vs. Individuality: How pushing artists to conform to trends makes it incredibly difficult for unique, trendsetting superstars to emerge. * Authentic Fan Connections: Why building consistency and a deep, loyal audience is the real engine for building a sustainable, long-term career. Listen now to explore: * How the lack of real human development is affecting the longevity of new artists. * The pressure to "game" the algorithm versus building a true artist brand. * Why patience and organic growth matter more than ever in a fast-paced market. Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ [https://ellevate.studio/] ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios] ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios [https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios] Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess [https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess] https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en] Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en] https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/]

Is AI Gaming the Music Industry?

We are back! After a short break to "live life" and find new inspiration, Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) return with an unfiltered look at the multi-layered impact of AI on the modern music landscape. From productivity tools to manufactured "clipping" campaigns, this episode explores the fine line between innovation and industry-scale gaming. In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin discuss: * "Clipping": Charlotte breaks down the strategy of using marketing agencies to flood socials with "fan-made" content and fake fan accounts to manufacture virality. * Authenticity vs. Automation: Jasmin shares her perspective as an artist on the pressure to use AI * The Problem with Playlists: Why Spotify has become "boring" through safe, predictable algorithms, and why the power of the artist-curated playlist is making a comeback. * The Saturation Point: A deep dive into why major platforms like Spotify may be squeezing artist royalties even harder as they reach maximum market penetration. * Speed vs. Sustainability: Why Charlotte advocates for "consistency over time" and why artists should choose organic growth over "get-rich-quick" hype schemes. Listen now to explore: * How to use technology to streamline your workflow without losing your artistic soul. * The reality of "test bands" created by labels to game the system. * Jasmin's challenge: She has until May 6th to share her curated "11 album" playlist—hold her accountable! * Why investing in your own artistry is always a better spend than splurging money on a campaign with no strategy. Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ [https://ellevate.studio/] ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios] ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios [https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios] Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess [https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess] https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en] Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en] https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/]

Are these artist side hustles or just great fan experiences?

🥋 New Episode Alert: Artist Side Hustles or Great Fan Experiences? Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they dive into the increasingly creative—and sometimes questionable—ways artists are forced to diversify their income in 2026. With streaming payouts still under fire, the "side hustle" has moved far beyond the merch stand. In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin examine where we draw the line between a brilliant brand extension and a desperate sign of the times. They discuss: * The Dojo Meet & Greet: The story of Freddie Gibbs offering Kung Fu lessons as a VIP experience. Is this a genius way to share a personal passion, or is it "performing" for the payout? * The Social Anxiety Standoff: Summer Walker’s infamously uncomfortable fan meet-and-greets. When an artist is clearly struggling with the interaction, does it still provide value for the fan, or does it feel transactional? * The "Producer Date" Hustle: Jasmin shares a wild story about a producer selling one-on-one "dates" for cash. * The Big Question: Are these clever hustles a natural extension of an artist's brand, or a glaring signal that artists simply aren't earning enough from their music to survive? This episode is an essential listen for any artist or manager looking to build new revenue streams without diluting their artistic integrity. Listen now to explore: * Why revenue diversification has become a survival requirement in the modern industry. * The ethics of commercial fan experience—when does it stop being about the art? * How to identify a side hustle that actually strengthens your brand rather than making it look "cheap." * Whether the "star power" of an artist is diminished when they have to sell their time in such a specific way. Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ [https://ellevate.studio/] ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios] ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios [https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios] Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess [https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess] https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en] Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en] https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/]