Blog — Lab Notes

Underdog Stories

Utilizing a variety of genres that feed a hungry mentality for determined dreamers, we’ve assembled a squad of music that mirrors overcoming obstacles and the emotional growth found in Underdog Stories.

In the StudioNathan HonoreApril 8, 2024production music, library music, music licensing, music supervision, synthesizer, retro, #UND, #UNDERscore, underdog, teen drama, indie rock, dark pop

Shades of Synthesizers

We’ve patched together a few albums that feature the many Shades of Synthesizers including retro, modern, and the truly unique.

In the StudioNathan HonoreMarch 21, 2024production music, library music, music licensing, music supervision, #E&E, #Eyeballs&Eardrums, synthesizer, analog synthesizer, synthewave, retro, Stranger Things, Tron, Blade Runner

Ambitious Blends

A closer look at some of more unique, esoteric stylings we’ve created to help give a sound to the high-minded advertising boardroom speak within Dancing About Architecture.

In the StudioNathan HonoreFebruary 26, 2024production music, library music, playlist, music licensing, music supervision, #DAA, #DancingAboutArchitecture

Acoustic Root Ingredients

Utilizing Three Ingredients or Less to look at impactful music that features acoustic, simple, minimal instrumentation. Award winning flavors with Acoustic Root Ingredients that only need a little S&P.

In the StudioNathan HonoreFebruary 19, 2024production music, library music, music licensing, music supervision, acoustic, #3ING, #ThreeIngredientsOrLess, acoustic guitar, Americana

Call & Response: Sean Wolcott

Sean Wolcott’s creative output is inspiring. Taking a walk through his musical projects, we unlock an undeniable creative spirit where passion, curiosity, and imagination lead the way.

In the StudioNathan HonoreFebruary 13, 2024music licensing, interview, production music, songwriter, producer, #AnalogChampion, #ACPM, Sean Wolcott, Soundview Analog Recorders, Seattle, Clockwork, Ennio Morricone

Emotional Value

How do you achieve that balance, taking that utility of production music and infusing it with humanity and emotion? We chat with Alec Shaw and Daniel Holter about their collaborations and how to enhance the emotional value of a track.

In the StudioNathan HonoreNovember 13, 2023music licensing, interview, hypekit, production music, #LMTL, #LMNTLRecords, #UND, #UNDERscore, #HK, #HypeKit, #alecshaw, Alec Shaw, Daniel Holter

Performance In Perspective

Widely celebrated in concert halls around the world, Classical Music is just as present in our everyday lives at weddings, graduation ceremonies, and of course a variety of commercial applications. But why?

In the StudioNathan HonoreSeptember 5, 2023production music, library music, playlist, music licensing, Universal Production Music, The Inside Track, Universal Production Music UK, production music trends, sounds of production music, classical music, Universal Production Music US, #DAA, #DancingAboutArchitecture, #ACPM, #AnalogChampion, #MOPM, #ModusOperandi

Trending

Our friends at Universal Production Music UK have analyzed their data for the latest in production music trends and predictions. We’ve assembled a few records from our labels that just so happen to fit those trends and keywords.

Call & Response: Dope Folks Records

After 13 years, Dope Folks Records has put together a ‘Best of’ vinyl from their incredible vault of rare and unreleased Hip Hop. We took the opportunity to catch up with co-owner Chris Schulist and talk about the label, this special release, and how they find these hidden gems.

In the StudioNathan HonoreJune 26, 2023music licensing, interview, production music, Dope Folks Records, hip-hop, Hip Hop, The Library Music Film, Chris Schulist, Mixmasta D, The Bizzie Boyz, crate digging, Hip Hop underground, Rock la Flow, Milwaukee, Jack White, WMSE

Call & Response: Siddharth Nadkarni

Siddharth Nadkarni is a composer that works in both production music and video game music, using his knowledge and skills to create impactful music for moments big and small. We sat down with Siddharth and talked about his aim to capture moments, composing for our HypeKit label, and his goals.

Josh Gudwin’s Magic Flow

TLL founder and creative director Daniel Holter is still hard at work behind the mighty mixing desk, but now he’s also getting in front of the camera on his YouTube channel, beginning with a quick demo of Josh Gudwin’s new plugin called Magic Flow.

Call & Response: Ehren Ebbage

Meet Ehren Ebbage. He’s an award-winning songwriter, producer, and composer who continuously seeks new opportunities that push himself while leaving room for unbridled creativity and discovery that feed the spirit of whatever he’s working on. In this conversation, we talk with Ebbage about his work with Lizzy McAlpine, Olive Klug, and his work in production music.

WordLess

The best podcasts are often built on great conversations. And the best conversations we know are built on the universal language of music. With that in mind, we’re thrilled to introduce you to… WordLess — an experiential music podcast from The License Lab.

Call & Response: Matt Phenix

We love getting to know our friends at ELIAS Music. In addition to representing our catalog in North America, they have an impressive catalog of production music and a long history of success in custom music and audio branding. We recently talked with Head of Production & Director of Audio Identity at ELIAS Matt Phenix about his work and what sets ELIAS apart in that department. But first we go down a little Drum & Bass rabbit hole.

In the StudioNathan HonoreNovember 1, 2021music licensing, interview, ELIAS Music, Elias, drum & bass, custom music, audio branding, audio identity, matt phenix

Call & Response: Dawn Patrol Music

Katy McIlvaine and Patrick Hertz came together in 2020 to form Dawn Patrol, a music supervision and clearance company with an impressive and diverse catalog of indie artists ripe for the synching, including our own roster of artists. Read on to discover the origin story of Dawn Patrol, the meaning behind the name, why they love doing all the outdoorsy things, and the trends they’re seeing and getting excited about.

In the StudioNathan HonoreAugust 17, 2021interview, Dawn Patrol, music licensing, music supervision, indie artist, synch, rock climbing, SXSW, COVID, Tetons

Call & Response: Buick Audra

Though we first got to know songwriter, singer, activist, writer, and overall badass Buick Audra from her hard rock band Friendship Commanders, her recent return to her solo work show how Audra’s powerful voice, intimate lyrics, and message are a through line in all of her music. We chat with Audra about her solo work and upcoming record, being unapologetic and honest, and being heard on her own terms.

In the StudioNathan HonoreAugust 9, 2021music licensing, interview, artist, Buick Audra, friendship commanders, Nashville, Jerry Douglas, Trina Shoemaker, abuse survivor, hard rock, singer/songwriter

Call & Response: Samer Ghani

Samer Ghani is an artist that has built a career out of combining his camera, curiosity, and community into works that stand out from the noise, that elevate the subject of each shot. In this feature, Samer gives authentic artistic insight and shares his thoughts on working in Milwaukee, connecting his art to being Palestinian American, and more.

In the StudioNathan HonoreJuly 12, 2021music licensing, interview, Milwaukee, samer ghani, photography, videography, art, artist, journalism, Palestinian American

Call & Response: Philippe Bronchtein

We sit down one of the most recent creative partners to join the License Lab extended family, Philippe Bronchtein, and chat about his career as a working musician and touring with The War and Treaty, his recent return to his own music, and how the parameters of production music can inspire creativity.

In the StudioNathan HonoreMay 26, 2021music licensing, interview, recording, recording studio, War & Treaty, Nashville, pedal steel, organ, keyboards, three ingredients or less, Philippe Bronchtein, #3ING, #ThreeIngredientsOrLess, #OSPK, #OrganicSpark