How to sustain a career in the music industry

In this Learn From The Pros session Mantra, from legendary drum and bass promoters and label Rupture, explains the lessons she learnt on how to sustain a successful career in the music industry.

The music industry can be a tough nut to crack, and sustaining a career over the long term requires drive, motivation and persistence. Here, Mantra, from legendary drum and bass events brand Rupture, explains how she has sustained her career for over 20 years and gives some top tips for our students.

You can watch the video here!

Mantra opens with honesty: a career in music is both a "gift and a blessing" but comes with significant hardships. For her, the transition to making music a full-time career happened gradually over the past decade, without a strategic plan - just consistent effort over time. 

Interestingly, she notes that the tipping point wasn't necessarily about doing something dramatically different. External factors like the EQ50 initiative (which highlighted gender disparities in electronic music) created more opportunities for women DJs. Having a platform like Rupture also helped, though she emphasises that getting an agent isn't a magic solution, but that you still need to create demand for your work.

Managing performance anxiety

One of the biggest challenges Mantra discusses is performance anxiety, and it's something many of our students face when playing live or DJing for the first time. 

The pressure to recreate that perfect flow state, where the crowd is with you, the mixes are seamless, and everything just clicks, can be overwhelming. The reality? That magic doesn't happen at every gig, and that's completely normal.

Mantra’s practical tips for managing nerves:

• Diaphragmatic breathing: Before sets, take 30 seconds to breathe deeply: in for four, hold for four, out for four, hold for four. Repeat four times. It’s only 30 seconds, and it genuinely helps ground you in that moment.
• Self-compassion: Talk to yourself the way you’d speak to a worried friend or child. Be kind. Your inner critic might be loud, but you can learn to quieten it. 
• Have a backup plan: Keep a playlist from a successful gig ready. If panic sets in, play three or four tracks you know work well together. It gives you breathing space to reset. 
• Connect with peers: Having friends who experience the same struggles helps to normalise the experience. You’re not alone in feeling that way. 

She emphasises that anxiety isn't related to gig size or how experienced you are; it can strike unexpectedly, regardless of the venue or crowd. Even after years of DJing internationally, Mantra still experiences these moments.

Dealing with substances 

Mantra candidly shares her journey with alcohol at gigs, and it's a conversation worth having. In the early days of Rupture, she'd drink heavily to cope with nerves, sometimes blacking out. After some embarrassing incidents, including one where she became aggressive at her own event, she realised alcohol was undermining her performance, not helping it.

Her perspective now: “When you're drunk, I promise you'll be a better DJ without it.”

Tips on staying sharp during your performance:

• Change your rider by requesting water or limited drink tokens instead of bottles of spirits.
• Treat it like work. No other profession greets you at work with a bottle of tequila. The better you perform, the more likely you are to build your reputation and get rebooked.
• Skip the after-parties when needed. Mantra hasn't attended one since having children. The networking matters less than you think.
• If you're trying to tone it down, let friends know so they can support you.

She acknowledges the difficulty: the scene normalises substance use, and there's pressure to "party." But the physical and mental toll, multi-day hangovers, post-drinking anxiety, and exhaustion make it unsustainable long-term. If you want a career that lasts 20 years, not two, this is something to think about early.

Finishing music with self-doubt

If you're a producer, this will sound familiar. Mantra describes the torture of finishing tracks: after listening hundreds of times and clinically dissecting every element, she's convinced the music is terrible. Sending off premasters feels like the hardest part of the entire process.

"I feel humiliated that I ever thought there was anything good in this because I've picked it apart so much."

But here's the thing: finishing and sharing your work is essential for growth. Mantra has friends who've been making loops for 20 years without progressing. Don't get stuck in the loop.

Mantra’s advice for pushing through:

• Have other sources of flow outside music: For Mantra, it's hot yoga. For you, it might be walking, reading, playing chess, or anything that lets you step away and gain perspective.
• Remember: "It's just a tune." When you're in it, you can make it this huge monster that defines you. Bring lightness back into it.
• Finishing is a skill: It develops with practice. Once Mantra started finishing tunes, it became easier. It's like muscle memory.
• Move on quickly: As soon as she sends off premasters, she's onto the next project. That's how you evolve as an artist.

She contrasts her experience with producers like Tim Reaper, who simply moves on to the next track without angst. While not everyone can adopt that mindset, understanding that self-doubt is normal helps you push through it.

Balancing burnout and long-term sustainability 

Here's the reality of regular gigging: constant travel, irregular schedules, and physical exhaustion take a serious toll. Mantra describes breaking down before a gig in Amsterdam after nine consecutive weeks of international bookings. Despite having family support at home, the homesickness and depletion were real.

She's currently reassessing what success actually means. It's not just the number of bookings or how much you're earning, it’s about balance and happiness. 

What she's learned about sustainability:

• Listen to your body: If you're feeling depleted, honour that. It's okay to turn down gigs.
• Master the power nap: A one or two-hour nap can be the difference between performing well and struggling through.
• Your definition of success will evolve: That's not only okay, but it's necessary. What you want at 25 might be different at 35.
• The freelance grind is real: No contracts, inconsistent income, and pressure to say yes to everything create burnout. Recognise this pattern early.

Mantra's considering getting a part-time job to reduce DJ commitments and focus more on production, even though DJing pays better. Why? Because she needs time and space to develop her ideas, and constant travel leaves no room for that creative exploration.

Building a music career that lasts

Mantra's message is one of realistic optimism. The courage to create and share music deserves respect, but sustainability requires honest self-assessment, boundaries, and self-compassion.

The "wild west" nature of the industry, inconsistent work, no safety net, and normalised substance use make it tempting to take every opportunity and push through exhaustion. But burning out serves no one, least of all your future self.

The main takeaways from Mantra are that performance anxiety is normal and that one should develop practical tools to manage it. Substances might feel like they help, but they undermine your performance and long-term sustainability. Finish your music and share it, even when self-doubt screams at you. Balance isn't a luxury; it's essential for longevity. Your career will evolve, and that's a good thing.

Whether you're just starting out or already gigging regularly, these lessons matter. A career in music isn't just about talent or opportunities; it's about building the mental resilience and practical strategies that let you sustain it over the long haul.

Want to develop the skills and industry connections to build your own sustainable music career? Explore our degree courses in: 

• Music Performance & Production 
• Electronic Music Production 
• Music Production & Sound Design 
• Live Sound & Event Management. 

Interested in joining a music course? Sign up for an open day.