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
TV’s Best Music Supervision in 10 Shows (Pitchfork)
With TV season now back in swing, Pitchfork puts the spotlight on the work of some of our favourite music supervisors, from Matt FX to Nora Felder and PJ Bloom.
How the music we love actually got on Atlanta (The Fader)
The hit show’s music supervisor Jen Malone and music consultant Fam Udeorji detail how the right songs make it to screen.
Music supervisor Tarquin Gotch on working with John Hughes (Synchblog)
Entertainment industry veteran Tarquin Gotch chats to us about his time in A&R, working with the brilliant John Hughes on films like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, managing AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, and more..
Erykah Badu turns music supervisor for Comedy Central’s Legends of Chamberlain Heights (Billboard)
The ever-busy Erykah Badu will unveil her latest creative venture—music supervisor—when Comedy Central premieres its new urban animated series, Legends of Chamberlain Heights, on Wednesday (Sept. 14, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT).
Timbaland replaced as music supervisor on Empire (NME)
Beyoncé producer Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins’ will now replace Timbaland, working with songwriter Ester Dean, who has written songs for Katy Perry, Little Mix and Lil Wayne.
TV and film music supervisors are killing real songwriting (LA Weekly)
Contrary to the usual praise of music supervisors, songwriter Patrick Duniven argues that they ask and encourage songwriters and recording artists to churn out generic, uninspired music with no real message. Thoughts? Feel free to comment below.
Gaming
Dear Esther: How composer and co-creator Jessica Curry is rethinking video game music for the better (FACT MAG)
Award-winning composer Jessica Curry not only heads up the development team behind acclaimed indie games Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture and Dear Esther, she also composes the games’ unique, haunting scores. This autumn, a remastered version of Dear Esther is being released on Sony’s PS4 system, and Curry is gearing up for a special performance of the soundtrack at the Barbican in London. Lewis Gordon finds out the inspiration behind Curry’s distinctive soundtracks..
Advertising
This Week’s Best Advert Music 16.9.2016 | This Week’s Best Advert Music 23.9.2016 (Tracks and Fields)
Each week Tracks and Fields seek out the best in advertising music. Here are their selections from the last two weeks including tracks from Amazon, H&M and Apple spots.
The Most Shazamed Ads of the Week: September 13-19 (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 last week.
`
The Contentious Tale of the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” Jingle (Pitchfork)
In 2003, Justin Timberlake helped launch an ambitious new McDonald’s marketing campaign. Tied around the slogan “I’m Lovin’ It,” the advertising blitz marked, surprisingly, the first time the venerable fast-food company had ever used a single message and set of commercials worldwide at the same time. Over the past 13 years, “I’m Lovin’ It” has gone on to become by far the longest-running McDonald’s slogan in history.
Tips and Tricks
How to…get into writing video game scores (PRS for Music’s M Magazine)
M Magazine looks at the converging worlds of music and videogames and delve into the opportunities and pitfalls for composers. They chat to experts from the composing, publishing, gaming and media law worlds to glean their top tips for artists interested in dipping their toe in.
Insights Blog: Five tips for brands working with music for the first time (CMU)
For the music industry, brand partnerships are an ever more important part of the business, and the good news is that brands remain keen to utilise both live and recorded music, and artist alliances, to reach, engage and excite their target audiences. Though from the brand side, navigating the music industry, understanding the complexities of music rights, and working out which music companies control what, can be challenging.
Upcoming Events
London Sync Sessions (28th – 29th September 2016, London)
Metropolis Studios are hosting this two-day conference dedicated to sync for the second year running with top speakers in the music industry, from CEOs, publishers, record labels, film and TV producers, supervisors and composers.
AIMP’s and the CCC’s Music Industry Toolbox (29th September 2016, Los Angeles)
Join Synchtank, the leading PROS, and a wide array of other leading companies for the fourth Music Industry Toolbox. During this unique event each company will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate their products and services in the areas of digital distribution, royalties, music rights, and more.
CD Baby’s DIY Musician Conference (Chicago, 30th September – 2nd October 2016)
We’ll be joining our client CD Baby at their DIY Musician Conference later this month. Expect panels on everything from sync licensing, music publishing, YouTube monetization, growing a fanbase, PR and much more!
To view our full list of music industry and sync events worldwide, head here.
