This year, the Musicbed Challenge had a different end goal than in years past. Creatives had an unprecedented chance to re-shape culture during a critical moment in history. So we asked them to use their talents for the greater good. To find a story within their communities, and to make a film that could make a difference.
We founded Musicbed on the belief that creatives have the power to shape culture. Right now, there’s an opportunity to open the eyes of the world. That’s why we’re challenging filmmakers to make a film that can make a difference.
We’re all about creative constraints. In fact, we’ve explored the topic several times in blog posts and conversations with filmmakers, the idea that limitations can spark something in our creative brains to step up and take a challenge. But, even further than that, our constraints aren’t just a good exercise in creativity — sometimes they’re the entire reason to create. That’s why we’re excited to announce our first-ever Musicbed Challenge.
Inspiration can play a big role in your work and it doesn’t always strike while you’re sitting at the editing bay or in the office. Whether you’re researching music or discovering new artists, we want to make that process as simple as possible. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Musicbed is now on Spotify.
The wait is over! We’re proud to announce Musicbed subcription. Now, for the first time, get unlimited music from the artists you know and love for one monthly or yearly fee. It’s a revolutionary take on the subscription model, giving filmmakers and creatives full access to real, emerging indie artists and leading composers. This is not a royalty-free production library. These are hundreds of chart-topping, nation-touring, genre-defying Musicbed artists at your fingertips.
Sure our idea was different and a little bit unconventional, but we wanted advertisers to see that we understand their work. They’re constantly pursuing the ideas that will catch attention, cause emotion, and make people listen. And so are we.
Rock ’n roll was born at Sun Records. The list of earth-shattering artists who got their start there is hard to believe: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and so many others. As Collin Brace, VP of Sun Records, told us, “These guys defined not only a genre, but a generation.” In many ways, Sun Records and its artists paved the way for indie musicians and studios today. They were future minded. Open minded. They welcomed anyone with a guitar and a song. This is how they found legendary, mold-breaking artists like Johnny Cash. And it’s also how they ended up with over 8,000 master recordings from artists who never made it big, if it at all.
During the search for a new HQ earlier this year, one of the requirements was a space for live music — not just any space, the right space. When we saw the warehouse adjacent to the office, roll-up windows, concrete floors and all, we knew it was right. It was like music wanted to be played there. We had found the venue we were searching for — the setting of what would become Musicbed Sessions.
As we wrap up the second ever Musicbed Film Initiative, we’ve been blown away by not only the quantity of applications, but the quality as well. Thousands of filmmakers submitted ideas, and we didn’t envy our judges’ task of narrowing them down to one film.
