An Interview With Singer/Songwriter Susan Hyattt
Published: Thu, 04/16/09
Hi ,
**Just two more days to save $25.00 on the hard copy version of my program, The A To Z Of Music Licensing with phone coaching, email coaching, The 2009 TV and Film Directory and more. - For more go here**
From time to time I will be interviewing different indie artists who are successfully licensing their music to TV and Film and making a living as a musician. I recently interviewed songwriter Susan Hyatt via email about how she got started in the music licensing business. Susan has been working quite successfully, albeit somewhat under the radar, in the music business for many years now. The interview follows:
AD: Hi Susan, tell me a little more about yourself, your background and how you got involved in licensing your music?
SH: I have been professionally playing and writing music since I was 10 years old.
My first single was actually in 1984, with Bruce Gary from the Knack playing the drums. It was co-produced by one of the producers of Scandal. It was a cross between The Cars and the Psychedelic Furs. The single got a lot of local airplay and I was interviewed for the first time by Rodney on KROQ. Radio was very different back then you could actually get your record played without having millions of dollars for advertising on the station. This led me to form my high school band Glitter Symphony that played the first 70's glam revival show in LA opening up for Nina Hagen and playing with Red Cross - and the other band I ended up joining called the Pandoras. I played various instruments - guitar in the Pandoras, keys in Darling Cruel and bass in Feline with Debi Diamond from the Januaries. I was approached by George Tobin to song-write for Tiffany, remember her? But the music just didn't cut it for me and I wasn't savy enough to smell the dollars. At the time there was no mention of licensing, songwriting for someone who wasn't even 21 years old. Everyone kept telling me I was too young, the opposite holds true today.
SH: I have been professionally playing and writing music since I was 10 years old.
My first single was actually in 1984, with Bruce Gary from the Knack playing the drums. It was co-produced by one of the producers of Scandal. It was a cross between The Cars and the Psychedelic Furs. The single got a lot of local airplay and I was interviewed for the first time by Rodney on KROQ. Radio was very different back then you could actually get your record played without having millions of dollars for advertising on the station. This led me to form my high school band Glitter Symphony that played the first 70's glam revival show in LA opening up for Nina Hagen and playing with Red Cross - and the other band I ended up joining called the Pandoras. I played various instruments - guitar in the Pandoras, keys in Darling Cruel and bass in Feline with Debi Diamond from the Januaries. I was approached by George Tobin to song-write for Tiffany, remember her? But the music just didn't cut it for me and I wasn't savy enough to smell the dollars. At the time there was no mention of licensing, songwriting for someone who wasn't even 21 years old. Everyone kept telling me I was too young, the opposite holds true today.
This all happened to me because I met the amazing Julie D'Angelo from Music for the Masses. She kick-started my licensing career and made it possible to live off of writing music without being a household name. Pillbox is still being licensed to this day.
I then became a VJ on London's live music chat show MP3TV where I got to interview and find out more of the business. I started my own record label called NYC Records in London an learned all about every aspect of running a label and trying to make money in the biz. In 2002, I met Geoff Tyson while vacationing in my hometown of LA and we started the band Stimulator. Stimulator's music got placed in the film 'Ella Enchanted,' MTV's the Real World, Las Vegas, E Entertainment. We won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, played the WARPED Tour, opened Duran Duran's Astronaut Tour in 2005, played CMJ, SXSW, opened the Go-Go's reunion tour in 2006 made a debut album completely independently and licensed it to the LAB Records/Universal where the record was held and never officially released. Stimulator is now working on record number 2 with funding coming completely from our fans pre-ordering our album. I also work with the amazing Writer/Director Evan Richards and write music for his films http://www.inadaymovie.com/ . Without licensing we would not have been able to financially exist. We gave 100% of our time and hustled 24 hours a day to make all this happen.
AD: What tips do you have for musicians who are interested in licensing their music?
SH: Get an amazing agent who believes in you. If they don't believe in you don't push them cuz they won't push you. I've had other reputable agents who got me nothing cuz I wasn't priority. Also don't ignore the small fee licenses, you have to start somewhere. Don't give away music for free! Even if you get $100 that's ok but your art and time are worth money.
Make friends with filmmakers/producers work together on making your music work.
AD: How Important Do you think production is when it comes to successfully placing songs?
SH: Its huge. These days production and songwriting are equals. No one is going to give you a massive budget these days unless you are a Disney child star or an American Idol. You have to have enough skill on your own to do everything.
AD: How much money can you make by licensing your songs?
SH:From 1000 to hundreds of thousands depending on the budget of the tv show/film/commercial, the artist/band profile. For indie films with no budget ask for $1000 at least.
AD: How competitive is the TV/Film aspect of the music business?
SH: Very competitive but you have a bigger shot , if you have what people need, than with anything else in music.
AD: Do you see TV/Film licensing as an opportunity for artists to gain more exposure that could possibly lead to other doors opening? Like interest from record labels, for example.
SH: Sure but record labels are a thing of the past. You gotta think outside of the box - get money and get distribution and direct access to fans and tour tour tour!
AD: What projects are you currently working on?
SH: We are recording Stimulator 2 and we are recording the entire album through fan funds so if you would like to be part of the creative process and be a patron of the arts please go to www.stimulatorband.com and pre-order the album or pledge some money, even $25 will help. We have incentives for every kind of donation.
AD: If someone listening wanted to learn more about you and your music, how can they learn more about you?
SH; I have 2 websites: www.stimulatorband.com, www.susanhyatt.net or go to either of our myspace pages. But I have to ask that your subscribers please don´t email me wih questions about music licensing because I´m way to busy to help people in that department, but by all means feel free to check out my music!
I then became a VJ on London's live music chat show MP3TV where I got to interview and find out more of the business. I started my own record label called NYC Records in London an learned all about every aspect of running a label and trying to make money in the biz. In 2002, I met Geoff Tyson while vacationing in my hometown of LA and we started the band Stimulator. Stimulator's music got placed in the film 'Ella Enchanted,' MTV's the Real World, Las Vegas, E Entertainment. We won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, played the WARPED Tour, opened Duran Duran's Astronaut Tour in 2005, played CMJ, SXSW, opened the Go-Go's reunion tour in 2006 made a debut album completely independently and licensed it to the LAB Records/Universal where the record was held and never officially released. Stimulator is now working on record number 2 with funding coming completely from our fans pre-ordering our album. I also work with the amazing Writer/Director Evan Richards and write music for his films http://www.inadaymovie.com/ . Without licensing we would not have been able to financially exist. We gave 100% of our time and hustled 24 hours a day to make all this happen.
AD: What tips do you have for musicians who are interested in licensing their music?
SH: Get an amazing agent who believes in you. If they don't believe in you don't push them cuz they won't push you. I've had other reputable agents who got me nothing cuz I wasn't priority. Also don't ignore the small fee licenses, you have to start somewhere. Don't give away music for free! Even if you get $100 that's ok but your art and time are worth money.
Make friends with filmmakers/producers work together on making your music work.
AD: How Important Do you think production is when it comes to successfully placing songs?
SH: Its huge. These days production and songwriting are equals. No one is going to give you a massive budget these days unless you are a Disney child star or an American Idol. You have to have enough skill on your own to do everything.
AD: How much money can you make by licensing your songs?
SH:From 1000 to hundreds of thousands depending on the budget of the tv show/film/commercial, the artist/band profile. For indie films with no budget ask for $1000 at least.
AD: How competitive is the TV/Film aspect of the music business?
SH: Very competitive but you have a bigger shot , if you have what people need, than with anything else in music.
AD: Do you see TV/Film licensing as an opportunity for artists to gain more exposure that could possibly lead to other doors opening? Like interest from record labels, for example.
SH: Sure but record labels are a thing of the past. You gotta think outside of the box - get money and get distribution and direct access to fans and tour tour tour!
AD: What projects are you currently working on?
SH: We are recording Stimulator 2 and we are recording the entire album through fan funds so if you would like to be part of the creative process and be a patron of the arts please go to www.stimulatorband.com and pre-order the album or pledge some money, even $25 will help. We have incentives for every kind of donation.
AD: If someone listening wanted to learn more about you and your music, how can they learn more about you?
SH; I have 2 websites: www.stimulatorband.com, www.susanhyatt.net or go to either of our myspace pages. But I have to ask that your subscribers please don´t email me wih questions about music licensing because I´m way to busy to help people in that department, but by all means feel free to check out my music!
**Just two more days to save $25.00 on the hard copy version of my program, The A To Z Of Music Licensing with phone coaching, email coaching, The 2009 TV and Film Directory and more. - For more go here**
For a complete list of all my products and services related to the music licensing business visit my product page.
Need help getting started? I also offer music business coaching on a limited basis if you need assistance in getting up and running.
Until Next Time... Happy Songwriting!
Aaron Davison
Aaron Davison