Vermont Music Licensing Site Launches
Marcie Hernandez performs in the Big Heavy World broadcast studio. Photo by Luke Awtry.
New infrastructure is Ready to earn revenue for regional artists
BURLINGTON, July 12, 2023: An on-demand licensing platform is now launched, a website where Vermont-made music can be purchased easily to use in media projects with the state’s artists benefiting directly. A project of Big Heavy World, it’s made possible with support from the Vermont Arts Council through a Digital Capacity grant. The webpage can be found at http://www.bigheavyworld.com/licensing. Vermont artists producing music that is instrumental or evokes a cinematic sensibility can find more information about joining the project at this link.
This on-demand licensing platform is meant to serve the state’s need for access to authentic music content for marketers and filmmakers. It establishes access to Vermont’s music for advertising agencies and extends exposure of Vermont’s creative products to more potential audiences. Importantly, it generates a new source of revenue for Vermont’s music community. James Lockridge, Executive Director of Big Heavy World, said, “Our small state has earned plus-sized confidence in the quality of our artists and their work. They deserve to be heard widely and benefit equitably from their artistry. This digital infrastructure project will be one new tool to accomplish that.”
Project coordinator Tom Pearo said, “Over the past year watching this project grow from an idea to a fully fledged, operating platform with over forty local artists has been truly incredible. Getting a chance to really listen to the music that us Vermonters put out only reaffirms that we deserve a place on the global stage.” Pearo is a seventh generation Vermonter and professional musician. “The quality is incredibly high, and I firmly believe that the music coming from this little green state has never been better. I am incredibly excited to see where this project goes and look forward to continuing to serve the music community and the local businesses and governments who can utilize this powerful resource."
The platform met its first-year goal of launching with 500 original Vermont-made music recordings available to license. These first songs are from more than 40 Vermont-based artists. Artists with tracks available to license at the time of launch include moonwake, David Chief, Willverine, Amelia Devoid, Andriana Chobot, Guthrie Galileo, Cam Gilmour, Obi the Voicegod, Tom Pearo, Danny & the Parts, Reid Parsons, Maple Run Band, Will Keeper, JSP, Phil Henry, Kingdom All Stars, Zach Pollakoff, Oak Honest Records, Marcie Hernandez, The Leatherbound Books, Richard Berry, Jacob Green, Ian Steinburg, Ryan Oswald, The Dead Shakers, Dylan Patrick Ward, Daniel Bishop & Kevin Bloom, Wet Heave, Seattle Stomp, Towner, KP & Me, Mitchell Bergeron, Bad Smell, A Box of Stars, COTE, Jeremy Kizina, Michael Crain, Quiltro, Tiny Lines, Tyler Mast, and Xen Miles.
Danny LeFrancois of Burlington band Danny and The Parts said, "With the help of Big Heavy World, anything is possible. This project is a huge step in the right direction for upcoming artists and a valuable resource for everyone!"
“Using Vermont-made music to advertise Vermont-made products just makes sense,” said South Burlington musician Tyler Mast. “I think customers will appreciate that connection because it demonstrates a company’s commitment and support to their community. Ads with Vermont music will resonate with potential customers.”
Kingdom All Stars are a nonprofit organization that fosters teen musicianship in Northeast Vermont. Todd Wellington, the organization’s director, said, “This project is so cool because it will support the award winning Kingdom All Star musicians by giving them some money to add to their college fund.”
Derek O’Kanos, founder of Oak Honest Records, said, “Through this project, Big Heavy World is leading the way in effectively supporting artists and the broader music community. Getting involved was as simple as sending an email. This work further demonstrates Big Heavy World’s longstanding commitment to preserving and promoting Vermont music."
The legal documents needed to obtain the rights to license music from Vermont artists and to distribute those licenses to clients via the website were drafted by Cindy Hill of Hill Attorney PLLC, a Vermont-based firm that specializes in representing non-profit organizations, small businesses, writers, musicians, and artisans.
Pearo said, “Our licensing platform offers artists a great way to make extra income through sync licensing of their original material. We offer a 65-35 split, with the artist receiving 65% of all net revenue, and the remaining 35% going towards covering the costs of maintaining the site and staffing this program. To give some context of just how good this is, a normal split would be 50-50, with an "artist friendly" split generally being considered to be 60-40, in favor of the artist. Because we were allotted some funds from the state over three years, and due to our (currently) low operating costs, we are able to go beyond this at present to a 65-35 split, which gives as much as possible back to the artist themselves.”
The white-label sync licensing music technology platform of Los Angeles-based SourceAudio was adapted to become a Vermont-specific source of licensable music. Pearo worked with Dan Korobkin, VP of Sales and Business Development for SourceAudio, to establish and customize the new Vermont platform. Features of the new curated portal include an AI-assisted search function and the ability to search for music similar to a chosen ‘seed’ track. Their cloud-based ecosystem serves brands like Red Bull, HBO, Netflix, and Showtime.
In 2021, the Vermont legislature approved $1.15 million in funding to the Arts Council to help build the digital capacity of Vermont cultural organizations, increasing accessibility, resilience, innovation, outreach, engagement, and preparedness of Vermont’s arts and cultural organizations. This support resulted in a series of technology education videos and other trainings and programs by diverse organizations; distribution of USB microphones to public libraries by Big Heavy World; and this on-demand music licensing platform for Vermont-made music. Susan Evans McClure, Director of the Vermont Arts Council, said, “The Vermont Arts Council is proud to support this project that uses digital technology to connect Vermont musicians with worldwide licensing opportunities. In doing so, this project is investing in our state’s robust creative economy while sharing the music and musicians that make Vermont unique with the world.”
Big Heavy World is an independent, nonprofit volunteer-run music office serving the state of Vermont. Founded in 1996, it leverages a technology-heavy D.I.Y. ethic and inclusive philosophy to support musicians and advance the music sector, preserve Vermont’s music legacy, and empower young adults in an environment that focuses their passions and intellect. The organization was selected by an international jury to receive the 2020 Music Cities ‘Best Global Music Office Award.’ Its programs are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the USDA; U.S. Department of State; Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities.
Music is an authentic, creative product of Vermont that contributes to the state’s identity as a home and destination. For 27 years Big Heavy World has worked to create opportunities for Vermont’s musicians so that they might grow as professionals, contribute more robustly to the state’s economy, and experience validation for the quality of life they provide Vermonters. The organization works to raise the profile of original Vermont-made music and is an advocate for ensuring that music is valued fairly among other art forms during conversations about arts policy and resources. Visit http://www.bigheavyworld.com for more information about its programs or to volunteer.
Big Heavy World sends thanks to the legislators, supporters, and artists who make this project possible.
Contact: Tom Pearo, tom@bigheavyworld.com, (802) 735-7671
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