In this captivating episode of the podcast, Farnell Newton, a seasoned musician known for his extensive touring with Grammy-winning artists like Jill Scott and the legendary Bootsy Collins, shares his remarkable journey from the stage to the boardroom. Farnell's transition from touring to interning at Marmosett Music at 40 years old, where he now heads the A&R department, offers a unique perspective on the music industry's inner workings. Throughout the episode, Farnell emphasizes the import...
Sep 13, 2023•57 min•Ep. 45
On this episode Gregory Tan returns for a second captivating conversation on the podcast. He embarks on a profound exploration of the challenges that composers often face, including the all-too-common burnout. Gregory imparts essential insights on maintaining mindfulness and humility throughout a composer's journey. You will gain valuable perspective on identifying your dream collaborators and cultivating the right professional relationships to sustain success in the ever-evolving music landscap...
Sep 06, 2023•51 min•Ep. 44
In this episode, Trevor Lewallen, with over 15 years of experience, shares his insights on translating vision into reality, highlighting that success is in the execution. Delve into the enigmatic aspects of the industry, from deciphering the elusive factors that evade completion to dissecting the profound influence of initial encounters. Explore the unexpected challenges of the music industry, paralysis of over analysis, and Trevor's fresh perspective on AI's effects on the industry landscape. T...
Aug 30, 2023•55 min•Ep. 43
In this episode I get real go in deep about what has been holding me back in the sync world lately, and I talk about the steps i've taken to take myself out of the feeling that i'm not enough. I talk about the way things are for me, my income for sync, how it fluctuates and I think it can give you another perspective about a path and help you in your decision making process in the future. I hope episodes like these can help you go through what you're going through, and own it because there'll al...
Aug 23, 2023•18 min•Ep. 42
In this episode Grammy-nominated engineer and mixer Dana Nielsen takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, having collaborated with music legends like Bob Dylan, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and more. As a former protege of Rick Rubin, Dana shares insights into how he secured his position with the iconic producer and recounts captivating stories from their collaborations. The conversation delves into themes of humility versus entitlement, the power of networking and being a valuable a...
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 41
Mike Locke, a former member of Warner Music turned founder of Silverside agency, takes us on a journey from his beginnings at Warner Music to the establishment of his own successful sync agency. Mike discusses his initial pull towards the music industry and provides insights into how one can ascertain if a career in music is the right fit. He delves into the importance of recognizing a sustainable passion and leveraging innovation, drawing from his experiences at Warner to kickstart his agency. ...
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 40
Join us in this captivating episode of Sync Gems as we sit down with the incredibly talented custom music producer, Jonathon Deering, whose exceptional work has graced blockbuster movies such as Spider-Man, Flash, Batman, Minions, and many more. Together, we delve into the profound insights and experiences Jonathon has garnered throughout his remarkable career. Discover the secrets to finding your bliss in music and unlocking the path to success in the competitive world of music production. Expl...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 39
On this episode we have Transit's music coordinator, Sofia Del Valle, she sheds tons of light on the craft and artistry behind music coordination & supervision, highlighting how a single placement can transform one's entire career (we go into the story of "stranger things" specifically). Tune in to discover valuable insights getting on agencies radars, the significance of having a stellar reel and website, and how networking plays a pivotal role in achieving independent success in this compe...
Jul 26, 2023•57 min•Ep. 38
On this episode we have Morgan McKnight, the Executive Director of the Production Music Association (PMA). Join us as we discuss moving forward in your endeavors and the importance of being dedicated to learning. Morgan explains what PMA is and why the sync community is a great place for creatives. We also explore the latest trends in the library world and learn how to stay true to yourself in the music industry. Additionally, Morgan shares valuable insights on getting paid for your work in the ...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 37
On this episode I speak with Bryce Green, who has recently landed a huge Pizza hut campaign, Connor McGregor’s documentary, Bel-air and more. He has a lot to teach about his rise to greatness and how you can do it too. We talk about sharing your gifts in sync, we talk about how to decide who to collaborate with and also about how putting in the work in the direction that you know you’re meant to go is the most important thing you can do for yourself Connect with bryce IG: @brycegreenmojo Linkedi...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 36
In this episode, we get into sync agencies, the job of a sync agent, and learn the crucial knowledge and experience required to pitch your music effectively. We talk about the importance of a solid team and get into valuable tips on submitting your music to an agency. Don't miss out on this transformative episode. Rashad’s Bio: Rashad comes from a strong background in the music publishing industry. He worked at Universal Music Publishing for nearly 5 years while licensing music for Film/TV. Afte...
Jul 05, 2023•47 min•Ep. 35
On this episode we get into things I really wanted to know for myself. We unravel the importance of simplicity in sync, exploring the main differences between sync agencies and music libraries. We talk about different uses composers can have with AI. We Delve into the controversial realm of using samples and why in some cases they should be avoided. This episode is jam packed with gems! so enjoy it. xJ will's Bio Meet Joshua Williams, a versatile and accomplished artist/composer hailing from the...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 34
In this episode we explore a wide range of topics including understanding the perfect placement for your music, the growing demand for vocals by publishers, effective strategies for navigating the sync music business, the importance of clear communication with publishers, lesser-known insights that can elevate your sync music game, and the vital art of balancing creativity with the business side of the industry. Michael Maas has been on episode 18 and told his story there, but in short- he is an...
Jun 21, 2023•57 min•Ep. 33
On this episode we delve into the intriguing realm of collaboration, exploring the hows and whys, the importance of actively meeting people face to face, and the delicate balance between quantity and quality in sync. We'll also uncover the secrets behind writing for indie films, discussing the intricacies of payment, how to break into scoring for indie projects, and the age-old debate of working for free. Don't miss this enriching episode filled with valuable insights from a true master of his c...
Jun 15, 2023•55 min•Ep. 32
This time we sit down with the talented Marcus Manderson, an emerging force in the sync world who recently celebrated his first collaboration with Disney. With an unwavering determination to achieve greatness, Marcus shares his invaluable insights into the art of networking, revealing the transformative power of reaching out and cultivating connections with the best in the business. Get ready to be motivated, empowered, and inspired by Marcus Manderson's incredible story. Connect with Marcus: ht...
Jun 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 31
On this episode Shalev shares his remarkable experience of landing a coveted position in Hans Zimmer's studio after just three months in Los Angeles, recording renowned artists like Nick Jonas, Busta Rhymes, Zara Larsson, and 2chains. He also assisted some of the top mixing engineers and he breaks down how he did it. He also opens up about working as an editor for Disney, the challenges of working long hours without pay, and the invaluable lessons he learned about the importance of persistence, ...
May 31, 2023•46 min•Ep. 30
On this episode we are going to explore the subject of health, why are a lot of composers not healthy and what can we do to combat these health deficiencies? Are you waking up tired? are you feeling groggy and tired? do you have bad eating habits? maybe binging? Well you may get a few answers to these questions here on this podcast. It’s really a short one but if you guys get value from it please let me know and I may make more of these in the future Enjoy the episode :)...
May 24, 2023•17 min•Ep. 29
On This episode we talk about Dee Kei's journey From working 16 hour days, to achieving his dreams after one year in LA to discovering he was actually miserable- Dee Kei explains his lessons learned and philosophy around setting clear boundaries to actually achieve happiness. He also sheds light on why most people don't have what it takes to create success for themselves and why sacrificing success for happiness is sometimes necessary. Definitely one of my favorite episodes Movies Mentioned: The...
May 16, 2023•54 min•Ep. 28
This podcast was recorded because of my 32nd bday and the understanding that came to me as I turn a new page in my life, and embark on new adventures. This is more about my downloads and understanding from the roller coster ride life has been taking me on in this past decade or so I hope this will be of value to you :) Let me know what you think
May 10, 2023•13 min•Ep. 27
With placements in major productions such as Guardians of the Galaxy 3, The Witcher, Woke, Rap caviar presents (and more) Lionel Fabert's expertise is not to be missed. On this episode Lionel discusses his unique approach to making music, the way he sticks out, as well as his thoughts on the future of AI in music composition. He also shares valuable insights into how to stand out in the competitive world of custom music, and the importance of mastering your craft as a musician. Tune in to this e...
May 02, 2023•49 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of Sync Gems, we sit down with Noam Levinberg, the head of the audio department at Artlist, to discuss his passion for audio and the secrets to creating the perfect music for TV and film. Levinberg has been in the music industry for over a decade, has mixed & mastered thousands of records for many names, was the head of audio in Artlist and is very passionate about what he does. He discusses how artists can break through the world of sync, and shares tips and tricks for makin...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 25
Are you curious about music for games? In this episode our guest Sigurd Jøhnk-Jensen shares valuable insights on how to get started making music for games. Sigurd has had amazing success in the gaming world, and in this episode, he shares how he gets regular work from games, he also shares some of the networking techniques that have helped him get to the top. He also discusses the differences between creating music for games and music for TV/film and how the two can live together. Make sure you ...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 24
In this episode Jamie Shield shares his journey in music production and how he has managed to double his savings through sync licensing. He discusses falling in love with recording, getting a call from Timbaland himself, and the power of building a strong social media presence. Jamie also emphasizes the importance of getting your music to work for you and taking charge of your career by signing "bad deals" and creating your own luck. Through his experiences and insights, he offers valuable advic...
Apr 12, 2023•59 min•Ep. 23
In this episode, we speak with the founders of Triple Tread about the role of supervisors in helping artists succeed. The guests share their passion for assisting artists and provide insights on what supervisors look for in musicians. They discuss how to obtain briefs from supervisors and how to build and maintain strong relationships with them. In addition, the episode touches on The Guild Of Music Supervisors, and also the topic of using samples. If you're an artist looking to make it big in t...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 22
In tis episode we had the pleasure of speaking with Jordan Smith, Manager of Sync & Licensing at "Chroma Music." Jordan gave us an inside look at her work for a premium music house and shared her experiences wearing different hats in her role. Jordan also shared insights on how quotes work in trailer music houses and gave us a glimpse into the potential payouts for licensing music. Jordan emphasizes the importance of creating and cultivating good relationships with artists. She also gives ti...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 21
On this episode I talk to Sean Carter, he is an In house Audio Engineer, Music Composer, Music Supervisor, Sound Editor, & Mixer for The Washington Post, He is also a sound designer & lyricist with a very unique upbringing and inspiration. Sean has pivoted so much in his career and is really an inspiration for doing things differently. He will inspire you to carve your own path and tap into your inner compass Michael Maas's Sync Business Course https://roymatz.krtra.com/t/L5dApnHbtDlF Co...
Mar 20, 2023•46 min•Ep. 21
In this podcast episode, Brand X founder Tom Gire shares his inspiring journey of making a lifelong living from his music, starting from playing on cruise ships to making trailer tracks for successful campaigns like The Matrix, Harry Potter & The Last Samurai. He talks about his experiences working with Hans Zimmer and the hard lessons he learned while striving as a freelancer. Tom also shares his advice on setting realistic expectations, compartmentalizing the most important things, and avo...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, Michael shares his incredible story of rising to huge success relatively quickly after coming back to music. He talks about his journey from leaving music completely for 5 years, to transitioning from his day job as a train conductor to a full-time composer, and eventually becoming a multi-company owner. One of the key takeaways from Michael's story is knowing what to say yes and what to say no to. He shares his insights on how to make the right decisions that will help you grow...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 19
In this podcast I offer my perspective about why there are so many creatives who are complaining about not having the success they deserve, why they are not getting placements, why music is hard, and why life is hard I will also offer solutions to get over these. These solutions worked for me, and for people I know and appreciate deeply Let me know what you think about this episode via: LinkedIn or IG @roymatz @syncgems
Feb 21, 2023•18 min•Ep. 17
In this episode you'll discover the importance of perseverance. With hundreds of placements in trailers, TV, games, and ads, David shares his wealth of knowledge on finding the right people to work with, building a supportive community, and practical strategies for success in the sync business. David also shares what not to do when reaching out to others, and provides tips on how to avoid burnout in a fast-paced industry. Plus, he reveals a big hack for working with a low budget and achieving su...
Feb 16, 2023•48 min•Ep. 16
