Does TAXI have a responsibility to stand up for us

[coxnvox]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Michael. The bottom line for me, and it is one which I probably should have made more clear from the outset, is that I can't imagine a bigger fan of TAXI than myself. Of the 20 or so critiques I've had in the past 10 months, almost all of them have been right on and have helped me improve not only the particular song critiqued, but my songwriting in general.I think I'm finding that my niche is straightforward popular songs, the marriage of melody and lyric, and I don't mind writing 1000 of those just for the slim chance that one of them might someday really resonate with a wide audience. I might not renew my Dispatch membership, but my TAXI membership will be in full force for many years to come.Later and thanks to all,kerry

[jeffe]

Quote:Quote:Does TAXI have a responsibility to stand up for usNo Ditto.

[coxnvox]

Quote:Quote:No Ditto.It seems that Michael would disagree with you both to some extent, because he points out that they DO filter out listings that they don't feel would be beneficial to members, and that was the original thrust of my subject heading.Later,kerry

[Casey H]

Quote:Quote:Ditto.It seems that Michael would disagree with you both to some extent, because he points out that they DO filter out listings that they don't feel would be beneficial to members, and that was the original thrust of my subject heading.Later,kerryKerryI was answering in the context that there are many opportunities out there which might be revenue negative to themselves. Some don't mind this, since they want the exposure. And even when some opportunities are revenue negative, you have to view it all as to how it impacts your long term career over at least a few years. So, in a way, M.L. and I were saying the same thing. I was just very terse. I mistook your post as where you were coming from with your question- thought it was another "TAXI is the Devil" rant... I see a lot of those... My bad...Wishing you the best, Casey

[davewalton]

Quote:It seems that Michael would disagree with you both to some extent, because he points out that they DO filter out listings that they don't feel would be beneficial to members, and that was the original thrust of my subject heading.I'll admit that I totally missed the point when I first read it and those guys might have read it the way I did originally. Taxi does have a responsibility for the quality of the listings. I turned down a Taxi deal last year because the specifics of the contract weren't anything like the specifics of the listing. I forwarded that information to Taxi, they were surprised and not very happy about the "switcheroo" between the listing and the contract details. I'm confident that the listing party in question isn't going to be showing up in Taxi listings anymore and I'm more than satisfied with that. As an aside, in kind of a bizarre twist, because they (a film company) had sent me an offer via email, I was on their email list when they sent a "the film is done, go look at our trailer" email. On a whim I went and watched the trailer and was a little more than surprised to hear my music track being used exclusively as the music for their trailer. I sent them a nice email, copying Taxi, and pointed out the facts of the situation, particularly in regards to silly things like me turning down their deal and copyright issues on music used without an agreement. They were good Joes in that I received a sheepish email with apologies and the trailer was immediately removed.I did get several emails from Taxi, asking to be kept in the loop, etc. The overall tone was that I could hopefully get this straighted out myself, but that if I couldn't and if I insisted, I believe they would have offered to intervene in some way. They're certainly not looking to jump into a fray like this but I believe that if push comes to shove, that Taxi will side with the Taxi member and if necessary, offer more than moral support.That kind of thing doesn't get much press but it was worth mentioning because it really backs up and goes beyond what Michael was saying.Dave

[jeffe]

Quote:Quote:Ditto.It seems that Michael would disagree with you both to some extent, because he points out that they DO filter out listings that they don't feel would be beneficial to members, and that was the original thrust of my subject heading.Later,kerryTAXI claim to be very fussy about these things if you read the literature on their site. However, the odd one will slip through every now and again. That's to be expected. It's us people that TAXI rely on to help them vet these companies by encouraging us to shout about our experiences. Good and bad. This forum being a good place because TAXI do monitor it.TAXI also like it if members actually send them an email with their suggestions. Also. Us guys like to inject a little subtle humour, even into serious subjects. Unfortunately, not everybody gets it.

[gitarrero]

well I think the music industry is simply a quick-changing industry - almost everybody in the industry has to deal with this fact.so let's find creative ways and possibilities to be (or stay) a part in that industry, if this is realy your goal - 'cause there ARE ways; they just change or transform from time to time.

[stick]

I just want to know where you can get session guys for $25 an hour!I guess that's the trickle down effect too... if you're only making $150 the session guys can't make what they're worth either.

[coxnvox]

Quote:I just want to know where you can get session guys for $25 an hour!I guess that's the trickle down effect too... if you're only making $150 the session guys can't make what they're worth either. Well, the trick is to get guys who are really good but are still working at Starbucks...$25/hr and a good lunch for making music sure beats $9/hr for pulling espresso shots!Later, y'all.kerry

[gitarrero]

Quote:Quote:I just want to know where you can get session guys for $25 an hour!I guess that's the trickle down effect too... if you're only making $150 the session guys can't make what they're worth either. Well, the trick is to get guys who are really good but are still working at Starbucks...$25/hr and a good lunch for making music sure beats $9/hr for pulling espresso shots!Later, y'all.kerry@kerry: this is a good example that lots of music people don't have a pricing strategy, not to speak from a business plan.I know excellent musicians who lived financially totally on the edge over years, simply because they thought that they don't have controll over how much they earn - they just took what they were offered.it's a little bit off-topic here but I think the business aspects are essential for all (professional) music people - or they end up at starbucks (or in another day-job).martin