New Group Connects SoundCloud Creators To Buzzfeed

Last month, we told you about how BuzzFeed soundtracks videos using compositions from SoundCloud creators. Today, we’re excited to let you know about the launch of a new group via BuzzFeed’s SoundCloud profile that will make it even easier for you and BuzzFeed to work together: creators can now submit instrumental songs directly to the group for consideration to soundtrack BuzzFeed videos. Compositions must be licensed with a Creative Commons Attribution license in order to be considered.

Click here to submit to the group.

We’ve heard from creators like Steven O’Brien and Rob Collins, but we were curious to hear more about the BuzzFeed side of the story, so we had a chat with BuzzFeed video producer Henry Goldman.

“We started using SoundCloud…when our Video Department started our new channels. It’s been over 6 months and in that time, we’ve probably used over 200 different tracks from the SoundCloud community” Henry says. “Generally, we start looking for a song right when we start editing a video. The point is to find something that feels right for the piece, be it live action, still-based, or mixed-media.”

Because the scope of topics that BuzzFeed covers is so wide, we asked Henry about what the video producers generally look for in a song. Henry thinks, ” ‘chill’ is probably our most used search term. We’ve used all kinds of instrumentals, from punk rock to surf to orchestral. It just depends on what will make the piece better. Sometimes you need to give the video energy, sometimes the beat just needs to lay back in the cut and not get in the way. We’d love to use more live-band instrumentals, with real instruments, especially stuff with an indie pop or live band electro feel. But it’s hard to find that stuff [with a] Creative Commons [license and] without lyrics.”

Henry says that BuzzFeed’s interaction with SoundCloud creators has been: “Super positive. If we notice there’s a producer we really like, we’ll reach out to say hello. The creators have been overwhelming responsive and happy for the promotion.”

We’re looking forwards to watching the relationship between the SoundCloud community and BuzzFeed grow further.