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EP. 30: INTERVIEW WITH MUSIC SUPERVISOR ANN KLINE

This week on SyncRiffs, Charles sits down with Ann Kline, an experienced music supervisor and attorney with film and television credits including some of the most successful and prestigious television series (ER, The West Wing, Shameless, The Good Doctor, etc.).

Ann’s experience is unique in that it combines high level creative skills for placing music with the ability to understand the increasingly complex content rights landscape and negotiate deals addressing complex rights issues among myriad interconnected parties including artists, managers, attorneys, agents, composers, producers, writers, directors, labels, publishers, networks and studios. Ann is also a frequent speaker at industry events including SXSW, TIFF, etc. Ann has taught Music Supervision at UCLA extension and mentored several women who have gone on to become successful music industry executives and music supervisors.

Follow Ann Kline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theannkline/

0:00 Introduction
1:44 Ann’s initial work in the music industry
3:24 Working with John Wells Production
5:25 Ann’s musical palette & influences
7:35 Streaming content vs. traditional cable format
10:00 Working with showrunners & music budgets
11:02 Tying in sync to marketing music from the majors
12:14 Working catalog music (period shows)
12:58 Working on the show Aquarius
14:35 Evergreen artists and sync
17:10 Art vs. Commerce
18:20 The pacing of legacy Shows vs. streaming content
20:18 When a music supervisor is brought onto a show
21:55 The benefits of working onsite vs. remote
23:02 The nuances of syncing a song to picture
26:16 Benefits of working with a sync agent
27:00 What sync agents do
29:00 Working with trustworthy agents & partners
30:00 Benefits of meditation
36:29 Sensory deprivation + floating
38:00 What’s on repeat on Ann’s playlist

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture and everything in between including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors where we riff about syncs and the state of the music industry.

Check out our linktree for opportunities to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/bluebuddhaent

🎵Sync & Songwriting Masterclass
🎵Sync & Songwriting Strategy Workshop
🎵Working With a Sync Agent Minicourse
🎵Listening Sessions & more to come!

Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com
Instagram:
@syncriffs
@bluebuddhaent
@chasewalkerband

Music: "Flying Tigers" from Magic Tiger

Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment
This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2023
Support the show

EP. 29: INTERVIEW WITH MUSIC SUPERVISOR JENNIFER SMITH 
 This week on SyncRiffs, Charles sits down with Jennifer Smith, a Los Angeles based Music Supervisor with over a decade of experience in music and film/TV. Jennifer's impressive career includes working on shows such as America’s Best Dance Crew, Dancing With The Stars, The Ellen Show, and Netflix’s Deadly Illusions. She is also the founder of her own music supervision company, Rat Dance Party, which specializes in Film, TV.
Jennifer's work has been featured on projects produced by Showtime, Paramount+, Netflix, Viacom, Shorts TV, Amazon, Pluto TV, NBC, Voltage Pictures, Indican Productions, Kiss & Tale Productions and many more. When she's not working, Jennifer is teaching as part of the music business faculty at the Los Angeles College Of Music or hanging out with her pet rats. 
Jennifer is a board member of The Guild Of Music Supervisors and a member of the Television Academy, Women In Media, Women In Music, and the Recording Academy. Don't miss this episode to hear from a true industry expert! 
 (Note: At the time of this interview, the WGA-SAG AFTRA strike was occurring. Since the airing of this episode, a deal has been reached.) 
 Follow Jennifer on IG at: @rat_dance_party 
On the web: https://www.ratdanceparty.com/ 
 
0:00 Introduction 
1:05 Background and work 
1:58 Breaking into the Industry 
1:26 Working at Kobalt 
3:46 American Idol 
4:13 Sonic Storytellers 
5:31 Understanding all angles of the music industry 
7:30 Forming Rat Dance Party Music Supervision 
8:52 Mentorship Programs and Jennifer’s work 
10:05 Working & Teaching Artists 
11:30 WGA - Sag Aftra Strike + Music Supervisors forming a union 
12:56 Protections during Covid 
13:50 Protections and Equity for Music Supervisions 
17:08 Giving Folks the tools for Change 
17:27 Relationships with your Show runners & creating change 
18:30 A livable wage in the Entertainment Industry 
19:33 Working through the studios & Show runner to create change 
25:34 Jennifer’s teaching curriculum 
26:19 Advise for new artists 
27:18 Building your team in the music industry 
28:00 Unscripted Television 
30:00 Protocol with working with Music Supervisors 
36:00 Working with Mark Cherry 
38:48 Working on Why Women Kill 
39:41 Working on Behind the Music 
41:56 What’s on repeat on Jennifer’s playlist? 
43:30 Jennifer’s sweet spot for getting work done. 
45:35 Etiquette for reaching out to Music Supervisors 
48:37 Building authentic relationships with Music Supervisors 
49:25 Bending Music to Picture 
🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture and everything in between including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors where we riff about syncs and the state of the music industry. 
 
Check out our linktree for opportunities to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/bluebuddhaent 
buddhaentertainment.com 
Instagram: 
@syncriffs 
@bluebuddhaent 
Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment 
This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2023 
Support the show

EP. 28: INTERVIEW WITH DAVE GREEN OF THE FILTHY SOULS 
This week on SyncRiffs, Charles interviews Dave Green of The Filthy Souls, an indie-rock band originally from Manchester, England. Front-man Dave Green possesses a creative energy that drives their music and electric live performances. His strength of voice transcends any era classification, while still giving just a hint of his many musical influences. The music of this Brit rock/pop group has been featured in many TV shows, film trailers, and adverts.  
 Follow Dave on IG: @davegr33n 
Music & Merch: https://thefilthysouls.bandcamp.com/ 
 🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture and everything in between including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors where we riff about syncs and the state of the music industry. 
 
Check out our linktree for opportunities to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/bluebuddhaent 
🎵Sync & Songwriting Masterclass 
🎵Sync & Songwriting Strategy Workshop 
🎵Working With a Sync Agent Minicourse 
🎵Listening Sessions & more to come! 
 
Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com 
Instagram: 
@syncriffs 
@bluebuddhaent 
@chasewalkerband 
 Music: "Flying Tigers" from Magic Tiger 
Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment 
This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2023 
 
 
Support the show

EP.27: INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN DOLAN OF DIG MUSIC 
This week on SyncRiffs, Charles interviews music supervisor Susan Dolan of Dig Music. Susan has spent the last fifteen years spearheading the music related aspects of productions. Some of her past work includes placements and scores in notable ad campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, network TV shows and award winning independent films.  
 Topics  
0:00 Introduction  
1: 28 Entering the Industry  
2:06 New York ad agency in the early days  
2:41 Moving to Los Angeles and connecting with KCRW 
3:41 Working at Hum Music  
4:47 Working on ABC’s Men In Trees  
7:08 Working as an Indie Music Supervisor 
8:09 What prepared Susan to work in the Ad space  
9:39 The Art of Working as a Music Supervisor  
10:15 Focusing and learning from past clearances 
11:52 The overall arc of working in the Ad Space 
13:20 Guiding clients in the Ad Space 
15:29 Working with different teams and adding value 
15:50 Car Commercials 
18:45 Soundtracks 
20:20 Trends and Cultural Events  
23:54 Brand alignment with artist identity  
25:01 Band identity matching with an Artist Brand 
26:05 Social media and driving the creative process  
27:44 The ability of brands to break an indie band 
29:50 Ads and connecting with their end consumer 
31:03 Artificial Intelligence and the challenges  
32:40 Current trends in Ads and counter movements 
35:47 Navigating evergreen tracks and budgets 
38:26 Cover tunes and the creative process 
40:24 The role of musicologists and “sound alikes” 
41:49 Susan’s Spotify playlist  
Susan Dolan website: https://www.digmusic.tv/work 
IG: @dig_music 
 
🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture and everything in between including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors where we riff about syncs and the state of the music industry. 
 
Check out our linktree for opportunities to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/bluebuddhaent 
 
🎵Sync & Songwriting Masterclass 
🎵Sync & Songwriting Strategy Workshop 
🎵Working With a Sync Agent Minicourse 
🎵Listening Sessions & more to come! 
 
Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com 
Instagram: 
@syncriffs 
@bluebuddhaent 
@chasewalkerband 
 
Music: "Flying Tigers" from Magic Tiger 
 
Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment 
This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2023 
Support the show

EP. 26: INTERVIEW WITH JACKSON WHALAN

Charles interviews Jackson Whalan, an American lyricist and producer known for his high-impact rapping, music production, live performance, and collaboration. He has independently released over 100 songs, including LPs, EPs, singles, and features, while touring extensively both solo and with a live band.

Topics
0:00 Introduction
1:50 Jackson’s start in music
2:35 Early influences: Nas, Fugees
3:33 Early mixtapes and the road to being a rapper
4:05 Passing out mixtapes in high school & live performances
5:00 Early days of “The Aposoul” aka Jackson Whalan
5:35 Early gear & a casio keyboard
7:07 Learning with DJ Rob Swift @ The New School
9:45 Jackson’s creative process
11:02 The song “SNAG”
11:25 Making the time to be creative
12:18 “Big Facts” and “Discipline”
13:00 Performing at The United Nations - International Day of Peace
15:00 The best time to be Creative
16:10 Collab with KRS-One of B.D.P
17:05 Working with Ian Evans to write the song about “From The Woods” (KRS Remix)
17:45 Linking up with KRS-One and the backstory
19:23 Old School Hip Hop
21:04 Live performances with other hip hop acts
22:47 “Bring It Back”- New track
24:55 Playback of “Bring it Back”
26:28 The recording of “Bring it Back”
28:15 Playback of “Encourage”
32:54 Writing songs for sync
34:34 Producing and writing songs for sync
35:40: What’s on Repeat for Jackson?
37:03. Freestyle Rap by Jackson Whalan

Follow Jackson on IG: @jacksonwhalanmusic
On the web: https://www.jacksonwhalan.com/

🎙️ SyncRiffs is a weekly podcast where we discuss sync placements in multimedia (TV/Film/Advertising, etc.), the music industry, pop culture and everything in between including exclusive interviews with musical artists, composers, agents, and music supervisors where we riff about syncs and the state of the music industry.

Check out our linktree for opportunities to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/bluebuddhaent
🎵Sync & Songwriting Masterclass
🎵Sync & Songwriting Strategy Workshop
🎵Working With a Sync Agent Minicourse
🎵Listening Sessions & more to come!

Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com
Instagram:
@syncriffs
@bluebuddhaent
@chasewalkerband

Music: "Flying Tigers" from Magic Tiger

Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment

This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2023


Support the show

EP. 25: INTERVIEW WITH COMPOSER JERMAINE STEGALL 
 Charles interviews composer Jermaine Stegall, an accomplished and versatile composer and conductor. With over 50 projects to his credit, Stegall is most well-known for the score to “Coming 2 America,” the highly anticipated sequel to the Eddie Murphy classic, with Murphy, Arsenio Hall and James Earl-Jones all reprising their roles. Jermaine recently completed the score for "Praise This" for Universal Pictures. Other scoring and conducting assignments have included “Senior Year” (2022) for Paramount Pictures, and the upcoming film “Oracle” for Universal Pictures.  
As a musical conductor, Stegall led a live string orchestra alongside Grammy-winning artist Tori Kelly at the televised 2019 ESPY Awards. A year prior, he conducted the orchestra to Camila Cabello’s performance of “Consequences” on ABC’s American Music Awards. In addition to scoring 2 seasons of "Our Star Wars Stories,” an original digital series from Lucasfilm and StarWars.com, in which host Jordan Hembrough uncovers heartfelt tales of fans and families who have found inspiration in the galaxy far, far away, Jermaine was also nominated for a MPSE Golden Reel Award for scoring the animated Netflix short film "Canvas" directed by Pixar's Frank Abney III. 
 Topics  
0:00 Introduction  
1:30 Starting In the industry  
3:14 Star Wars, "Our Star Wars Stories"  
5:05 Scoring for various projects  
7:52: Recording ideas as they happen 
10:00 Improvising and creating as a composer 
11:50 Jermaine’s favorite projects to work on 
13:35 Composing for horror films 
17:16 Working on the film "Praise This" 
18:30 Using score vs licensing a piece of music for a film 
19:07 Creating music and art, being ready for the moment 
20:53: Exercises for composers to sharpen their craft 
22:10 Telling a story with one instrument  
23:10 Capturing emotion through chord progressions  
26:00 Hans Zimmer and touring  
27:10 Live shows to catch  
28:00 Animated films and what to look for 
30:47 Composing for film vs television  
32:55 Scoring for television with respect to underscore 
34:35 New projects in the pipeline  
35:29 The creative process for "The Oracle"  
37:10 Jermaine’s intention and drive as a composer 
38:55 Working on short films and working with a team 
40:00 Jermaine’s most creative time to work 
41:20 Composing to picture 
43:25 Composing for "Coming to America 2" 
46:21 Preparing for a new film and the process 
52:12 What’s on repeat at the moment 
54:00 The work of John Williams  
57:12 Closing Thoughts  
 
Follow Jermaine Stegall on IG: @jermainestegall 
On the web: https://www.jermainestegall.com/ 
Check out our linktree for opportunities to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/bluebuddhaent 
 
🎵Sync & Songwriting Masterclass 
🎵Sync & Songwriting Strategy Workshop 
🎵Working With a Sync Agent Minicourse 
🎵Listening Sessions & more to come! 
 
Website: https://bluebuddhaentertainment.com 
Instagram: 
@syncriffs 
@bluebuddhaent 
@chasewalkerband 
 
Music: "Flying Tigers" from Magic Tiger 
 
Podcast produced by Blue Buddha Entertainment 
This content is for educational purposes. We encourage others to conduct proper research, and if needed, consult an attorney for any legal advice regarding music licensing. (c) (p) 2023 
Support the show