How/Who to approach with song?

[mikeye]

Hi all,I was just wondering....I have 2 questions...I have been writing for many years now and desperately want to make that 'break' between writing in the bedroom and pitching it to people who will give me a chance...but no-one can ever give me a straight answer (and I know there are many answers)!I am from UK but I write in a definitely amercan style of pop rock so UK market is pretty much out for me.1) Besides the good people at taxi is there any other avenue I can explore?2) I have written a couple of songs in mind for some DIsney signed singers ie. Miley Cyrus, Demi Levato, Jonas Bros and I have their contact details (Publisher, Manager and Record Company). Which of these should I call/write/e mail? And how should I go about doing it? I mean...I have no cuts, no evidence of my skill (other than a couple of forwards by taxi), and I am competing with the worlds best. How should I approach this? "Hi, you don't know me but please get Demi to record my song"?

[simonparker]

Hi Mike:There's really no right answer to this...or perhaps better said, there are too many answers to these questions.A few thoughts. First, you say you write for the US market and that the UK market is "out". How do you know? Since this is closer to home, I would first make sure that you know for a fact that you won't be able to break-out in the UK, before spending time, effort, and money working the US angle.Second, what you're asking is to whom do you pitch your songs, for example with Disney styled artists? Perhaps you need to step back and rethink your approach. You suggest (but do not say) that you don't know anyone in that market. Are you sure? How about some of your musician friends? Do any of them perhaps know of someone that can open a door for you? Anyone at work, church, or social network have any connections or leads that can possibly open doors for you (in the UK or US)? How about joining a social organization (i.e. songwriter circle/performing rights workshop) that can expand your network and get your name out there? Also taking a step back. When opening doors, perhaps you might work better with "two or more heads"? For example, I found that I expanded my network by working with songwriters more connected than I. I knew those songwriters were open to collaborations with others like me, and I knew they knew people I didn't know. That was one benfit with working with them. I also found that I could open doors when I produced artists that were starting to create a buzz, and were willing to work with me. If you write as well as you claim, you should be able to find songwriters, artists, or bands that will collaborate with you, or allow you in on the production. If these songwriters and artists are starting to gain attention via publishers/managers/fan base, you will be able to expand your network and "open" more doors. Perhaps one of those doors will lead you to the publisher, manager, or record company exec you need to know to establish yourself in the way you are trying to attain.These are just ideas, so I wish you the best of luck.

[guscave]

Hi Mikeye,Don't short sell the UK market for yourself yet. A lot of the types of Artists you mentioned are also available in the UK. (I signed a country tune several years ago to an Australian group through a UK publisher).Check around, I'm sure you can find publishers, and artists in your area that would be interested in your music (if it's up to par with what they're looking for).As for getting contact in the U.S. try collaborating with other writers who have contacts here that you might not have.

[hummingbird]

1) Besides the good people at taxi is there any other avenue I can explore? 2) I have written a couple of songs in mind for some DIsney signed singers ie. Miley Cyrus, Demi Levato, Jonas Bros and I have their contact details (Publisher, Manager and Record Company). Which of these should I call/write/e mail? And how should I go about doing it? I mean...I have no cuts, no evidence of my skill (other than a couple of forwards by taxi), and I am competing with the worlds best. How should I approach this? "Hi, you don't know me but please get Demi to record my song"?1-I'd look for up and coming artists who sing in that style. If you are UK based and write American music, perhaps there are local artists who might be interested in performing / recording a song or two. You might not make much money from it, but it will give you credits. Also look for co-writing opportunities with good people more experienced that you & vow to learn from the opportunity.2- if your songs are well-written enough to be getting TAXI forwards, consider submitting them to film/tv listings looking for that style. 3- attend music conferences and other songwriting events to network and pitch your demos.

[hookjawbrown]

Guscave,Nice songwriter's site you have. Some good info on it. The DIY publishing ap on iPhones was really interesting.

[mikeye]

Thank you! This is all great advise! I would like to give you some background on why I feel I have come to a bit of a dead end with the contacts thing...I was head of vocals at a leading UK rock/pop school so I know well connected people but:None of my colleagues EVER gave anything away. Seriously like getting blood out a stone. Many people who worked there had already had world wide hits, one was up for an Ivor Novello, yet when I asked them any questions these would be the kind of answers I`d get;"well...it`s a tough nut to crack""send it off to some publishers"or the best one - "anything you write today is already 2 years out of date because it takes so long for things to get moving"I do find that many people keep their cards/info/contacts VERY close to their chest (maybe they are insecure, or can`t be bothered).I have also found that when I ask people how do I go about getting a publishing deal I get similar answers to the above, and there is no info on the net about how to go about getting a publishing deal, it just seems to 'happen' for people. Also, I am interested in not jsut pitching to artists but also film/TV too. But alas, I can`t write UK style - Kaiser Chiefs for eg, I write stuff thats similar to Kelly Clarkson/Bon Jovi.Just out of interest -Which out of the publisher, manager, or record company would I approach regarding the pitch of a song?And;How would I do it? - Like I said before, do I just call them up and say "I have a song thats perfect for Miley Cyrus! You don`t know me but it`s a great song!"@guscave :How would I go about pitching an Amercan style song to the UK publishers etc?How would I go about pitching ANYTHING to a publisher?Thank you all so much for your time!

[hummingbird]

Well, number one, if you are a TAXI member, you pitch to labels and publishers by submitting to listings. I would read the response of those you met as either a) 'yeah, everybody wants me to help them,' or b) 'your stuff isn't good enough yet'I just made a deal with someone I met at the last Rally. I didn't pitch anything to them at the Rally, though. I just talked to them like a real person, about life in general. They remembered me and because of that, they invited me to send them a demo.If I were going to try to pitch a song to a label I would do these things: 1) get pro feedback on the song and the demo & be sure it's the best uptempo song I could possibly write, recorded with the best vocalist I can find/afford; 2) research the label and its artists thoroughly (no point in pitching to artists that write their own stuff); 3) call the label office and ask the receptionist if it's possible to send in song demos (be polite, this is the gatekeeper), if he/she says no, thank her politely and move on. If she says yes, ask who you should address it to.I suggest reading some US based publications on the music industry as well. John Braheny's "The Craft & the Business of Songwriting" and Jason Blume's "This Business of Music". I recommend also picking up "Songwriter's Market" as book - they have some great articles in there on how to pitch effectively (altho I'd take the leads with a grain of salt.)One last note - you seem to be absolutely certain that no one in the UK or Europe would be interested in your US style music. Are you sure? I'd research radio stations and internet stations that play that style of music, and listen for UK/Europe-based artists who perform that style. Then I'd research what label they are on.Also have a read of Jason Blume's "Inside Songwriting" for a good look at what it really means to pitch songs to artists.

[guscave]

Sept 16, 2009, 11:46am, hookjawbrown wrote:Guscave,Nice songwriter's site you have. Some good info on it. The DIY publishing ap on iPhones was really interesting.Thanks Hook, I actually haven't updated that site in quite a while.

[BraveNote]

It's reasonable to ask the same question about film/video/multi-media libraries and managers. Which ones and WHO do I approach with a multi-track background or thematic composition?There are no definitive answers and anyone who thinks he/she has the answers is sorely fooling themselves. This is a people business. There's lots and lots of talented writers out there and the competition is enormous. All business is "people business". It's not about the contacts so much as it is about the relationships you forge with the people you contact. Because there's just so many great songs and fantastic Inst. compositions out there, (thanks to current music audio technology) it's imperative to befriend associates who would benefit from your work. The urge to profit from your craft might well be what's holding you back. If you produce great songs/music, that's all you can humanly hope for. The next step is to forge lasting relationships with others who are in your sphere of professionals.Make an effort to go to the Road Rally and hang with fellow TAXI members while pursuing the perfect song.

[mikeye]

You know what? I would Love to attend a road rally. Unfortunately there is no way I could afford a flight to the US plus the fee plus hotel plus food etc. It's not that it would leave me strapped... It's that I don't have that kind of money. Does any think it would be a good idea for taxi to make these events a worldwide affair? I don't mean that Michael should go to all these but maybe get a rally involving uk a and r people or Australian a and r people to give international members a chance?