We run through the latest and greatest in sync licensing and music supervision over the past fortnight, including the latest industry news, advice, and deals.
Film and TV
Twin Peaks soundtrack: a guide to all of the bands in the new episodes (NME)
David Lynch isn’t just the strangest film-maker since Italian maestro Federico Fellini. He’s also a music-lover, releasing two pretty decent, experimental rock albums since 2011. It’s no surprise then, that he’s jam-packed Twin Peaks season 3 with as many obscure indie bands as possible.
How music supervisors landed an Emmy category to call their own (Billboard)
For the first time in the Emmy Awards’ nearly 70-year history, music supervisors will be recognized for the artistic role they play in crafting the tone of TV programs.
Better Call Saul music team changes tune as series slowly takes ‘bad turn’ (Variety)
For composer Dave Porter and music supervisor Thomas Golubic, the challenge in reteaming with Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould on Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul has grown each season as Jimmy McGill continues his transformation into sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman.
All Eyez On Me soundtrack features some of rap’s finest (Bustle)
The new biopic about Tupac Shakur is set to come out on June 16, and once you leave the theater, you’ll have a soundtrack to bob your head to in the days that follow. The All Eyez on Me soundtrack pays homage to the controversial yet indisputably talented rapper, and trust me — you’ll want to listen to this one on repeat.
Top TV song last week: ‘Start A Riot’ by BANNERS (tunefind)
Last week’s top TV song was “Start A Riot” by Banners, featured on season 2 episode 18 of Lucifer. Featured during a series of scenes just prior to the end of the episode, viewers were eagerly hunting down both this song and an unreleased song by Milck featured in the final montage.
Master of None music supervisor Zach Cowie on licensing a track through the Burundian Government (Deadline)
Speaking with Deadline from his studio, Cowie discusses the second season’s Italian theme, and the process of licensing one of the season’s most colorful tracks through the Burundian government.
Baby Driver cast and director explain how music drives the film (Billboard)
In a behind-the-scenes look at the project premiering here exclusively with Billboard, the Baby Driver cast and filmmakers explain how significant a role music played in the project.
The Leftovers leads television’s musical golden age (The New York Times)
The HBO series — a semi-apocalyptic drama about the aftermath of the Sudden Departure, in which 2 percent of the world’s population disappears — defies easy classification. It’s mournful and mordantly funny, absurdist but dedicated to the search for meaning. And it captures this ambitious mix of tones and contradictions with the most imaginative soundtrack on the air.
Wonder Woman composer on the scene he rewrote over and over (The Hollywood Reporter)
As composer Rupert Gregson-Williams tells Heat Vision, the No Man’s Land scene was his most challenging to write. To get it just right, he wrote the music for the scene “three or four times” before settling on the powerful version heard in the film.
The Handmaid’s Tale music supervisor talks season 1’s best musical moments (ET)
The show’s drama is punctuated by the music – from Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” to “Sweet Baby James” by James Taylor.
Steven Universe: Rebecca Sugar on revisiting the show’s soundtrack (Entertainment Weekly)
With the Steven Universe soundtrack providing fans with blasts from the past, EW spoke to Rebecca Sugar about what it was like revisiting the show’s music from the beginning.
Dear White People music supervisor on soundtrack as ‘statement piece’ (Variety)
“I keep a running list of songs that I hope to use,” says Dear White People music supervisor Morgan Rhodes. “I’m a little bit old-school because I write them down on Post-It notes and they’re all over my office. I’m just completely geeked about digging for music.”
Gaming
Behind the music of Horizon Zero Dawn (Develop)
Develop speaks with composer Joris de Man, composer/production duo The Flight and Guerrilla music supervisor Lucas van Tol.
An interview with composer Jeff Russo of What Remains of Edith Finch (paste)
If you’re a fan of hit television shows like FX’s Legion or Fargo you’ve definitely heard the sweeping orchestrations of composer Jeff Russo. Very recently however, Russo made his first foray into video game music after he composed the score for the haunting indie game, What Remains of Edith Finch.
Advertising
Sync Story: BoohooMan/Ghetts (Music Week)
As well as showcasing some bold looks, the company’s summer 2017 spot features the savvy use of Know My Ting by Ghetts (feat. Shakka). MOBO Award-winning Shakka’s hook is nigglingly catchy, the classic accessible counterpoint to Ghetts’ harder grime bars.
The relationship between brands and music needs to evolve (Fast Company)
Modern partnerships between marketers and artists should go far beyond just a song in an ad.
UK Top Shazamed Ads: May 29 | June 06 (The Drum)
The Drum’s Shazam chart is based on the number of times each ad has been Shazamed over the past week using the music identification app. Here are the charts from the last couple of weeks.
The most Shazamed ads of the week (US): May 28 – June 04 (Clio)
Every week, Clios.com, in partnership with Shazam, rounds up the most Shazamed ads of the previous week. These are the top spots from May 28 – June 04.
Business and Legal
Huw Stephens and Aminé Ramer launch new music supervision outfit, Land Of Sound (Music Week)
With offices based in Los Angeles and London, Land Of Sound will specialise in music searches, licensing and bespoke compositions for advertisements, film and TV, and will also facilitate brand and artist partnerships.
Variety introduces ‘Synch This’ – new music column spotlighting songs ripe for licensing (Variety)
“Synch This” is a new Variety column written by MAC Presents VP and former Billboard branding reporter Andrew Hampp, highlighting new songs that we deem ripe for synch use.
Michael Perlmutter on the art of the deal in song licensing (FYI music news)
Michael Perlmutter chats with FYI about the fast-growing but rarely considered field of music supervision (more platforms mean more content means a need for more music…) and why a song in today’s little-known show can reap significant benefits – monetary and otherwise – years down the road.
Universal Globe inks gaming deal for Dirt 4 video game (Music Week)
Universal Globe has partnered with gaming company Codemasters to provide a soundtrack for the new Dirt 4 video game comprised exclusively of tracks by Universal Music artists.
Tips and Tricks
7 myths about getting your songs in film and TV (DIY Musician)
7 Myths about Music Licensing and how you can get in gear and start making a living doing what you love, as written by songwriter Cathy Heller.
