HISTORY

In 2015 composers Joanna Bates and Sylvio Pretsch met for the first time and discovered an immediate creative affinity. Their collaboration began with shared interests in contemporary songwriting and expanded into orchestral, cinematic and production-driven projects.

Joanna’s body of work includes the documentary score for Bear Sanctuary (Discovery Channel), collaborations with orchestras in Moscow, the Czech Republic and Poland, and the composition of the musical drama CELT, staged at the Brecon Theatre in 2005. Earlier in her career she was a finalist in the Best Song category of The Musical Of The Year competition in 1996. Sylvio’s background spans international remix and production work, audio post-production for albums later placed in television programming, and the creation of demo compositions for established VST instrument manufacturers.

Together they contributed music to commercial and entertainment productions, including projects for major digital-media companies. When global production cycles slowed during the COVID-19 years (2020–2022), the resulting pause became a decisive moment in their artistic development.

At the end of 2024, they founded Saltman Audio Lab, an international team of songwriters, music composers and music producers from UK and Germany that specialises in producing pop music for female artists. Young female artists in particular find it very difficult to realise their song ideas and wishes in the male-dominated music industry. The theme of “female empowerment” is part of the songwriting team's philosophy. The team grew in early 2025, bringing additional creative expertise into the Lab.

With Saltman Audio Lab's philosophy, the songwriting team has created a safe space for artists whose ideas are implemented according to their wishes, where the songwriting team's experience is also an important component.

"We are very pleased with what we have achieved so far. And when we receive compliments from artists, such as ‘For the first time, I feel understood as an female artist’ or ‘I've never left a recording studio feeling so happy before’, it fills us with pride and we know that we are – perhaps not the only songwriting team – but one of the few who understand how to work with female artists and help them realise their potential."

Throughout 2025 the collective developed original music for selected commissions and curated events. Among these works were a bespoke cinematic soundtrack and a dream-pop production premiered at an exclusive event in Berlin in October 2025, both receiving a highly positive audience response.

Since mid-2025, they have been writing, composing and producing songs for young female artists who are among the most promising up-and-coming performers, including a former Germany's Got Talent contestant.