183 Mike Vallejo (Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, Micro Giant, Sync Licensing.)

 A lifelong drummer and multi-instrumentalist, Mike’s career highlights include being a top-ten Guitar Center Drum-Off finalist and performing on legendary stages like SXSW, Music Tastes Good, KROQ, and KEXP. After decades of touring and recording with diverse artists, including two-time Latin Grammy nominee Luz Rios, he now focuses on his solo project, Micro Giant, and his work as a professional sync composer. Today, he leverages his deep production experience to create premium music specifically for placement in film, television, and global advertising.  Summary:In this conversation, Mike Vallejo shares his journey from touring musician to music producer and sync licensing artist. He discusses the challenges and rewards of the industry, emphasizing the importance of community, feedback, and finding a clear niche. We also dive into the sync licensing world—exploring opportunities, strategy, and how artists can position themselves for placements. Mike highlights the need for strong time management, balancing personal life with creativity, and ultimately defining success on your own terms in today’s evolving music landscape.Connect with Mike Here: https://www.microgiant.live________________Welcome to the #liveandcreate podcast, hosted by Miguel Antonio, singer-songwriter, speaker and Lead Vocalist of the band Run With It . In this podcast, Miguel engages in meaningful conversations with artists and entrepreneurs, delving into the essence of living a great life and creating great things.Our discussions revolve around the personal stories and inspirations of our guests, touching on practical aspects of both business and artistic creation. These conversations evolve into philosophical explorations, encompassing the art of life, music, and the pursuit of a better world.To be a guest on the show email ⁠⁠[email protected] check out Miguel's band Run With It⁠https://runwithitband.net⁠ live and create, #liveandcreate, music podcast, entertainment industry podcast, sync licensing_______________Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: From Feedback Sessions to Touring Life04:10 The Reality of Touring: Trials and Tribulations07:08 The Shift to Production: Discovering New Passions09:54 Sync Licensing: A New Frontier12:51 Reflections on Live Performance and Future Aspirations19:43 Building a Global Following22:58 The Importance of Constructive Criticism26:50 Navigating the Sync World29:39 The Pitching Process32:30 Learning from Rejections34:09 Understanding Music Rights and Payouts38:28 The Impact of Music in Media38:57 Navigating the Music Industry40:19 The Power of Focus and Decision-Making42:06 The Journey of Music Creation43:43 Finding Your Niche in Music45:34 Mixing and Mastering Tips50:41 Time Management for Creatives53:36 Defining a Great Life55:45 Creating Great Things57:22 Closing Bumper .mp4___________________Keywordsmusic, touring, production, sync licensing, creativity, community, feedback, indie electronic, music industry, artist life