Rally 2014: A Love Affair
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- shellsings
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Rally 2014: A Love Affair
Hi Everyone!!
This was my sixth rally, each year I feel more and more "complete" so to speak. Attending the rally is like starting or re-kindling a love affair. The feelings and emotions of love, comfort, friendship, excitement and belonging all come up for me. I get to see all my friends, I get to make new ones. Everyone is so supportive. This year was even better because I finally let all the progress I made sink in. People were coming up to me to meet me and to say how inspired they are by me, and how far I have come. I am usually like "Who me???" and will try and say something negative about myself to distract from the attention.. This time I would say "Thank You" and "I appreciate it". I still don't think I realize how far I've come. This is all due to TAXI and the Rally. I still had to do the work, there is no magic bullet, but TAIX is more than just forwards and deals... It is about building a community, networking, doing the work, accepting criticism, learning, making friends, being gracious, helping one another. This is family. This is a place where we can be ourselves and finally belong.
This year was really great for me because I got to meet up with new bandmate Nathan Nasby. We met while doing the GYWAS (get your ass writing song contest) on Facebook. (This was started by taxi members and here is the link if you are interested https://www.facebook.com/groups/gyaws/ ) We decided we sounded good together and formed a band called Blu Cedar and now 6 songs later will be coming out with an album in a matter of weeks. We got to meet at the Rally and perform at open mic, Film our first video AND be on TAXI TV!! It was all so awesome!! I am really excited about Blu Cedar . You can follow our shenanigans here! http://www.blucedar.com
I also noticed that when checking out the mentors and panelists that I knew most of the people personally and/or had direct connections with them. That is a great place to be and a great feeling to know you have reached a certain level. I am not being big headed here, I am just in awe of how all this has evolved. Back in 2009 when I first joined TAXI, I had been writing , but didn't really know much about the industry at all, and my songs were not the greatest, ok they were crap really. TAXI opened my eyes to a whole new world
and new people. I don't think I EVER would have gotten to where I am today without this community.
For those of you who think TAXI is a scam, it is NOT! If you are serious about advancing your song writing career,
writing for film and TV, are open to critique, want to meet a ton of industry people, make new friends and move forward, then this is the place.
The classes are also great! I love Ronan Murhpy's production classes, so awesome! Fett has a great mixing course! Casey Hurowitz teaches music business and song structure, Chuck Schlacter has a great motivational course on building your catalog and managing your time. So much great material!
The only sad thing for me is leaving the rally. I get emotional, I feel like I am breaking up with someone. I want the happy feelings I get from the rally to continue forever. This sadness can really lead to feeling stuck if you let it. While on the plane I started to write out lists. Lists of all the new collaborations, lists of all the marketing I need to do, lists of things for the new album. I started to get really motivated and excited again. So I figured writing this would help get me started now that I am back. I hope that by reading this and writing your own experiences we can keep this family going. Hit me up if you need a pep talk or advice!!
I write a weekly blog about writing and licensing for Film & TV that also includes how to persevere in this business. I thought about putting this post in my blog, but I thought it would be good to have my friend (and Michelle Michelle bandmate) Michelle Murray write about her experiences. This is her second year at the Rally and she says it is LIFE CHANGING for her!! So I am letting her write the blog this week and will post a link here as well. For new folks I think it will be great and inspiring.
So if you have been lurking in the shadows, watching what was going on, or maybe you had a bunch of returns and just want to give up or think it is a scam, keep with us, keep reading the forum, reach out to those of us who have been where you were. Almost all of us were there at some point or another.
If you think the above was a bit melodramatic, just remember, I am a songwriter, I write what I feel
Love you all!
-Shell
http://www.michellelockey.com
http://www.blucedar.com
http://www.michellemichelleband.com
This was my sixth rally, each year I feel more and more "complete" so to speak. Attending the rally is like starting or re-kindling a love affair. The feelings and emotions of love, comfort, friendship, excitement and belonging all come up for me. I get to see all my friends, I get to make new ones. Everyone is so supportive. This year was even better because I finally let all the progress I made sink in. People were coming up to me to meet me and to say how inspired they are by me, and how far I have come. I am usually like "Who me???" and will try and say something negative about myself to distract from the attention.. This time I would say "Thank You" and "I appreciate it". I still don't think I realize how far I've come. This is all due to TAXI and the Rally. I still had to do the work, there is no magic bullet, but TAIX is more than just forwards and deals... It is about building a community, networking, doing the work, accepting criticism, learning, making friends, being gracious, helping one another. This is family. This is a place where we can be ourselves and finally belong.
This year was really great for me because I got to meet up with new bandmate Nathan Nasby. We met while doing the GYWAS (get your ass writing song contest) on Facebook. (This was started by taxi members and here is the link if you are interested https://www.facebook.com/groups/gyaws/ ) We decided we sounded good together and formed a band called Blu Cedar and now 6 songs later will be coming out with an album in a matter of weeks. We got to meet at the Rally and perform at open mic, Film our first video AND be on TAXI TV!! It was all so awesome!! I am really excited about Blu Cedar . You can follow our shenanigans here! http://www.blucedar.com
I also noticed that when checking out the mentors and panelists that I knew most of the people personally and/or had direct connections with them. That is a great place to be and a great feeling to know you have reached a certain level. I am not being big headed here, I am just in awe of how all this has evolved. Back in 2009 when I first joined TAXI, I had been writing , but didn't really know much about the industry at all, and my songs were not the greatest, ok they were crap really. TAXI opened my eyes to a whole new world
and new people. I don't think I EVER would have gotten to where I am today without this community.
For those of you who think TAXI is a scam, it is NOT! If you are serious about advancing your song writing career,
writing for film and TV, are open to critique, want to meet a ton of industry people, make new friends and move forward, then this is the place.
The classes are also great! I love Ronan Murhpy's production classes, so awesome! Fett has a great mixing course! Casey Hurowitz teaches music business and song structure, Chuck Schlacter has a great motivational course on building your catalog and managing your time. So much great material!
The only sad thing for me is leaving the rally. I get emotional, I feel like I am breaking up with someone. I want the happy feelings I get from the rally to continue forever. This sadness can really lead to feeling stuck if you let it. While on the plane I started to write out lists. Lists of all the new collaborations, lists of all the marketing I need to do, lists of things for the new album. I started to get really motivated and excited again. So I figured writing this would help get me started now that I am back. I hope that by reading this and writing your own experiences we can keep this family going. Hit me up if you need a pep talk or advice!!
I write a weekly blog about writing and licensing for Film & TV that also includes how to persevere in this business. I thought about putting this post in my blog, but I thought it would be good to have my friend (and Michelle Michelle bandmate) Michelle Murray write about her experiences. This is her second year at the Rally and she says it is LIFE CHANGING for her!! So I am letting her write the blog this week and will post a link here as well. For new folks I think it will be great and inspiring.
So if you have been lurking in the shadows, watching what was going on, or maybe you had a bunch of returns and just want to give up or think it is a scam, keep with us, keep reading the forum, reach out to those of us who have been where you were. Almost all of us were there at some point or another.
If you think the above was a bit melodramatic, just remember, I am a songwriter, I write what I feel
Love you all!
-Shell
http://www.michellelockey.com
http://www.blucedar.com
http://www.michellemichelleband.com
-Shell
-"Anyone can be cool, but Awesome takes practice."
http://www.michellelockey.com
http://www.taxi.com/michellelockey
http://www.facebook.com/michellelockey
-"Anyone can be cool, but Awesome takes practice."
http://www.michellelockey.com
http://www.taxi.com/michellelockey
http://www.facebook.com/michellelockey
- funsongs
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
And, fwiw: you all sounded good on the Taxi TV webcast.
Peter Rahill - aka "funsongs"
NOW, back on YouTube (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/@peterrahill9263/featured
https://soundcloud.com/funsongs-1
https://peterrahill.bandcamp.com/
“The future aint what it use to be.” - Yogi Berra
NOW, back on YouTube (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/@peterrahill9263/featured
https://soundcloud.com/funsongs-1
https://peterrahill.bandcamp.com/
“The future aint what it use to be.” - Yogi Berra
- robbiejhancock
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
Michelle,
I am so glad you posted this, and for a guy who has been lost for so long and had that isolated feeling, Taxi has just opened up a whole new world of support and encouragement that I have been looking for for a very long time. For someone who has just come back for rally number two, I can fully support everything that Michelle has said here and in a small way I am starting to see such a beautiful future in this business and a ton of new friends in an awesome welcoming community. Taxi is for real people and if you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone, it will be the best thing you ever did for your music.
Michelle you are an inspiration to me and many others and congratulations on all your success so far! You guys were great on Taxi TV!
I am so glad you posted this, and for a guy who has been lost for so long and had that isolated feeling, Taxi has just opened up a whole new world of support and encouragement that I have been looking for for a very long time. For someone who has just come back for rally number two, I can fully support everything that Michelle has said here and in a small way I am starting to see such a beautiful future in this business and a ton of new friends in an awesome welcoming community. Taxi is for real people and if you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone, it will be the best thing you ever did for your music.
Michelle you are an inspiration to me and many others and congratulations on all your success so far! You guys were great on Taxi TV!
-
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
Thanks for posting, Michelle! I wouldn't say melodramatic, just very real. I think any of us who have been to the rally multiple times knows how you feel. I actually had to leave as the last pitch panel was starting. Not that I was in a hurry to get to the airport, I just didn't want to be there to see the weekend officially 'end'. So yeah, I wrote a bunch of lists at the airport instead.
- Robtoons
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
Great post Shell!
I couldn't agree more, this was my 2nd rally, and I felt like I was attending the best family reunion ever!
Yeah, Taxi's for real allright, but not in that that "get rich quick" kind of way that so many are trying to find. It becomes obvious after hanging around awhile that it takes time to get somewhere, to learn the language, meet people and make genuine connections, all the while improving your craft and knowledge of the industry. The amount of work you are wiling to put in has a massive impact on how far you can go, and Michelle you've really been putting in the effort and it shows!
Seeing your progress is a continuing source of inspiration!
See ya next year! -Rob
I couldn't agree more, this was my 2nd rally, and I felt like I was attending the best family reunion ever!
Yeah, Taxi's for real allright, but not in that that "get rich quick" kind of way that so many are trying to find. It becomes obvious after hanging around awhile that it takes time to get somewhere, to learn the language, meet people and make genuine connections, all the while improving your craft and knowledge of the industry. The amount of work you are wiling to put in has a massive impact on how far you can go, and Michelle you've really been putting in the effort and it shows!
Seeing your progress is a continuing source of inspiration!
See ya next year! -Rob
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
Thank you for posting this, Michelle. Anyone is invited to ask me if Taxi is a scam or not, I will be happy to vouch for it.
This was my 4th Rally, and with each one there has a dramatic increase in:
-The amount of fellow songwriters I know and am comfortable collaborating with and learning from
-The amount I know about the business
-The number of contacts I have in the actual music business (which 4 years ago was about 1 person)
-My comfort level and confidence as I exponentially know more people at the Rally who have a similar mindset as me
-My ability to write and produce music that actually has a demand for it on television!
The capper of my Rally weekend was the Panel at which my song was selected to be played for the entire ballroom, after which, the publisher on stage asked if he could sign it. I don't know of too many opportunities to get interfaced like that outside of Taxi. What a thrill!
With or without Taxi, you get out of the music business what you put in. Full participation in Taxi, Taxi TV, the forum and most of all, the Road Rally allows you to put in the efforts that actually get you somewhere. If you commit, you will grow and good things will happen. There is no easy button, and it doesn't happen fast, but "better" will happen based on what you put into it.
I'm a very grateful Taxi member and Rally "Lifer."
This was my 4th Rally, and with each one there has a dramatic increase in:
-The amount of fellow songwriters I know and am comfortable collaborating with and learning from
-The amount I know about the business
-The number of contacts I have in the actual music business (which 4 years ago was about 1 person)
-My comfort level and confidence as I exponentially know more people at the Rally who have a similar mindset as me
-My ability to write and produce music that actually has a demand for it on television!
The capper of my Rally weekend was the Panel at which my song was selected to be played for the entire ballroom, after which, the publisher on stage asked if he could sign it. I don't know of too many opportunities to get interfaced like that outside of Taxi. What a thrill!
With or without Taxi, you get out of the music business what you put in. Full participation in Taxi, Taxi TV, the forum and most of all, the Road Rally allows you to put in the efforts that actually get you somewhere. If you commit, you will grow and good things will happen. There is no easy button, and it doesn't happen fast, but "better" will happen based on what you put into it.
I'm a very grateful Taxi member and Rally "Lifer."
Mike Steimel
Good Looking Animals
Singer/Songwriter with a sometimes freewheeling rock edge.
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.taxi.com/goodlookinganimals
http://www.goodlookinganimals.com
Good Looking Animals
Singer/Songwriter with a sometimes freewheeling rock edge.
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.taxi.com/goodlookinganimals
http://www.goodlookinganimals.com
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
Great post, Michelle. I joined Taxi and came to my first Road Rally this year after you mentioned it at the SAW community day event this summer (re-joined, actually; I was a member 15 or so years ago). The Road Rally can really be transformative if you let it. At least I'll sure try!
Bill
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
well said shell!
glad i am getting to know you better...you really demonstrate well to others how to dive into this weird, cool film/tv music world.
(remember our successful members panel in 2013? we were all so nervous! ha ha!)
glad i am getting to know you better...you really demonstrate well to others how to dive into this weird, cool film/tv music world.
(remember our successful members panel in 2013? we were all so nervous! ha ha!)
Crawdaddy
https://soundcloud.com/richard-dance-music
http://thecrawdaddy.bandcamp.com/
...sounds about right
https://soundcloud.com/richard-dance-music
http://thecrawdaddy.bandcamp.com/
...sounds about right
- Casey H
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
The best family reunion ever!
And Shell, you are one of the reasons it's so much fun! Great seeing you and EVERYONE!!
Casey
And Shell, you are one of the reasons it's so much fun! Great seeing you and EVERYONE!!
Casey
I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!
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- shellsings
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Re: Rally 2014: A Love Affair
funsongs wrote:And, fwiw: you all sounded good on the Taxi TV webcast.
Thanks!!! It was fun!!
-Shell
-"Anyone can be cool, but Awesome takes practice."
http://www.michellelockey.com
http://www.taxi.com/michellelockey
http://www.facebook.com/michellelockey
-"Anyone can be cool, but Awesome takes practice."
http://www.michellelockey.com
http://www.taxi.com/michellelockey
http://www.facebook.com/michellelockey
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