Frequently Asked Questions:
0. Can I use Undead Funeral March (or any other Ugress track) in my video?
Yes. You can use this track in personal videos on online video platforms like Youtube and TikTok. You do not need to ask for permission. The song will be automatically recognised by content ID systems. You will probably get a notification that we own the copyright, and you can’t monetise the video, but this won’t stop the video or affect your channel, you can use the track as much as you want.
You can download the track for free from Bandcamp, just enter zero as the price.
0. Can you remove the copyright claim on my Youtube video?
Yes, we can allowlist your video, if you buy a synchronisation license from us. We only do this for large channels (above 100k subs) and/or commercial actors.
Please contact us with the details below in question 4 and we will get back to you with a price. When the invoice for the license is paid, my distributor will allowlist your video (allowlisting a video remove the copyright claim on your video. (This is called to “Allowlist” the video.)
It is NOT possible to allowlist a video for free. But you can still always use the music! Depending the geographic location of the viewer, they might experience ads.
1. We are a Chinese company. Can we publish your track “x” in China?
The music is already distributed in China via The Orchard (Sony Music).
If you want to license a track for a specific situation for the Chinese market, see question 4, and message us with specific details for a license.
2. Can we book Ugress for a live event concert?
Maybe? If the time is right. I tend to tour / perform live every second year or so.
If we are already in a touring period, it’s usually easy to book us. If I’m in a studio period, I prefer to focus in the studio.
If you’d like to book Ugress, PLEASE get in touch as early as possible. Most common reason to decline is because the requests come at too short notice.
Details we need to know to respond with a quote: Event/situation/festival/context. Location. Venue. Length. Host. Promoter. Technical supplier. Budget. Marketing plans. Contact person for technical production.
3. Can I use your music in my short video / student project / portfolio / personal / family / etc video or free?
Yes! Personal use is fine and no specific license is needed. See the first question. If possible, please credit, either during use or clearly in description and credits.
Note that on most platforms the music will probably be automatically recognised by content ID systems, there will be ads, and you will not be able to monetise the video. If you want to monetise it, you need a license, see next question.
4. Can we use your music in our commercial project? (LICENSE)
Yes, with a synch license. Commercial productions (including non-profit and no-budget) have to contact us and secure a sync license. The price of the license depends on your production.
We need to know: Who are you, all company/channel info, who makes it, what kind of production is it, a one-sentence synopsis, what track(s) do you want to use, which part(s), for how long, for how many episodes, how big and what kind is the distribution, is it digital/physical, what is the marketing budget, for how long do you need the license (months/years), what geographical area, what kinds of media, etc. etc.
Obviously we don’t need to know all of this in all cases, but the more we know the quicker this goes. It’s always very different depending on production and target media (streaming, film, tv, game, web, theatre, radio?) but the more we know, the faster we can say yes/no/terms/price.
(Note: We never license rights to religious or political videos.)
5. I got a message “this content is owned by Uncanny Planet / The Orchard / Sony Music / Merlin / Phonofile” when using your music in a private, personal video? Is it not yours?
Uncanny Planet is my own company. The Orchard (previously named Phonofile) is our aggregator, that means the company distributing the music to digital services like iTunes, Youtube and, Spotify. The Orchard is owned by Sony Music so that might appear as well. Merlin is a network representing indie labels where our very own label Uncanny Planet is member. They are all acting as representatives for us, and negotiang the terms of use on the various platforms.
When you get this message, it should mostly just mean that the system has identified the owner of the music, and those companies are correct, they work “for us”, it is nothing to worry about.
6. Where does sample X come from in track Y?
There are no samples it is all made by drawing pixels in a sample editor.
7. Can you compose music for a project?
Maybe. Get in touch with your plans early. The most common reason for having to say no is that requests always comes in way too late!
My schedule are typically fully booked 12-18 months ahead. If your project happens in the next few weeks/months, that time is often already taken. So even if I like your project I simply can’t do it because of scheduling. PLEASE do get in touch as early as possible.
8. I messaged you on social media but you never replied?
I don’t have the capacity to use social media for messaging.
Email is the best way to reach me. But if your question is in this FAQ I probably won’t reply.
If you just want to chat about my work, consider to join my Patreon. There are monthly posts with comments and follow-ups on both current and historical work, and there is a Discord server for regular chatting with both me and other supporters.
You could also just show up and comment in a livestream in realtime.
9. Can you listen to my music, check out my project?
No.
10. Can we collaborate?
No.
11. Can we…
NO. No “we”! I was never good with teamwork and group tasks at school, I’m still not good at this.
12. Vinyl?
Yep, here.
13. When are you coming HERE?
Post-pandemic I’m now regularly live on Youtube every month or so.
As a performing artist, I am live frequently with various projects not necessarily promoted as Ugress, but very often Ugress material is part of those performances. In addition to Ugress you can also follow my composer profile on social media to be informed of new performances.
As a traditional “band” performing classic Ugress tracks, we tour maybe every second year or so? Depending on album release schedules and global pandemics. See ugress.com/live for current calendar (if any), or follow us on social media for updates.
My question is not in the FAQ?
Oh dear! How can we help?