First try at Lo-fi

[MJLeeman]

I noticed a recent listing # S220219BR asking for instrumentals and cues in a "lo-fi bedroom" style. I was too late to submit; hopefully there will be other opportunities in that genre.

My track-

https://www.taxi.com/members/nwRU7pygQr ... 4Q-vinally

Here is one of the listing references which I concentrated on:

"Wolfcat" by Still Woozy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdsYiz9-Ru0

On reflection, I don't think that I achieved much of the "bedroom" vibe in my track, so my question is whether there is a sub-genre of lo-fi which it would slot into, perhaps for a future TAXI submission? I am also hoping to receive any and all suggestions, particularly about sounds and production and whether the track is of sufficient broadcast quality, and anything else.

Cheers
Michael Leeman

[cosmicdolphin]

The intro sounds promising with suitably Lo-Fi effects on the keys. I would keep your intros a lot shorter generally as you want to be be getting into the meat of the track within a few seconds otherwise and editor might just skip to the next track.

Once all the music kicks in that's where it sounds like the wrong style for me. Your track sounds more like Lounge/Funk/R&B and is too busy and jaunty for this style which is more laid back. Like you say it doesn't have the DIY aesthetic of a track made in someone's bedroom as it has more of a band style arrangement.

When attempting a new genre my first port of call is often Wikipedia as you can often read up on the history of the style, what scene it grew out of, who the other notable artists are etc. and I think it gives you a better handle what makes it what it is over and above a couple of reference tracks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lo-fi_music

As far as Lo-Fi goes generally, I made a few back in the day which were signed but never used. I don't honestly think there is a huge demand for them compared to many other genres. There is a great post somewhere on the forums where someone sat and watched TV for the night and wrote down every style of music that they heard and it's clear that certain styles get used an awful lot more than others but Lo-Fi isn't one of them as it's generally quite slow and lethargic and TV shows tend to want to inject energy into scenes especially in reality shows which are the biggest users of library music.

Mark

[Casey H]

Hi Michael
I'm on laptop speakers but your cue sounds much more retro R&B/funk than the contemporary styles asked for. I don't think it's on target at all.

Billie Eilish made that lo fi bedroom thing hot and there definitely is call for songs of that style as in sync they are always looking for song similar to current charting ones. I think if you truly nail that style, you could get tracks like that in libraries and placed. But keep in mind that styles in demand change quickly.

Good luck!
Casey

[gitanosoy]

I agree with CD and CH.

Lo-Fi has a much more simple beat throughout the whole track and usually has a melody line/hook that repeats with little sprinkles of ear candy here and there. I t got popularized by kids trying to study while listening to some kind of music that is not too distracting so keep it more on the mellow side.


good luck

[MJLeeman]

The intro sounds promising with suitably Lo-Fi effects on the keys. I would keep your intros a lot shorter generally as you want to be be getting into the meat of the track within a few seconds otherwise and editor might just skip to the next track.

Once all the music kicks in that's where it sounds like the wrong style for me. Your track sounds more like Lounge/Funk/R&B and is too busy and jaunty for this style which is more laid back. Like you say it doesn't have the DIY aesthetic of a track made in someone's bedroom as it has more of a band style arrangement.

When attempting a new genre my first port of call is often Wikipedia as you can often read up on the history of the style, what scene it grew out of, who the other notable artists are etc. and I think it gives you a better handle what makes it what it is over and above a couple of reference tracks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lo-fi_music

As far as Lo-Fi goes generally, I made a few back in the day which were signed but never used. I don't honestly think there is a huge demand for them compared to many other genres. There is a great post somewhere on the forums where someone sat and watched TV for the night and wrote down every style of music that they heard and it's clear that certain styles get used an awful lot more than others but Lo-Fi isn't one of them as it's generally quite slow and lethargic and TV shows tend to want to inject energy into scenes especially in reality shows which are the biggest users of library music.

Mark

Thanks Mark

I appreciate your thoughtful comments, as always. I must admit that I'm a bit confused with the various sub-genres of different styles, so you are of course correct to suggest that some research is in order.

Cheers
Michael

[MJLeeman]

Hi Michael
I'm on laptop speakers but your cue sounds much more retro R&B/funk than the contemporary styles asked for. I don't think it's on target at all.

Billie Eilish made that lo fi bedroom thing hot and there definitely is call for songs of that style as in sync they are always looking for song similar to current charting ones. I think if you truly nail that style, you could get tracks like that in libraries and placed. But keep in mind that styles in demand change quickly.

Good luck!
Casey

Thanks for your advice which confirms my own thoughts about the music being off target as I noted in my initial post above. I think that I might revive the track in some way for a future Taxi listing.

Cheers
Michael

[MJLeeman]

I agree with CD and CH.

Lo-Fi has a much more simple beat throughout the whole track and usually has a melody line/hook that repeats with little sprinkles of ear candy here and there. It got popularized by kids trying to study while listening to some kind of music that is not too distracting so keep it more on the mellow side.


good luck

Thanks Gitanosoy

I feel that as usual, I went off on a tangent with this one, starting probably fairly appropriately but ending up with something quite off target stylistically. I will shelve this music for possible revival for a future listing. In the meantime, I have written another track which is hopefully more in the style required. I have put it on my Taxi page, but it would seem appropriate to wait for a future relevant listing before posting it on this forum.

Cheers
Michael

[Paulie]

Lots of great feedback here so far. Lofi is a largely loop-based genre and is much, much more simple than what you created. And it stays largely the same throughout each track. Youv've got a lot going on here, each section is different. You could probably take several sections out of this track and turn each one into its own lo-fi track. Keep it simple, clarity in the mix, not a lot going on. Lofi is also about the tape wobble, slight distortion, uneven beats, crispy snares, etc. I agree with cosmicdolphin as well, while lofi is a very popular genre, I'm not hearing much of it on tv. I've got about 20 lofo tracks in libraries today but no placements yet.

Some advice I often give: When trying out a new genre, immerse yourself in that genre for a week or so. Listen to as much as you can handle and take notes. Then when you start composing you will have a better idea of how to approach your musical elements. Then once you are done, compare your mix to other tracks in the genre and listen for EQ, panning, volume, compositional changes, etc.

Have fun!

[MJLeeman]

Lots of great feedback here so far. Lofi is a largely loop-based genre and is much, much more simple than what you created. And it stays largely the same throughout each track. Youv've got a lot going on here, each section is different. You could probably take several sections out of this track and turn each one into its own lo-fi track. Keep it simple, clarity in the mix, not a lot going on. Lofi is also about the tape wobble, slight distortion, uneven beats, crispy snares, etc. I agree with cosmicdolphin as well, while lofi is a very popular genre, I'm not hearing much of it on tv. I've got about 20 lofo tracks in libraries today but no placements yet.


Have fun!

Thanks Paulie

I ended up abandoning the lofi approach for this track and ended up reworking the piece to try to make it fit the following listing, and I submitted it to that listing a short while ago, though I accept that the end result may not fit the current R & B style sufficiently as per the references below. But as you suggested, I have had fun in trying to breathe fresh life into the music.

My reworked track:


https://www.taxi.com/members/nwRU7pygQr ... t-cruising


Lots of MODERN R&B INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Music Licensing Company that specializes in music for content creators as well as TV shows and Film projects!

NOTE: We previously ran this request as Dispatch Listing #D220128RY, but the Company is looking for more material. If you submitted to listing #D220128RY, please send different material this time around.

This Company is searching for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals that could be found on a playlist with the following references:

WARNING: Some of the following references have graphic and explicit lyrics. Listener discretion is advised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRRz29Q-RJc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1KW-HNJeq8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69_svqhiq4A

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals only for this request.

Please send fresh R&B Instrumentals with soulful motifs, slick beats, and solid grooves. Instrumentation that's generally similar to the references will suit your submissions best. Your production and any virtual instruments or samples you use should be modern, high-quality, and cutting-edge. We recommend sticking with one mood per Instrumental so they remain cohesive.

Your submissions should be at least 2 minutes in length and no longer than 4 minutes. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best for this request. Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form. Use the references only as a guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

This Company offers both EXCLUSIVE and NON-EXCLUSIVE deals. The specific deal points will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If you’re inclined to sign an Exclusive deal, please don’t submit material that’s already signed with other libraries or publishers for this pitch. You must own or control your Master and Composition to submit to this opportunity. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Monday, March 7th, 2022. TAXI # S220307RB

Cheers
Michael
TAXI # S220307RB

[Paulie]

You've got an interesting track, I'm glad you found interest in reworking it. I would certainly not submit it to the listing with any expectation of a forward. The reference tracks are all modern sounding hip hop tracks with clear modern drum sounds and thick stereo mixes. Your track is nothing like them... try to listen to each instrument in the reference track and compare them to your track. For starters, begin with the kick and snare, two incredibly important instruments in modern hip hop.