Today we’d like to introduce you to TheZachMichael.
Hi TheZachMichael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started out the same way a lot of musicians do – curious, obsessive, and motivated. I was always drawn to making music, songwriting, and production, but early on I realized I didn’t just want to create, I wanted to understand how the whole system worked and I wanted to build a business in the music industry. How songs made money. How artists got discovered. Why some people broke through and others didn’t, even when the talent was there.
I began producing music and releasing beats under multiple artist projects like SleepingShark, CalmingCats, Zach On The Keys, Relax Vibes, and more, teaching myself everything from sound design and songwriting to branding and distribution. I wasn’t handed a roadmap – I learned by doing, failing, researching, and paying close attention to the industry gaps most creatives ignore.
As I grew, I started working behind the scenes more: publishing, strategy, rights management, and long-term planning. That’s when I really saw how misunderstood music publishing was especially for independent artists and producers. A lot of people were leaving money and opportunity on the table simply because no one ever explained the business in plain language. That frustration eventually turned into a mission.
That mission became Elizabeth Music Group – a publishing company built to support artists, producers, and songwriters not just creatively, but structurally. We focus on transparency, publishing royalty collection, education, and sustainable careers, not quick wins. Along the way, I continued releasing music, building my producer catalog, and creating tools like VST presets, drum kits, sample packs and resources to help others level up their music production.
Today, I’m still very much in it -creating, learning, building, and refining. I see my career less as a straight line and more as layers stacking over time: artist, producer, visual creator, educator, and executive. Everything I’ve done feeds into the same goal—helping creatives take control of their work, their rights, and their future, while staying true to who they are.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced and still face is educating musicians on the importance of publishing. It’s one of the most misunderstood parts of the industry, and because of that, a lot of producers, songwriters, and artists don’t fully understand how it works or why it matters.
Early on, I kept seeing the same pattern: incredibly talented creatives making great music, getting streams, placements, or even going viral, but having no idea who owned what, how royalties were generated, or how to properly register their work. Publishing felt intimidating to a lot of people, or worse, boring – so it was ignored and the royalties remained uncollected. That lack of education often led to missed income without realizing the long-term impact.
There were moments where it felt like I was speaking a different language, but those struggles reinforced why the work matters. Over time, seeing musicians finally “get it,” sign with Elizabeth Music Group where we collect their publishing royalties, and start earning what they’re owed made all the resistance worth it. As we collect their publishing royalties, we provide access to major industry opportunities in sync licensing, beat and demo placement pitching, and more.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work sits at the intersection of creativity and infrastructure. At my core, I’m a musician, songwriter, and producer, but over the years that role has expanded into publishing, catalog development, and long-term strategy for artists and creators. I specialize in versatility (both musically and professionally) and I’ve built my career by being fluent across genres and formats rather than staying in one lane.
As a musician, I’ve been a part of over 2,400 songs across a wide range of genres. I consistently release instrumental music that reaches millions of streams every year, especially across LOFI, piano, ambient, and instrumental spaces. One project I’m especially proud of is my LOFI jazz cover album, which ended up taking on a life of its own. That music has been used by major brands like GQ, Six Flags, Pixar, Revolve, and many others, which was a powerful reminder that instrumental music can travel far.
Beyond releases, I’m deeply invested in building resources for other creators. One of the things that truly sets me apart and something I take a lot of pride in is my work ethic and consistency. For eight years straight, without missing a single week, I’ve created and released 100 new free, downloadable melody samples for producers. That’s not a campaign or a short-term play – that’s a long-term commitment to giving value, supporting the producer community, and showing up every single week.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the numbers or the brand placements – it’s the longevity. I’ve built a career that’s sustainable, adaptable, and rooted in doing good business, education, and consistency. I think what separates me from others is that I don’t rely on momentum or hype. I rely on discipline, repetition, and a genuine love for creating and contributing to the ecosystem year after year.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the importance of creative discipline. Talent and inspiration matter, but they don’t carry you very far without consistency. I treat the studio the same way an athlete treats the gym – you show up whether you feel like it or not, because the work compounds over time.
I’ve learned that creativity isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you train. I create music frequently, even on days when I don’t feel inspired or motivated. Ironically, some of the days I’m least excited to sit down and work end up being the days I create the music that the world connects with the most.
That lesson changed everything for me. It removed the pressure to feel “ready” and replaced it with a system built on showing up, putting in reps, and trusting the process. Over time, that discipline has been the difference between ideas staying ideas and turning into real, impactful work that lives beyond the studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elizabethrecords.net/elizabethmusicgroup
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezachmichael/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-michael-a18918222/
- Twitter: https://x.com/TheZachMichael
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thezachmichael
