Check out this interview Voyage Denver did with our founder, Kelsy!

Check out this interview @voyagedenvermag did with our founder, Kelsy!

Learn more about Kelsy's background, her journey to becoming an artist manager, and the services Kelzana offers! Read the full interview at Voyage Denver.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsy Lartius Miguel

Kelsy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been involved in the music industry in some capacity since I was 14, nearly 15 years ago. I’ve been a music fan since I was about 3 years old (Shania Twain is the earliest artist I remember feeling a strong connection to). For as long as I can remember, I was always drawn to music and the artists behind it. Every year, my grandma would ask me for a birthday wishlist, and there was always at least one CD that had recently come out that I would put on my list. As a tween, I still collected CDs but started using iTunes gift cards to purchase singles. I probably went to at least one big concert a year, but I also started convincing my parents to bring me to smaller club shows. It was around that time that I began considering a possible career in music, with my initial plans focused on music production and sound engineering.

My dad moonlit as a musician and live sound engineer, so when I shared my goals with him, he was eager to help. He’s also a chronic inventor and entrepreneur, so he decided to start a live sound business dedicated to bringing professional sound and stage productions to concerts and festivals in Iowa (where I grew up).

Helping my dad run his production company ended up being my first job in the music industry, which I did from ages 14 to 19. I was a roadie, an assistant sound engineer, a lighting designer, and the social media manager, and I even got paid! It was a great summer job where I got to learn not only what it’s like to be in live music environments but also the grueling nature of live production – we were typically the first to arrive (before dawn) and the last to leave (just a couple of hours before the sun rose). I also quickly learned that the lack of female representation in live sound and production in general was very poor, which definitely influenced my decision to move toward the business side, where I saw (a little) more female representation.

As a teen, I continued to hone my college and career plans and learned that you could actually get a degree in Music Business. I set my sights on top programs at places like NYU, Drexel, Columbia College Chicago, and UCLA, but the finances didn’t align. So for college, I ended up moving a couple of hours away to Iowa City, one of the few small cities in Iowa with a robust arts community. In my first month or so as a freshman at the University of Iowa, I got a role working in their concert production student organization, SCOPE Productions. Even though I wasn’t at a music business program in a big city, it ended up working out well. I was able to take many great popular music courses as well as basic media and business courses for my general education requirements, and doing work with SCOPE gave me more direct experience in the music industry.

About halfway through my sophomore year, I was still interested in taking music business-specific coursework, so I started looking at the possibility of transferring. I also desperately wanted to get out of Iowa. That was when the idea of moving to Denver entered the picture, and I ended up transferring to Berklee College of Music’s online music business bachelor’s degree program.

Making the move to Berklee’s music business program was probably one of my best decisions. I got to learn directly from people who worked in the industry, from managers to publishers, entertainment lawyers, and music supervisors. This vast spectrum of music industry knowledge was exactly what I was looking for, and it set me up to be in a great position as a manager guiding artists through their careers.

After graduating from Berklee in 2018, I got a job at Swallow Hill Music, a Denver concert venue, community music school, and nonprofit. I loved the community, the history, and the potential of this organization so much that I worked there across a few different roles for the next five years. Coming up on that fifth year, though, I was beginning to seek out more from my career.

In early 2023, I started pondering the idea of starting an artist management company. I’ve always had an interest in entrepreneurship, and I finally started to feel more confident in my abilities and knowledge. So I started testing the waters with my many musically talented friends and coworkers. The feedback was positive, so on June 1st, I registered my LLC and launched an Instagram account as my main marketing outlet.

Throughout my journey, I have experienced a roller coaster of successes, failures, and various emotions. These experiences have taught me a great deal about myself, the Denver and Colorado music scenes, and the music industry as a whole.

Perhaps my boldest move was deciding to fully immerse myself in entrepreneurship last fall. While things have not always gone according to plan, many positive outcomes have emerged from this decision. I have become an avid networker, both in person and online. I spearheaded the launch of a new nonprofit organization focused on developing music industry infrastructure in Colorado (www.comusicindustryalliance.org). I have formed lasting friendships, met and partnered with my incredible business partner, Tori, and gained valuable insights into what it truly takes to operate a successful business.

Despite having much more to learn, I remain optimistic about the future. I am confident in my ability to navigate challenges and adapt to unexpected circumstances. I recognize that things may not always go as planned, but I am determined to find solutions and continue moving forward.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Certainly not! Part of it stems from my ambition – I have lofty aspirations and dreams, and sometimes that means I’m disappointed when those expectations aren’t met. In many ways, the moments that felt like struggles at the time became pivotal moments on my path to where I am now. I wouldn’t trade those struggles for a smooth road because they’ve taught me so much and built my resilience over time. It’s also shown me that my resilience and support community are incredibly strong, and I’m immensely grateful for that.

The struggle I’m still facing, and the most significant one to date, is managing my finances and time as an entrepreneur. We’re living in a very expensive time, which adds a layer of challenge on top of the typical ones early entrepreneurs face. Despite that, this past year has been one of the most rewarding of my life – I’m proud of what I’m doing and where I’m spending my time, but the financial struggle is real. Gaining some financial freedom and stability in my business is my primary goal for 2025.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kelzana Artist Management helps artists maximize their potential and achieve their goals via a strategic, knowledgeable, and holistic approach. Our primary services include management, consulting, and artist services such as digital marketing.

We take pride in meeting artists where they are and collaborating with them to reach their goals, whether they are releasing their debut single or have a well-established catalog and career. The music industry tends to promote “cookie-cutter” approaches, but we believe each artist’s journey is unique. Adaptability is fundamental to our approach; the music industry is fast-paced, with constantly changing KPIs, trends, and strategies. Staying informed and customizing our strategies for each client based on their specific goals and circumstances is a top priority for us.

Additionally, we offer artist professional development and educational opportunities, with plans to expand our offerings in the near future. Over the coming months, I will be conducting in-person and online workshops at Performance High Voice & Music Studio (www.performancehigh.net). We are also developing a robust lineup of online workshops on our website. These workshops cover various topics relevant to DIY, independent, and self-managed artists, including general music business education, release strategy, marketing, data analytics, and more.

How do you think about luck?
I have been fortunate to have a strong support system of people who have empowered, encouraged, and supported me. Without them, I would not be where I am today. I am also grateful for my resilience and drive. Even when I have tried to push those traits away in search of a more comfortable and monotonous life, they always return. Life certainly is not and I don’t think will ever be “perfect”, but my resilience and drive have served me well in many ways toward achieving what I want my life and business to be.