Feedback on broadcast quality & genre

[babybluesedan]

I have been recording music with my partner, more for fun than anything. We didn't have any plans to send it to music libraries and recorded up to our own standards - but I'm sure we have a lot to learn about sound quality, mixing and mastering. I haven't decided which listings to submit to yet (and I'm sure I'll get lots of valuable information from having songs returned with critiques), but I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me a leg up and suggest what you would change about this track before submitting it to a library listing. What critiques do you think the screener might have? Also, what genre would you say this fits into? I've generally described our music as indie pop, but now that indie connotes more than just "independent" I'm not so sure. Here is a link to the song and there are also lyrics on the bandcamp page. Thanks in advance!

https://thedeeplight.bandcamp.com/track ... ance-remix

[DouglasKnight]

I have been recording music with my partner, more for fun than anything. We didn't have any plans to send it to music libraries and recorded up to our own standards - but I'm sure we have a lot to learn about sound quality, mixing and mastering. I haven't decided which listings to submit to yet (and I'm sure I'll get lots of valuable information from having songs returned with critiques), but I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me a leg up and suggest what you would change about this track before submitting it to a library listing. What critiques do you think the screener might have? Also, what genre would you say this fits into? I've generally described our music as indie pop, but now that indie connotes more than just "independent" I'm not so sure. Here is a link to the song and there are also lyrics on the bandcamp page. Thanks in advance!

https://thedeeplight.bandcamp.com/track ... ance-remix

Hello and thanks for sharing the tune. I like the music - nice work! The lyrics/vocals and vocal production didn't work as much for me, but I do think you could find a home for it as an indie/pop (?) instrumental if you edited it down to 2:00 or so. Rather than try to find a listing to fit this track, it's best, I've found, to write specifically for a listing using the references given. Nice work on this, and best of luck with Taxi!

[babybluesedan]

Thanks for the feedback! I definitely plan to write specifically for the listings, but also hoping I can occasionally find a home for some of the stuff I already have recorded. Maybe I will mess around with cutting some of them down into instrumentals, especially since most of them are on the longer side.

[cosmicdolphin]

also hoping I can occasionally find a home for some of the stuff I already have recorded.

A common rookie mistake and often a bad idea. Keep them to one side, write for the briefs and when you've reached the point where you get accepted into a library ( probably in a year or two ) go back and listen to them and see what you think.

[babybluesedan]

OK, I'll have a stab at a few reasons it might get knocked back by a screener...
- The backing track is played well and in time but a little flat (as in lacking dynamics).
- Most library tracks have development so that parts can be used against video to illustrate progression, but this is rather flat in that respect too.
- The style has a strong 80's influence, so OK for retro listings but not current listings (which is a high proportion).
- The tempo change at the end is not a good idea when submitting for sync because they can't edit the ending onto the rest of the track.
- The vocal sounds like it was performed in a totally different space to the backing track, which is not good production.
- The vocal performance is a little under par in places, so a re-recording would help.

I hope that helps.

As also commented, rather that look opportunities for existing material its a lot easier to write new music so it specifically matches what's being asked for. Otherwise, there's a temptation to submit in hope but inappropriately and that leads to frustration from returns.

this is exactly the kind of feedback I need! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this.