Alternative rock/shoegaze/post-rock cues listing

[Phuovine]

This is the listing I've been most excited about for now. I had to finish up and submit the tracks today as I have to leave for a work trip tomorrow. I should be sleeping now!

Here's the listing:
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Lots of INDIE/ALTERNATIVE ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES (in a wide range of styles) are needed by an EXCLUSIVE Music Library that's landed a ton of placements for TAXI members, including a BIG TV commercial, just recently.

This Library is on the hunt for Instrumental Cues that could be found on a playlist with these references:

"(Druun)" by DIIV

"Last Known Surroundings" by Explosions In The Sky

"Intro" by Warpaint

"Momo" by bdrmm

Please submit well-crafted Indie/Alternative Rock Instrumental Cues that could be heard on a playlist with the references! This Company is looking for a wide range of tracks here, so anything stylistically that falls in the ballpark of Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Shoegaze, Garage Rock, Post Rock, Emo Rock, etc. could all potentially work! Engaging rhythms, excellent musicianship, captivating motifs, and dynamic arrangements with lots of forward development are all needed here. Instrumentation in the general stylistic ballpark of the references will work best. Please make sure that any virtual instruments or samples you use are high-quality, very realistic, and genre-appropriate.

All submissions should clock in around 2 minutes, give or take. Non-Faded, Button/Stinger endings will work best for this request. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.
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And then the part I'm worried about as a Taxi noob with NO previous experience in sync licensing:
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TAXI Tip: This Company is interested in working with artists, writers, and composers with previous experience with production music libraries, who will be in it for the long haul, and are willing to do a 10 track album with them. That said, we recommend submitting (at least) 2-3 Songs per submission so they can get a good feel for your material.
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I had a hard time keeping away from making actual songs and not all my submissions meet the general guidelines of a good cue. Some are more faithful to the actual genre and its conventions. The listing is also pretty vague about the specific genre and style although the reference tracks are quite well in line with each other. I was snooping around to find the edges of the sandbox so to speak

I made my last track today and tried really hard to keep the reference tracks and cue requirements in my mind. I think I'm not too far off the sandbox:
https://www.taxi.com/members/jnb8FmKdQC ... -and-sweet

I would be very interested to hear your submissions to this listing! Maybe I'll find some kindred spirits!

[telefunkin]

Another excellent submission! Well done!

With submissions of this quality my advice would be to learn all you can about working with music libraries very quickly, so that even if its all new to you, you'll understand what is likely to be required. I don't think it will be very long before your music is forwarded and you'll be offered library deals.

Here's a brief (but not exhaustive) checklist of typical things:
- are you a member of a PRO?
- are all your co-writers (if any) members of a PRO?
- do you have signed 'work for hire' agreements for any other contributors?
- are you easily contactable by email and responsive?
- can you make more tracks similar to any particular submission, and do so within a reasonable time period, even if that's a 10-12 track album?
- are you happy to respond to library requests for any track edits and changes they might request?
- are you comfortable with re-mastering to whatever their spec might be (eg -12LUFS long term)?
- are you comfortable with providing 24bit 48kHz wav or aiff files?
- are you comfortable providing stems, various alternative mixes (eg underscore, bass and drums, no lead) and cut-downs (eg 30s, 10s and sting)?
- are you happy to provide metadata on spreadsheets (eg writers, IPI, key, bpm, genre, sub genre, mood, keywords, instruments)?
- are you comfortable checking through library contracts and their typical terminology?
- can you digitally sign and initial documents such as contracts?
- are you happy to sign non-exclusive and exclusive deals?
- are you happy to sign away your copyright in exchange for a 50% share in each track's earnings?

If all of that is no problem for you then you'll be fine. If there's anything you don't understand or might stumble on it would be to your advantage to work it out as soon as you can.
Best of luck you .

[Phuovine]

Thanks telefunkin!

Most things on the list are in order but I have questions about a few.

- are you happy to provide metadata on spreadsheets (eg writers, IPI, key, bpm, genre, sub genre, mood, keywords, instruments)?

Spreadsheet? A digital form you fill out? I might have to look for some typical moods.

- are you comfortable checking through library contracts and their typical terminology?

This is my least comfortable zone as I'm sure the contracts are full of various terms in english. If the company works with Taxi it's reliable? Is it ok to run the contracts through this forum (without sensitive details of course)?

- can you digitally sign and initial documents such as contracts

In Finland I can. Not sure what methods/services you use over there. Shouldn't be a problem if one has an internet connection?

I wanna be ready if someone contacts me. Though I guess they won't phone me because I'm on a totally different time zone

[telefunkin]

- are you happy to provide metadata on spreadsheets (eg writers, IPI, key, bpm, genre, sub genre, mood, keywords, instruments)?
Spreadsheet? A digital form you fill out? I might have to look for some typical moods.

That's correct. Libraries have various ways of asking you for information but spreadsheet is a common method. Its just entering information in boxes so I'm sure you'll find it easy.
BTW if you ever need help finding keywords/moods there's always this from long-time Taxi member Casey.....
need-help-with-tagging-your-tracks-t152496.html#p618464

- are you comfortable checking through library contracts and their typical terminology?
This is my least comfortable zone as I'm sure the contracts are full of various terms in english. If the company works with Taxi it's reliable? Is it ok to run the contracts through this forum (without sensitive details of course)?

Taxi say that they check libraries are 'legit' before running their listings, but that doesn't mean they check contracts. It is possible that you could object to contract terms, although its unlikely that a library would change a contract just for one person so in that case you would probably lose the offer. I would suggest seeking a typical library contract to be aware of what you might see and the terminology used. Otherwise you could seek advice from a someone who is familiar with music library contracts (not easy to find). What I would advise against (for several reasons) is posting any contract details on this or any other forum (absolutely do not mention names or cut/paste any text), although you could discuss things in general terms. You might also find some help here...
https://www.youtube.com/@TaxiIndependen ... =contracts

- can you digitally sign and initial documents such as contracts
In Finland I can. Not sure what methods/services you use over there. Shouldn't be a problem if one has an internet connection?

With some libraries it can be as simple as as opening a PDF document, typing in your name and selecting a font that looks like your signature. Others require you to use a digital copy of your signature and/or initials that you put in place on documents and save a new version. I use a simple image processing app to that when needed. Of course, that requires that I've scanned my signature and initials and saved them as transparent gif files. Its worth having things like that prepared just in case, although you might never need it.

Sorry for the crash-course on dealing with libraries but I'm sure it won't be long before you encounter all these things, so its best to be ready.

[Casey H]

Hi Pekka

This Company is interested in working with artists, writers, and composers with previous experience with production music libraries

Kudos to Graham (telefunkin) for the great crash course on working with libraries! However (not meant in any attacking way), the fact that you need this info and probably more, means that this is not a listing you should submit to. The words above are in the listing for a reason. The library doesn't want to deal with folks who do not have production library experience. If you've already submitted, just see what happens. But keep in mind in the future to read listings carefully and be sure you and your tracks meet the requirements.

Best of luck!
Casey

[Phuovine]

I have to start somewhere. I read the listing very carefully (it was me who pointed out that bit in the listing) but took the chance because the genre was so fitting for me. I certainly hope this kind of stuff doesn't prevent Taxi from forwarding otherwise eligible tracks (not saying mine automatically are). Seems like such a waste. I submitted five tracks to show I mean serious business.

I've also prepared for this by watching tons of Taxi TV and reading this forum. I've also made sure my web presence is up to date and even made a website dedicated to sync licensing where I at least try to bring up the fact that I'm not new in music. Just sync. I will still have to do more but that's fine.