In this episode, we discuss the captivating world of songwriting with the renowned Liz Rogers. Drawing from her extensive experience in the industry, Liz offers invaluable insights into the art and craft of song creation. With a blend of passion and precision, Liz highlights the importance of authenticity in storytelling and the power of vulnerability in connecting with audiences on a profound level.

Liz shares her wisdom on navigating the dynamic landscape of the music industry. She underscored the significance of securing representation and fostering collaborative relationships in propelling your career forward. From establishing a portfolio to cultivating a strong online presence, Liz emphasizes the strategic steps aspiring songwriters can take to stand out in a competitive field. Her practical advice and strategic guidance serve as a roadmap for emerging talents seeking to carve their niche in the ever-evolving realm of music creation.

Liz also sheds light on the instrumental role of organizational tools such as Disco in optimizing opportunities in sync licensing—a crucial aspect of the modern music ecosystem. By harnessing technology to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency, songwriters can leverage their creative output to reach broader audiences and secure lucrative partnerships. Liz's insights are sure to shed some light on sync licensing and at the same time empower artists to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and clarity.

Guest Bio:

Liz Rogers is the Founder and Creative Director at Anacrusis, where she oversees new signings, writer development, and pitching creatively for sync. Anacrusis has secured hundreds of placements for emerging artists in Nashville in dozens of shows, films, and advertising campaigns. Liz also is an independent music supervisor, working in film and advertising, and is a voting member of the Guild of Music Supervisors. Liz is the Associate Music Event Producer for the Nashville Film Festival, and an Advisor at the Entrepreneur Center. She was featured as the keynote speaker at Vanderbilt’s Entrepreneurship Conference 2022, and has spearheaded events like “The Pitch: An Evening with Music Supervisors”, and The Nashville House at SXSW, bringing awareness to the non-country community of writers and artists in Nashville. Liz was honored as one of Nashville's “30 Under 30”, and recognized by the Nashville Business Journal on the esteemed power players list “Women In Music City.”

About the Hosts:

We’re Sonnet Simmons and John Clinebell, 2 indie artists who have found success and creative fulfillment through licensing our music for ads, TV shows and films.

We were once so disheartened and discouraged that our music wasn’t being noticed or valued through traditional methods. So we both started on a journey to find another way. For us, that “third door” was sync! And what we discovered is a lot better than we could have ever even imagined…[Find out more here]

Resources From This Episode:

• 2Indie - Visit our website for more resources and information on how to get YOUR music signed
• Music Licensing Basecamp - Want to join our exclusive online sync community, with weekly LIVE networking and coaching calls?
• @2indieofficial - Follow us on Instagram
• Sync It! Music Licensing Community - Follow us on Facebook
• Guest Speaker's Website - Learn more about our guest and their work
• @lizrogersxoxo / @anacrusissongs - Follow Liz on Instagram

In this engaging episode, we're joined by Evangeline, the talented voice behind Jenna Ortega’s upcoming film, Winter Spring Summer or Fall. Evangeline shares her insights into the creative process, revealing the internal dialogue that drives her music. We discuss the profound impact of relatable lyrics and the gift of articulating emotions through songwriting.

Reflecting on her journey as an independent artist, Evangeline opens up about her approach to music creation, emphasizing the importance of authenticity over commercial considerations. She candidly discusses the role of sync potential in her music and the evolving nature of her creative process, from solo songwriting sessions to collaborative efforts.

Throughout our conversation, Evangeline's passion for creating music will resonate with many, offering a glimpse into her heartfelt approach to artistry. This episode is a promising musical journey filled with authenticity and introspection.

Guest Bio:

There’s a sly wink to Evangeline’s debut EP, Fuzzy, a bit of self-deprecation and sardonic humor that’s baked right into the title.

“I mean, Fuzzy sounds pretty stupid when you first hear it,” she explains. “But honestly, that word has always broken my heart. It actually means ‘distressed to the point of softness, difficult to perceive clearly or understand and explain precisely.’ I really wanted these songs to sound carefree and for the instrumentation and production to be as warm as possible, but I wrote them over the last three years about emotions and relationships that weathered me, feelings I had difficulty explaining clearly in the moment, years that made me soft.”

Recorded with producer Dillon Casey (Weyes Blood), Fuzzy is a raw, honest, and utterly addictive dose of alt-pop from a storyteller committed to baring it all in a search for clarity and purpose. The songs are dreamy and inviting, offering up shimmering sonic mirages that belie their true emotional depths, and the production is similarly complex and nuanced, layering analog and digital elements into disarmingly beautiful soundscapes that manage to feel both modern and timeless all at once. Add it all up and you’ve got a stunningly vulnerable, deceptively bright collection that’s as witty as it is poignant, a remarkable debut that lands somewhere between Whitney and Julia Jacklin as it playfully explores heartbreak and healing and all the confusing contradictions that come with it.

About the Hosts:

We’re Sonnet Simmons and John Clinebell, 2 indie artists who have found success and creative fulfillment through licensing our music for ads, TV shows and films.

We were once so disheartened and discouraged that our music wasn’t being noticed or valued through traditional methods. So we both started on a journey to find another way. For us, that “third door” was sync! And what we discovered is a lot better than we could have ever even imagined…[Find out more here]

Resources From This Episode:

• 2Indie - Visit our website for more resources and information on how to get YOUR music signed
• Music Licensing Basecamp - Want to join our exclusive online sync community, with weekly LIVE networking and coaching calls?
• @2indieofficial - Follow us on Instagram
• Sync It! Music Licensing Community - Follow us on Facebook
• Evangeline’s Website - Learn more about our guest and their work

In this episode, we welcome Steven Scharf, an industry icon with over 50 years of experience in record labels, publishing, and sync. Steven shares firsthand stories of working with artists like Tamiko Jones and James Taylor. He provides insights into his time at Muscle Shoals Studios, reminiscing about pivotal moments like encountering early recordings of The Rolling Stones and fostering emerging talent like Lynyrd Skynyrd. His anecdotes provide historical context and insight into the music industry's evolution, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities and staying true to one's passion for music.

Reflecting on Steven's journey, it's clear that his experiences navigating through the changing landscapes of music distribution and consumption offer valuable insights into the industry. His emphasis on building relationships and finding advocates for music underscores the importance of networking and persistence. Despite the challenges of today's saturated market, success can still be achieved with dedication and quality work.

Guest Bio:

Over his five-decades-long career in the music industry, Steven Scharf has worked in nearly every aspect of the business. In 1991, after nearly 20 years as an independent record producer and head of A&R at Private Stock Records, he launched his own management and consulting firm, Steven Scharf Entertainment (SSE), in a joint venture with legendary music publisher Freddy Bienstock and later, with Caroline Bienstock at Carlin America, ultimately rising to Sr. V.P. Creative.

In addition to signing songwriters, purchasing and working catalogs, and placing thousands of songs in film, tv, and commercials for Carlin, Steve has managed many highly successful record producers and film composers, as well as licensing indie music to all platforms. In 2019, Steve expanded his company, SSE, to include consulting to the publishing industry with Jamie Records of Philadelphia. Steve is also a founding member of the Music Managers Forum.

About the Hosts:

We’re Sonnet Simmons and John Clinebell, 2 indie artists who have found success and creative fulfillment through licensing our music for ads, TV shows and films.

We were once so disheartened and discouraged that our music wasn’t being noticed or valued through traditional methods. So we both started on a journey to find another way. For us, that “third door” was sync! And what we discovered is a lot better than we could have ever even imagined…[Find out more here]

Resources From This Episode:

• ⁠2Indie Website⁠⁠ - Visit our website for more resources and information on how to get YOUR music signed
• Music Licensing Basecamp⁠ - Want to join our exclusive online sync community, with weekly LIVE networking and coaching calls?
• ⁠@2indieofficial⁠ - Follow us on Instagram
• Sync It! Music Licensing Community⁠ - Follow us on Facebook
• ⁠⁠Steven’s Website⁠⁠ - Learn more about our guest and their work