Pls help, need to know what this track needs!

[kabin7studios]

Hey all,

Just submitted a tune for listing https://www.taxi.com/listings/S250111XD and was returned due to the track needing further development.

This is the song: https://www.taxi.com/members/feXYFW0RTq ... 8Yg-closer

From the screener:
"You might consider developing the arrangement further to help give this a stronger and more finished sound and feel. A bit more fun energy is a thought as well."
Under style, checked "mood is off target with the listing request".
Under composition, checked "melody could be stronger".

I'm looking for some opinions on what I could add or change more specifically to get this track to where it needs to be. So far, I can imagine some additional percussion in the intro and pre choruses, and maybe some additional layering to the body of the song to strengthen the melody? Would love to get some further opinions.

Thanks for any recommendations,
Josh

[telefunkin]

Hi, sorry but you're yet another victim of the 'newbie curse' .

1) The link to the listing takes us to the main listing page, probably because expired listings are removed. You can find them elsewhere though.
Use the search function, and search for 'expired listings' to find a link to their location.

2) The link to your track doesn't work (and before you say 'well it works for me', the rest of us get the 404 error). Try making your track public, but better still try a search on these forums on how to post a track.
how-to-get-a-link-to-share-music-from-y ... 50037.html

Don't take it personally though. The same thing happens every few days and I wish Taxi would do something to help new members instead of them having to suffer the same issues.

[kabin7studios]

Busted lol! Newb here.

I appreciate your help. Oddly enough, I followed the exact steps as instructed in the post and video and it still doesn't seem to be working. Never the less, here's another link to where you may listen. I put a screenshot of the brief in there as well.

Drive Folder

Let me know if there are any other issues.

Thanks again for taking the time,
J

[telefunkin]

Dropbox says "Couldn't preview file. Owner has prevented downloads and playback of this audio file"

[Casey H]

You can find expired listings at: https://www.taxi.com/past_listings/adult%20contemporary.

Search for your listing number there. Here it is, though:

INDIE/POP SONGS with Male or Female Vocals are needed for an (up to) $10,000 Direct-to-Music Supervisor placement for a big TV Commercial on a MAJOR TV Network!

Because this is a Direct-to-Music Supervisor placement, you'll get 100% of the $10,000 and keep 100% of your song's ownership!

NOTEWORTHY: This Supervisor is BRAND NEW to requesting music from TAXI! This is a great opportunity to start a new relationship with a Music Supervisor that frequently works with HUGE Ad Agencies on BIG TV Commercials!

This Music Supervisor is on the hunt for Mid-to-Up-tempo Songs that could be heard on a playlist with the following references:

"If Our Love Is Dead" by Royel Otis

"Sunroof" by Nicky Youre, dazy

"I Ain’t Worried" by OneRepublic

"Tongue Tied" by Grouplove

Please submit modern Indie Pop Songs with an exciting, mainstream sound that could work well for advertising! Your submissions should have catchy melodies, memorable choruses, engaging rhythms, solid arrangements, and well-crafted lyrics. This track needs to have a great energy and vibe right from the start, with plenty of feel-good, emotionally upbeat momentum. Indie Pop instrumentation and production in the general wheelhouse of the references will work best. Please ensure any virtual instruments or samples you use are high quality and not dated-sounding. Confident and well-performed vocals (Male or Female) are the way to go!

TAXI Tip: Since this opportunity is specifically for an advertising spot, positive, emotionally upbeat lyric themes are going to work best. Avoid submitting anything with sad, melancholy, or emotionally-down themes! Avoiding themes that are too "heartfelt" or overtly sexual would be a good idea as well!

Lyrics should avoid references to specific names, dates, times, places, brands, and profanity. Do NOT copy the referenced songs or artists in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

Another TAXI Tip: Your goal is to create and/or submit songs that sound like they'd be right at home as the next song on the playlist, above!

AI ALERT: This company does not accept or sign music that has been lyrically or melodically composed using generative AI, nor does it accept backing tracks, full instrumental tracks, or vocal performances created with generative AI.

The estimated license fee for this placement could be up to $10,000, depending on the ultimate use (possibly higher). The forwards for this pitch go directly to the Music Supervisor, so this is a great opportunity! The specific deal points will be negotiated directly with the Supervisor on a case-by-case basis. No publisher splits! You must own or control your Master and Copyright. Please submit as many Songs as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. TAXI # S250111XD

[kabin7studios]

Sorry guys thought I had the permissions set right. Should be able to view now. And thanks for sharing Casey.

J

[telefunkin]

The listing mentions ..... modern, exiting, mainstream sound, memorable choruses, great energy right from the start, feel-good, emotionally upbeat momentum, not dated-sounding. IMHO the track misses many of those requirements. Therefore, I wouldn't consider trying to make it fit that listing. It just doesn't, so I can understand why the screener ticked the 'mood off target' box and also suggested more fun/energy (for this listing).

I'd say it would better suit a more downbeat indie listing, but I think I'd be looking at changing the main synth sounds to something that sounds more modern, and aiming for a more polished sound for the overall mix. My personal preference would be for more clarity in the vocal, although the first ref track in the above listing has vocals that are anything but clear so what do I know??? .

[kabin7studios]

Thanks for the feedback! 2 of the references I found were more indie rock sounding (If Our Love Is Dead, and Tongue Tied) and the others were more main stream pop (Sunroof and I Ain't Worried). So I decided to follow more closely to the latter references, although I'll admit the track definitely came out with a more old school sound with the bell and old style synths. I'll keep this all under consideration, and do some re working for when the next pop listing come up.

Thanks again,
J