chartless with Melissa Mulligan

Peter has worked with top-tier artists like Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Lavigne, Billy Porter, and Pixie Lott. He had his first professional song cut as a teenager. Sounds like a dream... And.... not everyone is this honest about whether or not there might be a cost to a career trajectory that takes off this early. Peter is a full-time actor now, doing award-winning work on stage at the Bev...

Meet our guests: Dr. Christine Gangelhoff Free Artistic Readiness Self-Assessment for Young Musicians SoundPath Consulting Dr. Alaina Johnson Parenting Talent (resources) And your host, Melissa Mulligan Music 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...

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...

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...

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 al...

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 Eur...

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) su...

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 friendshi...

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 lik...

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 co...

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...

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 concer...

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, a...

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, a...

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 a...

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...

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 plea...