Meet Zachary Michael

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zachary Michael. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zachary below.

Zachary, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.

I developed my ability to communicate effectively through two major parts of my life: my work as a musician and my role as CEO of Elizabeth Music Group.

As a musician, collaboration is at the core of what I do. When I’m in a session creating songs, I have to be both an active listener and an adaptable communicator. Sometimes that means supporting another person’s idea, understanding what they’re trying to express, even before they fully say it, and helping elevate that idea to another level. Other times it means stepping into a leadership role and guiding the creative direction of the song from start to finish. Those experiences taught me how to read the room and communicate ideas in a way that moves a project forward.

On the business side, as the CEO of a global publishing company called Elizabeth Music Group, communication becomes just as important but in a different way. The music publishing space can be confusing for a lot of creators, so I focus heavily on education and transparency. My goal is to explain complex royalty structures, contracts, and processes in a way that’s clear, accessible, and empowering. I’ve learned to break down information so that anyone, from a new artist to an experienced multi-platinum producer, can walk away with a real understanding of what’s happening with their music. My company leads with education and transparency so the musicians we work with can make informed decisions about their music, their royalties, and their career.

Combining those two worlds has shaped my communication style: I listen first, I respond with clarity, and I always aim to make the other person feel supported, informed, and confident.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Zachary Michael, also known as TheZachMichael, a music producer, executive, songwriter, and sync composer dedicated to creating music that connects with people on a real level. My work lives at the intersection of creativity, education, and collaboration, and I’ve built my career around championing artists and pushing musical ideas forward.

Over the years, I’ve played a role in more than 1,500 released records, contributing everything from production and songwriting to composition and mixing. One of my strengths is being able to move effortlessly across genres. Whether I’m working on a commercial record, a sync brief, or an indie artist’s passion project, I’m able to adapt, elevate the vision, and help bring out the best in every collaborator. I’m often told that my attention to detail and commitment to quality set the tone in every project I touch.

In the instrumental world, I’ve carved out a distinct presence by founding two successful projects in the LOFI genre, SleepingShark and Relax Vibes. These projects have reached millions of listeners and landed major sync placements, thanks to a signature sound that blends atmospheric textures, jazz-inspired elements, and calming, reflective moods. As the CEO of Elizabeth LOFI Records, I’m dedicated to amplifying the work of instrumental composers across the globe, offering them a home where their music can thrive. I also make and release instrumental piano music under multiple projects such as Zach On The Keys, CalmingCats, and byzach.

Beyond the creative side, I’m also the founder of Elizabeth Music Group, a publishing company focused on bringing transparency, education, and true empowerment to artists. We represent catalogs with billions of streams and give creators the tools they need to understand the business behind their music. Our mission goes far beyond royalty collection – we’re committed to providing meaningful support, resources, and guidance so musicians can make informed decisions and build sustainable careers. At the core of everything we do is one belief: when musicians are equipped with the right knowledge and support, their creativity can reach its full potential.

With a strong work ethic, a collaborative mindset, and a drive to innovate, I’m continually striving to make a positive impact on the music industry. Whether it’s through the records I create, the artists I support, or the companies I lead, my goal is always to push boundaries, inspire growth, and contribute lasting value to the creative community.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Consistency and Discipline
One of the most impactful qualities in my creative journey has been consistency. Whether I am producing music, building a business, or supporting artists, showing up every day even when the inspiration is not there has been the key to long-term growth. Consistency is what allowed me to finish and release hundreds of songs, build trust with collaborators, and steadily grow Elizabeth Music Group into a global publishing company that now supports over 100 musicians. Creativity matters, but discipline is what turns ideas into results.

Advice:
For anyone early in their journey, focus on building habits instead of waiting for motivation. Set small daily or weekly goals you can stick to. Over time, these small actions build momentum. Consistency does not mean perfection. It means showing up with intention, even on difficult days.

2. Ability to Simplify Complex Information
The music industry, especially publishing, is filled with technical terms and confusing systems. One of the skills that helped me succeed was learning how to take complicated information and make it simple. As a CEO, I put a lot of emphasis on educating musicians so they can feel confident in understanding their rights, royalties, and opportunities. Presenting information clearly has strengthened relationships and built trust across the board.

Advice:
Practice explaining what you learn to others. If it still feels complicated, simplify it again. Use analogies, visuals, or step-by-step breakdowns. With time, this becomes an incredibly valuable communication skill, especially in leadership roles.

3. Adaptability and Curiosity
My career has taken many forms including producer, songwriter, sync composer, label owner, and publishing executive. The ability to adapt and stay curious has been essential. Because the music landscape changes quickly, being willing to learn new skills and explore new areas has helped me stay ahead, grow with the industry, and create opportunities rather than wait for them.

Advice:
Follow your curiosity. Try new roles, tools, and collaborations. Do not limit yourself to one lane too early. The more you explore, the more valuable you become and the clearer your strengths will be.

Consistency, clarity, and adaptability have shaped every step of my journey. For anyone beginning theirs, develop steady habits, learn deeply enough to teach others, and stay open to evolving. These three qualities will take you farther than you expect.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am always looking to partner with artists, producers, and songwriters who want support in managing and growing the publishing side of their career. At Elizabeth Music Group, we focus on empowering creators through transparency, education, and global royalty collection. We work with individuals who value clear communication, want to understand how their publishing works, and are looking for a team that genuinely advocates for them.

Our benefits include global royalty collection across all major pay sources, catalog registration and organization, detailed analytics, and access to sync pitching opportunities. We also prioritize education, making sure every client fully understands their rights, earnings, and long-term strategy. Our goal is to remove the confusion around publishing so artists can focus on creating while we handle the administrative side.

Anyone interested in joining our roster or learning more can connect with us through the Elizabeth Music Group website or reach out directly to me. We are always open to meeting creators who are serious about taking control of their publishing career.

Beyond the business side, I am also always open to collaborating creatively as a producer, songwriter, or composer. I love working with artists who bring unique ideas, aren’t afraid to experiment, and value true collaboration when making songs.

Anyone interested in collaborating on music can reach out to me through my social media or email. I enjoy connecting with new creatives, and I’m always open to exploring whether we’re a good fit for a project.

Contact Info:

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