Pop Song Advice

[cacerra]

Hello.

Few months in with Taxi and love being apart of this group! I have had nearly double digit forwards of music cues but can't seem to hit the mark with the song requests. Looking for feedback from peers, if you have time. Really appreciate it (any advice is good advice)!

Here are some samples:

https://soundcloud.com/user-217762642/carnival
https://soundcloud.com/user-217762642/w ... -play-hard
https://soundcloud.com/user-217762642/a ... e-run-from

[feaker66]

Hi Nice to meet you. You are good man. I might be wrong, but there won't be much constructive suggestions with at least the first one. Congrats to all your forwards already. I don't hear many pop songs on the forum here, but this one is very good. I would make a suggestion to only ask advice on one song at a time and be specific on what you want such as genre, mix, etc. Also the lyrics help match the listing too.

sincerely

Paul

[WeWillWriteUaSong]

I sent you a PM

Marcus

[cacerra]

feaker66 and Marcus thanks for taking the time to reply. Both of you have great songs on your respective sites.

Feaker your guitar sounds are fantastic, can I ask what you use to get such a clear sound? Very nice sounds. Thanks for advice on listing one song at a time for advice, note taken.

I was hoping some of you songwriters that are getting songs forwarded had any tips in general or advice in general to help solve the taxi song puzzle. I have been impressed with the music/songs on the site as well as the level of interest to help other musicians.

[feaker66]

Hi again If you are referring to the guitar sounds in the song I just posted, those aren't mine. Some of the background stuff is, but my friend Bob is the real guitarist and he sorta took over the song. I haven't had any success in music at all, so I wouldn't be the guy to help much. I joined Taxi for one year and got back my songs with a "sorry, this is just to dated" response each time. I thought I would hone my skills and then rejoin. it didn't happen. I am 67 years old and it is really hard to change. ha ha

I was very impressed with your work and at the time I listened I was thinking how cool it would have been to keep up with the new music

I don't think you are going to have any problem with success. There is some awesome talent here on the forum. I hope some of them will give you advice.

Sincerely

Paul

[WeWillWriteUaSong]

I have been having the best luck with songs written specific to the listing. And a few times one's that are returned end up working and being forwarded to a different listing. I have not had much luck with songs written before joining TAXI. Cues....yes... But with songs it seems the minute they are done they are starting to become dated haha. Like a fruit.

Since we are both in/around the pop genre I will also say I listen to TAXI's reference tracks a lot! Very often they repeat the same type of song they need (ie Bieber, Lovato, etc). Listen to these alas and try to stay within similar techniques. It seems like, oh hey a pop listing - let me post that pop song I wrote. Very rarely has worked, for me at least...in this genre. Most of the time (it seems) - the closer you can get to sounding like the ref, the more likely you'll get the forward. Sometimes being as current as possible in pop means writing lyrics that seem below normal writing standards. Using odd and embarrassing lingo that young people use is weird sometimes haha, but I will tell you firsthand that it works. I am 33 (TODAY IS MY BDAY) , but luckily I get to work with young artists every day who help inspire me and see what the youngers are into.

Hope this helps..feel free to ask any questions
Marcus

[songmaster]

Hey Cacerra

I really enjoyed listening to your songs. You have a real Bruno Mars vibe going on. I love the funky feel in Carnival and I think the last song " A Place We Run From " is beautiful and well written. Again, I could hear Bruno Mars doing this one. All the best with your music!

Tom

[SteveC]

Hi

welcome to Taxi ! Took a listen to Carnival. Great hook. Straight up pop right on the money. Production is solid. It jams.

Some folks write specific to a listing, they read the listing line by line and hit every mark, while others look into their catalogs and see what they have that may fit. It's music so tho it's subjective, the listing language/wording does matter.

I can hear a little Bruno in Carnival, maybe even a dash of Prince in a few places, for me, the ala, would be Steve Winwood for Carnival. I'm a bit older LOL

These forum are a great testing ground for tracks and the folks here aren't looking to do anything but help. Remember to post your lyrics.

Looking forward to hearing more songs from you and I wish you tremendous success.

st

[johnlewitt]

Your writing, production, and vocals are all polished which would explain the forwards. As to hitting the mark with song requests, that's a whole different talent. Taxi listings are very specific and everything in the listing trumps the quality of your tune if it's not spot on. Now if you've gotten forwards and are wondering why you haven't gotten any deals, then you have to realize getting songs signed thru forwards is pretty difficult (or rather put, a low percentage success rate). It will happen, you just have to submit a lot.

John