Taxi members hate modern music. True or False?

[Mark Kaufman]

"Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" is such a deeply touching song. I always feel so bad for grandma, and so confused by how reckless a reindeer can be. It reminds us to always, always Think Safety.

[cardell]

"Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" is such a deeply touching song. I always feel so bad for grandma, and so confused by how reckless a reindeer can be. It reminds us to always, always Think Safety.

..so that's a...Christmas song right?

Stuart

[mojobone]

Is modern music considered inferior?

I have noticed that many of you are seasoned musicians that have been making music for decades. I have also noticed a general reluctance from many of you to create modern music. What makes modern music so bad? Is it just too different? Does it make sense to you? 

I understand that the lyrics of modern may not be your slice of pie, but why not at least try to make modern instrumentals? Those get placed more often than dated pieces. Would you consider yourself to be a phony by writing modern music?

Tell the truth!

The truth is that a lot of Taxi folks have reached a certain age and level of musical competence; younger folks tend to see only the tip of the music industry iceberg, and, to stretch a metaphor, have little idea how slippery is the path to the top, or where to buy a good set of crampons.

Perception can be a funny thing; the guy you should be asking this question is Dave Walton, and the forum where you shoulda posted...ain't this one, it's for posting individual tracks related to specific listings. (though I'm here to inform, not to spank)

As to modern music, it isn't bad, it's just different, and we can all either deal with that, or not, but the decision will have an impact on whether and how we can market our music, if such be the goal. I sincerely HTH

[RogerG]

Hi,

No, I LOVE modern music and here's why...

I grew up in the 80's so I'm not all that young though there certainly are older Taxi members than me (and certainly more mature ones ). Back then the major labels were still in charge. Poison comes along and you get 100 cookie cutter bands modeled after them. People got tired of it as it was about anything BUT the music. Guns n' Roses comes along and that was somewhat better but still everything was mostly bad Poison clones. Then Nirvana comes along and uproots everything. However the major labels were still in charge so... You get 100 cookie cutter "grunge" bands effectively making grunge just as commercial as any of the "hair" bands were. Now don't get me wrong, I did and do enjoy a lot of 80's and 90's music, but a lot of it was well, cookie cutter and would have been better off not existing in the first place.

But today the major labels don't have the stranglehold they once did. Music is more diverse than it ever was. Access to all kinds of music (including instrumental which was the gist of your original post) is so much easier than it was in the past with the internet (remember there was no internet for the general public until the mid-90's or so). I can go listen to anything I want pretty much whenever I want and that's just awesome.

So no, I don't hate modern music. I'm more excited about music than I ever was before. I can listen to music that's for real instead of what the major labels might try to shove down my throat. And that is just cool. - Roger

[Casey H]

I don't agree with your premise, but I suppose you're concluding it due to what you see on the Peer to Peer board. I think it might be better to draw conclusions from the listings instead, which are jam-packed with requests for a current sound.

+1 Mark!

Do you actually READ Taxi listings? Watch any of the Taxi U-streams? Taxi listings are loaded with demand for current, contemporary sounding music. Just look at the "a la" lists in the the listings.

In fact, it is MUCH more common for folks who aren't staying current sounding to have a hard time getting forwards. The most successful members are able to create tracks 'a la' modern acts.

What I've learned about film/TV music is tracks with the best chance of success are either (1) Contemporary sounding like one of today's artists or (2) Period pieces which sound authentic to an era gone by.

Casey

[Kelil]

I disagree casey. I have a vintage sound and get plenty of forwards for listings that includes forwards on Y listing, labels and publishers and film/tv. This vintage sound a la fleet foxes, devendra banhart, mumford and sons, the decemberists, is in high demand also becauses it's whats ''hip'' at the moment.

[Casey H]

I disagree casey. I have a vintage sound and get plenty of forwards for listings that includes forwards on Y listing, labels and publishers and film/tv. This vintage sound a la fleet foxes, devendra banhart, mumford and sons, the decemberists, is in high demand also becauses it's whats ''hip'' at the moment.

I understand what you're saying... But these acts that have vintage sounds ARE contemporary acts. It's just that they have a strong retro influence. If a band came out tomorrow that sounded just like The Beatles, sold millions of CDs, got great radio play, etc., they would be considered a contemporary act and film/TV would want their sound in their productions.

What generally does NOT work (and I can personally attest to it!) is retro sounding music that does not neatly tag to SOME "a la" and/or era. Sometimes it's a matter of production style though the writing matters-- lyrics, phrasing, etc.

Best,
Casey

[singer1]

I believe Casey has made all the points very plainly. I have had some struggles with 'contemporary' at times. I actually listen to the radio more, and LISTEN to the T.V. What they play IS WHAT THEY WANT. Oh, and yes; Mark +1! D.B.

... the only race we're in, is the human race... D.B.
www.taxi.com/davebradley
www.reverbnation.com/THEdavebradley

[mojobone]

Hate is a pretty strong term. And the word "modern" is too fuzzy. But let's be specific, would I write a song for a listing where the "a-la" representatives are not the kind of music I enjoy? Probably not, because I can't compete with people who really love that genre and have studied it's inner workings. Fortunately, there are a few current mainstream music makers I do enjoy listening to. In addition, I'm hoping to create my own genre. It's a more risky venture, but with a bigger reward, perhaps, if it works.
-michael

Don't take this the wrong way, but you take this way too seriously!


1. Hate does not necessarily mean hate. Feel free to replace hate with dislike or some other term.

2. Modern is not a fuzzy term at all. Modern music is music that is currently charting on the Billboard charts, selling well on iTunes, and getting spins on the radio.

3. There is no such things as competition in the music industry, especially library music. Nobody wins a trophy or prize from getting music placements.

4. You do not need to study the inner workings of music to copy it. I am far from an expert and have no intentions of becoming one.

5. You should definitely put in work to create your own genre. But don't be afraid to copy from others either.

Last and most importantly, have fun!!! It's only music!!!

If you're a musician who hates music, I fear for your survival.

[mojobone]

I disagree casey. I have a vintage sound and get plenty of forwards for listings that includes forwards on Y listing, labels and publishers and film/tv. This vintage sound a la fleet foxes, devendra banhart, mumford and sons, the decemberists, is in high demand also becauses it's whats ''hip'' at the moment.

I understand what you're saying... But these acts that have vintage sounds ARE contemporary acts. It's just that they have a strong retro influence. If a band came out tomorrow that sounded just like The Beatles, sold millions of CDs, got great radio play, etc., they would be considered a contemporary act and film/TV would want their sound in their productions.

What generally does NOT work (and I can personally attest to it!) is retro sounding music that does not neatly tag to SOME "a la" and/or era. Sometimes it's a matter of production style though the writing matters-- lyrics, phrasing, etc.

Best,
Casey

This is a great post.