NOT renewing membership in 2012

[mazz]

If you hadn't come out to la for the rally, would you have made a special trip to see your old friend? Sometimes the side benefits of Taxi go far beyond simply what they offer directly. Maybe a little more outside the box thinking on your part is what's needed here.

I'm just saying.

Good luck on your decision.

Mazz

PS: I'm an 8 year member and my success really started when I made networking at rallies my focus. The classes are awesome, the panels are inspiring and great education, but the ground level networking with colleagues and industry folks "after hours" is where the business happens.

[admin]

Every now and then people post these, "I'm not renewing, and does anybody want to talk me out of it?" posts in this very public forum. To me, it feels like they want to put TAXI "on trial" and get a bunch of people piling on so they feel better about their decision. "Yeah, me too! I haven't been successful either!"

There's a lot of emotion in these posts... frustration, maybe a little bit of public revenge traded for lack of success... maybe just venting... I'm not sure the posters give it a bunch of deep thought before they type, but so many of them have one thing in common: What appears as a public crying out for consensus and to some degree, sympathy. Otherwise, why make it public? One could easily get opinions from an email to friends or a PM to their friends from the forum.

I'll admit that it stings. It probably stings like a "return" stings our members—although we don't make the returns public.

Maybe we SHOULD! Maybe when somebody starts a thread like this we should post their entire history of the music they wrote, produced, and submitted to the listings. It doesn't feel fair to question TAXI's validity without being able to know ALL the facts. BTW Jordy, "The Second Best Way" is STILL on the website and the front our brochures. My marketing hasn't changed, but maybe your perception has because you're frustrated.

Frankly, maybe it IS best for you to move on. I wouldn't feel good taking your money when you feel this way.

During the years you've been a member, you've had EXACTLY the same opportunities as everybody else, including our members who've had lots of success. The variables are always the music submitted and how well it's pitched.

Regarding the screener that you pitched to years ago when he/she was a publisher: Will the advice Serrina Williams gives out as a tennis coach 20 years from now be worthless or invalid?

Jordy, I feel your pain and frustration. I really DO. It truly bothers me when a member doesn't get the result he or she wants. But to start a thread like this—where it will live on for eternity, even though I could delete it—without giving ALL of the facts, and giving it much more context, feels like your frustration just got the better of you. I hope you find a way to succeed in the new year.

Warm regards,
Michael

[Kolstad]

Something good comes from threads like these, when Casey throws a great post like this!
The MASTER pitcher collecting deal after deal!!

It really sums up a lot of experience dealing with what the market is after..

Hey Jordy
The way I see it is this... If you are not achieving your goals with Taxi after that many years *AND* you are not changing your approach to your music (e.g. targeting more specifically to listings), then I would NOT advise you to renew. You'd just be banging your head against the wall.

However, if you want to make a concerted effort to target your music in a much more directed fashion toward Taxi listings, then it can be $200 well spent.

My observation has been that for film/TV music, the following are among the types of tracks do best:

* Tracks that sound like fairly contemporary acts. This is usually very challenging for us older guys, especially if, as you readily admit, you don’t listen to current music.

* Retro, but sounds authentic to an era and/or an act from an era. These are "Time Period Pieces" and it doesn't matter WHAT era, the key is the track sounds like it could have been on the radio in (for example) 1974.

* World/Ethnic… Often ageless/timeless (but not always)... Tracks that sound very indigenous to a geographical location—Asian, Latin, Eastern Europe, Middle-East, etc.

* Mood pieces… Sets an obvious tone--- dark, sad, happy, energized, etc… Can be orchestral or even very simple instrumentation. One of the keys is if you use samples, they are very up to date and realistic sounding.

* Singer/Songwriter with an ageless/timeless feel. Often, a simple acoustic and vocal singing a heartfelt song is in demand.

For songs with vocals, lyrics have to be very universal—no specific names, places, etc. Even getting too specific in a storyline can be a show-stopper. (I make that mistake all the time).

There are way more opportunities for instrumentals than vocals. Watch any TV show and think about how many instrumental cues are being played in the background. Backing tracks to vocal songs, either “as is” or with some shortening, editing, cut/paste, added lead instrument, etc. can work.

Consistency within a piece (e.g. style is the same throughout) and tag-ability help a log. By “tag-ability”, I mean the more identifiable a piece is as far as genre, who it sounds like, mood, era, etc. (think database search keywords), the better.

You’ll find that Taxi listings are a pretty good representation of what music libraries, publishers, and music supervisors are looking for these days. With or without Taxi, the more you target your music to what’s in most demand today, the better your success will be.

Best of luck!
Casey

[TheFid]

Hi Guys & Girls,

I’m not gonna lecture anybody on the subject of Taxi, or even on music, I just want to offer my insights on a couple of things that can be applied.
People who are smarter than me have said, “Never mind the target, look at the path”. Took me a long time to even begin to understand something like that. They’ve also said, “There are no good things or bad things, just things”. Took me even longer to get that one, as in, “WHAT, you’re gonna tell me that if a little kid gets run over by a car and dies, that that is not a BAD thing, what kind of idiotic B.S. is THAT???”. Well, thing is, each person’s own perspective is what really matters to that person, when you come right down to it, nothing else really matters – in spite of all the proclamations, preachings, and whatever else, with very few exceptions, the only thing that matters is each person’s own perspective. Remember that giant piece of rock that slammed into Jupiter – we saw that as a beautiful sight, but imagine what we would have thought if it had slammed into North America and killed 200 million people. We’re taught that that would be disastrous, and our own ego agrees. For me, the human race (as well as any and all objects of matter) is both significant and insignificant at the same time. Our puny lives are significant to us, but not to Jupiter, or to Sirius. And please, for those of you whose eyes are bugging out right about now, how many of you have given part of your precious bank account to a struggling sibling or neighbor, you’ll donate to a “charity” where you can get bragging rights and tax writeoffs, but how many have honestly helped a person in need, especially when it’s not convenient for you – my guess is none. So yes, if you are able to take your own ego out of the proverbial equation, you’re left with just things, just occurrences, no good or bad. I also don’t buy into the Pop Psychology B.S. where everything is your own fault – many things that affect us are completely beyond our control – so again, no good or bad, just stuff. The things you do control, take responsibility, for the things you cannot control, just spit them out. If you could enjoy doing music for your own reasons, and not be so bent on “Getting the gig”, “Selling that song”, “Impressing the right people”, “Making that connection”, and just play, maybe you would feel differently about a lot of things. You don’t know what any one note you play will result in, maybe nothing in the immediate, but then later, you might trip over something beneficial. Also also, there are so many avenues now for a musician to take – take as many of ‘em as you are able. Don’t buy into anybody else’s beliefs, think for yourself. Example, for me, I can’t live by “It’s always better to make the connection yourself”, because that doesn’t work for me. I’m not the most likeable guy, and my selling skills are beyond horrid, so I need an agent of some kind – the only thing that can speak for me other than the selling (which I suck at more than I can begin to tell you) process is my product – whatever that product might be. The internet is a huge tool for people like me – people who do not know how to charm the pants off of people.

Ok, stopping here before I get into book mode .

P.S. If any of this might sound like I have my stuff together, I SO don't, I'm only beginning to learn this stuff, just wanted to make that clear .

[crs7string]

Fid,

I think there is a difference between "everything is your own fault" and making good choices.

Sometimes making good choices requires a shifting of one's perspective or a paradigm shift. That is when some outside input may be helpful.

Jordy started this thread for input on whether he should continue his membership. He has gotten quite a bit of input. Now it is up to him to make a choice. Only he will be responsible for the consequences of his choice.

Just the little kernel of information Mazz put out there about building relationships at the Rally is worth it's weight in gold. ( I know this first hand, Mazz and I have become great friends since we met at the Rally five years ago).

Chuck

[mojobone]

@Michael, I think of these kinds of threads as a sort of 'intervention by request', if that helps any.

@ Jordy: After all these great posts by Chuck, Casey, Mazz, et al, I have very little to add, just this. So you're in LA one weekend a year, and you're disappointed that your friend who lives there is making faster progress? Also, I have to ask, since there's no link to your music in your signature, is it possible that your music just isn't good enough? (not tryin' to be a d*ck, here, I guess it just comes natural) Maybe you're subconsciously ashamed of your music and this is coming across in your personal interactions; I don't know, but maybe I would if you were on the forum more. Sorry for the tough love, and I hope you make good, however you choose to get there.

[rnrmachine]

... how many of you have given part of your precious bank account to a struggling sibling or neighbor, you’ll donate to a “charity” where you can get bragging rights and tax writeoffs, but how many have honestly helped a person in need, especially when it’s not convenient for you – my guess is none...

I KNOW for a fact there are a number of people on this forum that go above and beyond for folks. That alone shows they have at least that sort of character. So to assume they only ever help here... would be a disservice to them, imho. Yea, no ones perfect... we're all human. We all make mistakes. So to assume we are going to be great people with perfect help every time is beyond reason. Some people can't help who they are or what they are and it becomes apparent that these sorts have some sort of "bad connection" in their brain... It's beyond their control. But most of us can help and many do help. Even if in small ways. Sure, there are PLENTY of selfish jerks out there. It sounds like you have met a lot of them...

I wish I could tell you how much I have given away to family, neighbors, friends, strangers, even enemies, but I have no clue how much. I don't keep records of that stuff. I was raised a christian and raise one by God, not by some opinionated preacher, pastor, minister, etc... I was 5 years old when my Grandmother, whom I miss often, took me to church and I first heard the story of Jesus and I thought.... who wouldn't give their life to save the world?!! .. it is the whole world you would be saving after all... well, obviously I learned a lot since I was 5. Anyway, back on topic... I have never claimed ANY charity on my taxes.

If ya want an example (EDIT: or 2 or 3 lol...)
I remember one time... I was walking out of a convenient store and this dishevel of a man asked me if I could help him. He only wanted a dollar, he said he was trying to get home and he was stuck. I had $7 on me... and that was all I had. I needed $2 so I gave him $5 after making sure that I believed he wasn't squirreling up money for drugs and he was truly trying to get home... he needed bus fare, is what he told me, and I knew $1 wasn't enough. I drove a friend to work, everyday over 2 years, never asked for gas money or complained. He worked days and I worked 2nd shift. So it was REALLY inconvenient. I gave $80 a month to the Christians children's fund in Africa for a few years when I was doing fairly well (yea, that's a couple children and it was a joy learning about their lives and how they were being helped). It broke my heart the day I had to call them and discontinue. But people closer to me were hurting and I felt the need to help them. I have fixed cars like, changed clutches, Transmissions, Brakes, Fuseboxes (Circuit Breakers), rewired electrical lines,.. taught people to do these things for themselves IF they were capable of learning. I helped people move (which I think I truly detest doing), fix their house, put roofs on, sold a friend a car for $300 that I could have gotten $1000 from a junk yard for the engine and tranny alone. I use to help with church functions ... whatever church my Mom was going too at the time. I have helped people quit drugs or take things in moderation. I have influenced MANY around me to become better people. These last years of my life I have devoted to my sisters kid, why?... because no one else was gonna. IF I didn't help her... she most likely would have ended up a strung out stripper. Instead she is a high honors student getting accepted to colleges that I can only PRAY TO GOD for help.. to help pay for. Because her parents... let's just say. I don't have much good to say about them as parents. And neither did the county... time, after time, after time...

I could write a book... and not to brag, just to say. There are MANY people like me who do things like this in private, not for praise, or tax deductions, not even because we think it will get us into heaven. We do it ONLY because we feel it's the right thing to do. And I'll admit, it makes me/us feel good that we helped someone. So it is what it is. I just think it's wrong to assume no one on this forum helps in the ways you mentioned. The sort of people you are talking about... will never brag about it and may only mention it because of what you said... to defend people they KNOW are good people over all. Even when mislead or mistaken. Some will even sincerely apologize to you if the inadvertently wrong you when MANY just push it under the rug and act like it never happened.

Anyway, God Bless You... and Try not to be so frustrated with the world... it's not easy, I know.

Take care,

Rob

[rnrmachine]

@Michael, I think of these kinds of threads as a sort of 'intervention by request', if that helps any.

@ Jordy: After all these great posts by Chuck, Casey, Mazz, et al, I have very little to add, just this. So you're in LA one weekend a year, and you're disappointed that your friend who lives there is making faster progress? Also, I have to ask, since there's no link to your music in your signature, is it possible that your music just isn't good enough? (not tryin' to be a d*ck, here, I guess it just comes natural) Maybe you're subconsciously ashamed of your music and this is coming across in your personal interactions; I don't know, but maybe I would if you were on the forum more. Sorry for the tough love, and I hope you make good, however you choose to get there.

I agree... "intervention by request" pretty much hits the nail on the head, imho.

And.. I didn't think my post was great or anything... but I thought I put out enough of an effort to warrant at least an honorable mention HAHA (referring to my first post)

[TheFid]

There are two subjects here, so, first things first.

I thnk that Jordy might want to consider putting his music for other Taxi members to hear, as has been said here a few times, outside input would be a good thing - not that it will all be of the coddling type, but helpful. I also know that all of us will get disgusted, irritated, frustrated, and whatever else at times, I think we should be allowed that. Now, if the music is not good, then the person should wear that - and not blame anybody else. I'm new to Taxi, but from all that I've seen they make an honest effort to give the clients what they ask for, while trying to be fair to all the musicians who present their music. One of the things I say kinda a lot - "Ya win some and ya lose some". Life kicks my ass every day, but I'm still here, trying to learn stuff - I get damn tired sometimes, but I'll keep doing what I'm doing - because I can, because I love it, and because it's all I know. We old timers have seen the music business do some horrible things over the past 30 years, many of us shake our heads in disbelief. In the old days, things worked a little more logical - where (with quite a few exceptions) good musicians and good bands got the better gigs, and lousy ones got the lesser gigs, and some didn't work at all - that's the way it should be, but seems as years go by, it becomes less and less that way. It appears to me that at some point, hype has overtaken appeal, charisma, talent, and ablity, and left those things in the dust. I've seen the internet close that gap, so that's a very good thing. So, Jordy, if your music is good, then keep at it every way you can, if not, then maybe best to do something else.


Chuck,
The quoted statements below are both unrealistic and non helpful. Short of sitting on ones rear end, drinking tequila all day, inhaling of herbs, and/or sniffing stuff up the nose, the only time a decision can be labelled as "good" or "bad" is in hindsight. Most people are willing to work at whatever it is they do - they do what they know, they take calculated risks, they learn things, they listen to people, they read, they do without lots of other things so they can do music, they do what they see fit, and what they think is right. But, for every person who does all those things and gets results that please them, there are thousands who did the same and in many cases more, were every bit as talented, had just as much or more of the X Factor, but didn't get to where they wanted. This is not because they made "bad" decisions, nor is it because they are so stupid, so inept, or so lazy that they cannot handle their own affairs. So, if Jordy isn't where he wants to be in a year, it's likely not because he made "bad" decisions, it's more likely that his work is sitll in progress, it could be he wasn't as "fortunate" (that's right, there is always the luck factor) as the next guy, or, it could be that he just doesn't have it, he'll have to figure it out at some point, and take it from there.

FTR, I could read till doomsday, and never be a salesperson, I don't have the personality, the mannerisms, or the gumption to approach people with a product - as I said, I need somebody to do that for me - that's why 65 Olds Cutlasses like Taxi are in place. If you can make connections yourself, then great, you should do it, but for the socially backward as I am, we're happy to pay these folks for their services and their connections.

Fid,

I think there is a difference between "everything is your own fault" and making good choices.

...Now it is up to him to make a choice. Only he will be responsible for the consequences of his choice.

Chuck

[crs7string]

Lee,

I think there is a difference between choices and decisions. I think after one has made some broad choices, then the decision process begins.

As a TAXI member we have the right to choose:

1. Become a member
2. Read the listings
3. Write music for the listing
4. Submit to the listing
5. Attend the Rally
6. Meet people at the Rally and on the Forum
7. Develop relationships with the people we meet on the Forum and the Rally
8. Add value to the relationships
9. Introduce our TAXI friends to other people in the business ( other composers and publishers)

I don't consider any of those choices to be decisions. The decision process kicks in when we decide:

1. Can I afford the $200 for my TAXI membership
2. Should I read the listings
3. Do I have the time to write and produce a track for the listing
4. Do I have the $5 to submit the track
5. Should I attend and can I afford to go to the Rally
6. Should I hold out my hand to shake someone's hand at the Rally
7. Should I give someone my card, get their card and follow up when I get home from the Rally. Have I met someone with whom I may be able to start a collaboration.
8. Buy lunch or a drink for someone at the Rally and share with them something I have learned that they may not know about.
9. Can I trust this talented composer enough to introduce them to my best publisher.


I know that financially speaking, sometimes these decisions can be difficult to execute. However, I know of people who have made the choice of being very active on the forum and nutritional TAXI members who have had their transportation cost to the Rally taken care of by Michael because he felt strongly that the member should be at the Rally.

Personally, I have made all of the choices I listed above and as I said in an earlier post, my six year membership story is very, very different.

My membership renews in February. My choice and decision to renew is behind me. I just need to write the check.

Chuck

Do I believe that one gets further ahead by reading and meeting people, no doubt about it!!!!