Below, we talk
What is Acrylic.LA?
Acrylic.LA is a music licensing platform that connects artists with brands, filmmakers, and content creators - with no fees or gatekeepers. Our platform makes music licensing simple and accessible.
Using fanbase data, we match artists with brands whose target audiences align, creating opportunities where artists earn revenue while gaining exposure. Like Moneyball for music, we use data to identify valuable licensing opportunities that benefit both creators and brands.
Our focus on niche, hyperlocal artist communities helps brands achieve better engagement than generic library music, while providing independent artists with a new passive income stream.
What makes an artist stand out to you?
At Acrylic.LA, we primarily focus on audience data alignment with our brand clients' needs.
For instance, we work with a major European football club that often chooses lesser-known artists, similar to Apple's iconic iPod commercials, creating valuable exposure opportunities.
Our data-driven approach values both established and emerging artists. We believe in discovering unique talent in unexpected places - whether it's a traditional band or an experimental ensemble. When our data shows strong engagement within niche communities, we connect these artists with brands looking to tap into those specific audiences.
How important is social media?
Social media is critical, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
At Acrylic, we see social media as both a discovery tool and an engagement amplifier--not just for artists but for brands licensing their music. The real power isn’t in vanity metrics like follower count; it’s in fan behavior, interactions, and audience segmentation.
Why? Because music engagement is not passive. Fans don’t just listen--they comment, share, create content, and rally around artists. That level of interaction makes social data incredibly valuable for brands looking to reach the right audiences through music-driven content.
For us, social media data is a key input in helping brands find the right artist partnerships. By analyzing fan engagement patterns--who interacts, where they are, and how they respond--we help brands license music that doesn’t just fit their content, but actively drives conversions.
So while social media is important, the real gold lies in the engagement data beneath it.
What’s the biggest demo submission mistake?
At Acrylic, there are none. We will work with any artist, songwriter, label or publisher that wants to submit their music, and we do not work exclusively.
After the artist submits their music, they're in our database. We use fanbase data to gain insights for the brands we service, since a good audience match will drive impactful campaigns and connections, lowering CPCs, while boosting CTRs and conversions. That's the value brands seek, the ROI they get from licensing niche music (instead of production library stuff most currently use).
If there's an audience match, we contact the artist to license the music. In a lot of cases, the money the artist receives represents more cash than streaming, not to mention the promotional value they get from the published content.
How do you balance originality vs. marketability?
We believe originality and marketability don’t have to be at odds--they actually fuel each other when approached strategically.
From a licensing perspective, originality makes a track resonate and stand out, while marketability ensures it reaches the right audience and creates value for both artists and brands. That’s why our approach is data-driven creativity:
• We help brands find authentic, niche music that aligns with their audience’s taste, rather than defaulting to generic tracks with little marketing impact.
• We highlight emerging artists whose fanbases naturally overlap with a brand’s target market, making their music both original and commercially effective.
• We ensure artists don’t have to compromise their sound--we connect the right music with the right opportunity, instead of forcing artists to chase trends.
An original song doesn’t need to appeal to a wide audience--it just needs to be marketable to the right niche, hyper-engaged one, which is far more valuable to a brand. Likewise, a highly commercial song may work for lighter, trend-driven content. The best fit depends on the brand and its goals.
With digital content production and consumption exploding, there needs to be a better way for artists and songwriters to passively monetize their music through sync--and for brands to access it effortlessly. That’s exactly what Acrylic is building.
What trends should musicians watch in 2025?
The music industry is undergoing a shift like we have not seen since distribution was digitized. The major labels are eating up historic amounts of market share and wielding unprecedented amounts of power and control, including with the recent announcement of Virgin/Universal acquiring Downtown Music.
As the global political climate announces a more protectionist era, local communities will become tighter and insular. We no longer live in the new millennium world of globalization at all costs, and we're noticing younger generations pushing back against it.
- Streaming will suck more, creating opportunity for new models to emerge
- Indie curators will become increasingly valuable (check out our friends at Musosoup)
- Artists will look for new, clever ways to monetize, leading founders to build efficient, data-powered direct-to-artist solutions
Plus, artists will now have an online profile like for streaming, where instead they're selling music directly for sync! When you release your next track, you'll be able to tell your fans to "go listen on streaming platforms" AND "create moments on Acrylic," which is code for "got to my Acrylic profile to license my music for use in your digital content!".
How does live performance impact decisions?
Live performance impacts decisions quite a bit because it’s a key indicator of an artist’s engagement, fan loyalty, and real-world influence. A strong live presence signals that an artist isn’t just generating passive listeners but building a community that actively shows up--something brands value when considering partnerships. At Acrylic, we look at live performance data alongside digital engagement to understand an artist’s true reach, helping brands license music that not only fits their campaign but also connects with real, engaged audiences.
Can you share a success story?
We were lucky that our first client ended up being one of the biggest European football clubs on the planet and they saw the value we brought almost instantly.
Since our solution is quite innovative and still in the testing phase, we launched our first couple of campaigns with little certainty that we would achieve any positive results.
When we received the results, it was clear choosing the right music made all the difference. Our first two campaigns:
- Landed consistently in the top 5% most commented (of 1,200 videos in 2024!)
- Converted nearly 2k new engaged followers, 100% organically
Our third campaign launches in a couple of weeks and is expected to perform even better, fingers crossed!
Advice for artists feeling stuck?
The music industry is in transition. The old playbook--drop a single, chase playlist placements, grind for exposure--doesn’t guarantee success anymore. But for artists who are savvy enough to adapt, there’s more opportunity than ever.
Here’s Acrylic’s advice for breaking out of that rut and unlocking new paths to growth:
đź’° 1. Monetization Is No Longer One-Dimensional
Music revenue isn’t just about streams. Brands, content creators, and businesses are desperate for music that connects with their audiences. Licensing, partnerships, and fan-driven monetization (exclusive drops, superfans, direct sales) can be more lucrative than streaming checks.
đź“Š 2. Use Data to Your Advantage
You already have the insights you need--where your listeners are, how they engage, what resonates. Instead of making music in a vacuum, use those data points to craft smarter release strategies, target the right brand partnerships, and unlock new revenue streams.
🔥 3. Think Beyond DSPs--Your Music Has More Uses Than You Realize
Your songs aren’t just for streaming. Local businesses, brands, events, and digital content creators all need music—and they’re willing to pay for it. Acrylic helps artists leverage their fanbase data to match their music with real commercial opportunities.
Start telling your fans to go "create moments with [my] music" when they release new tracks. Encourage them to help monetize your sync revenue for you.
🚀 4. The Industry Rewards Those Who Take Initiative
Artists who wait for opportunities get left behind. The ones who explore alternative revenue streams, build partnerships, and leverage fan engagement as a business asset will thrive.
LA has always been a city of reinvention, and this moment is no different. The industry is shifting, but for artists who think outside the traditional music career model, the opportunities are everywhere.
What’s your favorite LA coffee shop?
I love coffee and cookies, so here are my plugs for both:
Coffee: Cognoscenti
Cookies: Fleurs et Sel