Bitter Words about TAXI, So I've Heard...

[fallan]

hi,I dont disagree with the comments here that Taxi does a great job but like most companies they aint "perfect"I sent a song to Taxi for a critique( I had written it in the late 70s and had two minor covers with it).The song had recently been re-recorded but still had essentially that 70s disco feel. The critique I had back was constructive but said it still sounded like a song from the 70s and I should look again at this. Now thats fine but Ive noticed in some of the listings they send me that some publishers and record companies were looking for that 70s disco sound so I feel that should have been mentioned in the critique of the song.

[philasonic]

One of the things I've noticed most about hopeful songwriters, is that they don't apply much self scrutiny. Everything they create is various levels of good and great.They typically understand about having preferences, liking some things, not liking other things. They also usually understand about the perception of quality and artfulness, and that some things seem to be better than others.But they simply do not apply that same logic and reason to themselves. They are all too eager to settle for "good enough" and so proud to show their creation to anyone who'll pay attention.Friends and family don't tell you that your music sucks, or needs work, or is OK at best. They like you, and they want to say something nice. Occasionally someone may be brutally honest, or even just partially honest.It's not like getting feedback from someone who doesn't know you, or care about your feelings, or about preserving an interpersonal relationship.It's a lot like "do these pants make my butt look big?". Everyone knows what the answer is supposed to be, so they almost never say "why yes, it makes your butt look VERY big indeed". Taxi, by the nature of it's course of business, is supposed to tell you that your butt looks big, if your butt looks big. Metaphorically speaking, of course. This type of songwriter does not seek truth or honest critique. They only want affirmation of what the internally believe already. Anything other than that is just negativity that they will choose to shrug off.This is in addition to the fact that listings are seeking something specific, which makes the playing field even narrower for that narrow mind.Once you can be honest with yourself, you can easily handle other people being honest with you. You can take their advice and find useful things, and discard any personal preference elements if you wish. Just keep in mind that you are pitching songs to fit a specific request, not just to see if someone likes your music. There is a pretty big difference, it's not really that subtle.Peace, Love, Respect, and Unity ...phil

[flood]

Well said Phil.I think we have all been at that point, sometime.We would all love to be the instant genius who needs no improvement, to be the next Lennon or McCartney and pile up accolades and cash.But we're not. We may get to a place of esteem, but only with a certain level of work and introspection.Because if we were already at that level, taxi would be unneccesary. The labels would have heard the echoes of greatness, or the agents would have, or the publishers would have.I think that level of greatness is nearly impossible to hide. It refuses to be silenced, so to speak.For the rest of us, there is Taxi, where we can move at the pace of mere humans and improve our craft.

[normbowler]

I tried Taxi, and it didn't work for me, so I think I might have something of interest to add to this discussion. Especially since I have nothing against Taxi, and think it's a great company that does what it claims.My 2-year membership in Taxi did not work for me for a couple reasons --1. I didn't submit often enough. I did a burst of submissions at the beginning, slacked off (got lazy), then repeated the pattern my second year. Had I been more dedicated and disciplined, I might have either found a match for what I was offering, or learned how to tailor my music for the market. I did neither.2. I was not interested in writing or revising my work for the market. I am the standard misunderstood genius navel-gazing singer-songwriter type. I'm in my 40's and have been doing this for 25 years. When I write and record a song, I usually hit what I am aiming at, and if I don't I have a clear opinion of where I fell short. I know what I want to do as an artist and a writer, and hope to find an interested pool of listeners. But I'm not interested in shaping my artistic output to the needs of the market. Which is fine -- that's my choice. But if you want to sell, it's a good idea to sell what people want to buyNow on the other hand, if you turn those points on their heads:1A. Submit more often. Not scattershot -- only submit when it is a good fit -- but check the listings every month and submit what fits.2A. Be open to change. Act on screener advice and put together alternate versions of songs, or try to write more directly to current market requirements.The people who follow that advice -- the folks who do what I did not do -- are likely to have excellent results. Remember, hard work can be substituted for telent as long as you have at least *some* talent.Best wishes to Taxi and her passengers! I still believe, though I no longer follow.misunderstood genius music here : http://www.normbowler.comnb

[4ever2b]

Well I'm new here as well .. I'm a composer from Montreal who has just signed up to Taxi , I however wish I did sooner even if that doesn't mean I'm gonna get Licensing deals ..However I do believe that music speaks for itself , so I don't see somebody having decent music not succeeding ..Even not so great music is used for all types of commercial uses for different reasons to sell a product I have been pretty lucky with me racking my brain in craiglist to get opportunities that have paid some decent dividends I'll keep trying to knock at the doors of any opportunity that comes my way ..Live fast Die hard !!Nyki Lindsay Kinghttp://www.myspace.com/nykilindsaykinghttp://w ... spx?ID=385

[slideboardouts]

Sept 26, 2008, 4:16pm, normbowler wrote:I tried Taxi, and it didn't work for me, so I think I might have something of interest to add to this discussion. Especially since I have nothing against Taxi, and think it's a great company that does what it claims.My 2-year membership in Taxi did not work for me for a couple reasons --1. I didn't submit often enough. I did a burst of submissions at the beginning, slacked off (got lazy), then repeated the pattern my second year. Had I been more dedicated and disciplined, I might have either found a match for what I was offering, or learned how to tailor my music for the market. I did neither.2. I was not interested in writing or revising my work for the market. I am the standard misunderstood genius navel-gazing singer-songwriter type. I'm in my 40's and have been doing this for 25 years. When I write and record a song, I usually hit what I am aiming at, and if I don't I have a clear opinion of where I fell short. I know what I want to do as an artist and a writer, and hope to find an interested pool of listeners. But I'm not interested in shaping my artistic output to the needs of the market. Which is fine -- that's my choice. But if you want to sell, it's a good idea to sell what people want to buyNow on the other hand, if you turn those points on their heads:1A. Submit more often. Not scattershot -- only submit when it is a good fit -- but check the listings every month and submit what fits.2A. Be open to change. Act on screener advice and put together alternate versions of songs, or try to write more directly to current market requirements.The people who follow that advice -- the folks who do what I did not do -- are likely to have excellent results. Remember, hard work can be substituted for telent as long as you have at least *some* talent.Best wishes to Taxi and her passengers! I still believe, though I no longer follow.misunderstood genius music here : http://www.normbowler.comnbThis is a good post. I think that people who have bitter words about TAXI do exactly this, and then get angry.Very nice and level-headed post nb! -SteveP.S. I liked "Cycles."

[flood]

NB,This is, perhaps, the most telling, important, and honest post of this thread.You simultaneously acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, and the strengths and weaknesses with Taix from your perspective.And you illustrate that the two aren't necessarily mortal enemies.Thank you for that perspective.

[mojobone]

Sept 26, 2008, 4:16pm, normbowler wrote:I tried Taxi, and it didn't work for me, so I think I might have something of interest to add to this discussion. Especially since I have nothing against Taxi, and think it's a great company that does what it claims.My 2-year membership in Taxi did not work for me for a couple reasons --1. I didn't submit often enough. I did a burst of submissions at the beginning, slacked off (got lazy), then repeated the pattern my second year. Had I been more dedicated and disciplined, I might have either found a match for what I was offering, or learned how to tailor my music for the market. I did neither.2. I was not interested in writing or revising my work for the market. I am the standard misunderstood genius navel-gazing singer-songwriter type. I'm in my 40's and have been doing this for 25 years. When I write and record a song, I usually hit what I am aiming at, and if I don't I have a clear opinion of where I fell short. I know what I want to do as an artist and a writer, and hope to find an interested pool of listeners. But I'm not interested in shaping my artistic output to the needs of the market. Which is fine -- that's my choice. But if you want to sell, it's a good idea to sell what people want to buyNow on the other hand, if you turn those points on their heads:1A. Submit more often. Not scattershot -- only submit when it is a good fit -- but check the listings every month and submit what fits.2A. Be open to change. Act on screener advice and put together alternate versions of songs, or try to write more directly to current market requirements.The people who follow that advice -- the folks who do what I did not do -- are likely to have excellent results. Remember, hard work can be substituted for telent as long as you have at least *some* talent.Best wishes to Taxi and her passengers! I still believe, though I no longer follow.misunderstood genius music here : http://www.normbowler.comnbA major talent, there,whether recognized or no. We may all be vessels of divinity, but we are not all destined for commercial success.IMO, normbowler is already a success.

[matto]

Yeah I agree, superb post by Norm...and by philasonic also. Thank you guys for your contributions. You too flood, you've contributed some real great posts. I don't always have time to comment, but:It's a pleasure to have you all here. matto

[laserdog]

Thisis reply to an email I got from TAXI today "BITTER WORDS". I joined Taxi in it's inception back in the 90's. I got a number of various reviews and a few forwards. and then one day I got a call from the people i was forwarded to DSM Publishers who do alot of work with TAXI.To the negative comment against TAXI you must remember there is a lot of competition out there and you must realize that you may not be the best composer, and you need some work on your music. I for one enjoyed my time with TAXI and they got my music to a library that has made me money... and every dollar I spent on TAXI, maybe 2 years worth, maybe more, i consider myself lucky (membership is tax deductible remember)....... I think , wait i know it was worth every dollar for my membership. And am joining again after many years gone by because there is even more of a market for Film & T.V. music.You just have to be patient and write good material. TAXI is not a ripp-off, they promise nothing, but hope you get what you deserve. Just a last note I hope Rachel does do the write up on me in the OCT.'08 Transmitter as she told me. TAXI - YOU ROCK. maybe it's because I write good music and you treated me well. You newbies must remember this biz has no certainy in it, you must be in the right place at the right time, and have the right music for the moment. www.laserdog.comThank You; Taxi I am coming back for more.....Jason Bush