Length of this listing?

[sethlit]

Any ideas on an appropriate length of a track for this listing? Not quite sure if 1.5 to 2 minutes is enough.

World-Class NY AD AGENCY Needs a NEO-BLUES/ROCK INSTRUMENTAL TRACK for a TV spot for a Huge Telecom Company. They're NOT looking for classic Blues tracks. Leave your Stevie Ray Vaughan tracks on the shelf. Think more along the lines of Bowie's "Fame" or Black Keys for tempo, texture and vibe, and add a couple of cool, modern-ish sounds to make it contemporary. NY is asking us to give them some "old school/nu skool." Concentrate your efforts on giving your track a sassy rhythm and a little bounce, and don't worry about impressing them with your guitar prowess. Your track needs to sit under a voice-over, so if you go too Clapton on them you're likely to hurt your chances. This agency/product typically PAYS ON THE HIGH END of the scale, so give them what they want and you will sing the Blues no more! Give your track a title that makes them think you're a cool Indie artist-don't title it like you would for a music library pitch. This is DIRECT-to-the-Agency, so you'll KEEP 100% of this deal with NO publisher splits! C'mon... somebody PLEASE land this sucker so we can brag about how much money you made!! Broadcast Quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine). You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights. If you ARE chosen, the Ad Agency will contact you DIRECTLY. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD.   All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS. NO FULL CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than Friday, May 6th at 10am, (PDT). TAXI Listing # Y110506RK

[Keithm]

I was wondering too on this one. Wasn't sure about doing a general groove or does it need a full song structure.
Wish I had more than 2 days to work on it too!

[Casey H]

My educated guess would be not less than 1:30-2:00 and not much longer than around 3 minutes.

It's for a voiceover so they'll end up using either 30 or 60 seconds. However, you want to give them something to choose from and maybe feel a "story", so some sectional contrast is a good idea. If not full song structure, something like A-B-A format would probably work.

The above are guesses on my part. There are no exacts. If you blow their socks off with 1:17 's worth, that's good too.

Good luck!
Casey

[sethlit]

Thanks for the input, that definitely makes sense. It does say that it's for a TV spot. You think it's safe to assume they'd only be using 30 sec if it? The only reason I ask is because I'm really happy with my 1 minute bit I've got so far Maybe I'll have some time to lengthen the B section tonight. You know, as much of a challenge the short notice listings are...I gotta say, it pushes me to my full potential every time. I am starting to like the short noticed ones

Leave it to the wonderful Taxi world to get me off my &$$ and start writing.

Seth

[Keithm]

That's a good point about the short notice listing. They definitely force you to work and get the job done. usually I'll spend way to much time trying to find a particular instrument sound or whatever but on listings like this its fun to work differently. Just find something that works and move on to the next one.

[svandewater]

I just called Taxi about this and they said that if a listing doesn't specify a length, then they're looking for a full length track.
Not sure I can pull this one off in time...
Peace!

[Casey H]

I just called Taxi about this and they said that if a listing doesn't specify a length, then they're looking for a full length track.
Not sure I can pull this one off in time...
Peace!

With instrumentals, the definition of "full length" can be hazy because sometimes 2:00 is "full length". It does sound like they are leaning to song form-- verses, choruses, bridge, etc. That being said, if you have 2 minutes of VCVC or ABA that will absolutely blow them away, I can't see not submitting. But keep in mind just how high bar this listing is.

That's MY PERSONAL opinion... nothing more.

Casey

[sethlit]

Svandewater, thanks for calling to check. Oh man...I have a little work to do. It's tough after listening to "fame" (the a la reference) to imagine the requirement being too long. To me, Bowie's tune is one long great groove. But I'm sure they're looking for more than a great groove on this one. Good luck everyone...off to work.

Seth