Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Engineer.
Hi Kristin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The path of a musician and entrepreneurial spirit has always been part of my journey. Growing up in a small town in Wyoming provided fertile ground for creativity. I chose music as my creative outlet, crafting skits and songs and playing the guitar. Concurrently, I selected the oboe as my main instrument and pursued a music performance degree at the University of Wyoming under Dr. Julia Combs. Life took a different turn after graduation, from my original plan of performing in a major orchestra to teaching children the Orff-Schulwerk method for over 15 years. I established music programs in schools lacking such opportunities, composed original songs for children to perform, and later organized large-scale concerts featuring professional musicians alongside plays I wrote based on popular children’s books. Throughout this journey, I continued writing my own folk-tronica music, completing two albums and an EP with various bands. I am immensely proud of my son and profoundly grateful to be his mother. Juggling motherhood while successfully balancing work and music creation was a challenge. Fast forward to three years ago, when I decided to pursue a full-time career as a working artist. My strategy was to focus on sync licensing and develop a robust catalog of mainstream dance pop. This led to the establishment of MotoGirl Music, a pop production house specializing in dance-pop, electro-pop, French pop, and pop with a Latin edge. Collaborating with several outstanding producer teams from France, Spain, the UK, and the States, my primary music producer, Aventurina King (Ava King), and I, along with our artist Sophie Gold, have consistently worked to establish a brand and presence in the world of sync licensing over the past three years. Sophie, an incredible vocalist, and Ava, an exceptional collaborator, have been instrumental in our journey. MotoGirl Music also prioritizes uplifting underrepresented creators in the field—women, women-identifying, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC creators. While we work with everyone, we strive to elevate underrepresented artists. Additionally, MotoGirl Music serves as an artist consultancy business, where I help creators navigate their art as a business through personalized one-on-one sessions covering project management, music business, networking, and establishing personal connections.
Drawing from my experiences, which include managing artist Nadia Vaeh for a year and working in a sync licensing agency for another, I am deeply familiar with various facets of the music business. I am a member of esteemed organizations such as the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), Alliance for Women in Film (AWFC), California Copyright Conference (CCC), Women in Music (WIM), Women in Film (WIF), and the Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS) (Friend of the Guild), and a voting member of the Recording Academy.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The life of an artist, particularly in this country, is inherently challenging. Despite opposition from family members, I committed myself to the path of an artist, musician, and entrepreneur with no fallback plan. As an artist, the drive to create is undeniable. Securing a full scholarship to the University of Wyoming, thanks to Professor Dr. Julia Combs, was my gateway to college, for which I am eternally grateful, as my family couldn’t afford it otherwise. Despite questioning, I pursued music performance, excelling and persisting in my creative endeavors. Though my aspirations shifted from a first chair position in the New York Philharmonic, I remained focused on creating music and constructing the life I envisioned. My gratitude extends to my former mother-in-law for her support in raising my son and encouraging my educational and artistic pursuits. The hardships I faced only strengthened my determination to succeed in this challenging industry. Discovering the path of sync licensing, leveraging my educational background, and steadfast belief in abundance has led me to where I am today.
We’ve been impressed with MotoGirlMusic LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MotoGirl Music is a distinctive pop production house specializing in music for TV/film, advertising, and promos. We are a women and LGBTIA+-owned company, offering mainstream dance-pop and electro-pop, along with authentic French pop and pop music with a Latin flair. My role at MotoGirl Music encompasses ownership, executive music production, songwriting, toplining, and artist consultancy. Our producer teams from around the globe curate a catalog of radio-ready works and are available for bespoke projects tailored to advertising and brand needs. Our music has been featured in Netflix and HBO Max shows such as ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls,’ and we’ve secured advertising spots for major brands. MotoGirl Music is committed to inclusivity, particularly uplifting underrepresented creators, including women, women-identifying individuals, non-binary individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and BIPOC. The Creative Artist Consultancy division of our business assists creators in advancing their own work and understanding the music industry at all levels. Our customized, one-on-one sessions cover a wide array of services, including project management (artist development), refining music production skills (songwriting, executive production), navigating the business aspects of music (sync licensing, contracts), and fostering connections (networking). MotoGirl Music is also hosting a workshop series with Blue Lily Music and Sami Posner, owner and music supervisor, called “Plugged IN,” which hits on topics within the sync licensing industry. The sign on the MotoGirl Music garage reads ‘OPEN’ for coaching, consulting, creating custom works, and providing a catalog of songs tailored for your project or brand.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In my journey, I’ve learned the importance of taking risks. Despite facing opposition, I chose to pursue my passion for music and entrepreneurship. It wasn’t easy, but I knew there was no other path for me. Taking risks is like diving into the rabbit hole; it’s scary, but it’s also where growth happens. Whether it was deciding to focus on sync licensing or creating my own pop production house, each step involved uncertainty. Yet, I’ve always approached risks with a mix of caution and determination. I see them as opportunities to learn, innovate, and push boundaries. They’ve made me stronger and more resilient. Taking risks isn’t just about daring; it’s about believing in yourself and your vision, even when the odds are against you. It’s about embracing the unknown and turning it into something extraordinary. That’s the mindset I’ve adopted, and it’s led me to build a successful career doing what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.motogirlmusic.com/
- Instagram: @motogirlmusic
- Facebook: @kristinengineer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/motogirlmusic-kristinengineer/
- Youtube: @motogirlmusic
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15218005/
Image Credits
Jeffrey Gray
Ashley Rose Ramirez
