Sync Gems - podcast cover

Sync Gems

A podcast about people’s journeys to success in the sync licensing space. Top notch music composers, music supervisors, sync agents, label owners, and editors will drop gems and mindset hacks that will help you get to the next level in your sync career. Your host, Roy Matz, is a full time music composer for tv, film, ads and games. He is very passionate about decoding people’s mindsets and understanding people’s success. Say hi to roy at @roymatz
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Episodes

Taking opportunities as they come, making theme songs & approaching supervisors w/ Jody Friedman (p1)

Jody has done everything there is to possibly do in the sync space and we explore how he did it. His approach is nothing short of amazing and his accolades are there to back it up. Jody has had his music placed in thousands of spots, and has helped his students at “elite music coaching” do the same. We talk about mindset in this part of the interview, we talk about being able to catch opportunities as they come, we talk about how jody talked to the head of CNN, and how he composed his first them...

Jul 04, 202436 minEp. 75

Originality, Imperfections & How Having Fun Can Get You Huge Placements w/ Rob Jager van Duren (pt2)

In this Part 2 of my sit down with Rob Jager Van Duren, we discuss the ego in music, we talk about things to say yes and no to, we talk about who to give attention to on your way up. We get into originality, imperfections, and how having fun has landed Rob works with major brands. We also get into a discussion about the power of good honest feedback. Connect with Rob https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jager-music/ Support My Sample Pack https://www.roymatz.com/store...

Jun 27, 202451 minEp. 74

Making Memorable Music, Recording Live Orchestras, Working With Extreme, Redbull and 2WEI w/ Rob Jaager van Duren

In this conversation Rob and I had In bali we talk about robs journey into working with top brands, we talk about burnout, we talk about how to have your music be as good as it can be. We also talk about why Rob flies to see his clients yearly, we talk about the main reasons most people don’t make it in music, and many more things. Connect with Rob https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jager-music/ Support My Sample Pack https://www.roymatz.com/store...

Jun 20, 202448 minEp. 73

What Relationships Make A Sustainable Music Career? w/ Jamie Shield (P2)

In this episodes we talk about how long term relationships can be way more profitable than upfront paying gigs, we talk about the formula to make it in the music business, the importance of staying consistent, we talk about reality TV and exploring different genres, we talk about the importance of being easy to collaborate with, and peoples pet peeves in the industry About Jamie: Jamie Shield has been in the game for a while, has had placements with EA sports, Adidas, Under Armor, McDonald’s, an...

Jun 13, 202456 minEp. 72

How Being Good Enough Gets You Paid Big Royalties w/ Jamie Shield (P1)

In this part of the interview with Jamie Shields (AKA MNKN) we deep dive the importance of showing up and doing the work, we talk about how and why our goals should always be fluid, we talk about AI & how to navigate technology. This interview dives into advanced concepts in the sync world but Jamie does such a good job at simplifying and giving it his own twist. About Jamie Jamie Shield has been in the game for a while, has had placements with EA sports, Adidas, Under Armor, McDonald’s, and...

Jun 06, 202456 minEp. 71

Speaking Music Goals Into Existence w/ Dave Kropf P2

On this episode we go into the weeds of setting goals, speaking things into existence, about how relationships are essentially everything. We talk about the what the approach to sync music should be, and how to focus on the things that matter https://www.52cues.com Dave has also challenged me to make my own sample pack during the interview and… well… I took it head on. Support me by buying my 1st sample pack: https://www.roymatz.com/store...

May 23, 202440 minEp. 70

Moving Forward & Owning Your Story w/ Dave Kropf PT1

In this special part 1 interview, Dave Kropf and I interview each other, we talk about our life experiences, our roots, and how they have shaped us to what we are today. We talk about moving on from things that are no longer serving us and how to actually know when something is not serving us, even if it's tied to our identity. Dave is a composer with over 1000 tracks in his catalog, and he is helping hundreds of composers in his community at https://www.52cues.com Dave has also challenged me to...

May 17, 202438 minEp. 69

Using Mistakes As A Way To Grow, Quantity vs Quality In Sync, Carving Your Own Path

In this episode I open up about Why Making mistakes is crucial, why I get taken advantage of on purpose in the industry, why experience and diversification are everything in this industry, why I think you want to try all sorts of sync income, why fluidity is a must in this industry, and why this doesn't matter if you're not appreciating yourself and your progress Please make sure to leave a review & rate the podcast if you haven't yet

Mar 13, 202426 minEp. 68

Balancing Your Music Career (Being vs. Doing)

In a world that glorifies doing more than anything, I find it important to stop and talk about balancing the doing and being. I also talk about about being able to feel successful even when I am not completely where I want to be. In this podcast I go on a walk with you and talk to you about my relationship with this balance as of late, about my recent burnout and many more things

Mar 05, 202421 minEp. 67

A Technique To Deal With Your Flaws

On this episode I choose to take you into my current 10 deepest vulnerabilities and flaws. These flaws don’t serve me but they are a part of my journey. I dive into each one of them and I talk about an exercise I do to help me cope with these flaws. The reason I’ve made this podcast is the hope that someone out there has similar flaws and doesn’t know what to do with them. I am not a doctor/ psychologist/ guru/ master but I choose to talk about this because this has helped me and will continue t...

Feb 21, 202425 minEp. 66

Strategy Over Emotions, The Importance of Mentorship & Sponsorship w/ K Sparks

On this episode I talk to Kyle Hunter (AKA K. Sparks). Aside from having sync placements everywhere possible, he is an industry vet and has shared stages and has done work with some of the greats in the music industry (The temptations, Kid Audi, Rapsody, Peter Rosenberg & more). His experience is second to none and we get into his mentality, his approach to mentorship, Importance of Network, Strategy, Misinformation. We also touch on fake gurus and why a 9-5 is necessary for a lot of people ...

Feb 15, 202452 minEp. 65

Make Syncable Music & Get Out Of Your Own Way w/ David John Walker

On this episode we have David John Walker (AKA Imperial Beats) This episode is jam packed with amazing insights. Dave Walker gives you an insight to how he has gained some real success and full time income from production music in about few years. He talks about getting picked up by EMI, quitting his full time job as a teacher, and really leaning into the sync space. He also drops big gems about the role of a sync composer and how you can do it better. Connect with Dave https://www.imperialbeats...

Feb 07, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 64

That Voice In My Head, And What I Do About it

I have been dealing with burn out a lot in this past year. A lot of it is because the voice in my head saying some ridiculous stuff that sound like truths to me. things like "man you suck", "man you're not doing enough, Step it up!", "Look how successful **** is" In this podcast I talk about what I do about this voice, what I do to keep myself accountable in life and some recent examples of things I do to get out of my head and how I put this voice to sleep.

Feb 02, 202424 minEp. 63

The intern who became a full time composer & a label owner w/ Nathan Foreman (AKA XcaliberZero)

Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with the amazing Nathan Foreman, a music producer whose music has been featured in NBA, Rhythm & flow, Fortnite and many more. Nathan shares the invaluable impact of interning in a publishing company, providing a backstage pass to the inner workings of a label. We explore the philosophy of being infinitely curious and how this insatiable curiosity has propelled Nathan to remarkable heights. The conversation unfolds into a candid exploration of ...

Jan 25, 202458 minEp. 62

How Can You Be Successful Right Now?

Comparing ourself to others, thinking “damn he’s so successful!” Or “damn she has all the placements in the world”, or perhaps my favorite “oh my godddd he makes 5 figures from royalties” This podcast was recorded because I hear too much talk about success and there are too many people trying to define what success is for you so they can sell you stuff. Success isn’t waiting for the end of the year and realizing you’ve done a bunch of stuff or haven’t. Success is RIGHT HERE! Hopefully this podca...

Jan 18, 202425 minEp. 61

The Journey Of A Rising Music Supervisor w/ Carita Miller

Today we talk with Carita Miller, A supervisor & artist manager. She has been working on Indie films since covid and is looking to get her break into bigger budget films. We talk about how she does her work, how she is looking to grow and what you as artists/composers can have in line for her to work with you. Carita’s Bio: Carita is a Freelance Music Supervisor at The Lady With The Golden Ear, a company that provides music consulting and supervision services for film and TV projects. She ha...

Jan 11, 202436 minEp. 60

ep59 Why Big Placements Should Not Define You w/ Sigurd Jøhnk-Jensen

In this episode we explore the nuanced art of not letting big placements overshadow your journey. Sigurd has had a huge amount of trailer placements this year and in general, he is a very well oiled music machine, he makes an amazing living from sync, and it is not even his main pursuit. This guy is the definition of success to me and he stays humble doing it too. Sigurd guides us through the transformative importance of meditation, offering practical ways to infuse this serene practice into you...

Jan 04, 20241 hr 40 minEp. 59

ep57 The Full Time Sync Composer Life w/ Steven Mcdonald

On this episode Steven, A full time sync composer, shares his wisdom on the art of choosing excellent publishers and the transformative power of focusing on quality collaborations. We also talk about writing for reality TV vs making music for big libraries. Gain profound insights into the true meaning of doing music full time and how to hit the brakes, we also discuss why nobody is actually a night owl Discover the resilience required to pursue your passion even when faced with challenges, and u...

Dec 21, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 57

ep56 Blanket licenses, sub publishing deals & working with upfront fees w/ Jason Rudd

On this episode, Jason Rudd, with more than 25 years in the music industry, shares the transformative lessons from his early career, including navigating a legal challenge at the young age of 24. We explore the intricacies of sub-publishing with Jason as he demystifies the concept and sheds light on why companies seek sub-publishing deals. Discover the pivotal role of a robust sales team in the music industry and gain insights into the various types of blanket licenses that shape the landscape. ...

Dec 14, 20231 hr 8 minEp. 56

From Signed Artist To Film, Trailer & Game Composer w/ Becca Schack

In this interview Becca, who has seamlessly scored feature films, Triple A games, and captivating ads, shares her insights and experiences that have shaped her diverse career. Becca takes us behind the scenes of scoring for feature films, offering a glimpse into spotting sessions, the intricacies of back-end royalties, and the unique aspects of her scoring projects. She bridges the gap between artistry and film scoring and tells you how you can do it too. She shares invaluable advice on navigati...

Nov 30, 202355 minEp. 54

Doing vs Procrastinating: How can you do good & elevate those around you? w/ Roy Matz

In this episode I dive deep into the mental aspect and the things that in my opinion create a good composer. I think that after 52 interviews with top industry people who are making 6-7 figures I am entitled to draw my conclusions and connect them with the wisdom I have been studying throughout the years. I dive into Doing vs Procrastinating, how it has everything to do with the people you’re surrounded by, the importance of community, groups and masterminds. I also go into musical exploration a...

Nov 22, 202323 minEp. 53

From Sinking To Syncing: hard lessons learned w/ Barry Whittaker-Gilbey

In this insightful episode of "Sync Gems," industry veteran Barry Whittaker-Gibley, a luminary with over two decades of experience in sync and a prominent role as one of the owners at "Energy Music" (sub-published by Universal), joins us for a candid discussion on the pitfalls and protective measures within the music business. Barry, not only a seasoned sync expert but also a musician, shares a cautionary tale from his early career, shedding light on how individuals can be taken advantage of in ...

Nov 16, 202358 minEp. 52

Why Being Your Self Is Your Biggest Asset w/ Jelle Dittmar

In this podcast we dive with Jelle into composing from the heart, recording an orchestra, The power of not quantizing when making music, the importance of getting inspired to progress, and how saying no can lead you to making more money. We also get into how Jelle made music for an atari game, how he built his network and how he became such a busy composer doing amazing work with amazing companies Jelle is an amazing young composer that works consistently with labels like BMG and Warner Chappell...

Nov 09, 202350 minEp. 51

ep 50 Internal Success vs External Results w/ Tom Gire

This episode is a big celebration for me, and what’s a better way to celebrate than to have a person you look up to? Tom Gire is the owner of Brand X, he is also an amazing musician and an inspirational human being. In this episode we talk about healthy attitudes towards burnout, what makes a banger track? We also talk about transitioning and pivoting in your craft as a composer, the power of shutting up, Internal success vs External results and way way more. Gems all over the place so make sure...

Nov 03, 20231 hr 14 minEp. 50

The Power of Trust & Long Term Relationships in Sync Music w/ Erick Bolivar

with our special guest, Erick Bolivar. We delve into the art of networking, emphasizing the enduring importance of face-to-face connections. Erick shares his invaluable insights from six years of attending conferences, offering tips on how to make a lasting impression and avoid common pitfalls. He also explores the power of building real friendships in the industry, the challenges faced by supervisors when working with composers, and the significance of creating music that pushes creative bounda...

Oct 25, 20231 hr 26 minEp. 49

ep 48 Know Thyself, Understand Your Strengths & Shine In Sync w/ Edwina Travis Chin

Edwina is the VP of Music Content & Strategy for APM, she has a great story and a lot of inside knowledge about the industry, in fact she started working at APM before I was born (So that gives up the amount of experience this person has) We talk about why uniqueness is so important, knowing thyself, board meetings with music at APM, and more

Oct 18, 202350 minEp. 48

ep47 Believe in your gift w/ Leonardo Escárcega

On this episode Leonardo invites us on an enlightening journey where he unveils the transformative power of helping those who once doubted you, emphasizing that through a simple act of kindness, you can profoundly impact others in ways you may never imagine. As the music industry beckons with people clamoring for a piece of your talent, Leonardo stokes the flames of determination to prove them wrong, leaving you with an unquenchable thirst for success as a composer. He reinforces the essential l...

Sep 27, 20231 hr 8 minEp. 47

ep46 Productive Discomfort in Sync w/ Joel Feinberg

This is an amazing episode with De Wolfe CEO, Joel Feinberg. Joel's journey from a musician balancing his career in the heart of NYC to becoming the CEO of de Wolfe Music USA is nothing short of inspirational. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Joel's insights are pure gold! In this captivating episode, we explore everything from the art of business development in the sync world to the visionary legacy of de Wolfe Music, one of the world's first sync libraries. Joel shares his ...

Sep 20, 20231 hr 19 minEp. 46
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