TAXI TV

What’s the hidden “tax” every sync musician pays—and how can you reduce it?

When you create music for sync licensing, making the music is only part of the job. There’s also metadata, paperwork, registrations, organization, administration, and other business tasks that can quietly consume hours of your time.

And as every musician knows, time is money.

In this episode of TAXI TV, Michael Laskow talks with music industry professional Robina Ritchie-Barker about the business side of music licensing and how musicians can spend less time dealing with administrative tasks and more time doing what they actually want to do: creating music.

You’ll learn about:

The hidden time “tax” that comes with sync licensing
Music licensing administration and paperwork
How organization can save musicians valuable time
Business practices that can make your music workflow more efficient
The behind-the-scenes work involved in getting music ready for licensing
How to minimize time-consuming tasks after creating a track
Why treating your music career like a business matters

Whether you're a songwriter, composer, producer, or artist creating music for TV, film, commercials, or music libraries, understanding the business side of sync licensing can help you work more efficiently and protect more of your valuable creative time.

The goal isn't to work harder.

It's to spend less time on the tasks that keep you from making music.

Watch this episode of TAXI TV and discover how to minimize the hidden “tax” you're paying on every track.

Check out TrackStage: https://go.trackstagepro.com/taxi-tv

What's the biggest networking mistake musicians make?

In this episode of TAXI TV, Michael Laskow sits down with successful TAXI members Tracey and Vance Marino to discuss how they've built an incredible network of music industry relationships that has helped fuel their growing sync licensing career.

They've developed meaningful connections with music libraries, industry executives, and fellow creators—but there's one thing they never do when meeting industry professionals.

In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to network without feeling awkward or "salesy"
- Building genuine music industry relationships
- Networking tips for introverts and shy musicians
- How networking can lead to sync licensing opportunities
- Writing to briefs instead of waiting for inspiration
- Making virtual instruments sound more realistic
- How many music libraries you should target
- Understanding neighboring rights and international income
- Practical strategies for growing your music career

Whether you're a songwriter, composer, producer, or artist, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to build a sustainable career in sync licensing and the music industry.

You'll also hear about Hey! That's My Song!, Tracey and Vance Marino's guide to getting music placed in film, television, and media.
Link to book: https://amzn.to/4fmVB7q

If you're serious about music licensing, networking, and building long-term industry relationships, don't miss this conversation.

Have you landed a sync placement through a TAXI listing or a connection you made at the TAXI Road Rally?

This week's TAXI TV is all about celebrating member success stories, and one eligible member could win (up to) $400 USD of their Road Rally airfare reimbursed during the live broadcast.

If your placement came directly from:
• A TAXI listing that led to signing with a music library and ultimately a TV, film, or commercial placement, or
• A face-to-face meeting at the TAXI Road Rally that led to signing with a music library and eventually a placement,
you may be eligible to participate.

During the livestream, eligible members can submit five qualifying placements in the live chat. At the end of the show, one placement will be randomly selected for airfare reimbursement (up to $400 USD).

We'll also be celebrating the incredible success of TAXI members whose music has been placed in television, films, and commercials around the world.

Whether you're already licensing music or working toward your first placement, you'll hear inspiring stories and see what's possible through sync licensing and industry networking.

To participate:
• Be present in the live chat.
• Submit qualifying placements in the required format.
• Placements must be directly connected to a TAXI listing or Road Rally meeting.
• Verification will be required before reimbursement.

Join us live and celebrate the successes of the TAXI community!

What are music supervisors, editors, and TV producers actually looking for in 2026?

In this episode of TAXI TV, Michael Laskow shares the trends, patterns, and creative decisions he's observed while studying the music used in today's TV shows, films, and streaming series.

Rather than focusing on hit songs, Michael breaks down how successful sync music supports emotion, tension, pacing, and storytelling, and why understanding those choices can dramatically improve your chances of landing placements.

In this episode, you'll learn:
- What music supervisors are listening for in 2026
- Why emotional impact matters more than chart potential
- How songs are chosen for TV, film, and streaming
- Common songwriting mistakes that hurt sync opportunities
- How to write music that serves the scene
- Current sync licensing trends and creative strategies
- Practical ways to make your songs more licensable

If you're a songwriter, producer, composer, or artist hoping to build a career in sync licensing, this episode offers a practical framework for thinking like the people who choose the music.

Stop writing only for the listener.
Start writing for the scene.

Watch this episode & discover how a strategic shift in your songwriting could open the door to more TV, film, and streaming placements.

What's the biggest mistake musicians make?

It's not a lack of talent.

It's not a lack of hard work.

It's a lack of strategy.

In this episode of TAXI TV, Michael Laskow sits down with one of TAXI's greatest success stories, Matt Vander Boegh, to discuss the one thing that transformed his music career—and why it has nothing to do with writing more songs.

Matt went from knowing virtually nothing about writing music for TV and film to building a thriving sync licensing career, with his music being heard around the world every day.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why strategy beats working harder
The mindset that successful musicians develop
How to build a sustainable music career
Common mistakes that slow artists down
The role of strategy in sync licensing
How to think like a professional composer, songwriter, or producer
Practical ways to improve your career without spending more time or money

Whether you're pursuing songwriting, producing, composing, or sync licensing, this conversation will help you see your music career from a completely different perspective.

Sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn't come from making more music—it comes from making smarter decisions.

If you're serious about building a long-term career in music, don't miss this episode.