Need Help with a category for this song

[anne]

Hi - Is it pop? Is it adult contemp.? What would you call the category for this song - (slow ballad-ish tune linked below). Any helpful suggestions are welcome - We are finally submitting songs and would like to keep this in mind for listings but don't know where it fits. Category, and the infamous "ala so-and-so" help is really welcome!See you at the rally -Annehttp://www.hscoinc.com/kj/river.mp3

[gitarrero]

"404 - error: site not found"

[anne]

That makes it a little tough to hear!Here is the link: http://www.hscinc.com/kj/river_sample.mp3

[gitarrero]

>> The requested URL /kj/river_sample.mp3 was not found on this server....that makes it even tougher to hear it...

[anne]

AHHHH!OK, I'll get it right this time! http://www.hscoinc.com/kj/river_sample.mp3Its all about the o....

[aubreyz]

Quote:AHHHH!OK, I'll get it right this time! http://www.hscoinc.com/kj/river_sample.mp3Its all about the o.... Categorization is sometimes tough. I have had trouble myself trying to figure out what genre to try and call something. The songwriting book that was recommended in a recent Taxi newsletter contained a thought that really opened my eyes. Though overall I found the book to be a little generic and more principle based than actual technique based (which was what I was looking for), there were some very valuable tidbits in there that made it worth the ten buck download.Essentially the writer said that he frequently gets the question of “what genre/category would this song fit in”, and what he would like to say is, “If you don’t know then how am I supposed to know.” That was pretty much an epiphany for me. If I didn’t know the target, then how would I know if I hit it? Some artists are just so talented and unique that they defy categories or create or define something new. For the rest of us, I think that defining the target is the best way to increase chances for success.But, theorizing aside, you asked for opinions on what category this song might fit. I would call it Adult Contemporary. Unfortunately there’s not really much of a market right now for that. AC and Hot AC have evolved more into AAA, and more eclectic folksy or alternative leaning stuff.From the latest Taxi listings here are the comparison artists for hot AC:Nick Lachey, Sixpence None The Richer, Kelly Clarkson, Sugar Ray, James Blunt, Marcy PlaygroundAnd AC:Sting, Sade, George Michael, Everything But The Girl, Simply Red, Chicago, SealVery few of these artists, with maybe the exception of Chicago, do straight ahead AC, but rather have some sort of eclectic slant. The biggest market right now for a mainstream AC sound right now is in contemporary Christian. Strip away the lyrics, and that’s what I think this track sounds the most like – the chord structure, arrangement and feel sound a lot like some of the current stuff on mellower Christian radio right now.I doubt that’s a market you are interested in. I guess my suggestion would be very similar to what I’m doing myself. Instead of asking what genre would this fit in, ask what genre do I want to fit in and find out what qualities are common in that target.Btw- I think you have a very good voice and the writing has some very good hooks. Aub

[matto]

Anne,I would agree with Aub...it's closest to AC (=adult contemporary), except it doesn't really sound very "contemporary". It's a bit of a dated sound...I know nobody likes to hear that but... I think a lot of that is in the production, but even the melody/chord progression itself kind of lacks a contemporary "edge".So outside of the CC arena I don't think this fits too well into the current marketplace.matto

[anne]

Aub, Matto - YOU ROCK!! (ok, now who is dated?)I never would have thought CC as its not something I'd typically listen to - this is a real eye opener for me! I have been using rhapsody and other listening services to check out the broader body of music of the artists named in the listings, and the previous info that you shared about "how to read taxi listings" was a great help. But still, I NEVER thought to listen or pay much attention to the CC categories / songs / artists. I don't know how to do that cool "box" thing to show comments from previous posts, but Matto wrote:I would agree with Aub...it's closest to AC (=adult contemporary), except it doesn't really sound very "contemporary". It's a bit of a dated sound...I know nobody likes to hear that but... I think a lot of that is in the production, but even the melody/chord progression itself kind of lacks a contemporary "edge".I AGREE with you on this and I don't mind hearing this - we do what we know and who we are, and we are not 20 years old! Do you have any examples or ideas (i.e. other songs) that I could check out and learn from?I am planning on going to the recording / production drivers ed classes at the rally, as well as the classes that talk about styles different than I typically listen to. That brings me to a questions about the classes. The schedule shows 4 or 5 classes in each time frame - does that mean each topic is covered for 20 minutes or so, or that there are several individual classes offered at that time and you pick one to attend during that hour & 1/2?I guess I have some homework to do before the next round of submissions, the convention, and some great info to pass on to our singer! Anne

[anne]

Wow, I just found that "cool box" thing, too!

[davewalton]

Quote:I AGREE with you on this and I don't mind hearing this - we do what we know and who we are, and we are not 20 years old! That's an excellent frame of mind to be in. It reminded me of a great phrase I heard this morning:"Instead of trying to change the wind, why not try adjusting your sails?"MANY musicians (in and out of Taxi) insist on trying to change the wind, others merely adjust their sails. Guess which people ultimately arrive at their destination. ?