Music Citizens, Episode 6: The Syncmaster

Behind every Instagram ad, commercial, or TV trailer you see, there is a fierce battle over what song gets to play in the background.

This song what gives the ad a feeling. Music sync, as it’s known, is a place where many independent artists in Nashville can still make their living. But like everything, it’s changing, partly because it’s an increasingly crowded field and partly because of the capabilities of AI. Today, we’ve got the latest installment of Music Citizens. Plus a look at what’s next for our series following the roles that make the music business what it is.

Music Citizens is a podcast series by WNXP and Nashville Public Radio about the people who make music work. Each episode will explore what it takes to do the jobs that keep the music business moving and introduce you to the characters who are often well known within their worlds — but whose vital work goes largely uncelebrated. Listen to all episodes at wnxp.org.

This episode was produced by Justin Barney and Mary Mancini.

Guests

• Katie Jelen, founder, Honestly Good Music
• Stephen Schmuldt, songwriter, producer, composer
• Andrew Weaver, music supervisor, Triple Threat Supervision

Further reading and listening

• Jason Isbell Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Suno, Accusing AI Music Company of Exploiting Artists’ Identities [People]
• Listen to all six episodes of Music Citizens at wnxp.org