Behind every Instagram ad, commercial, or TV trailer you see, there is a fierce battle over what song will get to play in the background. Music sync is one of the last places where independent artists can still make money, but it’s an increasingly crowded field. Meet: the Syncmaster, Katie Jelen, who’s fighting to get their songs placed.

This episode was produced by Emily Siner, Justin Barney and Jason Moon Wilkins. Mixing and Mastering by Michael Pollard. Scoring by Jay Ragsdale. Special thanks to Tony Gonzalez, Jewly Hight, Celia Gregory, Megan Jones, Leigh Mayo, Carly Butler, Stephanie O’Byrne, and everyone who helped.
Institutional support from Tennessee Arts Commission, First Horizon Foundation. Follow WNXP on social platforms as @WNXPNashville