Ep 5 - How Sonoton CEO Alex Black Rose To the Top of the Production Music World | Alex Black Interview
Release Date: 01/16/2026
Ep 9 - Nick Phoenix on Two Steps From Hell, Sampling and Rock Music | Interview
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid sits down with composer/sample developer Nick Phoenix, co-founder of Two Steps From Hell, and founder of Quantum Leap for a deep conversation about artistic longevity, creative discipline, and the evolution of epic music and sound sampling. Nick shares candid insights into building a global cinematic music brand, navigating industry shifts, and maintaining independence in a rapidly changing music landscape. From the early days of trailer music and sound sampling to the challenges of becoming a rock artist, this episode explores what...
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Ep 8 - Epic Score Origins Part 4 | Studio Chat with Gabe Shadid
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, continues with Part 4 of the story of his journey into the world of audio and music. Gabe opens up about the long road to creative confidence—and how believing in yourself is so important, but something many of us find difficult. From early self-doubt that held him back, to unexpected validation from music libraries and others, Gabe shares real stories from his music career as it was slowly building with production music, tv themes and beta testing. You’ll hear how external feedback, timing, and persistence...
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Ep 7 - Promos, Pressure, and 3 A.M. Mixes | Karen Cirillo's Promo Journey
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of the Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid sits down with Karen Cirillo, a senior creative director/editor whose career path proves there’s no such thing as a straight line in Hollywood. Karen’s journey began as a receptionist at CBS before moving through the world of television promotion with relentless deadlines and sink-or-swim expectations. Along the way, she faced roadblocks, self-doubt, and moments where taking a risk was necessary to move forward. But taking those leaps led to a two-decade career at NBC where she ultimately became a senior creative director of...
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Ep 6 - Epic Score Origins Part 3 | Studio Chat with Gabe Shadid
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, continues with Part 3 of the story of his journey into the world of audio and music. In 1999, the technology in the industry was evolving and it was causing major changes in the workflows around LA. Gabe's mixing career came to a grinding halt, and switching to freelance became a necessity. From rock bottom and full of doubt to busy beyond belief, tune in for a roller coaster ride! 🎬 In this episode, you’ll learn: About the importance of making in-person personal connections About a new naming suffix on...
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Ep 5 - How Sonoton CEO Alex Black Rose To the Top of the Production Music World | Alex Black Interview
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, interviews Alex Black, CEO of the Sonoton Music Library, the largest privately owned production music catalog in the world. Alex has a long history on the executive side of production music. He has served as the Global Director of EMI's production music amongst other positions. But he didn't start at the top! Find out about Alex's steps to push higher and higher into the industry. And how sometimes you just need to stick your neck out and take chances. 🎬 In this episode,...
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Ep 4 - Epic Score Origins Part 2 | Studio Chat with Gabe Shadid
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, continues with Part 2 of the story of his journey into the world of audio mixing and music composition. As a new music editor in a busy studio, many opportunities and challenges were ahead. Every day seemed to bring something new, from building his editing/mixing chops, to getting a chance to work on the tv show America's Most Wanted, getting his first opportunity to create music professionally, moving to Los Angeles, and much more. There's never a dull moment. 🎬 In this episode, you’ll learn:...
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Ep 3 - Interview: Epic Score Composer Tim Stoney | His Journey Into the Music World
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, interviews Tim Stoney, an Epic Score composer whose 9th album is arriving January 6th. We'll get to meet Tim and hear about his journey into the world of music. It was anything but "standard". He'll share his story via his unique understated British, self-deprecating and humorous style. Plus, we'll learn about a future Epic Score project in the works. And don't miss what his girlfriend thought of his plans to quit his day job and do music full-time! 🎬 In this episode, you’ll learn: How the game Legend of...
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Ep 2 - Epic Score Origins Part 1 | Studio Chat with Gabe Shadid
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, shares his first steps into the world of audio and music. From classical piano studies at a young age to secretly training as a sound engineer, Gabe shares the initial part of his long and twisting journey that led him to epic music. Gabe also reveals Spotify data about the listeners of Epic Score’s music. 🎬 In this episode, you’ll learn: How music shaped Gabe’s world His first moments of creativity in music How he quietly trained himself on all the gear in a large post facility How he attained his...
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Ep 1 - How Immediate Music Changed Hollywood Trailers Forever | Yoav Goren Interview
Epic Score Podcast
In this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, sits down with Yoav Goren, co-founder of Immediate Music—the company that redefined modern Hollywood trailer music. From the groundbreaking use of Lacrimosa in the Spider-Man 2 trailer, to the creation of iconic albums like Trailerhead, Yoav shares how Immediate Music helped establish the epic, hybrid sound that now defines movie trailers worldwide. This conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how trailer music evolved from obscurity into a genre of its own. Yoav opens up about the early...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Epic Score Podcast, host Gabe Shadid, founder of Epic Score, interviews Alex Black, CEO of the Sonoton Music Library, the largest privately owned production music catalog in the world. Alex has a long history on the executive side of production music. He has served as the Global Director of EMI's production music amongst other positions.
But he didn't start at the top! Find out about Alex's steps to push higher and higher into the industry. And how sometimes you just need to stick your neck out and take chances.
🎬 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Each step in Alex's career path to some of the highest executive positions in the production music industry
How seemingly unrelated experiences can unexpectedly come together to help you take the next step in your career
What job opportunity inspired Alex to move from his native England to Germany
Current challenges in the music licensing industry and how Alex plans on facing them
If you’re interested in trailer music, film marketing, music licensing, sync, cinematic composition, the history of epic music, or real career paths in the music industry, this episode is a must-listen.
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