An Ending -Eno -Ambient S120503IN

[tordenspyd]

I thought the below quoted listing was interesting, for several reasons. I would like to know what you think and how to go about this particular listing.

NEW LISTING -- ETHEREAL, AMBIENT INSTRUMENTALS a la "An Ending (ascent)" by Brian Eno, needed by an Independent Music Library/Publisher for Film/TV placements. QUOTING THE COMPANY: "I need airy, spacey instrumentals that have more of a hook to them. Most tracks in this genre tend to stay monotone and dronish. Give me some movement and theme, but with an atmospheric and ethereal quality." Instrumentation is open, but must be fitting with the referenced artist/song. Do NOT submit World influenced instrumentals; keep your instrumentals DELICATE and HEAVENLY! NO vocals - INSTRUMENTALS ONLY. Excellent performances are absolutely necessary. Broadcast quality needed (excellent home recordings are okay). Please submit one to three instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Thursday, May 3, 2012.
TAXI # S120503IN

The listing is special in that it lists only one specific piece, and that one is special one in many respects. At least I think so, but I am no expert in any related matter.

That the library/publisher wants that piece (An Ending) or one that could replace it, is not so strange. It seems like a reasonably good business proposition to me.

The piece 'And Ending' was released in 1983. I did not think it was anything special at that time, but that only shows I would not be a good commercial talent scout nor song promoter. The track has appeared in several movies, numerous TV documentaries/films and has been sampled on other artists records, so there is a market. Many people think it is the most beautiful piece of music ever written/produced. But, then again, some are more indifferent to the piece, but very few dislike it. There has been written articles about it, debating why people like it, one write up can be found in the following link http://dezji.wordpress.com/2007/10/27/s ... cent-1983/ There are also some opinions being expressed by the above listing.

With the many opinions on that piece, it is natural that there can be some uncertainties about how to interpret the listing, both by the screeners and the artists - even if there is only one track that is referenced.

Some of the uncertainties may not be serious? -but- Why do Taxi write they don't want World music? and with capital letters!? Not a problem, but why don't they mention they don't want Polkas.? I would think that mentioning they don't want country and western music would be more appropriate ( Eno mixed C&W and electric ambient around 1983 )

The publisher is quoted as saying s/he wants "more of a hook". Should we take that to mean < more hooky than "An Ending" > or to mean < more hooky, like "An Ending">. My direct interpretation is the second, although I don't think "An Ending" is particularly hooky. I may go for both approaches as alternatives. Hooky may be a relative term, but with the possibility of comparing with one particular example, it would be good to say it should be more or about the same regarding hookiness . I think <the same> is a sound business alternative, but as already stated I know nothing thereof.

Further, the publisher is quoted as saying "Give me some movement and theme" Again, it could be interesting to know if s/he thinks 'An Ending' has those qualities. Personally I feel An Ending has movement, but no development. It does not have a clearly stated theme, but it is quite possible to hear it differently. Should it be more or the same as the reference?.

Is there a tool on the web making it possible to see how many placements a track has had?
Have I really heard 'An Ending' by Eno very many times?


I think the Eno track is sufficiently diffuse that people can hear something similar behind a scene and think it is the Eno track. It may be a good business making that kind of track, but artistically -not so good- imo, but what does the screeners think?

[Len911]

This is only my opinion. The reason the eno piece is so touching is that it sounds like a vocal (choir). It doesn't have a "melodic vocal prosody". In other words, the instruments are singing background, not the lead melody. I think they are looking for a vocal-like instrument that can sing a melody. I can think of an example, but it is a Chinese instrument, the erhu, and they mentioned they didn't want world instruments, maybe because they was aware of that also, but wanted a more common American/European instrument. The erhu can sound like a woman singing. They also liked the "heavenly" or choir aspect. I suppose an electronic instrument could fill the bill.
Imo, this is probably a good example of what they are looking for, sans ethnic instrument.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_K54nEq ... plpp_video

[tordenspyd]

Thanks for replying Len -an eye opener.
Your interpretation was quite different than my best bet- No wonder I get all those off target returns.

The instruments used on the Eno track are a church organ and two sections of a choir ( or two choirs) , then the recording is reversed.
I thought choirs or processed choirs-not singing a text-qualifies as an instrumental (NO VOCALS) these days?

[mazz]

It seems clear to me for some reason.

Yes, do:

Airy, Spacey, Hook, Movement, Theme, Atmospheric, Ethereal

Avoid:

Monotone, Dronish, World instruments, Vocals

There are aspects of all of those qualities except for the world aspect in the Eno piece. Taking the Eno piece as inspiration and all those other qualities into account, I think one could make a track that fits the listing requirements. The Eno piece doesn't fit the listing 100% either, but was the inspiration for the listing, so it needs to be considered strongly, but not slavishly adhered to, because if they wanted the Eno piece, they probably would just license it!!

"It may be a good business making that kind of track, but artistically -not so good- imo, but what does the screeners think?"

Since this is a business we're engaged in here, (at least if you're thinking about submitting to a Taxi listing, you're participating in the business) I would recommend giving the clients what they want. For many, doing just that is as artistic as it gets. The screeners are mandated to find music that fits what the client wants. If it turns out later to be art, then all the better.

Just my 2c

Mazz

[tordenspyd]

Thanks a lot Mazz, it makes much sense what you're saying.
My instincts would go the same way, but it was not what I was reading.

I would recommend giving the clients what they want.

Yes, absolutely. The problem was finding out what they wanted.
Considering what is profitable business was something I used trying to guess.

This listing was for an independent publisher/library. It could be business for them if they captured every time someone actually wanted the Eno track for a project. He could jump up and say ' I can give you a Taxi members track for half the price'. But, as already stated, I am ignorant of most of the relevant subjects involved.

[mazz]

I think your instincts are headed in the right direction. This client must be getting requests for this type of thing or, as I am experiencing with existing clients, shows are in post production and they are asking for a certain vibe and they sent the publisher the Eno piece as and example what they like and what's working. The thing is, they can't use the Eno piece for every episode! It's probably too expensive for that many placements!

Capturing the essence of a piece of music without ripping it off is an art in itself and something worth mastering if you want to do this kind of work. Some folks aren't wired that way, which is OK too.

Good luck!

Mazz

[SuzanneSchnite]

Thanks for posting this disucssion guys. I'm just starting tracking on this listing today and your analysis has been very helpful!

Good luck w/this tordenspyd...

Sincerely,

Suzanne

[TechNoiZ]

Anyone up for this one? I found it got harder to keep the vibe the more I got into it.

[treesbygb]

An interesting discussion, as I've just finished two tracks for this. Found it hard to come up with something that fits and doesn't sound like Brian Eno. That track is in my subconcious and finds ways of manifesting itself whatever I do!
I've got my fingers crossed that the non Eno bits aren't too far away from the script. Anyway, I've got two tracks that I enjoy listening to! Good luck all.
Gary

[SuzanneSchnite]

Just submitted mine today w/fingers crossed. The track is called "A Second Chance" and can be found on my TAXI profile page.

Good luck to all of you who gave this one a shot!

Sincerely,

Suzanne