In this episode of "Don't Kill the Messenger," host Kevin Goetz sits down with Spring Aspers, the Grammy-nominated President of Sony Pictures Music Group. With a career spanning from intern to President, Spring has become a powerhouse in the film music industry. Her work on blockbuster soundtracks like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has earned her critical acclaim and a Grammy nod. As the executive behind numerous hit movie soundtracks and a champion for emerging artists, Spring shares her process for choosing music for a film’s soundtrack, and discusses the details of music supervision in film.
From Bohemian Roots to Music Executive (04:35)
Spring recounts her unconventional upbringing in New York's art scene and how it shaped her passion for music.
The Anatomy of Film Soundtracks (09:20)
Spring shares a breakdown of the various roles in film music, from coordinators to executives, and their responsibilities. The pair also discuss the copyright intricacies in film soundtracks.
The "Sunflower" Story and The Grammys (18:57)
Spring discusses her involvement in the creation of "Sunflower" for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and her Grammy nomination experience. She shares her thoughts on the importance of capturing the essence of a character through music and how "Sunflower" embodied the spirit of Miles Morales.
The Art of Musical Matchmaking (27:07)
Spring offers insights into her process of discovering artists and pairing the perfect music with film projects. She describes herself as a "musical matchmaker," always seeking to find the right sound that resonates with the heart of the story.
Music in Filmmaking (32:44)
Spring shares the challenges of integrating music into the filmmaking process and meeting tight deadlines.
The Future of Music: AI and the Human Touch (34:57)
Kevin and Spring discuss the role of AI in the music industry and the value of human creativity. Spring has an optimistic view, acknowledging AI's potential as a tool while emphasizing the enduring importance of human energy and creativity in music.
Spring Aspers offers her insight on the intersection of music and film, emphasizing the importance of creativity and the power of music to enhance storytelling. Her passion for discovering new talent and creating memorable cinematic experiences shines throughout the conversation, providing listeners with valuable insights into the world of music in film.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or connect on social media. We look forward to bringing you more revelations from behind the scenes next time on Don't Kill the Messenger!
Host: Kevin Goetz
Guest: Spring Aspers
Producer: Kari Campano
Writers: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari Campano
Audio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)
For more information about Spring Aspers:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spring-aspers-876b063
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0039650/
Variety: https://variety.com/2019/music/news/spring-aspers-sony-pictures-president-music-1203356656/
For more information about Kevin Goetz:
Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com
Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678
Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram: @KevinGoetz360
Linked In @Kevin Goetz
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