A Q&A with István Nagy, Elevate Production's newest Creative Director
Taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a variety of questions, we got the wonderful opportunity to speak with a seasoned artist manager, specialist, event organizer, and brand manager, and Creative Director at Elevate Production, István Nagy. Based in Hungary, we learned a little bit about his background and future plans for the entirety of 2024. Enjoy our conversation below!
Hey István, thanks for taking time to speak with us, how's your year been so far?
The first part of my year has been going great. I took a little break in January, and then in February, we hosted a successful event: a solo evening with one of my featured artists, Christopher, at the Expo Center, one of the largest venues in Pécs, Hungary, with a full house.
You're currently the creative director of Elevate Production, tell us a little bit about yourself and the company?
As for me, I'm István Nagy and I've been involved in the management side of the music industry for 14 years. I have a wide range of skills as an Artist Manager Specialist, event organiser and brand manager. Previously I managed a party brand for 4 years and worked as a regional manager. I also owned a house party series that toured nationally in my home country. I also serve as a mentor for an online run music course, where I teach an 11 week offline course every year. Currently I am actively working as the Artistic Manager of CHRSTPHR, whose streams generate millions of views, and I am the General Manager of their party series "Extended". Founded in 2019, Elevate Production focuses on artist management, event management, branding management, specialist consultancy and online and offline education.
What changes have you seen in the music industry over the past 14 years?
Based on my personal experiences over the past 14 years, it is observable that significant transformations have occurred within my country, particularly in the electronic music industry, while certain sectors exhibit recurring trends. Initially, individuals frequented clubs that matched their personal style, selected based on the reputation and musical style of DJs.
In recent years, it has been noticed that specific series of parties now encompass club schedules, categorized according to various musical styles. These event series not only offer a wide array of choices for music enthusiasts but also provide an opportunity for individuals to delve deeper into their favorite genres. Through themed events organized by clubs, people can more easily find parties that suit their tastes, while DJs can more effectively engage with their audience, further enriching and diversifying the music culture.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in people's entertainment habits. The majority have delved deeper into the digital world, increasingly utilizing streaming services, thereby enhancing their musical experiences. I believe this has had a positive impact on the world as a whole, as musical styles spread more rapidly, allowing individuals quicker access to new tracks from their favorites or even the atmosphere of a party in a distant country through recordings.
What are some important things for artists to have before embarking on their musical journey?
Approaching their profession with respect and humility is essential. Emerging artists must primarily possess determination, humility, and commitment in the music industry. Defining their own ideas and goals is indispensable for a successful career, as well as collaborating with others and learning from professionals. Continuous development must be an integral part of their everyday lives, always striving to be effective in every situation and circumstance. It's important for artists to present a versatile image to the music industry community and communicate effectively with their industry peers.
You're located in Hungary, what is the music scene like there compared to other major markets?
Currently, Hungary boasts an extremely diverse and vibrant music scene. Rave, melodic techno, and progressive house, techno genres are actively thriving. Considering the evolution of the international scene, I believe that Hungary is keeping pace actively and closely monitoring developments. Our country hosts outstanding events where international performers eagerly take the stage multiple times each year.
You've seen great success with one of your artists, CHRSTPHR, what can you attribute to that success?
Christopher's one of the greatest successes lies in the firm realization of his own vision, which is built on continuous development. Collaborations with internationally recognized artists like Matt Sassari have yielded outstanding results: their joint track reached 13 million streams, while Christopher's solo tracks amassed 5 billion streams in Asia alone, a clear testament to his success.
Furthermore, Christopher is the only domestic artist whose individual "Extended" shows consistently sell out. Last year, he secured separate stages for his own performances at three major domestic festivals, where they proved immensely successful. For instance, at Tomorrowland, Carl Cox opened his set with one of Christopher's tracks, while Christopher's solo tracks have been released by significant labels, all while conducting substantial background work as a sound designer, supporting renowned artists.
Christopher actively garners support for his own appearances; globally acclaimed DJs have been playing his tracks for years. He has toured India, Thailand, Germany, Costa Rica, and Ireland.
Please, tell us a little bit more about your offline course you offer as a mentor.
My role during the OFFLINE courses is to impart students with profound knowledge and musical expertise, enabling them to reach the sublime peaks of musical virtuosity and to stand out in the spotlight of agencies or managers, who can further shape and support them on their artistic journey. As a mentor, I emphasize the complexity of electronic music and the depth of industry connections. In my teachings, I specifically address music theory, the strategic application and optimization of social media, the crucial importance of building and positioning one's own brand, and the pivotal role of integrating and utilizing music platforms in advancing a successful career.
What are some key aspects and details of Elevate Production, what do you think is important for people to know about it?
The main characteristics of Elevate Production include profound innovation and complexity. The agency is committed to continually innovating in the field of its artists and the artistic genres they represent, and ensuring support for the realization of new ideas and creative concepts. Our goal through our offline and online educational activities is to provide people with a deeper insight into the beauty of the music industry and to assist those who are open to development and learning within the music industry.
What's your plan for 2024 in terms of the company and artist management?
Among our plans for 2024 is to enhance the current level of our agency's portfolio artists. It is of paramount importance to us that our artists continue to develop and receive comprehensive support from us. Our goal is for each artist to reach a point where they can release their own music with established labels and have the opportunity to collaborate with the most renowned producers, as well as organize their own events. We place great emphasis on ensuring that all our artists are present at festivals, whether domestic or international. Regarding our events, our aim is always to provide the audience with experiences that are memorable and remain exceptional. We continuously improve and expand the roster of instructors for our online courses, aiming to provide even more value to our users.
Where can future and potential artists or bands reach out to you in order for them to use your services?
I actively maintain my presence in the music industry on social media platforms. I regularly seek out and observe new talents, as I consider supporting emerging artists to be of paramount importance and believe in giving space to the new generation. Feel free to reach out to me on my platforms!
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