Approach/writing process for Listings in General.

[mastersrhythm]

I just received a rejection with a comment that doesn't completely ring with truth. I understand that music is subjective.

Reasons not forwarded: Music
Comments: "Needs a more compelling rhythmic and melodic approach."

I listened carefully to all of the references, but here is the song I chose to pay most attention to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFMJ4-ai1I

My rhythm I believe was indeed compelling. The "...melodic approach" portion of the comment seemed somewhat valid. Maybe I wasn't busy enough melodically in the chorus and didn't extent it enough? The verses I was emulating the vocal motif style of primus for sure. Les is really not that vocally melodic on purpose. That is the style. I stripped the song back and I think that may have been my mistake here. I can find some things I could have done differently like more melodic and counterpoint content from the guitars.

The thing is that I feel that I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't when making the decisions for a composition when I'm writing for an 'invisible gatekeeper' that I know nothing about. My approach/writing process may just be off here. Is the trick when writing for the Taxi 'Listener' for us to just completely emulate and perform a 'variation on a theme' for each and every little detail of the exact songs they are referencing? That leads me to an another QUESTION here: Does anyone here ever post more than one version of the same piece to hedge their bets? For example, one with stripped back melody, one with the bridge omitted, and maybe one that is busy melodically??? I was thinking of trying this but it seems it may be too expensive and the artist in me just hates feeding 'The Machine' while I'm still trying to gauge what approach is to be made when composing for these listings.

"hedge their bets" that is pretty funny if you read into it. Anyways, any advice concerning the above questions would be so appreciated.


This was the listing:
"
QUIRKY ROCK-based INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a European-based Music Licensing Company with a very long list of great placements in Film and TV. They're looking for kooky, Mid-to-Up-Tempo Cues that you'd find on a playlist with references like (but not limited to) these:
Primus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFMJ4-ai1I
Les Claypool Frog Brigade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx6pSnq9EvI
Oysterhead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C-qKFZeXFg

Although some of the references have vocals, please submit instrumentals only for this pitch. Please submit off-the-wall, avant-garde Rock cues with authentic sounding Rock band instrumentation, and a generally similar vibe to the references above. They're not looking for clones, so much as something that would make you say, "Mine is as quirky as those!" Craft your submissions around a compelling rhythmic and melodic approach, while layering instrumentation in and out as your Cues progress to keep them fun and interesting throughout. All submissions should be at least 2 minutes long, with non-faded endings with a natural decay/ring out are recommended. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced acts or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a guide for texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (Great sounding home recordings are fine). This company offers an EXCLUSIVE 50/50 deal, and an 80/20 split in the Writer's favor for any applicable download fees by clients from their Library! Please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with any other Libraries or Catalogs. You'll get 100% of the Writer's share, and the Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher's share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit. Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis - No full critiques. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PDT), on Thursday, August 4th, 2016. TAXI #Y160804QR

"

Here is my submission 'MudPie': http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.p ... iosMasters

Thanks everyone!!

[cardell]

That rhythm was chunky!! I liked it, but I'm no screener.

Stuart

[mastersrhythm]

That rhythm was chunky!! I liked it, but I'm no screener.

Stuart

Thanks man!! Much appreciated.

[mojobone]

People do hedge their bets, but it's probably not recommended. Sometimes there's only one screener and she'll hear all three versions, but maybe there are two or three and what if two versions get forwarded? That'd look a little odd. It can be hard sometimes even for the screeners themselves to know why exactly they dinged a submission, and they don't always articulate their reasons well, when they know what they are. Sometimes it's just a 'gut' thing.

Personally, I would have either forwarded this, or NOT forwarded it for being TOO on-the-nose. Quirky is the toughest kind of listing to nail, cuz you can never be sure quite HOW quirky they want it. Start overthinking THAT, and you'll just end up chasing your tail.

[jamesnorth]

Hey mastersrhythm,

Looks like I got the only forward for this one, so thought I'd share it with you here.

https://soundcloud.com/jamesnorthproduc ... ad/s-PpD4k

Mine's all real instruments, so it has a pretty authentic vibe in terms of overall sound I guess, but the main thing I'd say is that they were after a compelling melody. Something a bit hooky is what they mean I think. If it's being used in TV it needs to have a stripped back section for dialog or other scenes and obviously the hooky bit for something else. Although Primus typically aren't the most hooky melody writers, there are definitely strong repeated hooky melodies in all three examples that the listing provides.

I'd sit on the only submitting one version side of things - it's better to submit to heaps of things and give yourself more of a chance rather than spend time writing multiple options for the same listing I reckon.

Hope that helps!

Keep rocking.

[mastersrhythm]

This helps tremendously! Thank you so much for posting this. You have answered so many questions for this one. I would love to return the favor some day.

Hope to see you at the RoadRally!!

Hey mastersrhythm,

Looks like I got the only forward for this one, so thought I'd share it with you here.

https://soundcloud.com/jamesnorthproduc ... ad/s-PpD4k

Mine's all real instruments, so it has a pretty authentic vibe in terms of overall sound I guess, but the main thing I'd say is that they were after a compelling melody. Something a bit hooky is what they mean I think. If it's being used in TV it needs to have a stripped back section for dialog or other scenes and obviously the hooky bit for something else. Although Primus typically aren't the most hooky melody writers, there are definitely strong repeated hooky melodies in all three examples that the listing provides.

I'd sit on the only submitting one version side of things - it's better to submit to heaps of things and give yourself more of a chance rather than spend time writing multiple options for the same listing I reckon.

Hope that helps!

Keep rocking.

[jamesnorth]

For what it's worth - I just got a deal with a library in the UK for this track, so it turns out it's a good reference point for any listings like this in the future!