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]

To check out Miguel's band Run With It

⁠https://runwithitband.net⁠

 live and create, #liveandcreate, music podcast, entertainment industry podcast, sync licensing

_______________

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: From Feedback Sessions to Touring Life

04:10 The Reality of Touring: Trials and Tribulations

07:08 The Shift to Production: Discovering New Passions

09:54 Sync Licensing: A New Frontier

12:51 Reflections on Live Performance and Future Aspirations

19:43 Building a Global Following

22:58 The Importance of Constructive Criticism

26:50 Navigating the Sync World

29:39 The Pitching Process

32:30 Learning from Rejections

34:09 Understanding Music Rights and Payouts

38:28 The Impact of Music in Media

38:57 Navigating the Music Industry

40:19 The Power of Focus and Decision-Making

42:06 The Journey of Music Creation

43:43 Finding Your Niche in Music

45:34 Mixing and Mastering Tips

50:41 Time Management for Creatives

53:36 Defining a Great Life

55:45 Creating Great Things

57:22 Closing Bumper .mp4

___________________

Keywords

music, touring, production, sync licensing, creativity, community, feedback, indie electronic, music industry, artist life