THOUGHTS OF A NEW MEMBER (SONGWRITER)

[evanmcgill]

To All Members Of ALL Writing Levels,
I just decided to join Taxi. I heard great things about it. I’m a young writer who has only been writing for 3 years and playing piano for 3 years. I’ve heard of people who have had success in 6 months and I’ve heard of people who haven’t had a forward in 6 years. Needless to say, I’m in it for the ride! Of course we all view our songs like our children; they are perfect and nothing is better! HAHA! I’m looking forward on how some of my stuff gets critiqued. I’m very interested to see what happens. I’ve been on this board for a few hours tonight. I’ve read about songs not being forwarded, listened to them and thought they were GREAT! I’ve heard of people who WERE forwarded and I thought the songs were awful! I have no idea what to expect! Needless to say, I’ll be here to be supportive in the tough times and congratulatory to those who have success. I hope I can have the same in return. Again, look forward to being part of this special group of people and likely reaching out to all of your for information on royalties, placement, etc. I'm not 100% sure about it all. This is a learning experience for me. Thank you in advance!

-Evan

[davewalton]

There is a little method to the madness.

Getting forwarded is a two-prong thing. They can't just be great songs, they have to be targeted to the listing. A Maserati (as good as that car might be) won't be a "sale" to a guy looking for a pickup truck (even a *really* nice one). It's the song in the context of the listing that makes the difference. If you have home recording facilities and can "write to the listing"... for me, that gives the best chance of getting forwards and deals. However... reading the listing... that's an art in and of itself. Definitely if you (or anyone) has any questions about what a listing is *really* looking for, post it up. Listings are written by the listing party (or written by Taxi based on the information that the listing party is giving). The listing party... they're not always musicians themselves and the intent isn't always clear to us (although it is apparently to them). Taxi can only do so much in pulling the information out of them.

Glad you're here!

Dave

[evanmcgill]

Nicely put and thank you for the feedback. I had a great conversation with Taxi today about a lot of questions I had and I got some great feedback and I feel more confident on everything. And yes, as they told me, you can get a critique even if you are forwarded. I was curious about that. Thanks!

[mojobone]

There is a little method to the madness.

Getting forwarded is a two-prong thing. They can't just be great songs, they have to be targeted to the listing. A Maserati (as good as that car might be) won't be a "sale" to a guy looking for a pickup truck (even a *really* nice one). It's the song in the context of the listing that makes the difference. If you have home recording facilities and can "write to the listing"... for me, that gives the best chance of getting forwards and deals. However... reading the listing... that's an art in and of itself. Definitely if you (or anyone) has any questions about what a listing is *really* looking for, post it up. Listings are written by the listing party (or written by Taxi based on the information that the listing party is giving). The listing party... they're not always musicians themselves and the intent isn't always clear to us (although it is apparently to them). Taxi can only do so much in pulling the information out of them.

Glad you're here!

Dave

Great post, Dave, but next time, could you make it jes' a little more purple? k'thx.

[jfraizer]

Welcome Evan. There are many supportive people here. I look forward to hearing some of your music.

[Vett]

Hey Evan,
Welcome aboard! I got to tell you that these guys here on Taxi are very much involved and make you feel really welcomed. They are here to help you build. Good luck bro!

[Vett]

oh ... I forgot to ask. What genres do you write for?

[evanmcgill]

I like to call it ballads and teen pop

[Penz2nz]

Evan,

I'm new here too, kinda. I was forced to drop out a few years ago after a wreck but I'm back with a vengeance and I got a bit of a grin out of your youthful exuberance about being in it for the duration. I wrote my first song in the summer of 1959 at age 12 after seeing Robert Mitchum in Thunder Road and hearing him sing the theme song. If this is in your blood you will die doing it even if you never get a cut, so I raise a toast to you my young friend and wish you nothing but success.

Wayne R Brown

[glender]

Welcome aboard and may the shwartz be with you