Welcome to the pilot of an on-demand licensing platform where Vermont-made music can be purchased to use in media projects, with the state’s artists benefitting directly. It’s a project of Big Heavy World, made possible with support from the Vermont Arts Council through a Digital Infrastructure grant. 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.
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.
This on-demand licensing platform serves the state’s need for access to authentic music content for marketing; establishes access to Vermont’s music for advertising agencies, extending exposure of Vermont’s creative products; generates a new source of revenue for Vermont’s music community, strengthening this creative sector; and moves the state closer to a reputation for thoughtful, inclusive leveraging of its unique creative genius via digital technology. Big Heavy World sends thanks to the legislators, supporters, and artists who make this project possible.
Vermont Artists: Information about the platform
The project coordinator is Tom Pearo, a seventh generation Vermonter and professional musician with over fifteen years of studio and touring experience. Tom performs live with his own group as well as supporting other local and touring acts. https://www.tompearo.com/
Read the press release to learn more about the origins of the project.
A Message from Tom
There are a number of things that are important to how we include songs, which include inclusion, diversity, equal representation, authenticity, sound quality, and applicability.
It is important to us that there is a diversity of music represented in the platform and that the curation includes musicians of all race, color, gender, religion and background. No one should feel left out or not represented. This curation should be as colorful and brilliant as Vermont itself is. We are committed to reaching out to all communities and giving everyone an equal opportunity to be a part of this project.
Another large consideration is the overall sound quality and applicability of the music. For this platform to be successful, the quality must be on par or better than the myriad of other music licensing options available. We recognize that music quality is subjective and our director, Tom Pearo, is responsible for selecting and curating this library. Tom has been a part of the music community for almost twenty years and has extensive experience as an audio engineer, studio operator and owner. Tom has experience licensing music to companies such as Burton Snowboards, MTV, PBS and local businesses here in Burlington and has the knowledge and experience to determine an appropriate threshold of quality that the music must meet.
Along with quality comes applicability, which we acknowledge that for this platform to be successful it must contain music of the type that works well for licensing. Many advertising agencies prefer instrumental music that contains enough space for someone to speak over, and we will reflect that in our curation to the best of our ability, while maintaining a diverse selection of all genres. We recognize that this is a balancing act, and while the library curation will continue to evolve, right now our aim is to have about 70% instrumental and 30% vocal tracks. This will evolve as we hear feedback from our customers and we strive to remain flexible at all times in order to create the best possible experience for both the musicians involved and the clientele that is licensing this music for commercial use.
Vermont artists producing music that aligns with these needs can contact Tom at tom@bigheavyworld.com.