Star Spot with Juliet Lyons, Billboard charted singer, songwriter and composer for films and TV

 

Juliet Lyons:Ā Insights on How to Get on Billboard Charts, Break into the Music for Film and TV Industry, Find Inspiration, and Overcome Challenges

Welcome to this episode of Star Spot! Iā€™m Merry, and in this series, I interview InterContinental Music Awards winners and insiders, bringing you exclusive insights into the music industry. Today, Iā€™m thrilled to have with me Juliet Lyons, Billboard charted recording artist, singer, songwriter and composer for films and TV.

Juliet is best known for her soaring, emotional vocals in trailers. Her compositions have been featured in various reality TV shows, where she mainly writes production music. Juliet Lyons is also a prolific New age music writer and producer. Her albums charting at #3 on Billboard, #1 on iTunes, and Amazon. In this interview, we delve deeper into her creative process, her journey in the music industry, and her role as a judge in the InterContinental Music Awards. Read on to discover more about Juliet Lyons and her passion for music.

 

The full interview is available on Instagram – click here to check it out.

 

Juliet, could you please introduce yourself for our readers?

Sure, I am a singer-songwriter and production music composer. As a recording artist, I specialize in new age music, but I write all kinds of genres for film and TV. I mainly do instrumental genres such as hip-hop, tension, and suspense music. On the vocal side, I do everything from pop, singer-songwriter, EDM, synth-pop, to ethereal cinematic vocals, and more.

 

How do you get on Billboard? What are the steps that we can take?

Over the years, Billboard charting used to depend solely on album sales. However, within the past two years, the rules have undergone a significant change with streaming emerging as a crucial factor in determining chart positions. To get started, it is critical to register with a company that reports to Nielsen. As album purchases and streams need to be recognized by Nielsen to count towards charting.

One effective independent platform that reports to Nielsen for purchasing music is Bandcamp. To increase the likelihood of charting on Billboard, it’s imperative to encourage people to pre-save your album. Each pre-save translates into a stream on the day your album is released. Therefore, the higher the number of streams and album purchases you garner, the greater your chances of achieving a higher chart position on Billboard.

 

What effect can charting on Billboard have on an artist’s music career?

Charting on Billboard is like winning an award; it gives you bragging rights and some credibility. It may not open doors for you just by someone looking at the Billboard charts, but the more you put that out there, the more people will start to take notice of you as a Billboard charting artist. It’s not a guaranteed route to success, but it does help to establish your reputation as an artist.

 

I would like to know your opinion about how the music industry has changed over the past few years. Has it been easier to break into the music world?

The music industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, presenting both opportunities and challenges for musicians. It’s crucial to stay optimistic, work diligently, and capitalize on the available opportunities, while keeping an eye on industry trends.

One positive development is the rise of home studios. which enables musicians to produce music without incurring the high costs associated with traditional recording studios. As a music composer for film and TV, I’ve found that there’s a growing demand for my work with streaming services. Like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon producing an increasing number of shows that require original music.

While the growth of the industry is a boon, it has also increased competition. To stand out, it’s essential to explore new revenue sources, such as composing for media.

The way consumers access music has also changed, with streaming services dominating physical sales. While services like Spotify have faced criticism over low artist payouts, they’ve also made music more accessible than ever before. As a result, it’s vital to adapt to these changes and figure out how to maximize revenue streams.

In conclusion, the music industry has undergone significant changes, but there are opportunities for those who stay ahead of the curve. By staying positive, working hard, and remaining adaptable, musicians can thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.

 

What is the first step an artist should take to get their music placed on a TV show?

When it comes to placing music in TV shows, it’s crucial to understand the differences between songs for TV versus those for recording artists. To catch the attention of music supervisors, it’s essential to showcase authenticity by letting character come through in your voice instead of producing clean, polished vocals that lack character. Structure is also essential, and a song with distinct sections is easier to place than one that flows freely. While happy music is not commonly used in TV shows, genres like EDM and hip-hop are frequently featured.

The next step is to find ways to get your music to TV shows. Music libraries and sync agencies can be a great place to start, as you can easily search online for libraries that work with your music genre. While some libraries accept unsolicited material, others don’t. If accepted, you’ll sign a contract, and the library will have the rights to publish your song in a TV show while keeping 50% of the publishing. They’ll send your music to music supervisors and editors who work for TV shows.

While getting your music placed on a TV show can take years, it’s worth the effort. Recently, a song that one composer wrote with a co-writer six or seven years ago was used in a TV show. Building relationships with music supervisors is the best way to increase the chances of getting noticed and cutting out the middle person to keep 100% of the licensing fee. However, it can be challenging to stand out among the numerous music submissions that supervisors receive. Thus, working with a music library or sync agency is still the best route to take.

 

What are some challenges you’ve experienced as an artist?

Pursuing a career in the arts is a tough road to travel, and I’ve had my fair share of obstacles and setbacks. But my experience has taught me a valuable lesson: success takes time and perseverance. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. The music industry requires hard work, dedication, and patience, and the rewards don’t come overnight. If you’re passionate about music, it’s crucial to focus on the journey rather than the destination.

Throughout my career, I’ve faced numerous challenges and disappointments. Despite having achieved some high points, like charting on Billboard and winning awards, I’ve also had many moments of rejection and setback. One instance that stands out is when a music library contacted me about a big ad opportunity, only to later inform me that they were going in a different direction. It was devastating news, but not uncommon in this industry.

Nevertheless, I’ve learned that persistence is key. If you love what you do, you’ll keep going despite the hurdles. Although there will be setbacks and disappointments, it’s essential to keep pushing forward and never give up on your dreams. Remember that each obstacle you overcome will make you stronger and more resilient. With hard work and determination, success is possible.

 

How has the experience been for you being part of the judging panel for the InterContinental Music Awards?

As a judge for the InterContinental Music Awards, I feel incredibly honored to have been asked to join the panel. The organization is one that I truly believe in, and I take my role seriously by listening intently to each and every song submission. My goal is to provide a fair and honest evaluation of each artist.

What has impressed me the most so far is the high level of talent and diversity of music that has been submitted from around the world. The InterContinental Music Awards provides a fantastic opportunity for artists to showcase their abilities and gain exposure to a global audience.

What I find most admirable about the InterContinental Music Awards is that they focus on providing artists with the resources and support they need to build their careers. As someone who understands the challenges of navigating the music industry, this is especially meaningful to me.

Overall, I am thrilled to be a part of the InterContinental Music Awards and am eager to discover new talent while helping artists achieve their goals. It’s an exciting opportunity that I’m grateful to be a part of.

 

What has been the source of inspiration for your recent music creations?

When it comes to writing music, the inspiration can come from a variety of sources. In the case of the instrumentals created for film and TV, the inspiration is based on the need for that kind of music. There’s no waiting for a spark of inspiration, just the discipline of sitting down and writing. On the other hand, for the last New Age album which was a collaboration with another artist, inspiration came from nature. The elements and colors in nature were woven into the fabric of the creation, providing a source of inspiration for some of the pieces on that album.

Despite the different sources of inspiration, what drives the musician is the constant exposure to music and the appreciation of life. Being alive and able to create music for a living is an inspiration in itself. It’s a privilege to be able to immerse oneself in music and be part of the creative process. In the end, inspiration is all around, and it’s up to the musician to find it and let it flow through their music.

 

Any last words you would like to share with our viewers?

If you submitted to the Intercontinental Music Awards and didn’t get nominated this year or don’t end up winning this year, just keep at it. Don’t let it get you down. Music is subjective, and maybe it appeals to the judges in this moment, or maybe it doesn’t. Just keep going, believe in yourself, love what you do, and something will click. But you just gotta stick at it and have patience.

 

Juliet Lyons’ Contact Info:

 

Click here to watch the full interview on InstagramĀ 

InterContinental Music Awards Team

Read more interviews