TONY SHIMKIN
noble-music.com
Tony Shimkin is best known for writing chart-topping songs with Madonna, Taylor Dayne, Cathy Dennis and Junior Vasquez as well as for his vast production work on multiplatinum recordings and remixes for Madonna, Whitney Houston, Prince, Nine Inch Nails, Seal, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson and Paul McCartney. His songs and productions have been featured in films from Paramount, Universal, Lionsgate, Tri Star and Disney. Shimkin currently has a publishing deal with LoveCat Music.
What does your publisher do for you?
They cultivate relationships with music supervisors for placements in film, television and commercials. That’s where the money is. The valuation of music has decreased, and placements with artists are less important because sales aren’t what they used to be.
What do you want a publisher to do for you?
I want my publisher to cultivate relationships with music supervisors for placements in film, television and commercials. That’s where the money is. The valuation of music has decreased, and placements with artists are less important because sales aren’t what they used to be.
You also produce.
I’m also an engineer, so I always produced what I was doing. And I like working with new artists to help them find their voice and their sound.
What advice do you have for artists looking for their sound?
Find someone you’re comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to give up some control. Try not to be closed-minded, and have fun doing it.
What is your opinion of producer-generated backing tracks and the use of topliners (vocal melody and lyrics)?
It’s the way a lot of songs are done today. I like collaborating, but the song splits have to be fair. Times have changed. Today, you have more people working on a song than before.
Any advice for aspiring writers/producers?
Collaborate as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to be open. The more you put out, the more options you’ll have. •
