a la what?????

[nomiyah]

Can anyone explain this:ADULT CONTEMPORARY SONGS [no instrumentals] along the lines of Barry Manilow, Celine Dion, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Sade, etc. What do these artists have in common? Are they looking for a really wide range of styles?

[davewalton]

This is similar to another thread and is one of my favorite posts from Matto...Quote:You're right that this listing casts a wide net, stylistically speaking. Your common denominator is to be found in the first 5 words: HOT A/C-ADULT POP ARTISTSHot AC (= Hot Adult Contemporary) is a radio format that plays all the artists mentioned in the listing. It is a more modern, hipper version of AC that wouldn't play artists such as Celine Dion or Phil Collins. Yet, it is a format that's targeting adults (thus ADULT POP) as opposed to kids and teens; they play hardly any hip-hop, contemporary R&B, or very teen oriented stuff such as Hilary Duff, Simple Plan etc.So this listing is looking for artists that would fit into that specific radio station format, artists that would appeal to the same target audience. It's important to realize that radio formats are oftentimes less about musical style than about lifestyle; thus artists with rather dissimilar music can co-exist on the same station as long as they appeal to the same demographic.I still say we should nominate Matto to write all the listings. He wouldn't have any time left to actually write music, but at least the rest of us would have a better chance because the listings made more sense.

[mani]

Quote:Can anyone explain this:ADULT CONTEMPORARY SONGS [no instrumentals] along the lines of Barry Manilow, Celine Dion, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Sade, etc. What do these artists have in common? Are they looking for a really wide range of styles?I think it's quite obvious what they all have in common. Their record companies bribe all the same radio stations on their behalf. Beyond that, not a whole lot really...

[davewalton]

Quote:I think it's quite obvious what they all have in common. Their record companies bribe all the same radio stations on their behalf. OUCH!

[superflux]

I'm sure someone will jerk a knot in my tail for this,but here goes anyway... Another thing that I find a little confusing is thatsometimes (at least in some reviewers' opinions), a lacan mean "sounds like" a specifice artist, and not just"appeals to the same demo" or "could be on thesame playlist". Steve

[mani]

I agree 53. With someone like Beck they should be song specific unless they are looking for an artist that is versatile like Beck (in which case they should still specify whether the arist needs to sound like Beck or whether they just appeal to the same demographic). In general, TAXI should be way more stringent with this stuff. God knows they are with us! Seems to me they should apply the same principle to the folks placing the listing. It can only make things more efficient if the "grey area" listings are made more clear.

[matto]

Quote:That's an excellent point Superflux. TAXI should state specifically in listings whether they are looking for soundalikes or someone that appeals to the same demographic so that there can be no confusion about the issue. You should bring this to their attention.No A&R guy I've ever met would admit he's looking for soundalikes...even if he is. OTOH with film and tv listings you can be pretty sure they're looking for soundalikes most of the time. It is my belief Taxi tries hard to be as specific as possible within the confines of what's realistically feasible. But remember pitching is not a science, and there will never be a bullet proof checklist you can use to make sure your submissions are on target. You really need to "get a feel for it". And of course there will always be those situations where you misinterpret a listing and thus miss a (perceived) opportunity.A zen like attitude is best in this case .matto

[superflux]

Quote:I totally agree. When they ask for artists in the vein of Beck which element of Beck are they looking for?His music style is pretty diverse.Maybe they're looking for someone that canbust some of those groovy dance moves of his.

[edteja]

I've learned some new terminology by comparing critiques to listings:1. "alternative" -- something other than what you are submitting.2. "edgy" -- something other than what you are submitting.3. "a la" (aka "in the vein of") something this artist might do if they thought about it.4. Any other descriptor -- we will know it when we hear it. I am beginning to think that writing an on-target listing might be harder to do than writing the songs that fill the bill. Actually, I find Taxi's listings are pretty darn good, but it does take a while to get to an decent understanding of them, and I find myself with substantial egg on the face every once in a while, saying "why didn't I get that?". But it is a process and I have truly gotten a LOT of valuable feedback from the critiques.

[og]

Yeah, and I've been told "You write clever and insightful lyrics," and in the next sentence, "it isn't country"! I guess I should use dumber words...? And I was wondering what "edgy" meant!