What the heck?

[wodinlord]

I am very realistic about how Taxi works and the vagaries of musical opinions and preferences. I began getting forwards right away when I joined and then it seems every listing I submit to goes like this one.D081230TVCURRENT ROCK INSTRUMENTALS IN A VARIETY OF STYLES ranging from Alternative Rock (Muse/Kasabian/The Killers/etc.) to Hard Rock (Hinder/Daughtry/3 Doors Down/etc.) to Nu Metal (P.O.D./Limp Bizkit/Papa Roach/Korn/etc.) are wanted by a very successful Production Music Library who has placements with ABC, CBS, NBC, WB, Disney, Discovery, Lifetime, Fox, USA, etc. (to name just a few). They want tracks that build and grow, with melodic and dynamic variation, for a variety of Film/TV placement opportunities - they need to quickly add to their catalog in this genre. You may consider editing down a full-length song in order to avoid long sections of repetition, since this company NEEDS to have tracks that are changing & building constantly. You can submit tracks that range between 1-4 minutes in length and be sure there are NO VOCALS - they’ll be focused on the sound of the guitars/drums for this one (be sure they sound authentic and current!). They want material that sounds like it could be on the radio, but will only be interested in Instrumental versions for this listing. Broadcast quality is necessary, though excellent home recordings should be fine. Please submit 1-3 Instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Noon PST on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. TAXI #D081230TVThis listing is so vague and broad that almost anything but disco or country could fall within these stylistic parameters. Alternative Rock (Muse/Kasabian/The Killers/etc.) to Hard Rock (Hinder/Daughtry/3 Doors Down/etc.) to Nu Metal (P.O.D./Limp Bizkit/Papa Roach/Korn/etc.)I submitted 3 tunes that were all different areas of the listing. I would have no problem being told the client just didn't pick them - but with such an A to Z rock target, to be told that the submissions were "Stylistically off target" is maddening. This was one of the new Y/N listings with a checklist. No others comments were made.My submissions can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/kerrycraftonproducer - Unrequited remix, Heart of Stone remix, and Mixed Marshall arts.The listing doesn't say they want songs that sound like ONE OF these bands - it says anything within the broad range covered by these bands and the ETC'S. Is the client making these choices? If so, you sure can't argue with what they like or don't like - but just say so. I wonder if a Taxi listener is making these choices and rejecting anything that doesn't sound like ONE of the bands listed - when that is not what was asked for in this case.If this new system is just a way to appease the requests for feedback on these type listings - it is only worse. I have been at this a long time and still buy, listen to and enjoy tons of current "Rock" music. I know the bands listed and understand their genres. I sold 2 CD collections this year outside of Taxi as soon as I sent them around. But, I have hit a string of Taxi returns that make no sense at all. I have believed in the value of Taxi and been patient. I don't mind at all not being forwarded - it is not being forwarded and feeling like I have been rejected by someone who didn't even understand the listing that gets my goat. Thanks for letting me vent - I feel better now - but still miffed and knowing this will not change anything.Wodinlord

[Casey H]

WodinlordSometimes music libraries are in "catalog building" mode so they cast a wide net and as long as music sounds fairly current they may want it in their library. That's why the descriptions seem a bit vague... But "current" is the key word here.You've got some great guitar work on the tracks on myspace. The issue is that the tracks aren't current sounding enough and therefore "Stylistically off target". I hear much more retro-- nothing wrong with that, just target the right opportunities. One of the nice things about film/TV is there is always a need somewhere for tracks that sound like they are from a particular era. I hear stuff on your myspace page that's great psychedelic late 60's... Again, that's not a negative at all... Great guitar playing! I know how frustrating it can be- I'm no different than anyone else-- I get returns, look at the comments and go "huh?"... (I got one today that's got me riled up!)... But we are all the worst judges of our own music and where it fits in the marketplace.HTHBest, Casey

[wodinlord]

Thanks for your time to reply Casey. A perfect case of different opinions of genre definition. LOL. I don't see how "Mixed Marshall Arts" can be seen as "retro" and nothing on my Myspace would come even close to my definition of "psychedelic" (although, I do have some that aren't on there). But, therein lies the crux of the problem, doesn't it? It just seems like the listings in the last few months have been particularly...weird. Almost everything I seem to submit to is a Y/N listing, so I usually am just puzzled by returns. I know when I am "stretching" a listing and sometimes still get forwards even so. But, the definition of "current" itself is so broad - (P.O.D./Limp Bizkit/Papa Roach/Korn/etc.) are getting pretty "not current" themselves at this point and are Velvet Revolver, Wolfmother, Jet Black Stare, Metallica, current - retro? If this were a one time thing, it wouldn't bug me so much, but this is a sudden string of several in a row that make no sense - to me anyway. I hate to say it, but I am beginning to wonder... no, I won't say it. Wodinlord

[Casey H]

Jan 2, 2009, 8:52pm, wodinlord wrote:Thanks for your time to reply Casey. A perfect case of different opinions of genre definition. LOL. I don't see how "Mixed Marshall Arts" can be seen as "retro" and nothing on my Myspace would come even close to my definition of "psychedelic" (although, I do have some that aren't on there). But, therein lies the crux of the problem, doesn't it? It just seems like the listings in the last few months have been particularly...weird. Almost everything I seem to submit to is a Y/N listing, so I usually am just puzzled by returns. I know when I am "stretching" a listing and sometimes still get forwards even so. But, the definition of "current" itself is so broad - (P.O.D./Limp Bizkit/Papa Roach/Korn/etc.) are getting pretty "not current" themselves at this point and are Velvet Revolver, Wolfmother, Jet Black Stare, Metallica, current - retro? If this were a one time thing, it wouldn't bug me so much, but this is a sudden string of several in a row that make no sense - to me anyway. I hate to say it, but I am beginning to wonder... no, I won't say it. WodinlordHi again. I wish I knew it all... if I did I'd have many more placements of my own! I'm listening to Mixed Marshall Arts and I hear nothing like the bands listed, even with a wide net... Can you give me an example of a similarity?As you know, the check boxes with Y/N listings are new, giving you more info than before which was nothing. I'd rather know if it was a style issue or a recording quality issue...Hang in there! Casey

[wodinlord]

See, that's my point. The listing doesn't ask for music sounding LIKE these bands. It asks for music "IN A VARIETY OF STYLES ranging from Alternative Rock (Muse/Kasabian/The Killers/etc.) to Hard Rock (Hinder/Daughtry/3 Doors Down/etc.) to Nu Metal (P.O.D./Limp Bizkit/Papa Roach/Korn/etc.)" I think MMA fits in the NuMetal genre easily. Notice "VARIETY OF STYLES" was in caps. Also, each ala list has an ETC. Please, I am not trying to argue with you, Casey, I appreciate your willingness to discuss. I am just frustrated by the random meanings that get assigned to the listings and I am not sure the submissions always get listened to in the way that the listing seems to ask for.Tilting at windmills is my weakness,Wodinlord

[Casey H]

Jan 2, 2009, 9:26pm, wodinlord wrote:See, that's my point. The listing doesn't ask for music sounding LIKE these bands. It asks for music "IN A VARIETY OF STYLES ranging from Alternative Rock (Muse/Kasabian/The Killers/etc.) to Hard Rock (Hinder/Daughtry/3 Doors Down/etc.) to Nu Metal (P.O.D./Limp Bizkit/Papa Roach/Korn/etc.)" I think MMA fits in the NuMetal genre easily. Notice "VARIETY OF STYLES" was in caps. Also, each ala list has an ETC. Please, I am not trying to argue with you, Casey, I appreciate your willingness to discuss. I am just frustrated by the random meanings that get assigned to the listings and I am not sure the submissions always get listened to in the way that the listing seems to ask for.Tilting at windmills is my weakness,WodinlordNot an argument... I think you are splitting hairs on the wording. "A variety of styles ranging from Band A, Band B, etc" means they want music sounding similar to those bands. That's why they name them as "a la's" and even provide a link to get samples of the acts on amazon. They wouldn't list those acts if that's not what they wanted.Properly interpreting the listings is a big key to success here. You need to speak "Taxi Listing"... Casey

[wodinlord]

Maybe so. But where do I listen to the alas for the band ETC?Wodinlord