Male vocal/female listing?

[joshhowatt]

I feel like I have this killer song, that would fit great with these listings. HOWEVER, I'm male, and the song is written for a female. Is that an immediate disqualifier or would they listen for the potential in it?

www.soundcloud.com/joshhowatt/noisemaker

CONTEMPORARY POP/DANCE SONGS a la Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, etc., needed by an A&R Exec at a UK Production and Record Company for a female Russian artist working on her Indie release in Russia. They're open to songs that have already been released in US or European territories, as long as they haven't been released in Russia - this release will only be in Russia. They want to hear finished songs with dynamic, current-sounding tracks and catchy, original vocal HOOKS. Demo presentations must be top-notch! Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Tuesday, February 21, 2012.
TAXI # S120221PD
*Noisemaker


CONTEMPORARY HIT POP SONGS a la Katy Perry, Rihanna, Lady GaGa, etc, needed by an A&R Exec at a UK Production and Record Company for a young, female Russian singer. All tempos are welcome, as long as the songs are RADIO FRIENDLY with POWERFUL, ORIGINAL HOOKS! Ballads should be melodic and romantic, while uptempos should have a more "rhythmic electronic/dance vibe." Vocal and instrumental demo presentations must be top-notch! Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Wednesday, February 8, 2012.

[RogerG]

Hi Josh,

You'll learn all about dissecting Taxi listings eventually. It's almost an art form in itself...

Personally speaking, I really don't recommend trying to submit things meant for a female to a male artist and vice versa. However since they don't state specifically "Female Vocals Only" or "Male Vocals Only" (and they certainly will if that's what they're told), you could potentially put this song in. But you're handicapping yourself doing that in my opinion. Not everybody can hear what's supposed to be there, many only hear what is there. So even if the Taxi screeners forward your song on, it's very likely to hit a road block later on with someone else who maybe doesn't understand and/or can't hear what was intended. Long and short, if the song was written for a female vocalist, and is being pitched to female vocalist, have the song sung by a female vocalist.

Just my opinion of course. Others may disagree. - Roger

[joshhowatt]

Hi Roger,
Yes, I think you may be right. From what I understand for the most part, A & R require a finished product in order to go back and re-record another finished product. Doesn't seem like they have a whole lot of creative listening skills. I'm thinking this one might be a lost cause, unless I can get it recorded by a powerhouse female.

[moomy]

The songwriting book gurus like Jason Blume, John Braheny and others talk about the male/female demo issue. Their take is that male vocals work ok for female singers but female vocals rarely are selected by male singers. The best of course is to have two versions, but if you don't have them, then submit the male vocal for sure unless they specify not to.

Google the question - there are lots of articles on it.


Judy

[Silversun]

I say go for it unless they say specifically 'female vocal' ,although your chances are definately less id say. One thing you learn pretty quickly here is that the listings can be very specific and the screenings are very tight.Rightly so from the client/taxi point of view. They give clients what they want so they come back and taxi members get more placements.

[playagibson]

The post does not say " Females only ! " So if you feel your song would fit this listing with a female vocalist in mind , then go for it !
Good luck !!!