How can I meet the people I need to meet in the music industry when I don't live in a major city?
Founder & CEO, Futureproof Music School
You don't need to live in LA or New York to build real relationships in the music industry anymore. Online communities like Discord servers, producer forums, and social platforms have made it possible to connect with other producers, artists, and industry professionals from anywhere in the world. The key is showing up consistently in these spaces, sharing your work, giving feedback to others, and joining live online sessions where you can actually talk to people and build genuine connections. Focus on quality interactions over quantity, and remember that many successful producers started their careers by networking entirely online before ever stepping foot in a major city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific online platforms should I use to connect with A&Rs and label managers if I'm not in LA or NYC?
Focus on Discord servers run by labels you want to work with, Twitter DMs (keep them short and professional), and LinkedIn where industry professionals actually check their messages. Instagram is oversaturated, so use it to showcase your work but don't rely on cold DMs there.
How do I know if an online collaboration or mentorship opportunity is legitimate or just someone trying to take advantage of me?
Real industry professionals will have verifiable credits on Spotify, Beatport, or label websites, and they won't ask for money upfront for feedback or connections. If someone promises guaranteed placements or asks you to pay for introductions, walk away.
Should I save up money to travel to music conferences like ADE or Miami Music Week, or invest that budget into my home studio instead?
If you already have music that's release-ready and you've built some online relationships to meet in person, conferences are worth it. But if your productions aren't competitive yet, invest in your studio and skills first so you have something impressive to show when you do make those trips.
John von Seggern
Founder & CEO, Futureproof Music School
John von Seggern is the founder and CEO of Futureproof Music School. He holds an MA in digital ethnomusicology (the anthropology of music on the internet) from UC Riverside, and a BA in Music, magna cum laude, from Carleton College. A techno producer and DJ since the late 1990s, he released as John von on his own net.label Xeriscape Records while working at Native Instruments, where he co-authored the MASSIVE synth manual. He contributed sound design to Pixar's WALL-E (2008), was a member of Jon Hassell's late-career Studio Group on Hassell's final two albums, ran Icon Collective's online program with Max Pote for eight years before Icon closed in May 2025, and authored three books on music technology including Laptop Music Power!. He architected Kadence, the AI music coach at the core of Futureproof.
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