Okay, here's an "I feel dumb for asking but here goes" question: I want to approach the band The Coffin Daggers to get the rights to play their music in my podcasts and YT videos. How do I go about doing this? Do I contact their label? Do I reach out to their bluesky account?
Thanks in advance! I appreciate any advice you could give.
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Hey Amber Greenlee you can always reach out to the band members directly on social media if their DMs are open. They may respond or they may point you in the right direction so far as where to go to use their music. Or they may also ignore your message or decline. Would not recommend following up with artists if they don't respond though. But if you think their song fits amazingly, go for it. If no response from direct outreach to artists, look up the label, find their website, which should have an email and message them, too. Now with the label, you may need to follow up multiple times to get seen, so feel free to hit them up every 2 weeks until you receive a response. The difference being if you message an artist repeatedly, they'll find it to be harassment, but if you message a business repeatedly, that's just you wanting to do business.
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Find out who owns the rights with the ASCAP Database: https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/
Besides the artists, there might be a label, manager or publisher who handle rights for them. They will be listed in the database. You have to dig a bit to find who to send the request for usage. Make calls to nail the right people then request.
There are companies and individuals who will do this work for you, but not for free. I've done it myself and hired. It is sometimes a long, hard road. Make sure to say it's for a not-for-profit pursuit if it is.
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Yep, what Pat said - I've definitely gotten the rights to use music directly from the band for a podcast in the past. The only time it becomes a larger issue is if your podcast starts to make money. DMing or emailing works surprisingly well for the initial contact - Best of luck!
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Hi Amber Greenlee - what's the subject of your podcast? In terms of music clearances, I highly recommend this Stage 32 webinar taight by music supervisor Anna Granucci called Music Clearnaces 101 - Anna is an awesome resource and this will give you a roadmap on the process: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/music-clearances-101-how-to-s...
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Hey there, Stage32 lecturer here! Just a friendly reminder, this isn’t legal advice, but here’s the scoop on music copyrights and licensing:
Every piece of recorded music has two copyrights: one for the musical composition and one for the recording itself.
Musical Composition Copyright: This covers the music and lyrics (if any) that you’d see in sheet music. It’s usually owned by music publishing companies and/or the songwriter. For example, the song “Lump” by The Presidents of the United States of America is owned by several publishers, including David M. Dederer Publishing and EMI April Music Inc.
Recording Copyright: This protects the actual sound recording of the musical composition. It’s typically owned by the record company. For instance, the recording of “Lump” used in its music video is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
To use pre-recorded music in a film, you need several licenses:
Synchronization License: From the music publisher, allowing you to use the musical composition in an audiovisual work.
Master Use License: From the recording company, allowing you to use the specific recording in your film.
Performance License: From the publishing company (and possibly the recording company if the film is shown online), allowing you to show the film to the public.
Videogram License: From the music publisher, allowing you to make and sell physical copies of the film, like Blu-ray discs.
To find the music publisher for a song, you can search with performance rights societies like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. These organizations collect royalties for public performances and pay them to the music publishers and songwriters.
So, you want to use a song in your film? Here’s what you’ll need:
A synchronization license from the music publisher, allowing you to use the musical composition in your film.
A master use license from the recording company, allowing you to use the specific recording in your film.
A performance license from both the publishing company and the recording company if the film will be shown publicly, online, or outside the U.S.
A videogram license from the music publisher, allowing you to make and sell physical copies of your film.
For more detailed information, check out my book, "The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers." Happy filming! https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Lawyer-Filmmakers-Independent-Producers/dp...
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That's fantastic advice, Thomas Allen Crowell!
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When Mr. Thomas Allen Crowell is laying down the knowledge, ya gotta stop and listen. Great info, T.
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Thank you everyone! This is all great advice and I know where to start. You guys are amazing.