5 Year Plans - how are you approaching it?

[andygabrys]

that's it! I'M BUYING AN ACCORDION!!

[Casey H]

that's it! I'M BUYING AN ACCORDION!!

You might want to learn to play it as well. Did I forget to mention that was a requirement?

Casey

[suzdoyle]

that's it! I'M BUYING AN ACCORDION!!

You might want to learn to play it as well. Did I forget to mention that was a requirement?

Casey

Heheheh. But what about bagpipes?

My response to the Q's:
1) Do you compose for listings?
- Yep. Although I don't like high-pressure working styles, so I'll often write a song for a listing mostly for the inspiration, and then submit it later for a similar listing. I like having lots of breathing space, and an easy-flowing work/ life balance (what can I say? I'm a typical granola-eating/ Birkenstock and socks wearing Oregonian!). I love the IDEAS that many listings inspire!

2) Do you resubmit your stuff to mulitple listings?
Yep.

3) Do you submit outside of taxi to libraries?
Just once, thanks to a suggestion by Casey (thanks, Casey!!!)

4) How do you manage the cost side of things? Do you tend to do all playing/ singing yourself?
I do 75-80% of the singing/ playing myself (I play multiple instruments); and I have friends in for singing or playing; and I hire live horn players about 20% of the time (and always WELL WORTH IT!)

5) Do you focus more on instrumentals?
Yep. Probably 75% instrumentals, 25% vocals. Although I'm leaning more into children's music, which is more vocal oriented. For decade-specific theme songs, it's mostly instrumental.

6) Do you maintain websites etc outside of Taxi?
Yep! But my main site is bursting at the seams, so I'm going to split it into several ones later this year. La de dah . . . It's on my to-do list.

But enough about ME!
Suz

[thekman]

Really cool and interesting thread here guys! Here's my 2 cents....


1) Do you compose for listings?

Not as much as 2 years ago, but yes. If I already have a tune or if it's something that plays to my strengths I'll go for it. I'm strict on managing my time.

2) Do you resubmit your stuff to mulitple listings?

Usually yes... Dave Walton said it best in his reply.

3) Do you submit outside of taxi to libraries?

A big YES! Only half my publishing deals came directly through Taxi (1 forward, 2 Rally contacts) and there are a bunch of forwards w/o contact....yet!

4) How do you manage the cost side of things? Do you tend to do all playing/ singing yourself?

I play/produce everything with my own gear and luckily I can mix too. I've just recently had a few collabs for listings, but nothing signed. As far as cost...the way I see it is I have to spend some money to make more later. I'm a big investor in myself and music. Hopefully I know what I'm doing!

5) Do you focus more on instrumentals?

Yes, 99% I found that lyrics/vox are awesome and fun, but take me waaay longer to get to where I'm happy.

6) Do you maintain websites etc outside of Taxi?

Yep. Soundcloud, FB, Reverbnation my own site, and there's a bunch of libraries and music opportunity sites that I visit almost daily.

[HectorRContreras]

Thank you dear Jeff, for a very good Questionnaire.

It is lovely to participate and lovely to read other people responses. Very instructive.

Here, in our case it is slightly different because we are two. And we are dissimilar ! We are Fiançés.

1) Do you compose for listings? Catherine does, she composes new fresh Music for the Listings. Hector submits Songs that he has all ready composed in the past.

2) Do you resubmit your stuff to multiple listings? Well, we learned today that it is very cool thing to do ! Thank you Dave Walton.

3) Do you submit outside of taxi to libraries? No, we do not.

4) How do you manage the cost side of things? Do you tend to do all playing/ singing yourself? Well, Hector Finances are always similar to a Ship being battered by the Waves on a very Stormy Ocean ! Hector has a Home Studio and an impressive amount of written Songs. Catherine has a Mac. Except for the Songs recorded with Hector Latin Jazz Ensemble, all our Songs are Home Made, so to speak.

5) Do you focus more on instrumentals? Yes, definitively. Neither Hector or Catherine do Lyrics or Singing. However, Hector composes Songs for Female Singers, it is then the Ladies who sing their own Lyrics according to their own arrangements.

6) Do you maintain websites etc outside of Taxi? Well, Hector has CD Baby and another Website. Catherine has published some of her Music at YouYube, and at WordPress. (easy to Google search with our names !)

You may want to hear a Song that we composed together when we could !
http://forums.taxi.com/topic124834.html

[HectorRContreras]

Your YouTube Video is so cool, dear Suzannah Doyle !

I recommend a Visit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a5p3m1d ... r_embedded