By Michael Laskow
After 34 years of running TAXI, I can say this with complete confidence: we’re in the middle of the most exciting and successful period in the company’s history.
That’s not marketing speak. It’s coming straight from what I’m seeing every single day — in our Industry Listings, in the quality of music our members are submitting, and in the growing number of members who are getting signed and landing real placements in TV shows, films, and commercials.
Right now, TAXI has:
- The strongest Industry Listings we’ve ever had
- More active industry clients than ever before
- The best A&R screening team we’ve ever assembled
- The highest overall quality of music coming from our members
- And more success stories than any previous period
In a word — TAXI is going through a real renaissance.
How We Got Here
Over the past couple of years, we’ve quietly made some important improvements behind the scenes.
We expanded our team with people who deeply understand today’s music licensing world. We brought on new screeners with current industry experience and a real understanding of what decision-makers and end users are actually using right now.
Maybe the biggest shift has been how we work with our industry clients.
For many years, clients would reach out when they needed something specific — or we’d periodically check in and ask what they were looking for. That approach worked well for a long time.
But we realized something important:
Sometimes clients don’t know what they need — until you help them see it.
The Game-Changer
We introduced a new proactive system where we send our clients comprehensive lists of instrumental genres, song styles, lyric themes and topics, and mood categories.
Instead of waiting for them to think of a need or remember something they noticed was lacking, these lists spark ideas. This new approach is working incredibly well for our industry clients and our members!
They help clients realize they need to add new genres to their catalogs, refresh genres that sound dated, strengthen weak areas in their catalogs, and expand into styles that are more contemporary and currently in demand.
The result has been nothing short of a tsunami of great new requests — more listings, more variety, and more real-world demand coming straight from the people who license music every day.
Deeper Industry Relationships Than Ever Before
We’ve also taken our industry relationships to a whole new level.
We now hold periodic Zoom meetings with groups of TAXI clients where we have open conversations about industry trends, evolving production styles, the impact of AI, and where the market is headed.
Even more importantly, we listen.
Our clients tell us what’s working, what they need more of, and how TAXI and its members are doing for them. That real-time feedback has helped us create a win-win for clients and members alike.
Soon, we’ll also be launching in-person, town-hall-style events in Los Angeles, with creators from the independent filmmaking community to build stronger connections and raise their awareness of just how much great music they can source from TAXI members. The indie filmmakers who already source music from TAXI have reported that the majority of the music they use in their films has come from our members!
On top of that, some long-time music supervisor friends of TAXI have expressed interest in — or are already working as — screeners for us when they’re between shows or seasons, bringing even more real-world perspective (and opportunities) into the process.
The Power of Community and Education
Another huge reason for all this momentum is something that’s always been at the heart of TAXI: relationships and education.
Every year at our annual conference — the Road Rally — members connect with industry pros and, just as importantly, with each other. Countless introductions and meetings have become long-lasting relationships, fruitful collaborations, a global network of referrals, countless opportunities and sync placements, and true friendships that last long after the conference ends.
The same thing happens daily in TAXI’s Forum, where members share knowledge, feedback, wins, and encouragement. And during our TAXI TV episodes, the live chat room has become its own networking hub — with members meeting collaborators and industry contacts in real time.
But TAXI has never been only about making connections. It’s also been about giving you the education and real-world tools you need to be ready when those connections happen and opportunities come knocking.
From understanding industry standards and production quality, to learning how briefs really work, to knowing how to create music that generates income — that education is what turns opportunity into success.
Connections open doors. Education helps you walk through them prepared.
The Music Has Reached a New Level
Here’s what excites me most of all.
The quality of music coming from TAXI members right now is the best I’ve heard in 34 years.
Hands down!
Production has leveled up. Songwriting is better crafted. Performances feel more authentic. Members understand what works in the marketplace better than ever.
Our screeners frequently tell us, “The bar has moved way up.” So do music library executives and panelists at the Road Rally. I hear this after each conference: “The music I’m hearing from your members keeps getting better and better every year!”
And when the bar rises, so do the results our members are experiencing.
Real Momentum. Real Careers.
Every week I’m seeing members signing with great libraries, building direct industry relationships, landing placements across TV, film, streaming, and commercials, and creating music that generates real income.
Not someday.
Right now.
This isn’t luck. It’s what happens when a company that keeps improving works for a motivated, educated community of songwriters, composers, producers, and artists.
Where This Goes Next
After more than three decades of leading this very special and unique company, I can honestly say this time in TAXI’s history feels more personally invigorating to me than ever.
Frankly, I work most nights and weekends. I’m writing this on a Sunday afternoon.
I’m not telling you this to elicit sympathy. I want you to know that my team and I work just as hard for your success as we hope you’re willing to work for it.
So far, 2026 has unfolded as a year in which everything is lining up: stronger relationships, smarter processes, better opportunities, and a community that keeps raising the bar.
This is what real momentum looks like.
If you’ve been putting in the work — keep going! It’s paying off.
If you’re newer to TAXI — you couldn’t have picked a better time to jump in.
This isn’t just a great moment in TAXI’s history. It’s the foundation for an exciting new chapter.
Let’s keep raising the bar.
Let’s keep pushing forward.
And let’s keep showing the industry what this community is capable of.
The momentum is real — and your future with TAXI has never looked brighter. Thank you for taking this incredible ride with me and my incredible team!