Artist forward

[ancientorange]

You are awesome folks. Thanks. That is what I'll be doing. Haning in....

[slideboardouts]

Jul 24, 2008, 3:03pm, tedsingingfox wrote:Jul 24, 2008, 2:53pm, ancientorange wrote:Thanks Steve. Put that way it makes sense. Also a thanks to Orest. I looked at the rules and that is indeed a no-no. Had no idea. And Reggie, yes it would be nice to get the email so you know that you are no longer waiting. I get that. It seems like Taxi could have someone send a note to them that they could forward on that says "rejected" or something. Or, provide a time frame. Tell the labels that if the members are not contacted in 90 days that we have an understanding that they are not interested. Anyway, to those that actually answered the post, thank you for your input. I will put it to use.But that's also incorrect. There are MANY, MANY cases (almost all of which are posted on these boards) of people hearing back from the publisher/library/etc. 12-15 months...MONTHS...after the forward, and sometimes even 3 yrs after the original forward. You've done your job (so far) by creating music good enough ("great" enough) to get past the screeners and into the hands of the listing party. At this point, sitting and praying and WAITING is the last thing you ought to want to do.The mantra around here is simple and smart...write, submit, repeat...Don't wait around for anything. Just write more music and get it into "the pipeline". AS many here have stated, repeatedly...This is not a sprint. It's a marathon.TedVery true...don't sit and pray lol.Pray that you will get the deal, but don't just sit around doing nothing while you're praying. Keep writing and keep submitting. I've had about three tracks (one was a co-write) that were forwarded to a really high bar listing where the producer from the label screened the submissions himself but I'm not waiting for his call. I'm submitting those same tracks to other promising listings as well as writing a ton of new ones. Keep pluggin' away.-Steve

[davewalton]

Jul 24, 2008, 12:16pm, ancientorange wrote:Hello all.Well, I was forwarded yet again to a label ( but again have heard nothing ). Is it ok to contact these places after the forward? Should you do that at some point to refresh their memory? Or, do you just sit and pray?Thanks for any help.Definitely no. Here's the only three scenerio's that really exist...1. They haven't listened yet2. They've listened and decided (for whatever reason) to pass3. They've listened and like it and they want to make you a dealRegarding items #1 and #2, what are you going to say on the phone that will change either one of those? Regarding item #3... if they want your music, you'll definitely know... you won't be able to get rid of them. Just keep submitting music, getting forwards, etc. Do the "ground work" that gets you music in front of these people and let the results happen, which they will anyway and usually when you least expect it. Dave

[clanmorgan]

Great advice from Dave... and the also the others comments on continue writing... early on I made the mistake of having high hopes for that phone call or e-mail onmy early Forwards.... now I just submit and keep on writing !!!

[mewman]

Hey A OI've been plugging away at Taxi for a couple of years and have asked the same question. It's hard not to pick up the phone and try to get some kind of definite answer from someone you've been forwarded to. Don't give up, though. Just keep writing and submitting.I just got my first deal offer from a music library! I was beginning to wonder if I was wasting my time, if Taxi was worth it, was I worth it, etc., Then BANG... there it was in my e-mail. All of a sudden the clouds parted, and the angels began to sing... and let me tell you, that is one sweet tune! Hang in there, man. There's are deals out there just waiting for you to claim, and when you find them they are going to feel really good, trust me!Mewman

[ibanez468]

Yep! What they said! That's what I'm doin'. Congratulations BTW!I-468

[ancientorange]

Jul 25, 2008, 6:00am, mewman wrote:Hey A OI've been plugging away at Taxi for a couple of years and have asked the same question. It's hard not to pick up the phone and try to get some kind of definite answer from someone you've been forwarded to. Don't give up, though. Just keep writing and submitting.I just got my first deal offer from a music library! I was beginning to wonder if I was wasting my time, if Taxi was worth it, was I worth it, etc., Then BANG... there it was in my e-mail. All of a sudden the clouds parted, and the angels began to sing... and let me tell you, that is one sweet tune! Hang in there, man. There's are deals out there just waiting for you to claim, and when you find them they are going to feel really good, trust me!MewmanYes, but it seems this is what most of you are looking for, and, all that Taxi may be useful for. I am not really using Taxi for the movie, tv, video game thing. I have had success with that on my own. I am really only interested in the artist/label thing. A whole different kind of thing really. This was the purpose of my question. I am not really curious what a video game developer thought etc., or, have the interest to call and see what they thought. Know what I mean? I guess the reason I was curious on should I call or not was because it is a different kind of beast. But again, after reading the rules of Taxi - I see that we are not supposed to anyway.After reading through all the forums I think I have found that this Taxi thing is really a great place for the type of submissions that you have mentioned. But for what I am using it for - Taxi has just not had much success. Does not mean it is the fault of Taxi. All of us guys looking for a record deal may not have the goods (strange that Taxi has not helped make the improvements needed to get bands signed though - I think that is the purpose of the screening right? Suggest improvements? The improvements don't seem to be working either. And what do you do when they really don't suggest an improvement? They forward - you hear nothing. Well, something must have been missing but they have no suggestions on what to change. They thought it was good enough to forward.). I am sure that there are a few people with 2000 postings that will write in on how it is all the Artist and not Taxi. I am just realizing that Taxi is not getting bands signed. So, I thought maybe I should call, do a follow up kind of thing. Maybe that would help. Maybe the "Record Deal" needs something more than the tv soundtrack. Who knows. It is such a tough market. I don't think Taxi even knows. I had a critique that said "Find a listing for a band like Train - you would be great in that market with these songs - you are a great band and you will get a forward". So, I submit to a listing for Train, same songs.... RETURNED. So anyway, to the posting generals... this is not a bashing of Taxi. I think they have one service that seems to be fantastic!!As always, thanks for the input. All of this helps in figuring out what Taxi is really good for. I really appreciate it.

[reggiesnd1]

Jul 24, 2008, 3:35pm, kg wrote:Jul 24, 2008, 3:03pm, tedsingingfox wrote:This is not a sprint. It's a marathon.TedExactly. Hang in there Keep doing what you do.True.... but why run when you dont even know if you are on the right coarse you might be going the wrong direction.... To me my music is like my children yes one day they will be grown out the door and doing their own thing but daddy still want to know whats going on with them... but worring about it aint going to make it come any faster just keep doing your thing

[slideboardouts]

Jul 26, 2008, 10:12am, ancientorange wrote:Jul 25, 2008, 6:00am, mewman wrote:Hey A OI've been plugging away at Taxi for a couple of years and have asked the same question. It's hard not to pick up the phone and try to get some kind of definite answer from someone you've been forwarded to. Don't give up, though. Just keep writing and submitting.I just got my first deal offer from a music library! I was beginning to wonder if I was wasting my time, if Taxi was worth it, was I worth it, etc., Then BANG... there it was in my e-mail. All of a sudden the clouds parted, and the angels began to sing... and let me tell you, that is one sweet tune! Hang in there, man. There's are deals out there just waiting for you to claim, and when you find them they are going to feel really good, trust me!MewmanYes, but it seems this is what most of you are looking for, and, all that Taxi may be useful for. I am not really using Taxi for the movie, tv, video game thing. I have had success with that on my own. I am really only interested in the artist/label thing. A whole different kind of thing really. This was the purpose of my question. I am not really curious what a video game developer thought etc., or, have the interest to call and see what they thought. Know what I mean? I guess the reason I was curious on should I call or not was because it is a different kind of beast. But again, after reading the rules of Taxi - I see that we are not supposed to anyway.After reading through all the forums I think I have found that this Taxi thing is really a great place for the type of submissions that you have mentioned. But for what I am using it for - Taxi has just not had much success. Does not mean it is the fault of Taxi. All of us guys looking for a record deal may not have the goods (strange that Taxi has not helped make the improvements needed to get bands signed though - I think that is the purpose of the screening right? Suggest improvements? The improvements don't seem to be working either. And what do you do when they really don't suggest an improvement? They forward - you hear nothing. Well, something must have been missing but they have no suggestions on what to change. They thought it was good enough to forward.). I am sure that there are a few people with 2000 postings that will write in on how it is all the Artist and not Taxi. I am just realizing that Taxi is not getting bands signed. So, I thought maybe I should call, do a follow up kind of thing. Maybe that would help. Maybe the "Record Deal" needs something more than the tv soundtrack. Who knows. It is such a tough market. I don't think Taxi even knows. I had a critique that said "Find a listing for a band like Train - you would be great in that market with these songs - you are a great band and you will get a forward". So, I submit to a listing for Train, same songs.... RETURNED. So anyway, to the posting generals... this is not a bashing of Taxi. I think they have one service that seems to be fantastic!!As always, thanks for the input. All of this helps in figuring out what Taxi is really good for. I really appreciate it.Actually, bands have been signed through TAXI...on both indie labels and major labels I believe. Crossfade was signed from a TAXI forward and had a platinum selling album too I think.The real problem is that there aren't nearly as many opportunities for artists/bands in the music industry as there are for composers doing film and television. There is just a lot more music needed for film and television than there is for music aimed solely at consumers (bands and artists). The competition is pretty stiff too. Even if you get signed as a band or artist to a label, I'd be willing to bet that you still only have a 10% chance at success. Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 bands from my city who were signed to major labels, recorded an album with big name rock producers, toured their butts off, and ended up going nowhere. The artist/band route is just plain hard whether you are pursuing it through TAXI or not.Good luck,Steve

[sgs4u]

Jul 28, 2008, 10:43am, slideboardouts wrote:The competition is pretty stiff too. Even if you get signed as a band or artist to a label, I'd be willing to bet that you still only have a 10% chance at success. Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 bands from my city who were signed to major labels, recorded an album with big name rock producers, toured their butts off, and ended up going nowhere. The artist/band route is just plain hard whether you are pursuing it through TAXI or not.Good luck,SteveSteve's post is really on the money. But I would think that 10% chance of success with a label, is incredibly optimistic. I'd fathom the odds of success with a label, are much lower - even less than 1%. To me success with a label means paying back the money the label invests in you before the recoupables kill you. All guys named Steve are smart.