Q&A: Music Licensing w/ SteeleSync Founder Mathew Steele

Mathew Steele founder of SteelSync based out of Atlanta, Ga. is one of the fastest growing entertainment companies in the southeast. SteeleSync was created to give indie acts a chance for added exposure and an increased budget to help blossom their careers. Recently Mathew took time out to answer our questions about the business of music synchronization, music licensing, submitting music for tv and film placement, upcoming events and more..

Q. MRCPROMO: Thanks for taking time out for the interview.. how long have you been in the sync business?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: Five and a half years now.

Q. MRCPROMO: Do you make music? What was your first placement, and what was the payment like.. did you go through a supervisor or licensing company?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: No.. I don’t really make music. It was an indie film called “Game Time” that was picked up by Lionsgate. There was no payment with that placement. We did it for the exposure really. Neither.. I knew the producer on the project.

Q. MRCPROMO: How long was the process, how long did it take you to land the sync deal, from when you first started pitching?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: The producer on the record which was placed ended up doing all the music for the film..  it was a quick process.

Q. MRCPROMO:  Are you affiliated with any sups or sync companies?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: I know a few supervisors, I’m always looking to connect with more and there are new one’s popping up all the time. I have done a few partnerships with other synch companies before.

Q. MRCPROMO: What type of music do you regularly pitch is there a specific genre you look for? Intrumentals, lyrics??
A. MATHEWSTEELE: Urban Pop, Indie Rock, Electronic. Full songs mainly but some instrumentals.

Q. MRCPROMO: What is Panel & Pitch? Who can join? Why is important?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: Panel & Pitch is an event centered around music licensing. We had our first one this past Sunday May 21 in Atlanta. We are currently looking to take it on the road. It’s important because it gives indie artists the information they need to start getting placements as well as it being a platform for them to do so with the pitch session.

Q. MRCPROMO: Metadata why is it so important?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: It makes my job, a music supervisor’s job and anyone else involved jobs easier. It shows you have your business in-order and it helps land more placements when people are searching for certain things such as artists that sound like and/or types of cues.

Q. MRCPROMO: Who pays more tv shows, commercials, trailers, movies or video games?
A. MATHEWSTEELE: Trailers and commercials. They can be in the six futures but even some major film placements can be as well.

Q. MRCPROMO: ‘Non-exclusive vs Exclusive” what are they? Any advice for artist??
A. MATHEWSTEELE: I recommend working non-exclusively especially if your new to how things in music licensing work. That way your not committed. It’s a numbers game at the end of the day. The more pitches the more placements.

Q. MRCPROMO: Any shout outs last words of advice??
A. MATHEWSTEELE: Do your research, website like IMDB and Tunefind help. Be patient but persistent. Don’t pay for companies or a person to pitch your music. Work on making and expanding your catalog. Don’t use any samples. For more information visit my website steelesync.com and check in on our FB page for updates and music requests.