Y111219SS - alas .. but then not really ?

[sedge]

CONTEMPORARY SINGER-SONGWRITER-type SONGS and/or INSTRUMENTALS a la Ray LaMontagne, David Gray, Norah Jones, etc., needed by a Licensing Agent that does clearance for DVDs. She is looking for songs they can pitch as possible replacement tracks for well-known songs. They are NOT looking for sound-alikes or covers! Original songs only! Your song must convey a single emotion, atmosphere, or energy that will underscore a scene. Broadcast quality is needed (excellent home recordings will be fine). Please submit one to three songs and/or instrumentals online or per CD, include lyrics (if applicable.) All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Monday, December 19, 2011. TAXI #Y111219SS

Hi, anyone know what this is all about.

The listing says some alas, but then says no "sound-alikes" -- GREAT! ... but then why list any alas at all ? Thoughts anyone ?

Lots of love,

Sedge

[kclements]

I take it to mean in the style of, but don't copy the changes and groove exactly. A sound a like to me means coming as close as possible to the referenced track.

In this case, maybe they want that style, and general tempo/ feel of the listed tracks? Maybe it's just asking for the very general vibe of the listed alas.

hth

kc

[Casey H]

I take it to mean in the style of, but don't copy the changes and groove exactly. A sound a like to me means coming as close as possible to the referenced track.

What KC said... This leans much more to an "strongly influenced by" than a sound-like. On a sound-like, you tend to push it closer to the edge-- making your track very obviously recognizable as a well known song/artist without crossing over the copyright rip-off line. Here, as KC said, they want the general style and feel but without that instantly recognizable, "Hey! That sounds like Blink-182's hit song XYZ" thing...

Is there a bit of grey in all this? Yes, a little.

Casey

[sedge]

Thanks guys, just typed some stuff out and then vimped it as still not got a grip of it and my questions are starting to get a bit endless.

Gonna have a think and post back or contact Taxi.

Thanks again.

Love the piano tune video on your page KC!

[admin]

Hi all,

There are times that they can't license (or maybe can't afford to license) a track by a major artist, yet they still want the same sonic texture and emotion for the scene. They need the same tempo, a similar compliment of instruments, a similar vocal sound, maybe the same number of singers (bkgs or just solo), and they probably need a similar topic or at least category of topic for the lyric.

There's not a library or film/TV publisher in the business that wouldn't love to have a pile of that stuff. Why? Because a director says to the music supervisor, "Get me something that sounds kinda like Ray LaMontagne for that breakup scene."

The music supervisor turns to their favorite suppliers. If the suppliers don't have it, they turn to TAXI. The smart suppliers (libraries and pubs) ANTICIPATE needs based on recent trends and build a stash of what they think will be popular in the near and mid future.

Check out Paul Otten's song "Let You Down" on this page:
http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?userid=1674

Who does that sound like? What song does it remind you of? Does it rip anybody off? No. Could it be playing on a jukebox in the background of a scene and make the viewers FEEL like they've heard a certain band? Yes!

Paul's song is actually closer to a soundalike than inspired by or an a la because it was targeted at a particular song. But if the instruments were the same, and the tempo was the same, and the vocal ATTITUDE was the same without some of the close approximations of the ooh, ooh, oohs, it would probably fall under an a la.

Oftentimes, the music supervisors have to be very careful in how they word their requests (as do we) for legal reasons. That's why they give a "range" or throw in an etc. Other times, they are looking for music/artists that sound like they could be played on the same radio station or be touring on the same bill together. Are they in a RANGE that would appeal to the same listener?

In the end, most of the time, they want similar sonic textures and lyric themes/topics to fill a space where a particular artist or song popped into their head.

HTH,
Michael