Cross genre compositions

[jeffe]

I'll have to listen to that. I've been listening to odd tracks from faith hill, but I haven't come across that one yet.I am an obsessive songwriter, and I always believe that there is something better to write. Country seems like a real challenge to me.I don't expect to produce anything that could be considered a country hit, but the exercise is the exciting thing. I'd like to play around with dropping in an outside influence to try and put a subtle flavour in it.Most of the lyrics I write are quite clever and have many facets. They can normally be interpreted in several different ways. I'm going to assume that for country. I have to be a little, or maybe a lot more direct. Which will lead to being more descriptive. Which will lead to what you pointed out.I've set myself a range of 4 to 8 submits a week (If the relevant listings are available).I was curious about the country side of things, and you have provided me with the answer.No point in submitting something that is wide of the mark.I'm bound to make a few gaffes along the way but that's the learning process.I'm not sure what I'm looking forward to more:Forwards (I'd be happy with that. It would mean that someone liked my music).Rejections (I need them too. I don't believe that what I do is as good as it could be and I can't quite work out why that is, or the process of finding out is too slow. Taxi will speed that process up for me).

[johnnydean1]

Quote:I'll have to listen to that. I've been listening to odd tracks from faith hill, but I haven't come across that one yet.I am an obsessive songwriter, and I always believe that there is something better to write. Country seems like a real challenge to me.I don't expect to produce anything that could be considered a country hit, but the exercise is the exciting thing. I'd like to play around with dropping in an outside influence to try and put a subtle flavour in it.Most of the lyrics I write are quite clever and have many facets. They can normally be interpreted in several different ways. I'm going to assume that for country. I have to be a little, or maybe a lot more direct. Which will lead to being more descriptive. Which will lead to what you pointed out.I've set myself a range of 4 to 8 submits a week (If the relevant listings are available).I was curious about the country side of things, and you have provided me with the answer.No point in submitting something that is wide of the mark.I'm bound to make a few gaffes along the way but that's the learning process.I'm not sure what I'm looking forward to more:Forwards (I'd be happy with that. It would mean that someone liked my music).Rejections (I need them too. I don't believe that what I do is as good as it could be and I can't quite work out why that is, or the process of finding out is too slow. Taxi will speed that process up for me).I'm gonna get savaged for this (nothing new their! )Leave Country to the Good Ole Boys jeffe your chances of getting a forward are somewhere between zero and zilch.Horses for Courses.Ive only listened to one of your songs,so far and it was very good but you ain't Country and likely never will be!

[jeffe]

All I'm saying is, that I think it's a good thing for people to try and broaden their horizons. I'll never write country like the country boys do. I know that. Having a challenge that I'm never likely to meet is something I enjoy in a sick sort of way.Like I said. I'm never likely to produce a hit in that area, but it will help me to understand and appreciate an area of music that I never paid a lot of attention to.I know an awful lot about the Indie/Pop/Rock scene, but am severely lacking in the country side. That's not to say that I never listened to country. I have a collection of discs numbering over 4,000 and I've got a lot of country music by various artists. Some of it I love. Some I don't.Well I want to know why I appreciate your angle on that Johnny, and you're probably thinking "Oh no. Jeff's going to go and make a mess of country", but it's not my ambition to start trying to outwrite the experts. It's purely for my own understanding. However weird that may seem.I know what I'm good at. If I ever try to seriously write a song with country, It'll probably be pop/rock with a slight country flavour.Anybody that tries to savage your opinion Johnny, will be doing it for personal reasons. We all have a right to say what we want. Well. Within the board rules anyway.

[matto]

Quote:Do you still know who that originally said? Curious minds want to know... No I don't know who coined that phrase, or if it's even known. I heard it the first time from Steve Seskin, but he said the same thing, "as they say in Nashville", so I know he didn't come up with it...I just really like the expression cause...it's a visual way to describe visual lyrics!

[matto]

Quote:Leave Country to the Good Ole Boys jeffe your chances of getting a forward are somewhere between zero and zilch.Horses for Courses.Ive only listened to one of your songs,so far and it was very good but you ain't Country and likely never will be!Then again...I've had great success with Cuban Salsa music, having had placements in many major TV shows and a blockbuster movie...and I'm from Switzerland, not exactly the "salsa capital of the world" (and I swear no Alphorns were used in the making of those salsa songs ). Had you heard some of my pre-salsa music...you probably would've said "You ain't salsa and you likely will never be..." .So...you never really know until you try...Of course you're absolutely right that it's EXTREMELY difficult to get forwarded to high bar Nashville listings, that's an excellent point.

[jchitty]

Quote:This is about those songs we write that can be classed as being in more than one genre. Also songs that could be classed as being in multiple genres, by the use of different instruments or changes in tempo.I have just joined taxi and am currently in the process of uploading some tunes before I get busy on my submissions, but I've been checking out the listings to see any relevant opportunities in advance.I've seen a country listing, and intend to submit one of my songs to it. However, the song is not recorded in that particular style. I believe with a little tweaking, it would fit well. The listing makes a point of saying that the overall style does not have to be strict, so that's like an open door to me. There are no critiques so I'm sure the person at the other end is just waiting for a song to make the hair stand up on the back of their neck.My song is called 'All of the time' athttp://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?userid=920It's the top one on the list (at the moment)I can hear an easy conversion to a country ballad in that. If anyone has got a few minutes, then perhaps they can take a listen and agree of disagree with me.Back to the question.I'm sure this is a dilemma for most artists whenever they review the listings. Just how strict do they have to adhere to the requests?Especially those that are not extremely specific?I'm interested to hear members experiences on this and also it would be great if Taxi could throw some light on this themselves.Using our judgement is our responsibility but it would be nice to know roughly how long the piece of string is to start with. I wanted to make one more post before I leave out. I would have listened to your song the other day, but the speakers on my laptop are broken, (and can't be fixed) so right now, I can't listen to anyone's stuff. I made a statement on an earlier thread that I'd been spending my funds on demoes...one of these days, I'm getting a new 'puter. Those country high bar listings are really hard to get fowards on. I have been trying since August now, and while I've been getting really nice reviews and mostly 8's and 9's, (with some sprinkles of 7's) you just about have to get all 10's to get a foward. Good luck though, Jeff!

[jeffe]

The country music market is probably the biggest in the world. A vast majority of that is the U.S. There's no wonder why it's so competitive. There are so many people writing for that industry that they can afford to be really, really picky. Though you know that there are a lot of country songs that cross over to the other side. Be it in their original form, or remodeled to fit the desired target market.You probably know a lot of them.If the other listings are less competitive. Have you considered pushing some towards those?If you get a few past the gates, it might give you a foot in.You said that some of your works have other influences. Some of those might be relevant for other listings.Just a thought.

[jeffe]

Quote:Quote:Leave Country to the Good Ole Boys jeffe your chances of getting a forward are somewhere between zero and zilch.Horses for Courses.Ive only listened to one of your songs,so far and it was very good but you ain't Country and likely never will be!Then again...I've had great success with Cuban Salsa music, having had placements in many major TV shows and a blockbuster movie...and I'm from Switzerland, not exactly the "salsa capital of the world" (and I swear no Alphorns were used in the making of those salsa songs ). Had you heard some of my pre-salsa music...you probably would've said "You ain't salsa and you likely will never be..." .So...you never really know until you try...Of course you're absolutely right that it's EXTREMELY difficult to get forwarded to high bar Nashville listings, that's an excellent point.Now there's a point Matto.If I had a hit with a pop song. Then a country and western artist liked it so much that they decided to write a cover in a country style, it would be out of my hands and in the hands of a person who's probably been doing it for their whole career.There's another possibility. Me doing a bit of collaboration with a country writer. It's an odd pairing, but I'm sure I recall a recent topic on this board where they are trying to pair off with each other for some experimental songs.For me. The fun of it all would be in the experience of putting it together. Whether it's worthy of submission or not.

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Quote:Leave Country to the Good Ole Boys jeffe your chances of getting a forward are somewhere between zero and zilch.Horses for Courses.Ive only listened to one of your songs,so far and it was very good but you ain't Country and likely never will be!Then again...I've had great success with Cuban Salsa music, having had placements in many major TV shows and a blockbuster movie...and I'm from Switzerland, not exactly the "salsa capital of the world" (and I swear no Alphorns were used in the making of those salsa songs ). Had you heard some of my pre-salsa music...you probably would've said "You ain't salsa and you likely will never be..." .So...you never really know until you try...Of course you're absolutely right that it's EXTREMELY difficult to get forwarded to high bar Nashville listings, that's an excellent point.As usual Matto you make great points but this time the sums don't add up. Born in Switzerland so what's your Mother Tongue,Italian French or German.A lot of people are born in one Country and raised in another.I bet you.ve got a very convincing American accent. I doubt there not quite the same competion for Cuban Salsa and Country especially if the Salsa isn't played in Cuba which by your own admission it isn't.And last and most of all least! jeffe called Country,Country and Western,which only goes to prove he hasn't got a """"" clue.(sorry jeffe).Don't waste your time "mate" and one last question for jeffe,do your Policeman's heads come to the top of their helmets.

[jeffe]

OK so they dropped the Western. It's better than still calling it Hillbilly. Less of a change.Some of my uncles are heavily into country music, and visit country music clubs over here. There aren't that many fans so they have to find a way to get together to enjoy the music. I've inherited several box sets of country on good old vinyl. You know. That black stuff with grooves in it. Where I live is a pretty musical place. Nearly everyone I know in my local area has some sort of musical talent. It may have something to do with the performing arts college that's not too far away. Most of the drinking establishments have live music in the week. There have been a mixture of bands and styles. Country music being one of those styles. A bit of swing in some places. I've even seen a bluegrass band!I may not know much about it, but I've seen a good few bands and listened to quite a few variations on a theme. I think you saying that I haven't got a clue is a bit strong really. I think you just enjoy being antagonistic.I wont swear at you for your ignorance, but the british police force stopped wearing those helmets quite a few years ago. So I can't really ask them to find out.I think the odd one can still be seen, but I have't seen a british police officer wearing those for a long time. You might get one or two in london at historical places.Four words.Rabbit in the headlights.