Help!!!! Too Many Returns (0 for 33)

[TimWalter]

I'm relatively new to Taxi (at least within the past 6 months or so). I have submitted 33 songs, and so far none have been forwarded. (there still are maybe 5 or 6 that are still "pending", but I imagine that if they were going to be forwarded, that would show up a few days after the deadline, otherwise timeliness would be an issue. I imagine reviewers taking time to write reviews for Returned songs.. at least that would be my least favorite part of the job.. like giving an employee review at a company, managers are famous for hating that part of their job... who likes giving bad news? but I digress.) I understand the need and service Taxi offers, and not complaining about or addressing that, just really discouraged.

Also idly wondering if a reviewer looks at the submitter's history before listening to a song and, for example, sees they have 30+ Returns with no forward if that might negatively affect their review of the latest offering. Hey, its human nature, and the "power of suggestion" has been proven in countless blind tests.

1st Question: What is the record for most submissions without a forward, I am wondering? Is 33 anywhere close?
(benchmarking is always a vital business management tool.)

Realizing insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, I realize I need to change something, and perhaps I have to solicit some feedback, so that is why I am here. I printed out and reviewed all the critiques I have gotten (and even on yes/no listings, there is some info that is beyond the obligation of the reviewer, I appreciate that). I have been reading posts in this forum, and it seems that "stylistically off target" is one of the most common reasons given, so I understand that. But I also have gotten a few "retro" or "not contemporary sounding" comments. Granted, my "impressionistic" era was the '70s, and perhaps my stuff does have a '70s feel. I am studying Robin Frederick's book about hit songwriting, and recently changed my listening habits.. no more music not from the 21st century. no exceptions. Maybe after a steady diet of more modern music some of it will come out in my song writing, but that will take time.

Second question: do any of you have suggestions on how to modernize your sound quickly (following suggestions in Robin's book hopefully can help, but still wondering if I can actually pull it off.) Any other practical suggestions would be appreciated.

Reviewing the reviews, some of the reviews like my voice. Comments I've gotten include "I like your voice" and "you are obviously an experienced and accomplished guitar player and singer" (I was walking on air after that one). Others (like reviewer #332) apparently doesn't like it so much, and repetitively check the "vocal performance" box as a reason for returning. I know I don't have a "pure" voice, and perhaps its an acquired taste. And, perhaps my vocal performance varies from day to day. (I have heard comments from former band mates like "you were really on today, pitch-wise!", which implies that other days, perhaps not so much. lol) Some of the reviews have suggested resources which i will try, maybe I still can learn to improve my voice we'll see.

Recording quality has also been somewhat "hit or miss". Some reviews say it is ok/no issue, some say it is one of the reasons for return. I have worked really hard on my home recording/mixing/mastering skills, but not a pro by any means. Any way I could improve I'd try to embrace. Regardless, I think I am still learning and improving at a pretty good clip and have a ways to go before I'll "max out" my learning curve.

Anyway, I was really discouraged on a return earlier this week (U120903RK). The opportunity was for a theme song for a tv show. They were looking for a rock song, and mentioned ZZ Top as one of the referenced songs. I wrote a song (modeled after zz top) incorporating most of the themes they were looking for in the lyrics. I really thought I had a shot. The song is "Brotherhood on the Open Road", you can hear it here.
http://soundcloud.com/bluzmannn/brother ... pen-road-1

The reviewer returned it saying "not as contemporary sounding as what the music supervisor has requested regarding this specific theme song opportunity. The network's Music Supervisor specifically asked us to find a 'Greasy, Gritty, Contemporary ROCK SONG' in the following genres ROADHOUSE, BLUES ROCK, EDGY CLASSIC ROCK, OUTLAW COUNTRY, CONTEMPORARY INDIE ROCK with an EDGE in a range from Hank WIlliams III, the Black Keys to ZZ Top, Gov't Mule, Kid Rock, etc"

He/she also checked the "recording" box for reasons.

QUESTION: How did I miss the mark? Also, is there a problem with my recording quality, and if so, what do you hear? (I have a touch of "busted speaker" effect on my vocals, in an attempt to add some grit to my vocals). I guess I jumped on the following words and thought I had it from that: ZZ Top, Blues-Rock, Gov't Mule. heck even Roadhouse, but something went terribly wrong somewhere.

(NOTE: Roadhouse..what does that mean? I always think of the movie Roadhouse with Jeff Healey Band , RIP, as my go-to for that sub-genre, which is in my mind is just another way of saying "blues-rock", but if I am off please correct me.)

I truly am wondering if I will ever figure out the "code" to match up well enough to get through the gate with a forward. Heck, I'm not looking for any deal right now, just a "forward" would do wonders for my wounded psyche. Please help me out. Anything would help from, "I can't believe they returned that, you NAILED IT!" (lol) to "you suck, man, give it up now!". I'll accept the gamut. Hey just writing this has helped a little (but not much)... cheers.

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Listing U120903RK

THEME SONG needed for a HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW MAJOR CABLE NETWORK SERIES. The network's Music Supervisor specifically asked us to find a "Greasy, Gritty, Contemporary ROCK SONG" in the following genres: ROADHOUSE, BLUES ROCK, EDGY CLASSIC ROCK, OUTLAW COUNTRY, CONTEMPORARY INDIE ROCK with an EDGE in a range from Hank Williams III, The Black Keys to ZZ Top, Gov't Mule, Kid Rock, etc.Ê Although stylistically this listing is similar to U120829RK, the network has asked us to run a separate listing because this is for the show's THEME SONG and the terms of the deal are different (and much sweeter!). Quoting the music supervisor, "We're looking for a GRITTY, INSTANTLY COMPELLING and DISTINCTIVELY EDGY SONG with UNIQUE, SMOKY, THROATY, MACHO, "WHISKEY-SOAKED" MALE VOCALS about being a BIKER, the OPEN ROAD, LIFE ON THE ROAD, ROAMING FREE, HIGHWAYS, RIDIN' WITH THE WIND, TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS, STEPPIN' UP, LIVING BY A CREED, WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A MAN, STICKING BY YOUR BROTHERS, any references to RISING LIKE A PHOENIX, SURVIVING, LIFE ON YOUR OWN TERMS, OUTLAWS, etc. Lyrics should be intriguing and not necessarily on-the-nose." They're not looking for "outdated 1980's hard rock," metal or punk. Tempos can vary but the song should have a visceral, muscular energy about it. Because this will be a THEME SONG, your song will need a super strong hook.Ê Songs should be a minimum of two minutes long and the network will edit it down to :10-:60 from there. Don't underestimate the audience -- tough-minded, no B.S. men -- and give them something that suits their very macho, living-on-the-edge lifestyles. Quoting the music supervisor again, "The song should grab you from the first downbeat and the hook should reel you in." If the network chooses your song as the theme song for this show, you will be paidÊ$5,000-8,000 for all media, worldwide in perpetuity. You will keep 100% of the publishing and writers share! NO SAMPLES of other songs or artists can be incorporated into your track. You must own or control 100% of the master and publishing. This is DIRECT TO THE NETWORK so you will keep 100% of the upfront fee, publishing and writer's share. Broadcast Quality is needed (super-excellent home recordings are fine.) Please submit one to three songs online or on CD and BE SURE TO include your lyrics. Please make sure your photos and bio are up to date and include them with your submission. ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE SCREENED ON A YES/NO BASIS by a screener hand-picked by the music supervisor. No full critiques from TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than Monday, September 3, 2012, 10:00AM (PDT). TAXI #U120903RK

[Antonioroxer]

Hey Bluzmann,

I understand the feeling! It's not exactly motivating when you continue to get returns. I've been a TAXI member for four years now and finally got my first forward over the weekend!! So I'm here to tell you that it definitely is possible. But you have to get serious with yourself and really take a long hard honest look at what isn't working and really work on those areas. Take on board all the feedback from the screeners, listen to current songs in the genre you like writing in and then listen to your own stuff does it hold up next to them? Be honest.

In the four years I submitted 25 songs to listings (most of those were in the first year) and I soon realised that my voice and my songs, especially the lyrics, were not at the level to get forwards and my home recordings were definitely NOT broadcast quality I was returned for those reasons mostly. My motivation did wane and I kinda went off the boil, started travelling and got distracted from my musical goals. However I did still write just not very often and instead of submitting to listings, when I did write a new song I would get a custom critique instead. I then took all the suggestions on board including reading the books they recommended (Pat Pattison "Writing Better Lyrics" really helped my lyric writing ) I would then implement the changes suggested and sometimes I would get another custom critique if I wanted more feedback on the changes i made. I would do this until i was happy. Then this year I decided to commit 100% or give it up and so I was left with the "broadcast quality" issue!

I was going to buy a whole heap of new equipment but I realised that for me to get recordings that were deemed "broadcast quality" it was going to take a lot of pain staking hours, maybe years of learning how to record properly and that for me isn't where my joy in music lies. I love to be in the studio I just hate to be the one that has to make it happen (ie producer/engineer) I just like to direct and tell them what I want So I looked into online recording studios and session singers that could really bring my songs to life. A great singer can do wonders for your song! I too got the occasional "I like your voice" on earlier critiques but overall if I was being honest with myself i knew it wasn't good enough to compete with what's out there.

All this has made the world of difference and got me to my first forward over the weekend. Sure I lost hope many times but I never gave up.

Having listened to some of your music I think you have some good elements at work in your songs, I don't really want to comment on the recording side of things as I don't feel qualified enough to do so but you just need to keep fine tuning, don't be afraid to write and re-write. if I was you I would probably cut back on submitting to listings and get some custom critiques instead. That way you can ask the screeners questions and get some honest and solid feedback. Anyway that's my two cents

Good luck and keep at it,
Antonio

[DesireInspires]

You need to make more music and submit it to Taxi listings and directly to music libraries.

Build your catalog and flood the market with your music. It works.

[gtrmann]

Hello Bluzman,
I am a four year Taxi member. I submitted more in the first year or so. I have not gotten a forward yet, I am pretty sure I am real close now..... I looked at what my songs were lacking and have been focusing on improvement in those areas. My voice was the biggest setback to my music, so I formed a cover band in which I am the featured singer. I have been doing this for just over 2 years, and my voice has vastly improved. I also learn songs that are mentioned in the listings so I can familiarize my self with the styles I am going after. I am also a child of the 70s and have that 70s blues rock as my roots... I probably go after a lot of the listings you would go after, blues rock A LA the Black Keys. This is a big learning process, If you want to do it your self, you have to be the songwriter, the engineer, the musician on all the instruments.... It is a uphill battle, something that you can win at.... It justs takes a while to get there... and a lot of learning and patience....... Good luck !!!! Just my humble opinion...

[TimWalter]

Gtrmann, Antonioroxer, and Desireinspires (sorry if I misspelled your post names, I cant see the previous post in this view, unless I am doing something wrong) Thanks so much for your comments. It really helps to hear your travails, where you are, and steps you are taking to solve. Thanks so much. I just got and read my last critique (although it was pending, because it was over 30 days past the submission deadline I was pretty sure it was a return, counted it in the 0/33 and I was right). This critiquer mainly said not broadcast quality, although he/she did say my vocals were a secondary reason...said they werent bluesy enough (the listing was for blues songs) hmmm.. Have a friend who has recorded a slew of albums, I just sent him the critique and the three songs and am asking him to give me suggestions. Maybe I can have him remix the basic tracks, and I can sit in the room when he does it. Hes not a pro either, so maybe his level isnt good enough either, but hes been doing it for 10 years, and his cds really sound good to me, so at least it should be an improvement. Ill keep plugging away. I plan to come to the event in Nov, hopefully I can learn more and get contacts etc. Still struggling with my voice and where it fits. Played in cover bands, and they always asked me to sing the bluesier songs, saying I had the bluesy voice, but the critique (and comments on this board) say my voice isnt bluesy, so I am kind of lost as of the moment as to what KIND of voice I have, maybe just too mediocre, not sure. Still working thru that one.One suggestion on this board was to use gentle pitch correction to make sure all my vocals were at least correct pitch wise. My daw has Melodyne, just havent figured out how to use it yet, that s a task to complete before year end. Always more to do. Thanks guys.

[rnrmachine]

I didn't have time to read everything, but I know the feeling... plenty of returns... been there lol.

Don't get discouraged just keep trying eventually you'll get more and more forwards.

I did listen to your song, "Brotherhood on the Open Road" and I can point out a few things that hurt your chances.

1: It doesn't sound like a band playing... MAINLY because "the changes" aren't "fluid" and "alive" like they'd be with with real band. SO the song sounds like it's a band someone times then obviously not, in a bad way, at other times.

2: The vocals work most of the time but the lyrics and vocal delivery on verses could use some changes to raise the bar on apparent talent level. Try to add in metaphors AND imagery. Also try to sing for more effect and less enunciation. More vocal punch at certain times and softer more spoken at other. It would help the vocal line in this song be much better imho.

I like the hook as is which is the most important part imho. Just keeping people listening long enough to get there... that's just as hard as coming up with a great hook.

Over all it sounds like a lot of work went into it, but... more realism and a easier to follow, more common, lead/vocal melody.

Good jam though, I enjoyed listening to it. Good luck in all you do!!

[gtrmann]

Write, submit, forget......that is the saying around here. Just keep putting stuff in, looking at the critiques, and trying to incorporate those suggestions into your work. That is all you can do. Everything else is out of your control.

The critique on my last return was the person's opinion that my music wasn't right for the customer...

The style was "on target"

The sound quality was "well recorded"

The check box was all 8s, except for lyrics and marketability which were 7s.

The comment on one of the two songs I submitted was, "Arrangement is very solid. Structure flows smoothly from start to finish and feels quite satisfying emotionally. Guitar playing sounds gritty and passionate. Vocal is expressive."

The main reason(s) you were or were not forwarded for this listing is:
Lyrical themes and imagery lack the sort of imagination they've after for this listing.

And you know my weakest point currently is in the lyrics, the reveiwer saw that...... I guess it is time to start working that now...... What can you do........

Write, submit, forget !!!!

[sedge]

Second question: do any of you have suggestions on how to modernize your sound quickly

sounds like you don't care what kind of sound you make as long as it fits someone else's deal.

That might be the reason behind the returns man : (

Gotta love what you do, the love shines through!

[zydeceltico]

I -would- say we all suck BUT I've been tapping the whiskey - - so I won't do that - - - -cuz it would be rude - - lol - - -

[StanSwin]

I gave your track a listen. It is definitely gritty, but I think there are a couple of things you can do to raise the bar on broadcast quality.
1) I can hear room noise in your tracks, it sounds like you recorded everything in the middle of the living room. You should try to isolate your tracks as you record them. If you don't have an isolation booth or really quiet closet to record in, you could try using a reflexxion shield to keep the room noise down. For guitars, I put the amp in my bathroom and mic it in there with the reflexxion shield to cut down on the bathroom ambience.

I made my own portable iso-booth once with 3 luan bifold doors, covered them with acoustic foam and placed them around the singer in a circle. It's cheap, works pretty good and you can store it away when not recording.

2) The vocal performance needs some smoothing out. Make sure you're delivery is accurate, and flows like a performance. All vocals are tuned today, so if you aren't tuning then your vocal will stand out as not broadcast quality. Also, compression on the vocals, and proper EQ on the whole thing is necessary.

Another great learning experience is to track your songs, and invest in some studio time with a professional engineer to mix and master them with you there in the room. You can watch what they're doing, ask questions, and you'll learn a ton about mixing your own stuff at home. I still do that occasionally when I have trouble with a mix that I can't seem to nail.