Production and performance for song listings

[jlaplante]

I have gotten feedback on the sound quality and production of a couple of my songs. I didn't use a professional studio. I recorded them myself and admit that they don't have that polished radio ready sound to them. My question is why should that matter for a song listing? Doesn't the artist re-record the song? Why should the production of the demo matter or even the performance (if you are not the best singer)? For the song listing, shouldn't the screeners be focusing on the songwriting only? Can anybody help me with this? Thanks.

[edteja]

Part of the problem is just the enormous amount of competition. Other people will be showing their ware's about as produced as the final version and your song won't stand alongside them well if it isn't. Remember that they are not looking for a gem in the rough, but a polished gem. I suspect they (the A&R folk) don't want to work all that hard if they don't have to. Also, they might want to use your music tracks (a nonvocal mix) for the released version or for the artist to try the song out, which means they have to be good.

[ernstinen]

Ed is correct. Tracks need to be competitive, but vocals need to be SUPER competitive with the other songwriting demos A&R weasels listen to. They'll turn off your demo in 10 seconds and trash it if they don't like it. (I don't mean TAXI will do that, but they won't forward it).Let's say I'm doing a country/rock demo. I'm a good singer, but I'm no country singer, and I can't fool anyone by affecting a country style. I've tried, believe me! Hire a quality singer that sings authentically in the style you're pitching.My 2 centavos,Ern

[rgranby]

If Ed is right on (which he probably is for the most part) then I will never be forwarded because my approach is to provide a black and white scetch (so to speak) and let the A&R people use their imagination hopefully taking some sort of ownership of the song. Where can I hear some demos that were re-produced into hits?

[edteja]

Jason Blume did a demo that Britney Spears sang over for her first hit. I have no idea where you might hear it. There are, I understand, some places that simple demos can work, but as Ern said, the vocal has to sell the song. Is it within the realm of possibility for you to change the approach, since the industry probably won't meet you halfway?

[rgranby]

I have a pro tools home studio system. I'm still trying to learn how to use it. I feel it has actually hindered my progress more than enhanced it. I tried the Ableton demo that came with pro tools and I liked it better, that is I was able to make sense of it faster. But still I have a long way to go. I need to learn how to do drum loops, add bass tracks and hire a fiddle player. A steel player would be nice too. Mabe this would dress up my songs a little.

[jay10music]

it depends on the type of listing you are submitting to. If it is film and tv, they are going to be using that actual track, etc.. those productions need to be on point. However, if it is a song to artist submission, the production just needs to be clean and in tune. Some of TAXI's biggest success stories came from guitar/vox demos.

[horacejesse]

JL, you have touched on what I feel is an important issue for Taxi members doing song pitches. You are not the only one with these kinds of concerns.Quote:My question is why should that matter for a song listing? Doesn't the artist re-record the song? Why should the production of the demo matter or even the performance (if you are not the best singer)?Yes but…Quote:For the song listing, shouldn't the screeners be focusing on the songwriting only?You and I would never want it any other way, would we? The screener's handbook states that inferior production is not a sufficient resason for rejecting a song pitch, and screeners are prohibited from putting this in the "reason you were not forwarded" box.But what is the reality? A pinch of experience and a dash of understanding of human nature is helpful.I feel pretty sure production/vocal could contribute to the reasons for not being forwarded, although it will never be the stated reason.The production/vocal probably has to be pretty bad for this to happen. A song that really is great can knock aside a lot of other considerations.We tend to think a screener should be able to hear the greatness of our song through any obstacle.Can you and I listen to someone else's songs that are sung and produced poorly and consistently discover underlying gems without being negatively distracted?What will be the first thing we notice? I gaurantee you it will be how poorly the thing is done. Everything else we notice comes after that.Don’t put your faith in the imaginations of businessmen and producers who may not play an instrument or write songs, but are gatekeepers for the famous artist you are trying to reach. For one thing they did not ask for something showing the seeds of greatness. They asked for fully formed fruit.The key for songpitchers who are not seasoned producers seems to be---don't over-produce!! A simple production will work just as well or better for a song pitch. Like the lady says, some of Taxi's biggest successes came from simple demos.When you keep it as simple as possible you avert your own shortcomings as a producer, and increase the chances that the listener will hear the song only, since there is not much else for them to hear. How much sense does it make to load one's song up with extra guitars, keyboards, drums and horns because one is a poor producer? None, right? Keep it simple. It is harder to get into trouble with only a few tracks.Can our simple tracks compete with demos done professionally? I have heard some of the demos produced for other Taxi members and they sound radio ready. Can our simple tracks compete?I think they can. In the end, Taxi is not after production. That is just a tool which enables them to judge the song easier. If the song is done professionally and still can't get through, we know for sure none of the reason was poor production. That picture is more clear for members who have demos done professionally. Others may always end up stuck on wondering if production or singing stopped them. It didn't.The song still is everything. The completed song, not the sketch.I'll tell you what Taxi gets out of a wonderfully produced mediocre song with a great singer--squat. Only a great song can do anything for Taxi.