Today we’d like to introduce you to Dillon Mysliwiec.
Hi Dillon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I never set out to be in the music industry — my brother did. He moved to Nashville in 2012 to study audio engineering at Belmont University and built what would become the foundation of The Upstate Sound. I came from a business and marketing background, running my own company, but in 2019 I visited Nashville for a business conference with speakers like Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Daymond John, and Dean Graziosi. That trip was a turning point. My brother was inspired to expand his studio into something bigger, and I realized my skills could help make that happen.
Not long after moving to Nashville with our cousin, I attended an event called The Other Nashville Society (TONS). That opened my eyes: Nashville wasn’t just country and folk. There was an entire community of hip-hop, trap, EDM, indie, and alternative artists hungry for support. That was when I knew we had a real opportunity.
We tried different things at first — like launching a beat-selling platform right before the pandemic — but when that failed, we pivoted. We launched the MC2MC Podcast, which led us to connect with producers, artists, and eventually a mentor who had worked in nearly every corner of the music and entertainment world. We had paid for 30 minutes of his time, but he cracked open a bottle of bourbon and spent three hours giving us a roadmap. That night gave us the confidence to take our vision seriously.
From there, we signed our first artist, Sergio’s Backpack, and worked with others like Bleaux, EJ The Maker, and Jack Rosies from London. Those early partnerships taught us what the music industry really looks like in practice. As we grew, we realized there were more ways we wanted to work with artists — so we expanded into records, management, publishing, live events, and more. Part of it was helping artists; part of it was protecting what we were building for the long run.
Over time, distribution companies started taking chances on us, sync agencies partnered with us, and we began working with music tech platforms like Linkfire, who even did a Case Study on how we used their tools. Along the way we’ve attended industry events like TONS Talks and Music Biz Week, and we’ve had interns go on to work at Sony, Capitol, and Concord. We’ve even been referenced in a Belmont University course as a model for internships.
Today, The Upstate Sound isn’t just a recording studio — it’s a full music group. What sets us apart is our commitment to transparency and education. We walk artists through every contract clause, and if it’s not right for them, we’d rather part as friends than trap anyone in a deal they don’t understand. My brother likes to compare us to the pirates in One Piece: not pirates who steal, but pirates who represent freedom. That’s our mission — to help artists be free, informed, and empowered in their careers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — but I think that’s true for anyone building something from scratch. One of the first challenges came when we launched a beat-selling platform right before the pandemic. Practically overnight, the market dried up and that plan collapsed. Instead of giving up, we pivoted into podcasting, which ended up being a blessing in disguise because it helped us build relationships that shaped the future of the company.
Another struggle was credibility. We were new, and most of the artists we connected with were in their early 20s. We quickly realized it wasn’t enough to just know the business side — we had to learn how to teach and communicate that knowledge in a way that young artists could understand and apply. That was a hard but important lesson.
On top of that, expansion came with growing pains. Moving into publishing, management, live events, and distribution meant we had to constantly learn new areas of the business while making sure we were protecting what we were building. There were times when we had access to tools and partnerships we weren’t fully ready for, like sync agencies or advanced music tech platforms, and we had to grow into them fast.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every struggle forced us to adapt. And looking back, those challenges shaped the resilience and philosophy we carry today: transparency, education, and freedom for artists.
We’ve been impressed with The Upstate Sound Music Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Upstate Sound Music Group is a Nashville-based music company that has grown from a single recording studio into a full music group with divisions in records, publishing, management, live events, and artist services. At our core, we specialize in helping artists not just create music, but build sustainable careers.
What sets us apart is our commitment to transparency and education. From the beginning, we’ve refused to operate like a traditional 360 label. Instead, we walk artists through every clause of their contracts, explain what it means, and make sure they fully understand what they’re signing. If it’s not the right fit, we’d rather part on good terms than trap anyone in a deal that doesn’t serve them. That approach has built trust, and it’s one of the things we’re most proud of as a brand.
We’re also proud of the opportunities we’ve created — not just for artists, but for the next generation of industry professionals. Our internship program has helped students go on to work at companies like Sony, Capitol, and Concord, and we’ve even been referenced in a Belmont University course as a model for internships.
At the end of the day, we want readers to know that The Upstate Sound is about freedom and empowerment. Whether it’s through music releases, distribution partnerships, sync opportunities, or live shows, our goal is to give artists the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed on their own terms.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
First, read books about the music industry. Don’t say you want to be an artist, manager, A&R, or executive if you haven’t read Donald Passman’s All You Need to Know About the Music Business. It’s the foundation — if you don’t know the basics, you’ll get taken advantage of quickly.
Second, remember Pablo Picasso’s quote: “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” There’s another one I love: “If you steal from one person, you’re a plagiarist. Steal from 100, and you’re a genius.” What that really means is, it’s okay — and even necessary — to follow in the footsteps of others at first. You can’t “find yourself” until you’ve experienced enough in life. It’s like trying to sculpt a statue without enough bronze or clay. Ask questions, even if you feel stupid. Learn something every single day. Try to be wiser today than you were yesterday. That’s how you make it in the music industry — and in life.
Finally, be comfortable with being uncomfortable. You’ll find yourself in rooms where you feel like you don’t belong — maybe surrounded by top artists or seasoned executives while you’re just starting out. In those moments, many people shrink back. Don’t. Be brave. Ask questions. The best people love helping the underdog because they remember being in that position themselves. And if someone’s rude or dismissive, you just saved yourself from wasting time working with the wrong person. Move on and talk to the next one.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.theupstatesound.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupstatesound/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupstatesound
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theupstatesound/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theupstatesound
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/theupstatesound
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-upstate-sound-nashville-2
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theupstatesound
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@theupstatesound
