First year with Taxi - Review

[WSAO]

Following the example of Cosmic Dolphin, I thought I’d summarize my first year with Taxi.
I started in December 2023, and so far, I’ve submitted 99 songs:
• 69 Returned – Most of them I understood and accepted the screener feedback, but in some cases, I’ll never fully understand the reasoning.
• 30 Forwarded
• Roughly a 30% success rate
The genres I explored were varied: pop, rock, funk, punk, country, cinematic, vintage, hip-hop, electronic, and more.
Out of the 30 forwarded tracks, only 2 were signed with a library. This led me to create 3 additional songs for them. However, from the 5 songs submitted to that library, none have secured a placement yet.
Financial Overview:
• $200 on subscription
• $500 on submissions
• $0 earned
Was it worth it? If you’re thinking purely in financial terms, then no. This business is oversaturated and extremely competitive. But I never expected to make money from music after “retiring” as a professional drummer in a rock band back in the '90s.
Yes, I’m an "old fart" now - 52, to be precise.
But if you’re making music because you love the creation process, the challenge of producing a new genre from scratch based on a brief, and receiving feedback from professionals in the industry, then it’s worth it.
This year, I’ve learned so much. I’ve had to raise my standards in every aspect: composition, arrangement, lyrics, production, and more. I’ve dived into genres I’d never attempted before and had the privilege of collaborating with people around the world including super talented Taxi members like Kat W and Ed Redd.
I’ve also gained so much insight from reading the forums, learning from contributors written by “seniors” members like Cosmicdolphin, Casey, Telefunkin, Matt V, minoruchan and many others, and also watching Taxi TV on YT.
Unfortunately, attending the Taxi Rally is challenging since I live in Australia. A "quick" 14-hour flight to LA isn’t exactly convenient...
That said, I’d love to hear about other members' experiences this year.
I might reconsider my approach next year or the year after if placements don’t materialize, but for now, as long as I’m enjoying the journey, I’ll keep making music for Taxi.
Merry Christmas everyone and let's keep rocking in 2025!
Cheers!
Andre

[telefunkin]

Hi Andre,
30% is a pretty good forward rate actually, so well done on that. You're clearly getting a lot right.
It can take a long time for signed tracks to be released, picked up and used, and you won't know about it until something finally shows up in your PRO account. It can take even longer if the placement is international (relative to your 'home' PRO). However, you could already have had placements and not know about them. One way to get a little bit of earlier gratification is to start a free Tunesat account just to see whether it picks anything up. It won't affect how quickly you see any reward, but the awareness of placements is a reward in itself .
The financial analysis is superficial, and although it seems important at the start its the experience and learning (and yes, the frustration too ) that counts, and sometimes its only when you look back that those things begin to make sense.
Oh, and forget the age analysis too. Age doesn't matter as long as you can turn out the music (and I have a few years on you anyway ).
Finally, if you're ever in a position to make that flight to the rally I would wholeheartedly recommend that you do it, and I guarantee that you won't regret it.
Best of luck for year 2 .

[cosmicdolphin]

Congrats on your first year Andre !

I was pleased to read this as it's very similar to the start of my journey which I didn't start documenting until Year 4 . I have a few thoughts...

• 69 Returned – Most of them I understood and accepted the screener feedback, but in some cases, I’ll never fully understand the reasoning.
• 30 Forwarded
• Roughly a 30% success rate

This is good ! I suspect there will be people reading that would bite your hand off for 30 forwards. My own forward rate was 37% and I think anything over 30% is a good ratio.

The genres I explored were varied: pop, rock, funk, punk, country, cinematic, vintage, hip-hop, electronic, and more.

Yep I did many different genres as well , I think it really helps develop your skills

Out of the 30 forwarded tracks, only 2 were signed with a library. This led me to create 3 additional songs for them. However, from the 5 songs submitted to that library, none have secured a placement yet.

This also tallies with my own experience of 20 or so frowards per library deal. Hopefully you can make more for both of them. Placements can take time especially on such small numbers of signed tracks so be patient, make sure you use something like Tunesat to monitor the airwaves to know if they've been used.

If you’re making music because you love the creation process, the challenge of producing a new genre from scratch based on a brief, and receiving feedback from professionals in the industry, then it’s worth it.

This is why I do it too. If you do it purely for money then there are better options.

Yes, I’m an "old fart" now - 52, to be precise.

Lol, I am 53 - still got some years ahead hopefully

had the privilege of collaborating with people around the world including super talented Taxi members like Kat W and Ed Redd.

That's great. You've hooked up with some good people there. THat's one of the best parts of this gig - the people you meet

Unfortunately, attending the Taxi Rally is challenging since I live in Australia. A "quick" 14-hour flight to LA isn’t exactly convenient...

I've never been to one either so I don't think it's a prerequesite for success although I am 100% sure it can help for those who can make the journey.

I might reconsider my approach next year or the year after if placements don’t materialize, but for now, as long as I’m enjoying the journey, I’ll keep making music for Taxi.

I would say just keep doing what your doing and eventually things will start happening.

Have a great Xmas and thanks for sharing this.

Mark

[Casey H]

Hey Andre
Your numbers are impressive. Keep doing what you are doing!

Old fart? I turned 70 this month. That means my first placements with some libraries will be after I'm gone, LOL!!

Also, folks who bring in decent revenue ("decent" is different for everyone), generally do it on instrumental cues as vocal songs are much harder to produce and get placed. I'm not suggesting you change what you are doing-- you have to do what you love, but it's just reality. Hundreds of cues get used for every vocal song that does. I'm pretty sure cosmicdolphin's placements are 99% instrumental. Matt VB goes in his shed and cranks out cues by the dozens every week.

Best,
Casey

[JimOfferman]

Wow. Nearly a hundred songs in one year - impressive! Specially if those are all tracks with vocals. Hat tip to you, sir!

My aim for ‘25 is 1 instrumental per week (while also working a full-time pay-the-bills job and caring for my small army of little girls). If/when I can reliably deliver one good track a week, I may try to increase my output…

[BradleyHagen]

Following the example of Cosmic Dolphin, I thought I’d summarize my first year with Taxi.
I started in December 2023, and so far, I’ve submitted 99 songs:
• 69 Returned – Most of them I understood and accepted the screener feedback, but in some cases, I’ll never fully understand the reasoning.
• 30 Forwarded
• Roughly a 30% success rate
The genres I explored were varied: pop, rock, funk, punk, country, cinematic, vintage, hip-hop, electronic, and more.
Out of the 30 forwarded tracks, only 2 were signed with a library. This led me to create 3 additional songs for them. However, from the 5 songs submitted to that library, none have secured a placement yet.
Financial Overview:
• $200 on subscription
• $500 on submissions
• $0 earned
Was it worth it? If you’re thinking purely in financial terms, then no. This business is oversaturated and extremely competitive. But I never expected to make money from music after “retiring” as a professional drummer in a rock band back in the '90s.
Yes, I’m an "old fart" now - 52, to be precise.
But if you’re making music because you love the creation process, the challenge of producing a new genre from scratch based on a brief, and receiving feedback from professionals in the industry, then it’s worth it.
This year, I’ve learned so much. I’ve had to raise my standards in every aspect: composition, arrangement, lyrics, production, and more. I’ve dived into genres I’d never attempted before and had the privilege of collaborating with people around the world including super talented Taxi members like Kat W and Ed Redd.
I’ve also gained so much insight from reading the forums, learning from contributors written by “seniors” members like Cosmicdolphin, Casey, Telefunkin, Matt V, minoruchan and many others, and also watching Taxi TV on YT.
Unfortunately, attending the Taxi Rally is challenging since I live in Australia. A "quick" 14-hour flight to LA isn’t exactly convenient...
That said, I’d love to hear about other members' experiences this year.
I might reconsider my approach next year or the year after if placements don’t materialize, but for now, as long as I’m enjoying the journey, I’ll keep making music for Taxi.
Merry Christmas everyone and let's keep rocking in 2025!
Cheers!
Andre

Hey Andre!! Happy Holidays!! Well....I for one, am a big fan of your stuff Dude, and think you will go very far in this industry! OK...so....I joined in late October of 2023, and have a similar story and result. I believe that I have submitted around 60 tracks for 100 briefs in 2024, and have had roughly 35 of them forwarded with ONE signing. The way I look at it is this..... The first year for me was learning how this works...I knew NOTHING about sync when I joined, and I mean absolutely zero. I thought that I could just plug in some of my existing songs and take over the industry lol...... I have learned a ton from the very same folks that you credit above, and have watched a ton of TAXI TV, bought the books, etc.... IMHO, it is NEVER a waste of time or a bad investment to create a track, because you just never know when it is going to be useful for something in the future, plus let's face it...creating music is FUN.... I would do it for free all day long, so I don't get too wrapped up in the financial aspect of it. The paydays will come!

[WSAO]

Hi Andre,
30% is a pretty good forward rate actually, so well done on that. You're clearly getting a lot right.
It can take a long time for signed tracks to be released, picked up and used, and you won't know about it until something finally shows up in your PRO account. It can take even longer if the placement is international (relative to your 'home' PRO). However, you could already have had placements and not know about them. One way to get a little bit of earlier gratification is to start a free Tunesat account just to see whether it picks anything up. It won't affect how quickly you see any reward, but the awareness of placements is a reward in itself .
The financial analysis is superficial, and although it seems important at the start its the experience and learning (and yes, the frustration too ) that counts, and sometimes its only when you look back that those things begin to make sense.
Oh, and forget the age analysis too. Age doesn't matter as long as you can turn out the music (and I have a few years on you anyway ).
Finally, if you're ever in a position to make that flight to the rally I would wholeheartedly recommend that you do it, and I guarantee that you won't regret it.
Best of luck for year 2 .

Hi mate,
Thanks again for all the tips! I’ll give the Tunesat account a shot, although I’m not sure I have any unknown placements signed yet. One day, I’ll definitely make it to the Rally!
Cheers!

[WSAO]

Hey Andre!! Happy Holidays!! Well....I for one, am a big fan of your stuff Dude, and think you will go very far in this industry! OK...so....I joined in late October of 2023, and have a similar story and result. I believe that I have submitted around 60 tracks for 100 briefs in 2024, and have had roughly 35 of them forwarded with ONE signing. The way I look at it is this..... The first year for me was learning how this works...I knew NOTHING about sync when I joined, and I mean absolutely zero. I thought that I could just plug in some of my existing songs and take over the industry lol...... I have learned a ton from the very same folks that you credit above, and have watched a ton of TAXI TV, bought the books, etc.... IMHO, it is NEVER a waste of time or a bad investment to create a track, because you just never know when it is going to be useful for something in the future, plus let's face it...creating music is FUN.... I would do it for free all day long, so I don't get too wrapped up in the financial aspect of it. The paydays will come!
[/quote]

So, I’m a fan of your work as well—it totally rocks! Plus, you have an impressive rate of forwards. Well done!
Sure, we do this for free and for fun, and if some money comes our way, we’ll just buy more gear!
Cheers!

[WSAO]

Wow. Nearly a hundred songs in one year - impressive! Specially if those are all tracks with vocals. Hat tip to you, sir!

My aim for ‘25 is 1 instrumental per week (while also working a full-time pay-the-bills job and caring for my small army of little girls). If/when I can reliably deliver one good track a week, I may try to increase my output…

Hi Jim,
Some songs come together quickly, while others take more time. Tracks with vocals are usually more challenging because balancing melody and lyrics makes the process more complex—but that’s part of the fun!
Welcome to Taxi!

[WSAO]

Hey Andre
Your numbers are impressive. Keep doing what you are doing!

Old fart? I turned 70 this month. That means my first placements with some libraries will be after I'm gone, LOL!!

Also, folks who bring in decent revenue ("decent" is different for everyone), generally do it on instrumental cues as vocal songs are much harder to produce and get placed. I'm not suggesting you change what you are doing-- you have to do what you love, but it's just reality. Hundreds of cues get used for every vocal song that does. I'm pretty sure cosmicdolphin's placements are 99% instrumental. Matt VB goes in his shed and cranks out cues by the dozens every week.

Best,
Casey

Hey Casey,
Hopefully, I’ll be as sharp as you when I hit my 70s! Honestly, it’s so inspiring to see someone keeping up with modern songwriting trends regardless of age. You’re a legend!