chartless with Melissa Mulligan

Meet our guests:Dr. Christine GangelhoffFree Artistic Readiness Self-Assessment for Young MusiciansSoundPath ConsultingDr. Alaina JohnsonParenting Talent (resources)And your host, Melissa MulliganMusic Career Mastermind Mel on IG 

100% of music makers that I polled reported that social media is making them miserable.This is by design, because social platforms are built like casinos, not careers.Social media was meant to deepen relationships, not create fans out of strangers.Virality isn’t a strategy. It’s a slot machine.And once someone follows you, there’s a good chance they won’t even see your work.There is a better way to use this. Let's dive in!

In this episode, Melissa sits down with recording artist and songwriter Nanseera for a thoughtful conversation about artist identity, culture, and what it means to find a sense of belonging in the music industry.Nanseera shares how growing up across Uganda, Ethiopia, and the United States, and now building her career in Nashville, has shaped the way she approaches music and creative spaces. As a multicultural, genre-blending artist, she reflects on what it feels like to walk into different rooms that don’t always know where to place you.Melissa and Nanseera also explore a concept Melissa often teaches her artists: evolving beyond the word genre. Instead of trying to fit into a category, artists can learn to state clearly who they are and what they create, which often expands creative possibilities rather than limiting them.The conversation also turns into some real-time coaching around music release strategy and touring, as Nanseera prepares for her upcoming shows.Toward the end of the episode, Nanseera speaks candidly about her process of rediscovering her artistic voice after graduating from music school, and what she describes as healing “art scars.” She also shares thoughtful advice for younger artists navigating the transition from school into the real world of music.

This is a true story. Robin Tucker is a gifted vocalist, songwriter, and producer, and someone I’ve had the joy of coaching for the last 2 years. Here's what happened in that time: ​​Robin...- ​Went viral- Received harmful DMs and online abuse- Considered quitting social media forever (relatable)​- ​Evolved his musical identity- Developed a music career road map​ that doesn't rely on an algorithm​- Built an amazingly dedicated fan base- Is ​a featured artist on a Grammy nominated album for 2026!​In this deeply inspiring conversation, Robin and I walk through how we worked together to live through the viral fall-out, build a real fanbase, and create something more grounded and sustainable.​​​​​Robin also opened up to me about his years at a (very popular) music college, the parts that helped him grow, and the parts that left him untangling a lot of mixed messages about identity, genre, and what a young artist is “supposed” to create. He talks about how hard it was to be told, again and again, to make commercial pop music instead of exploring what made him unique. And he shares what changed when he finally began following his own voice.This is a conversation about resilience, craft, identity, and the steady work of becoming who you are. Robin is thoughtful, open, and incredibly talented, and I think you’ll feel that from the moment he starts talking.

My friend and colleague Cheryl B. Engelhardt  is nominated for a Grammy this year for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album! According to the Moon is beautiful from top to bottom, especially if you love music that makes space for reflection and breath.We talk about the path that brought Cheryl here, including her first Grammy nomination when she became the first person ever to record an entire album on a transcontinental train using only a laptop and a small MIDI keyboard. Cheryl shares what she learned from that experience and why this new nomination feels different, softer, and more communal.One of the highlights is our shared admiration for my student Robin Tucker, who is a featured vocalist on one of the tracks. Cheryl introduced me to Robin (a longtime collaborator of hers) at her Amplify retreat for career musicians, and it is a joy to see the work recognized in this way.We also dig into what draws Cheryl to this genre, how the new age landscape is shifting, the creative decisions behind According to the Moon, and what it means to her to share this moment with her collaborators.As always, it is deeply grounding to walk beside Cheryl in this journey. I love all of our conversations and I'm grateful we get to share this one with you!If you’re a music maker, a collaborator, or someone who just loves hearing artists talk about the real process behind their work, this one is a good hang :)

Kimi was born in Kosovo during the war, while his family hid in the mountains for safety. When they returned home they slept in barns and abandoned trucks, and rebuilt their house by hand. To soothe her children, his mother sang to them with her beautiful voice.Now, more than twenty years later, Kimi is stepping onto the stage of Albania’s national FiK 64 festival, on his quest to qualify for Eurovision, with a song that reaches back to those roots. Prap Dielli Del (“The Sun Will Rise Again”) is a message of hope drawn from a childhood shaped by uncertainty and a young adulthood marked by resilience.We talk about his move to New York seven years ago, the dark moments he fought through, and the choice he keeps making to lean into whatever hope he can find, even when it’s only one percent.We also revisit his American Idol moment when Katy Perry had him call his mother in Kosovo and sing to her before handing him a golden ticket to Hollywood, and that fateful day I met him in a studio in New York City and became his vocal coach.And, for the first time publicly, we share that I’ll be traveling with him to Albania to coach him during the festival!To listen to Prap Dielli Del, visit the RTSH YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt5Ajfg1EJATo follow Kimi's journey and connect with him directly, visit him on IG or TikTok @urboykimiTo connect with me, please visit http://mastermindroad.com

We've got stories and tea with Alexa Renee, Crew Lead for Sofar in NYC! Alexa joins me in my studio to trace the journey of SoFar from a modest idea in a London apartment to a global movement that’s redefining how we gather around music. She shares what makes these secret shows so magnetic, and why they're a first date trend in many cities.Then, we get into how artists should (TRULY) submit for Sofar performances, and why thoughtfully curated, in-person shows still matter in a world obsessed with algorithms (sorry, AI enthusiasts)!Alexa opens up about her lifelong bond with music, her creative projects on the horizon, and what it’s like to step into the spotlight for the first time, both on Good Morning America and now, here on Chartless.This one feels like a late-night conversation between fellow travelers who believe deeply in the power of live music to connect us.MORE ABOUT SOFAR FOR ARTISTS: https://www.sofarsounds.com/about/artistsCONNECT WITH MELISSA MULLIGAN: https://www.mastermindroad.com/melissa-mulligan

Listeners sent in the BEST questions for this episode, including: How to quit your day job to go pro in music, whether we have to suffer to write meaningful songs, my method for coaching all different kinds of artists, and soooo much more!

Wim Tapley is turning strangers into fans night after night, and I still remember when he was sketching out the first pieces of his dream. Now based in Athens, GA, he’s playing packed clubs across the country. I got to dance (and cry a little) watching his band electrify a New York City crowd last year!Here, we talk about life on the road, the creative community that raised him, and the friendships that fuel his band. As always, our conversation drifts into big, unfiltered questions about AI, digital tools, and the unstoppable human drive to make art.Enjoy this honest, soulful conversation with my beloved former student, exploring what it really means to make music in a noisy world.

Multi-Grammy-winning producer Mike Mangini (The Jonas Brothers, AJR, Joss Stone, The Shrek Soundtrack, Andy Grammer, Run-DMC, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, The Beastie Boys, Jackie Evancho, and many, many more) joins me to revisit the coffee meeting that launched my career as a music industry vocal coach! We reveal some untold tales about that first ten-hour day, what winning Grammys really feels like, and the future Mike predicts for today's emerging artists.

American Idol set Ajii on a ride-or-die path with his best friend Tanvir Haider, whose leap from finance to music is reshaping what a music career can look like in 2025. In this episode, I sit down with both of them to explore how their friendship became the foundation for a bold new approach to navigating the music industry today. We'll also dive into what I have witnessed as Ajii’s vocal coach: the trust, self-belief, and reinvention that make their partnership unlike anything I have seen before.

JUNO the Artist is has toured the world on stages with artists like Camila Cabello, Fifth Harmony, Bruno Mars, Lizzo, Hailey Knox (how we met!) Keith Urban and so many more... But make no mistake about it. JUNO is a powerful songwriter, recording artist, film maker and entrepreneurial pioneer. She speaks her truth and inspires musicians and artists all over the world to do the same. She is one of my favorite people to call when I need a burst of positive energy, and she's also an inspirational reminder for me to walk the walk. Get ready to be motivated to work on your craft after hearing this episode!

A few months ago I sat down with my vocal client and friend Jake LeMond of Michigander to record this heartfelt and honest interview about his influences, his solo project, and yes, his time with the illustrious indie band Michigander. He shares some stories about touring, songwriting, and finding your own voice in the current music industry, and we geek out about meeting at a Crowded House concert at Pier 17 in New York City, (where Michigander opened with a duo set)!

This is Part 2 of two of the most beautiful, honest, hilarious conversations I’ve had on chartless. Each one features several parents (and in some cases, the artists themselves) talking about what it really feels like to nurture a music maker. Not the press-release version. The real one.Students (and their families) seeking careers in music production, performance, songwriting, music business, and composition/scoring. Share your goals and questions with me here!

This is Part 1 of two of the most beautiful, honest, hilarious conversations I’ve had on chartless. Each one features several parents (and in some cases, the artists themselves) talking about what it really feels like to nurture a music maker. Not the press-release version. The real one.Students (and their families) seeking careers in music production, performance, songwriting, music business, and composition/scoring. Share your goals and questions with me here!

Grab a warm beverage and settle in! This conversation is a blanket for your musical soul. After knowing (and admiring) Steve for the better part of 25 years, I asked him the questions I've always wanted to ask, including whether or not he is able to feel the love of his community around him. I also was dying to know how he stays dedicated to his own songwriting while producing other artists and being so focused on both family and community. What we uncovered together, I think, is Steve's unique ability to find peace and inspiration both inside and outside of his Tiny Bunker Studio in Connecticut.Where he goes to find some of that peace might surprise you! Listen: Stephen Peter RodgersWatch the new video: Winter is Coming

Meet Dr. Alaina Johnson: Renowned therapist, parent of three creative kids, and the author of Parenting Talent (a must read for parents and artists of all ages - even the grown ups). Today, we're discussing how to be your best self as a creative, while avoiding the overwhelm that comes from doing ALL THE THINGS (production, social media, songwriting, booking shows, making a living, networking... it seems never-ending and all too much at times). We also wound up diving into perfectionism masked as "laziness" or procrastination, how to stay motivated and inspired, and the various ways we can build more self-compassion and productivity.Contact Dr. Alaina: https://parentingtalent.com/Contact Melissa Mulligan: https://www.mastermindroad.com/

Eliza Pryor is insightful! At 18, she is grateful for her experience in front of the camera (NBC's The Voice, Netflix's Team Kaylie, AGT, the Kelly Clarkson show, and more). She has some very sage advice for anyone getting caught up in competition and comparison, too! And now, she's telling her stories through a uniquely jazzy, alt-pop musical style of her own making. I had the pleasure of coaching Eliza in my Music Career Mastermind program a few years ago, and we captured our reunion live in this interview for you. Enjoy! Love, Melissa Mulligan