Film and TV
El Camino Composer Cooks Up His Thoughts On Revisiting The Breaking Bad Finale (Forbes)
Porter scored all five seasons of Breaking Bad and is currently the composer for the aforementioned prequel series, Better Call Saul, which explores the origins of Walt and Jesse’s sleazy attorney, Saul Goodman.
Amanda Krieg Thomas Helps You Get In Sync With Music Supervisors, Part II (Tunefind)
In this installment, Thomas dives in a bit more on the career of music supervision, plus reviews her tips on how to submit music to supervisors and more helpful hints for those hoping to achieve success in sync.
Playing the Joker: the Dark Side of Sync (Synchblog)
Eamonn Forde looks at the ethical concerns and questions surrounding the use of Gary Glitter’s ‘Rock & Roll Part 2’ in Joker, and examines whether convicted criminals should be allowed to continue to profit from their intellectual property.
‘Golden age of TV’ gives boost to music industry (Guardian)
Figures provided exclusively to the Guardian by PRS (Performing Rights Society) for Music, show that the use of music across major on-demand platforms has more than tripled (up 238%) in the past five years – from 145bn minutes in 2014 to 490bn minutes in 2018.
Top TV Song Last Week: Oct 9th – Don’t Give Up On Me by Andy Grammer | October 17 – Phone Down (Justin Skolnik Remix) by Lost Kings feat. Emily Warren (Tunefind)
The last two weeks have seen tracks from Grey’s Anatomy and Big Mouth top the popular songs list.
Hulu’s Looking For Alaska Soundtrack Features The Strokes, Modest Mouse: See Full Track List (Billboard)
As with previous John Green adaptations, the team behind Looking For Alaska — based on Green’s 2005 debut novel — has taken special care with their soundtrack. Music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas (The Twilight Saga, The O.C., Grey’s Anatomy) looked for songs that evoke that era, while spotlighting emerging artists.
35 Greatest Horror Soundtracks: Modern Masters, Gatekeepers Choose (Rolling Stone)
To celebrate the renewed interest in horror music releases, we’ve compiled the 35 greatest soundtracks of all time as chosen by an esteemed panel of 14 reissue record label owners and indebted musicians.
‘We’re in a Robin Hood position’: how TV music supervisors boost new artists (Guardian)
Some people think supervision is like fantasy football for music,” says Zach Cowie, one of the new breed of music supervisors. “But there is a lot of stuff you need to know beyond just selecting good music.”
Music Supervisor Spotlight: A Q&A with Aaron Mercer (American Songwriter)
Aaron Mercer serves as Co-Head of Music Supervision for music and culture agency Premier Music Group. Aaron is an award-winning and sought-after music supervisor and licensing expert based in Nashville, with 20 years of experience across all avenues of music licensing.
Suits Finale Dominates The Hollywood Reporter’s Top TV Songs Chart (Billboard)
Despite the return of multiple shows to the air via the fall TV broadcast season beginning at the end of September, The Hollywood Reporter’s Top TV Songs chart for September 2019 is led by a trio of songs featured in a show was in the midst of finishing up its final season.
Song You Need to Know: Pusha T and HBO’s Succession Are the Media Merger of the Year (Rolling Stone)
“Puppets,” the remix of the show’s theme song from Pusha T and composer Nicholas Britell, is brand synergy done right.
It’s Not Just Succession: TV Theme Songs Are Back From the Dead and as Good as Ever (IndieWire)
In the stripped-down age of the lonely title card and “created by” credit, TV still has plenty of great music to offer.
Ariana Grande to Collaborate With Normani and Nicki Minaj on Charlie’s Angels Soundtrack (Rolling Stone)
The singer will appear on five of the soundtrack’s tracks, including “Bad to You,” a collaboration with Normani and Nicki Minaj. The soundtrack, which was co-executive produced by Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha and Scooter Braun, will be released via Republic Records on November 1st.
‘If you believe what it says, we’re all stuffed’: the Latin funeral song haunting soundtracks (Guardian)
From The Shining to The Lion King, the haunting tones of Dies Irae crop up in many TV shows and films. How did it become ubiquitous?
Better living through technology with Synchtank’s Joel T Jordan (Sync Club Podcast)
Joel T. Jordan, founder of Synchtank, speaks with Steve about using the right tools to make good work great, the strengths and weaknesses of machine learning, and micro licensing.
Nicholas Britell, Chernobyl Composer, “Shallow” Among World Soundtrack Award Winners (Deadline)
Nicholas Britell won Film Composer of the Year for his Oscar-nominated score for If Beale Street Could Talk at the World Soundtrack Awards, the annual event that honors the year’s best in film and TV music.
2019 Production Music Award Nominees Announced (M Magazine)
The Production Music Awards has announced its nominees for 2019, celebrating the best production music libraries and most talented composers from all over the world.
How The Price Is Right Theme Song Composer Lost Out On Millions In Royalties (Genius)
Edd Kalehoff estimates his theme has earned $40 to $50 million for other people.
Gaming
Au/Ra & Alan Walker Share New Track ‘Ghost’ From Death Stranding Soundtrack (Billboard)
The much-anticipated video game is out Nov. 8. Ahead of the video game Death Stranding’s much-awaited release on Nov. 8, a new song from its genre-spanning soundtrack has been released.
How does the games industry solve its problem with music licensing? (gamesindustry)
Developers risk having their games removed from sale due to expired licenses — experts from music and games weigh in on the problem.
The Convergence of Music & Esports: Industry Pros Weigh in on Opportunities, Trends & What’s in Store for the Future (Part 2) (Synchblog)
We delve deep into the convergence of music and esports and ask professionals from both industries for their insight into the future of these types of partnerships.
Space, a large-scale music, gaming & content creation venue will launch in Stockholm in 2021 with backing from ABBA branding company Pop House (MBW)
Space was founded by Gustav Käll, Per Sundin and Lars Blomberg, industry veterans who bring years of experience from the gaming, music and media industries.
‘It’s a new golden age’: Radio 3 launches video game music show (Guardian)
Presenter Jessica Curry says she wants to prove it’s not all about soundtracking battle scenes – there are plenty of beautiful, relaxing sounds, too.
Music for gaming start-up Five Vectors, co-founded by former UMG exec, raises $1m in seed funding (MBW)
Five Vectors Inc, a music start-up that works with emerging artists and produces new music for gaming audiences has raised $1 million in seed funding, led by BITKRAFT Esports Ventures.
Advertising
How Volkswagen Snagged David Bowie, Simon & Garfunkel Songs for New Campaigns (Variety)
For its latest pair of campaigns, the first under new U.S. ad agency Johannes Leonardo, the automaker looked to more recognizable, iconic songs that could help set a more lean-forward tone to match the brand’s post-emissions scandal efforts to embrace electric cars and more sustainable production.
Six takeaways from Ad Age Next: A revolution in sound (AdAge)
On September 17, Ad Age partnered with Universal Music Group for a daylong conference that covered advertising’s “Revolution in Sound,” including audio branding, sonic logos and the latest music marketing strategies.
The New York Lottery Created a Fake Heavy Metal Band and Released an EP on Spotify (Muse by CLIO)
To introduce Black Titanium, a scratch-off game with a $10 million top prize, the New York Lottery and McCann pumped up the volume with a heavy-metal inspired campaign that really rocks!
Fiat Chrysler CMO Olivier Francois on his music strategy and Super Bowl approach (AdAge)
At ANA, Francois dishes on Jeep’s ‘Songland’ deal and explains how he gets so many FCA cars in music videos.
Business
Disillusion or revolution? Understanding AI’s role in the future of music rights: op-ed by Synchtank CEO Rory Bernard (Music Business Association)
In this op-ed for the Music Business Association, Synchtank CEO Rory Bernard discusses the current state of AI in sync and beyond in the music industry.
Rosie Hill and Patrick Cloherty promoted after record year for Sentric Music Group sync team (MBW)
UK born Sentric Music Group’s sync team has undergone a significant reshuffle with two key promotions and other movements within the department. Sentric’s sync business saw year-on-year revenue growth of 41% in 2018.
Issa Rae launches label partnership with Atlantic Records (FADER)
Rae’s new venture, which also serves as music supervisor for HBO’s critically acclaimed A Black Lady Sketch Show, has officially signed singer-rapper TeaMarrr as its first artist. Her single “Kinda Love” serves as the label’s first release, with visuals that feature a cameo from Rae herself.
Spirit Music Group Announces Key Executive Moves Within Its A&R, Sync and Global Administration Departments (Celebrity Access)
Independent music publishing company Spirit Music Group has appointed Nancy Matalon to Vice President, A&R; promoted Melanie Santa Rosa to Senior Vice President, Global Administration; and appointed Tamar Wax to Senior Director, Film/TV.
“This Is an Extinction-Level Event”: Musicians Fear for Livelihood Without Streaming Residuals (THR)
As TV’s center of gravity pivots to direct-to-consumer platforms like Netflix and, soon, Disney+, a lack of residuals is having a huge impact on below-the-line workers who create the scores and instrumentals for programming.
Jobs
Music Supervisor – Major Tom (London)
A minimum of 5 year’s experience working within music supervision for commercials or within a licensing division of a record company or publisher is essential as well as proven track record of successful placements and / or composition productions.
Music Supervisor – Soho Music (London)
Soho Music are looking for a full time Music Supervisor to start as soon as possible. Any candidate must have at least 2-3 years of experience as a music supervisor and understand music clearance / licensing and research.
Business Development Manager – Pitch & Sync (London)
UK based sync agency Pitch & Sync is looking for a dynamic and inspiring Business Development Manager to join its growing music synchronisation business operating across advertising and brand sectors.
For more positions check out our music industry jobs board. To post a listing for free get in touch at jobsboard@synchtank.com.
Events
Music for Screens Summit – October 29th (Los Angeles)
Variety’s Music for Screens Summit hosts the creators and greenlighters behind the entertainment offerings at the intersection of music and visual media. Over 50 industry leaders converge to discuss the changing landscape of screen scoring for TV, film, video games and more
A2IM SynchUp – October 30th (Los Angeles)
This day will be rich with networking, panels, discussions, and one-on-one meetings. Attended by music supervisors, independent record labels, publishers, DSPs and more, this is a premier private music industry event.
Don’t forget to consult our List of Key Worldwide Music Industry & Sync Events for more conferences.
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