Chillout return... off target

[lunaumbra]

Hi everyone.

I had three pieces returned for the below listing, all off target (only box checked). I have been trying to develop a more discerning ear to understand a genre by listening to the Ala's, but I must be overlooking some basic tenets.

I am trying to understand what I could have done to make these on target... am I even in the "ball park"?

I'm okay with the returns, but if anyone could take a listen to one or more of the pieces, I would welcome your thoughts about any aspect.

Thanks.

Ric

Fourth Of Wednesday
Low Impact
To the Show
http://www.taxi.com/ralyttle

http://soundcloud.com/riclyttle

Y120718CI

CHILLOUT INSTRUMENTALS in the style of "Moon Safari" by Air, Zero 7, Blockhead, etc., needed by boutique independent music library that specializes in Film/TV. Instrumentals submitted MUST have an engaging and intellectual quality similar to the referenced artists. INNOVATIVE instrumentation, CREATIVE programming skills, and super cool arrangements are a must have for this one! THINK: LAID-BACK grooves and melodies that can provide a perfect sophisticated DREAMY/ATMOSPHERIC quality to a scene. NO samples from other artists' work - MUST be original material. NO fade outs, BUTTON ENDINGS needed for this request. They offer a 50/50 split on sync and performance. Great instrumental performances are essential for this listing. NO VOCALS - Instrumentals ONLY! All submissions need to be Broadcast Quality (excellent home recordings are fine). You must own or control 100% of your master and composition. Please submit one to three instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Wednesday, July 18, 2012. TAXI #Y120718CI

[andygabrys]

Hi Ric,

my 2 cents. take with salt please!

keep in mind that the Y/N critiques aren't necessarily gospel when it comes to detailing what is wrong.

just had a quick listen to your three pieces - and skipped through Moon Safari by Air - since that was the first reference.

Thinking of the brief - engaging and intellectual, dreamy. The Air album has really interesting sounds and textures, the melodies might have a little dissonance at times, and even though the drums might be canned (who knows) they still have a nice space in the mix, and in general they are a little brighter.

I think you are part way there. I think in general, your instrumentations are a little thick and are a little static, lacking the innovative arrangements that they are looking for. You could work more on your mix to highlight the things that you have got already, and considering cutting / mangling some of the other sounds to make things interesting.

Fourth of Wednesday might be a little thick instrumentation wise.

Low Impact - could be more minimal, but mostly there is a loud woodblock / clap / digital artifact on Beat 1 of every bar that takes you out of the space.

To the show - started off sounding a little more acoustic than chillout / electronica.

HTH

[lunaumbra]

Hi Andy.

Thanks for your insight and solid assessment... much appreciated.

Ric

[tordenspyd]

Hi Ric

I only offer one single subjective opinion, you should be skeptical to how valuable that is.

I did not submit to this listing myself. I make some music I consider chillout. I have listened to many tracks by all the referenced artists. In my case my general concept of the genre, the quality of the reference artists and the listings description of the qualities they want are not coherent. So I have problems. It should be difficult for the screener too, I still trust s/he is in the best position to evaluate what the boutique owner want.

I listened to your tracks. I think 'Low Impact' scored best In terms of best fit to the genre. It feels right.
One particular thing that could be enough to get it returned is the build you make. Build is fine, but change of mood seems to be a risk when the listing asks for one particular mood.

'Fourth of Wednesday', scored worst, it does not feel like contemporary chill out. It sounds dated. The comping on the piano would typically be much more sparse (not implying you can not break the norm ) The chords also seems old fashioned. (again not implying you can not use them ). The drums fits the piece, but have usually more appeal ( either super sound, unusual crunchy sounds, or some refinement )

'To the show' is more of pop tune backing, But it may be marketed as chill out if other tunes of the artist seem to fit best in chill out. Some of the reference artists tracks may be like that. The track may not sufficiently promote a dreamy/athmospheric mood as required.? This track could have other possibilities.

[mikeymike2000]

I Tried to listen but they are not on sound cloud and would not play in your Taxi.

[lunaumbra]

Tordenspyd, thanks for the listen and comments... I always welcome constructive feedback.

Mike.. I'm sorry that you had some problems, but I appreciate your efforts. Fourth of Wed isn't on Soundcloud, sorry about that. I occasionally have trouble playing songs on the TAXI home page myself... perhaps my file size is suspect... I'll check it out.

Ric

[Russell Landwehr]

Hi Ric.

I would define Chillout music as modern soft jazz with a VERY sparse chord progression and nice syncopation between the bass and drums and not much melody (if any at all). An important part of Chillout instrumentation is the electric piano.

Like tordenspyd said, I think your songs were stylistic off target for Chillout but might be able to get forwards in other listings.

I would really like to find out what DID get forwarded on this listing.

like tordenspyd said:

(regarding the listing) ... my general concept of the genre, the quality of the reference artists and the listings description of the qualities they want are not coherent. So I have problems. It should be difficult for the screener too, I still trust s/he is in the best position to evaluate what the boutique owner want.

.

When that listing came up, the a-la's seemed to be several DIFFERENT particular niches in Chillout. But not what would be considered mainstream Chillout.

I considered writing and submitting for this listing myself, but after listening to the not-really-chillout of the a-la's, I moved on.

rl