On the right track for pop/rock?

[BenSpinSpace]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member of TAXI; I just sent off a first big batch of submissions to several current listings. However, I feel I have no yardstick to measure my submissions by, and I'm wondering if I might be able to get some feedback from TAXI veterans. I'm focused on becoming a pop songwriter, mainly for female singers; how am I doing?

You can find some of my songs here: http://www.myspace.com/benlandis

Let's take the song "You Were Wrong" as an example. Does it seem competitive as a pop/rock song? Are the arranging and production values alright for a demo going to a label/publishing listing? Any other advice, general or specific, that might steer me closer to landing some forwards?

Thank you for your time!

[ottlukk]

Ben:
I enjoyed this tune. I think the lyrics and structure are right on target. Production-wise is where they will tell you that you fell short. This was like an acoustic guitar with a soloist, and there's nothing wrong with that. It was really nicely done. But it seems to me that the TAXI listings, for the most part, look for a full-blown production. The screeners want all the violins, all the redundant guitars, all the back-up singers, in your submission.
This is a fine tune. You're on the right track, keep it up. And welcome to the forums.
Ott

[glender]

It's pretty good, but I hear screaming guitars with full blown drums kicking in at some point. I don't know if your going to get past the screeners but it's a good tune for sure, you just need more production. BTW tell your singer I like her voice, I listened to a couple of your songs they sounded real good.

Welcome to the forums

gl

[bwd]

Hi Ben. Cool song. Really good vocals. Nice harmonies in the chorus. At this stage it has the feel of a demo. All the elements are there. You just need to up the quality of your instruments and samples (especially the piano) and then do a nice mix. That's an ongoing thing for everybody all the time! "10 after 5" is also a cool song. Another really good vocalist. Where do you find them! Cheers, Doug

[BenSpinSpace]

Hi, thank you for the advice and the kind words. I'll definitely put more of a focus on my production standards now, since they're clearly the weakest aspect of You Were Wrong. I think I'm going to work to bring it closer to the level of "Reason," which is the other song I recorded with this singer (Kristen Mercado). Does that seem about right?

[bfl]

I'm gonna echo what the folks said.

love the chorus! especially the harmonies. It did not fully satisfy but it went a LONG way. I think it's a production issue in this genre. It could be a huge one with all the stuff the folks asked for. Or strip it down more...

you good, dude

[bwd]

Hi Ben. I had a listen to "Reason". Another really good song! You've it going on as a songwriter. What software are you using and what instruments do you play? I think everything sounds too "midi". Is that Virtual Acoustic on there? All the parts are there in the right places. They just need to be played for real or generated with better samples? Cheers, Doug

[herminga123]

Hey Ben,

Great job!! Love the songs - especially "Better Off." Where did you find the singers?

[BenSpinSpace]

Friends!

Just did a 3-song Premium Demo package with Beaird Music Group.

Here's "You Were Wrong." What do you think of it? Is it ready to be pitched to high-bar pop/rock listings?

http://www.benlandis.com/filehosting/yo ... beaird.mp3

[eeoo]

Sounds pretty smokin' to me. Too much auto-tune for me personally but perhaps it appropriate genre-wise? I say pitch away!

Nice tune man!

eo