Need help understanding return comments

[billhewett]

Hi Passengers!

This post isn't intended to be a complaint... I understand that every screener has his/her own ideas about each listing and each song that comes through, and sometimes they don't agree with the members ideas about these things, and I am OK with that. I have so far had 12 submissions, with 7 returns and 5 still pending, and of the 7 returns I only have concern about two of them:

1. I actually *expected* this song to get returned because the performance on the submitted take was not great. This version is cleaned up, but the structure and instrumentation are identical:
http://www.taximusic.com/listings_popup ... =S131007IF
https://soundcloud.com/bill-hewett/chrysanthemums
"With the exception of the banjo, a more contemporary blue grass style is desired here."
"It did have a solid 4 on the floor along with rhythmic guitars/mandolins/banjos but needed a more fun uptempo beat."
"This music library listing pitches mainly to TV and commercial spots, so he wants tracks that are upbeat and lively. He's not looking for anything that's moody or dark."

What I don't understand here is the whole "bluegrass" and "banjos" aspect... I don't think any of the referenced artists in the ad are very "bluegrass", and that style is not mentioned anywhere in the ad! In addition, I have neither banjos, mandolins, nor guitars on this track, only ukuleles. If the screener can't tell the difference then should they be screening for this listing? Also, other than the second bridge part I don't think this track screams "dark and moody", but maybe all of my years wasted listening to The Cure have left my moodiness meter off kilter?

2. This is the first submission that I truly believed would get forwarded, and was heartbroken when it did not :( I actually got a *very* nice review from the screener, so I wasn't angry, but still surprised:
http://www.taximusic.com/listings_popup ... =U131029CV
https://soundcloud.com/bill-hewett/wish ... re-here-v3
"Okay, very interesting choice to do a Jawaiian version of a Pink Floyd song. Interesting concept but the execution is still in it's infancy, I feel. The uke, for starters, sounds very unsure of itself and as it carries the first minute or so, the playing really has to be top notch. A diamond in the rough this is perhaps, William."

Part of what I thought was interesting in the review was the idea that the version is "Jawaiian". I know I have the up-tick uke and the reggae bassline, but the vocal delivery, percussion, and banjo (maybe the submissions got crossed?!?) scream "indie rock" to my ears. Given that style, I feel like the performance is pretty spot on, even though it might be a little bit sloppy for real reggae. All that said, I am all for improving my playing technique and if that's what it takes to get forwarded then I am on board... I was just pretty surprised at this reply in this context.

Any input, similar stories, advice, encouragement, etc. are welcome! Like I said, this isn't a complaint, just a way for me to get to know Taxi better and to help me work toward my first forward !

Thanks,

-Bill

[Casey H]

Hi Bill
Can you post the listing text?

Casey

[billhewett]

Hey Casey,

I sure can! I figured the links would be easier to work with, to keep the length of the post more manageable, but maybe that is a Taxi faux pas?

I have read many of your responses on the board, so am looking forward to hearing your feedback :)

-Bill

Listing Number 1:
CONTEMPORARY MID-to-UP TEMPO, INDIE FOLK INSTRUMENTALS that would appeal to the fans of Mumford and Sons, Dawes, The Punch Brothers, etc., are needed by the Owner of very busy Music Library. We ran a similar dispatch listing for this a few weeks back but he wants to hear more. If you submitted to D130904IF, be sure you send in new tracks. He's asked for earthy and organic tracks, with an acoustic sound, similar to that of the artists mentioned above. He pitches mainly to TV and commercial spots, so he wants tracks that are upbeat and lively. He's not looking for anything that's moody or dark. Instrumentals only, please. This company offers both an Exclusive and a Non-exclusive deal. It's up to you! If your track is chosen and you chose to enter into an Exclusive deal, they split any licensing fee 50/50 and keep 100% of publishing. You'll retain 100% of your writer's share. If you chose a Non-exclusive deal, they'll collect 60% of any licensing fee, while you collect 40%. They'll keep publishing on the new title, and you'll retain 100% of your writer's share. You must own or control 100% of your master and composition rights. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Please submit one to three songs online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Monday, October 7, 2013. TAXI #S131007IF

Listing Number 2:
A-List Film/TV Licensing Company needs COVER VERSIONS of HIT SONGS of the 1970's. We recently ran a similar listing for this company looking for songs from the '60s, and they were so impressed that they can't wait to hear more! They need great sounding, creative covers of almost any big song you can think of from the ‘70s. Your cover versions can be done in ANY STYLE/GENRE that’s Film/TV/Commercial friendly! Your COVERS can range from stripped-down acoustic interpretations to full productions, and anything in between. The sky's the limit for this pitch. You can give us a straight sound-a-like version in the spirit of the original song, OR you can get creative and give them a fresh new take of the tune you’ve picked. You’d be smart to stick to the original lyric and melody so the song is instantly recognizable even though you've given it a your own stylisitc spin. Note: Do NOT send in any Beatles, Lennon/McCartney, Neil Young, or Van Morrison songs, as they are rarely licensed. Vocal and instrumental performances need to be really strong. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Vocals that have a unique quality or texture will probably work best. This is a great company with decades of experience, and a contact list that would make anyone drool with envy. They'll be pitching these new versions to Music Supervisors working on big film and TV shows, and also to top Ad Agencies for commercial use. They offer a Non-Exclusive, 50/50 deal on the Master Recording only. For example: if they license one of your cover song masters for $15,000 to an Ad Agency, you’ll get $7,500. The song’s publisher will do its own deal, and get all the income from that portion of the deal. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis. No full critiques. Please submit one-to-three songs online or per CD no later than Tuesday, October 29th, 2013 at NOON (PDT). TAXI #U131029CV

[Casey H]

Hi Bill
On the first one, listen to your track and then listen to the more up-tempo stuff by Mumford and Sons... That's what the listing was calling for... http://youtu.be/3KkUeRPjc-Y

Yours is too laid back, needs that foot stompin' fingerpicked banjo or similar type thing. And although you're not playing a banjo on your track, it does have that type of tone to it so I can see why the screener said that. But that's really irrelevant. It comes down to your submission not being in the style asked for.

On the 2nd one (cool idea BTW!), I see his point that the performance just isn't quite there yet. I wouldn't be concerned about the word "Jawaiian"... I think he just meant uke strumming version. The listing was pretty high bar and did say vocal and instrumental performances had to be top notch. I think if you fined tuned this it might work down the road for another listing.

On the positive side, uke tracks are VERY popular these days in film, TV, and advertising so as you get better and better there are lots of opportunities! So keep plugging away!

Best,
Casey

[billhewett]

Hi Casey,

Thanks so much... your observations are definitely helpful.

I definitely tend toward a more laid back, groovy feel, so even though I have the four on the floor going on I guess it is more of "four behind the beat on the floor" :) If the screener had mentioned that it would have made more sense than citing something something as specific as "Bluegrass", and I think you are right on the money in your assessment.

Re: the uke playing in Wish You Were Here, can you pick out anything in particular that is lacking? Was it the playing overall? Specific time sections that were sloppy? The integration of the Wish You Were Here guitar theme? I've been a guitar and bass player for almost 25 years, and have been playing the uke for about 5 (but I usually just strum, the exceptions being these two submissions)... while I have never been a real technician I generally feel confident in my playing, and also confident enough to take constructive criticism and work with it to improve :)

Thanks again!

-Bill

[RockChild56]

Hey Bill maybe try clearing your throat and sniff in the middle of the Uke intro on Wish Uke Were Here. It worked for Gilmore. Kidding aside, it is a Cool Idea Wish I would have thought of it.