GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
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GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
Greetings!
I just got a return that I am genuinely confused about and would greatly appreciate the perspective of someone more experienced than I. I'm still striving for my first forward so I acknowledge that I have a lot of learning to do and as a result have an open mind to how I can improve (and will sincerely take to heart any feedback!).
Here is the listing:
"TAXI # S200505GR / GARAGE ROCK SONGS with Male Vocals are needed by a very successful Music Publisher with a long track record of placements in Film, TV, and Commercials. They’re looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Songs in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references they gave us: “I wanna be your dog” by The Stooges, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, "Sunday Driver" by The Raconteurs. NOTE: Your submissions can be old-school Songs recorded back in the day, or they can be recently recorded Songs. Please submit authentic Garage Rock Songs with driving guitar riffs, killer bass lines, and hard-hitting drums. Your submissions should have authentic-sounding Rock instrumentation with solid musicianship that's in the general ballpark of the references. Be sure to have vocal performances that have plenty of attitude and a ton of cool Rock swagger. They didn’t specify any lyric themes, but you’d be wise to avoid specific names, dates, times, places, brands, and profanity in your lyrics. It makes them easier to use and ultimately more "sync-able." Do NOT copy the referenced artists or Songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a guide for tempo, texture, and tone. Broadcast Quality is needed."
Here is my song:
https://soundcloud.com/matt-michaelis/t ... t-marcello
Here is the feedback I received on the return:
"What I like most about this song: I really like the chorus and how you turned up the energy- a bit- in the choruses.
I think you could improve this song by: turning up the energy in the choruses a bit more vocally and musically and going for a more driving guitar sound. What's here is good but it gives the song more of a glam rock vibe than garage rock vibe.
I returned or forwarded this song because: I didn't hear the kind of driving guitar riffs hard hitting drums over totally garage rock style that this listing needed to hear."
They also noted that the style/genre and mood is "off target for the request," that the melody could be stronger, the chorus doesn't stand out enough, the vocal performance is off target, and the recording/mix needs improvement.
Quite honestly, I'm just really confused. The only thing I could maybe understand from these comments is that the "vocal performance is off target"; since although the singer is great at hard rock he doesn't really sound like Jack White. As for the rest, I don't understand how it can have more of a "driving guitar sound", how they didn't hear "driving guitar riffs" or "hard hitting drums." When I was studying the references and writing the song I made sure to count the number of guitars I heard in the verses & choruses of the reference tracks and replicate that amount in my song. Also, my goal in the addition of all the guitar tracks and the background vocals in the choruses is to accomplish exactly what the reviewer is saying this song lacks; a high energy, big, chorus. I don't really get the glam rock comment either.
Lastly, if you happen to have any feedback for the mix or recording quality I would greatly appreciate that too. It was produced with top-notch gear and plugins, so I'm also confused there as well.
Thank you SO MUCH in advance for opening my eyes on this learning experience.
Matt Michaelis
I just got a return that I am genuinely confused about and would greatly appreciate the perspective of someone more experienced than I. I'm still striving for my first forward so I acknowledge that I have a lot of learning to do and as a result have an open mind to how I can improve (and will sincerely take to heart any feedback!).
Here is the listing:
"TAXI # S200505GR / GARAGE ROCK SONGS with Male Vocals are needed by a very successful Music Publisher with a long track record of placements in Film, TV, and Commercials. They’re looking for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Songs in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the following references they gave us: “I wanna be your dog” by The Stooges, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, "Sunday Driver" by The Raconteurs. NOTE: Your submissions can be old-school Songs recorded back in the day, or they can be recently recorded Songs. Please submit authentic Garage Rock Songs with driving guitar riffs, killer bass lines, and hard-hitting drums. Your submissions should have authentic-sounding Rock instrumentation with solid musicianship that's in the general ballpark of the references. Be sure to have vocal performances that have plenty of attitude and a ton of cool Rock swagger. They didn’t specify any lyric themes, but you’d be wise to avoid specific names, dates, times, places, brands, and profanity in your lyrics. It makes them easier to use and ultimately more "sync-able." Do NOT copy the referenced artists or Songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a guide for tempo, texture, and tone. Broadcast Quality is needed."
Here is my song:
https://soundcloud.com/matt-michaelis/t ... t-marcello
Here is the feedback I received on the return:
"What I like most about this song: I really like the chorus and how you turned up the energy- a bit- in the choruses.
I think you could improve this song by: turning up the energy in the choruses a bit more vocally and musically and going for a more driving guitar sound. What's here is good but it gives the song more of a glam rock vibe than garage rock vibe.
I returned or forwarded this song because: I didn't hear the kind of driving guitar riffs hard hitting drums over totally garage rock style that this listing needed to hear."
They also noted that the style/genre and mood is "off target for the request," that the melody could be stronger, the chorus doesn't stand out enough, the vocal performance is off target, and the recording/mix needs improvement.
Quite honestly, I'm just really confused. The only thing I could maybe understand from these comments is that the "vocal performance is off target"; since although the singer is great at hard rock he doesn't really sound like Jack White. As for the rest, I don't understand how it can have more of a "driving guitar sound", how they didn't hear "driving guitar riffs" or "hard hitting drums." When I was studying the references and writing the song I made sure to count the number of guitars I heard in the verses & choruses of the reference tracks and replicate that amount in my song. Also, my goal in the addition of all the guitar tracks and the background vocals in the choruses is to accomplish exactly what the reviewer is saying this song lacks; a high energy, big, chorus. I don't really get the glam rock comment either.
Lastly, if you happen to have any feedback for the mix or recording quality I would greatly appreciate that too. It was produced with top-notch gear and plugins, so I'm also confused there as well.
Thank you SO MUCH in advance for opening my eyes on this learning experience.
Matt Michaelis
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
The reverbs and delays lean a bit to classic rock, they sit a little back in the speakers. Same with the vocal treatment. Maybe the vocalist sounds too much like Axl Rose.
It's a cool track, just doesn't sound like it came from a garage. The only things wrong with it are if you try to put it into a garage rock pigeon hole. You had a shot and you missed but you've still got a cool track.
Go drier and more stripped down next time.
My two cents.
It's a cool track, just doesn't sound like it came from a garage. The only things wrong with it are if you try to put it into a garage rock pigeon hole. You had a shot and you missed but you've still got a cool track.
Go drier and more stripped down next time.
My two cents.
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
There's a more raw vibe to the production of the reference tracks. I think you smoothed out the rough edges on yours too much for it to fit the genre.
To me that's more of a drum thing, they're too polite..I'd have probably smashed them through a Distressor or something to get the vibe going. Then added a healthy dose of controlled distortion to the tracks.
It's a good song , I think the critique is maybe a bit harsh - You could rework it to be a bit more ballsy and aggressively mixed ..make everything jump out the speakers more...or leave it is as is for a different opportunity that wants that more classic sound.
Mark
PS - I read your post on the other thread , I'm surprised you said only one forward in your first year as there is some cool music on your website and I can see you obviously know your craft. I remembered that I'd heard at least one other of your returns which was a good track as well. Are you only targeting songs ? I came to Taxi with the idea of writing songs but I changed course to instrumentals as they are quicker / easier to produce on your own . I found I could fit them around having 3 kids more easily and it also shortens the learning curve for getting into different styles/genres. The album I'm just finishing for a Library is not anything I would have thought I would be writing when I started out but I seem to have developed a knack for them. You certainly seem to have the chops, gear & skills needed - There's loads of guitar production music needed outside of straight ahead rock songs.
To me that's more of a drum thing, they're too polite..I'd have probably smashed them through a Distressor or something to get the vibe going. Then added a healthy dose of controlled distortion to the tracks.
It's a good song , I think the critique is maybe a bit harsh - You could rework it to be a bit more ballsy and aggressively mixed ..make everything jump out the speakers more...or leave it is as is for a different opportunity that wants that more classic sound.
Mark
PS - I read your post on the other thread , I'm surprised you said only one forward in your first year as there is some cool music on your website and I can see you obviously know your craft. I remembered that I'd heard at least one other of your returns which was a good track as well. Are you only targeting songs ? I came to Taxi with the idea of writing songs but I changed course to instrumentals as they are quicker / easier to produce on your own . I found I could fit them around having 3 kids more easily and it also shortens the learning curve for getting into different styles/genres. The album I'm just finishing for a Library is not anything I would have thought I would be writing when I started out but I seem to have developed a knack for them. You certainly seem to have the chops, gear & skills needed - There's loads of guitar production music needed outside of straight ahead rock songs.
Buy me coffee https://ko-fi.com/cosmicdolphin78382
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
Makes sense, thanks. I get the Axl Rose observation. I think I falsely assumed that the reverbs/delays Was just something that makes it “broadcast quality.” Thanks for your observation and taking the time!lesmac wrote: ↑Wed May 27, 2020 10:12 pmThe reverbs and delays lean a bit to classic rock, they sit a little back in the speakers. Same with the vocal treatment. Maybe the vocalist sounds too much like Axl Rose.
It's a cool track, just doesn't sound like it came from a garage. The only things wrong with it are if you try to put it into a garage rock pigeon hole. You had a shot and you missed but you've still got a cool track.
Go drier and more stripped down next time.
My two cents.
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
cosmicdolphin wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 2:03 amThere's a more raw vibe to the production of the reference tracks. I think you smoothed out the rough edges on yours too much for it to fit the genre.
To me that's more of a drum thing, they're too polite..I'd have probably smashed them through a Distressor or something to get the vibe going. Then added a healthy dose of controlled distortion to the tracks.
It's a good song , I think the critique is maybe a bit harsh - You could rework it to be a bit more ballsy and aggressively mixed ..make everything jump out the speakers more...or leave it is as is for a different opportunity that wants that more classic sound.
Mark
PS - I read your post on the other thread , I'm surprised you said only one forward in your first year as there is some cool music on your website and I can see you obviously know your craft. I remembered that I'd heard at least one other of your returns which was a good track as well. Are you only targeting songs ? I came to Taxi with the idea of writing songs but I changed course to instrumentals as they are quicker / easier to produce on your own . I found I could fit them around having 3 kids more easily and it also shortens the learning curve for getting into different styles/genres. The album I'm just finishing for a Library is not anything I would have thought I would be writing when I started out but I seem to have developed a knack for them. You certainly seem to have the chops, gear & skills needed - There's loads of guitar production music needed outside of straight ahead rock songs.
Hey Mark,
Thanks so much as always for your thought provoking feedback!
What kind of distressor and distortions do you like to use? I’m all in on slate digital and I use Logic. I’ll try your suggestion!
On the rest, thank you for checking out my stuff and the advice you gave. Initially I was in it for the songs, but I’m getting burnt out at that. Writing lyrics is difficult, and I feel like so much of the success of the song depends on how the singer delivers it. I do all my session work virtually, so I can’t provide feedback in person. I’m just leaving it all up to the singer and “hope” they get it right. And these singers aren’t cheap.
I would like to focus more on instrumentals, I hear what you’re saying. That is the one forward I got so far. Do you mainly get your opportunities through dispatch? Or are there other things you’re doing too?
I would love to hear your stuff, to see what kind of Groove you found that works for you. Do you have a website?
Matt
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
ok listened to your song and it really kicks ass! Love it. Great musicianship.
At start the guitar riff was hard for me to process. It sounded like Nirvana Teen Spirit but the chords were jumbled.
Getting into the song it has a lot of energy which is great.
Vocals were not sung like a 90's alt rock singer. More like 80's rock. Vocals need to be dark for garage 90's rock.
As for the mix there is a lot going on so its harder to mix those tracks but mix could be clearer and eq more high end. Although for film tv mix might be good enough. But always best to go with highest quality.
I know when you come back with another submission you will kill it. Good luck!
At start the guitar riff was hard for me to process. It sounded like Nirvana Teen Spirit but the chords were jumbled.
Getting into the song it has a lot of energy which is great.
Vocals were not sung like a 90's alt rock singer. More like 80's rock. Vocals need to be dark for garage 90's rock.
As for the mix there is a lot going on so its harder to mix those tracks but mix could be clearer and eq more high end. Although for film tv mix might be good enough. But always best to go with highest quality.
I know when you come back with another submission you will kill it. Good luck!
Hollywood Music In Media Award Nominated Record Producer from The BahamasFacebook | Soundcloud
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
I use Arouser but I also have a friend who owns a real one ! I used to use the emulation in my Liquid Mix which I think sounded closer to the real one than the Arouser but Focusrite never kept the driver updated and I couldn't rely on it any longer , projects coming up with missing plugins etc so I sold it. Shame really as some of the emulations were great.Mmichaelis wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 9:37 amWhat kind of distressor and distortions do you like to use? I’m all in on slate digital and I use Logic. I’ll try your suggestion!
For distortion I like Decapitator best , Saturn is good too as is Radiator
Yeah similar story here, you put your heart and soul into a song and it just gets returned ! I had singing lessons for several years too when I joined but I think I've decided I just don't have "it" ..whatever "it" is.Mmichaelis wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 9:37 amInitially I was in it for the songs, but I’m getting burnt out at that. Writing lyrics is difficult, and I feel like so much of the success of the song depends on how the singer delivers it. I do all my session work virtually, so I can’t provide feedback in person. I’m just leaving it all up to the singer and “hope” they get it right. And these singers aren’t cheap.
I never feel the same way about the instrumentals though as I know I can crank out another in a day or two.
I've never used Despatch to be honest, everything I'm doing now is direct with the various Libraries I got hooked up with. They are keeping me busy, sending briefs etc. A lot of them are wanting albums now instead of one or two individual tracks.Mmichaelis wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 9:37 amI would like to focus more on instrumentals, I hear what you’re saying. That is the one forward I got so far. Do you mainly get your opportunities through dispatch? Or are there other things you’re doing too?
I would love to hear your stuff, to see what kind of Groove you found that works for you. Do you have a website?
I don't have a website but here area couple of links for you.
This was my first forum post in 2010 : post205088.html#p205088
I had to update the links to the music as they were on platforms that are no longer around but you can listen to what I was doing in 2010 when I was originally thinking of joining, just my own self sung songs. I didn't actually sign up until 2016 !
Here is a playlist of my placements https://soundcloud.com/user-45178330/se ... eard-on-tv
Mark
Buy me coffee https://ko-fi.com/cosmicdolphin78382
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
Thanks so much for taking the time to get into this and provide feedback!! I appreciate itTheElement wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 1:19 pmok listened to your song and it really kicks ass! Love it. Great musicianship.
At start the guitar riff was hard for me to process. It sounded like Nirvana Teen Spirit but the chords were jumbled.
Getting into the song it has a lot of energy which is great.
Vocals were not sung like a 90's alt rock singer. More like 80's rock. Vocals need to be dark for garage 90's rock.
As for the mix there is a lot going on so its harder to mix those tracks but mix could be clearer and eq more high end. Although for film tv mix might be good enough. But always best to go with highest quality.
I know when you come back with another submission you will kill it. Good luck!
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
Hey Mark, sorry for delay in responding to this, I did thoroughly go through it at the time and thought it was totally awesome and inspiring to see your journey. It really gives hope for me! Thanks for all you do to "give back" on this forum, I see how active you are and it is really incredible. Thanks again for responding to my other post yesterday about sounding "contemporary."cosmicdolphin wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 3:06 pmThis was my first forum post in 2010 : post205088.html#p205088Mmichaelis wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 9:37 amWhat kind of distressor and distortions do you like to use? I’m all in on slate digital and I use Logic. I’ll try your suggestion!
I had to update the links to the music as they were on platforms that are no longer around but you can listen to what I was doing in 2010 when I was originally thinking of joining, just my own self sung songs. I didn't actually sign up until 2016 !
Here is a playlist of my placements https://soundcloud.com/user-45178330/se ... eard-on-tv
Mark
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Re: GARAGE ROCK return: feedback requested!
No worries...you'll get there !Mmichaelis wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 4:45 pmHey Mark, sorry for delay in responding to this, I did thoroughly go through it at the time and thought it was totally awesome and inspiring to see your journey. It really gives hope for me! Thanks for all you do to "give back" on this forum, I see how active you are and it is really incredible. Thanks again for responding to my other post yesterday about sounding "contemporary."cosmicdolphin wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 3:06 pmThis was my first forum post in 2010 : post205088.html#p205088Mmichaelis wrote: ↑Thu May 28, 2020 9:37 amWhat kind of distressor and distortions do you like to use? I’m all in on slate digital and I use Logic. I’ll try your suggestion!
I had to update the links to the music as they were on platforms that are no longer around but you can listen to what I was doing in 2010 when I was originally thinking of joining, just my own self sung songs. I didn't actually sign up until 2016 !
Here is a playlist of my placements https://soundcloud.com/user-45178330/se ... eard-on-tv
Mark
Buy me coffee https://ko-fi.com/cosmicdolphin78382
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