Acoustic Indie Folk Instrumental Cue

[CaseyK]

Hey everyone! Just joined taxi and am proud to say that I finished my first cue for a specific taxi listing last week. Unfortunately I misread the deadline and was unable to submit it so I wanted to ask your opinion. Would my song have been a forward? Why or why not? I'd love to hear any opinions on how I can up my game (apart from read the dang listing haha). Thank you Taxi community!

https://soundcloud.com/aseyreines/hopeful-horizon

EMOTIONALLY UPLIFTING INDIE FOLK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a hard-working Music Library with tons of credits in HIT TV Shows!
This awesome company is still fairly new to running Listings with TAXI, so chances are you don’t have any material in their catalog yet! They’re looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues that would fall in the general ballpark of the following references the Music Library provided to us:
“Ooh La La” by The Well Pennies
“New Colors” by Honoraries ft. Dan Read
Although the references have vocals, please submit instrumentals only for this pitch.
Give them well-composed Indie Folk Instrumental Cues that have all the positive appeal of the references above with uplifting melodies and acoustic-based instrumentation. Your production style can range from very simple tracks (just acoustic guitar, handclaps and foot stomps) to more fully produced tracks. Your submissions should feature a central melodic idea.  Build momentum and forward movement by adding and subtracting different elements to create dynamics and interest as your Cues progress.
Your submissions should be 2 minutes long, give or take. Non-Faded, Stinger endings will work best for this pitch. Do NOT copy the referenced acts or songs in any way, shape, or form. Broadcast Quality is needed.
NOTE: This Library is NOT interested in composers that can only turn in 1 or 2 tracks every couple of months. They want composers that they can work closely with -- the kind that would be able to deliver an album’s worth of production music within 8-10 weeks of signing with the library!
This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal, so please be sure the Instrumentals Cues you pitch for this opportunity are NOT already signed with any other Companies or Catalogs. Any sync fees will be split 50/50 with the Company. 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 as many Instrumental Cues as you'd like, 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 Sunday, May 26th, 2019.  TAXI #Y190526FK

[cassmcentee]

Really well done and most likely would have been forwarded
Great job on building the sections

I do think you can improve on it while you have the time...
There isn't any space/breath when the breakdown starts.
You could push it back a bit letting the previous section have a false ending that fades into the breakdown
Also lose the Tambo through the breakdown as it hurts the rhythm/feel, doesn't help there

The clap sample doesn't work for me, especially at the end when you can really hear them.
Take a few minutes to track your own claps (put them in a file to be used for future tunes) and you will get a better LIVE sound
Then you will have the freedom to pan them out a bit wider

The cymbal hits at the end stood out to me, they didn't feel like they were placed where and how a drummer would play them
Sometimes they were right and in other places I caught myself saying "why isn't there one right here"

Anyways... Spot On for Commercial Appeal
Cheers,
Cass

[ChrisW]

Hey Casey great cue man - really great vibe - spot on for the listing.

I listened then read Cass's comments and I agree re the claps and the tambo in the breakdown.

I think when it starts to get loopy sounding you automatically lose that 'linear progression' feel.

When I record claps I do one take then copy it two more times and slide one forward and one back so every hit combo is unique.

You got it there though - no doubt and remember you can check what was forwarded for that listing on the Taxi Forward Blog,

Listen to Cass - his feedback really helped me get a forward recently!

Great start - well done!

Chris

[CaseyK]

Really well done and most likely would have been forwarded
Great job on building the sections

I do think you can improve on it while you have the time...
There isn't any space/breath when the breakdown starts.
You could push it back a bit letting the previous section have a false ending that fades into the breakdown
Also lose the Tambo through the breakdown as it hurts the rhythm/feel, doesn't help there

The clap sample doesn't work for me, especially at the end when you can really hear them.
Take a few minutes to track your own claps (put them in a file to be used for future tunes) and you will get a better LIVE sound
Then you will have the freedom to pan them out a bit wider

The cymbal hits at the end stood out to me, they didn't feel like they were placed where and how a drummer would play them
Sometimes they were right and in other places I caught myself saying "why isn't there one right here"

Anyways... Spot On for Commercial Appeal
Cheers,
Cass

Hey Cass sorry for my delay in responding. I was super thankful and encouraged by your feedback here! I'm glad you said something about the claps especially. Those claps actually were recorded live and then looped, so HUGE red flag there hahaha!! Listening to the track now, they definitely do sound sampled. Anyway thank you for taking your time to help a newbie out! It was a great way to be welcomed into the Taxi family.

-Casey

[CaseyK]

Hey Casey great cue man - really great vibe - spot on for the listing.

I listened then read Cass's comments and I agree re the claps and the tambo in the breakdown.

I think when it starts to get loopy sounding you automatically lose that 'linear progression' feel.

When I record claps I do one take then copy it two more times and slide one forward and one back so every hit combo is unique.

You got it there though - no doubt and remember you can check what was forwarded for that listing on the Taxi Forward Blog,

Listen to Cass - his feedback really helped me get a forward recently!

Great start - well done!

Chris

Hey Chris! Thanks so much for your feedback! I had no clue there was a page with forwards like that. What a helpful resource! Gonna be frequenting that page for sure. That's a great idea with sliding the claps a bit too by the way. I'll definitely give that a shot next time I have clap track going. Thanks again!

-Casey