Help With Questions On Music Industry

[kthomas9]

Hey there,

I'm thinking about joining taxi and growing my skills in song writing. I have a basic home studio set up with Reason and Record by propellerhead. I'd consider myself someone between beginner and intermediate for creating pieces working with virtual instruments to compose a wide variety of genres. I also write as a singer/songwriter. I have a few questions I wanted to ask, I appreciate your response

1. Would you strongly recommend Taxi as a place to begin looking for opportunities in film/tv industry? What about opportunities with labels? Are there other places you would recommend besides taxi?

2. Is there anyone who has made some deals in the music industry through taxi who would be willing to do a video call and tell me more about some of there tracks that have had some success. I'd also appreciate any advice you could give me starting out - just reply to thread with email or a way I can contact you.

3. Is there anyone in Little Rock AR area who would be interesting in connecting in person and talking about their music and their works? Leave me some some contact info if so.

Thanks so much!

[VanderBoegh]

If you're looking to get your start in the music world, Taxi is THE place to learn the ropes, fine-tune your chops, better your craft, meet many likeminded people, and get introduced to industry people who will kickstart your career. At the meager cost of $300 for that first year, it's the one thing I've looked at as the keystone of my budding career, and definitely one of the best services I've ever paid for. You even get free tickets to their annual conference (the "Road Rally") - as a comparison, the ASCAP Expo (a similar event) charges about $350 and isn't even half as good.

Without Taxi, I'd be sitting on my couch eating Doritos wondering when I'd ever get my break. But thanks to Taxi, I've worked hard and put their services and expertise to use to make my own breaks. Now I'm writing music every day, getting placements on all sorts of TV shows, and cashing royalty checks. And I'm a newbie compared to many on these forums, who are always happy to lend an ear.

You can listen to a bunch of my tracks via my SoundCloud link below. Nearly everything that I've posted there is signed to one music library or another.

If you're serious about becoming better at music and perhaps making a splash in the scene, or at least making some spare change, that $300 for the first-year membership is the best money you'll ever spend.

~~Matt

[andygabrys]

Totally agree with Matt - this is a helpful inspiring place to be.

You can be 100% TAXI or you can be a TAXI member and also create your own relationships, but in either case you can learn tons by being around the forum, and posting your own works-in-progress and asking for feedback.

The Road Rally is life changing - and I think every year you attend you can expect your music career to leap.

You can listen to my works as well on my Soundcloud and like Matt almost all of that music has been signed.

good luck and welcome!

[TheElement]

Welcome!

Great advice above from two very successful Taxi members.

I started last year January and joining Taxi was one of those things I just had to do if I was going to take my writing seriously. Last January I didn't even know anything about recording or using midi. I actually didn't even know how midi worked! I was really green. It was Taxi members like Andy and Matt who are so generous with their knowledge that helped me learn a ton.

I have had lots of forwards (started getting them 6 months in to my first year) to libraries. Of course getting placements takes time. They say the 5 year plan works. So you have to be in it for the long haul. For me doesn't really matter I just love creating music so I'm good till the day I die.

Just got my first licensing deal (outside Taxi) but would not have happened without the knowledge gained from Taxi. Check Taxi TV out also. Great resource. Check the archives.

All I can say is if you are serious its a no brainer joining Taxi. Also the Taxi Rally is well worth the membership alone.

All the best!

[kthomas9]

Hey thanks for the responses guys I appreciate that. Would anyone be willing to talk a little more in depth about their songwriting and how they were able to get off the ground by contacting me at kthomas9@harding.edu ?

Thanks again,
Kolton

[PeterD]

kthomas9,

Welcome and GREAT questions!

First of all, I'd like to say that I personally know Matt, Andy, and Gavin who posted above and agree with everything they said. They are some focused and SERIOUS guys.

My 2 cents would be, the industry is like any other in that it's whatever you want it to be. If you want it to be a hobby, it's going to pay like one. If you want to get some money out of it, you'll need to treat it like a REAL business ... That means learning everything you possibly can about it and investing loads of time, and even some money. I've been a member for 6 years now. I've wanted to quit so many times and looked for every excuse that the business model wouldn't work and never once thought that it could be me. 3 years ago I got serious, and last year things finally started to happen. That said, if you are as serious you might expect some good things within 3-5 years. A 5 year plan is somewhat average.

Take a peek at my SC page too if you want. I have many "signed pieces" on there (none that are actually earning any money yet) but several of my "scary" ones just got picked up for a new TV series. Those should pay nicely before the year is over.

This forum will save you a lot of aggravation. Ask ANY question you'd like and you'll get your answer. Or ... You can explore other avenues on your own. I can't advise that until you've mastered the Taxi process though (which can take a lifetime)

Best of luck!

[PeterD]

PS ... Even if you don't do anything with your Taxi membership, get to that Road Rally!!!

It will be THE BEST 4 day weekend (usually around Nov 10th in Los Angeles) you'll ever have if you want to learn about the business and rub elbows with some awesome AWESOME people. You will absolutely love it!!!

I want you to remember how you feel reading this right now, AFTER you're unpacking your suitcase this coming November.