Question about a return-- Indie Pop Instro

[KentB]

Hi Guys hope all is well. I recently got a return on the track below. (the listing is below the track). One note that I got was that it needs to be tighter. Maybe I've heard the track too many times but I don't hear where or how it needs to be tighter -- the rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass? Everything? I was hoping maybe someone with some fresh ears might focus mine in the right direction. It's actually kind of concerning to me that I don't hear that it's not tight enough. Thanks so much

Kent



Lots of FUN, BEAT-DRIVEN INDIE POP/ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a very successful Music Library that gets tons of placements in TV Shows, Films, and TV Commercials.

We're guesstimating that they could use 5 to 10 of these – maybe even more!

They’re eager to find a bunch of Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumental Cues in the general stylistic ballpark of the following references:

WARNING: Some of the references may contain graphic and explicit lyrics. Listener discretion is advised.

"Change The Channel" by Mia Gladstone

"Forever Isn't Long Enough" by Alfie Templeman

"Summer" by Simpson

"Lifetime" by Romy

Although the references have vocals, this request is for Instrumental Cues only.

Quoting the Library: "We'd love to hear modern beat-driven Indie Pop and Indie Rock that is optimistic, fun, and quirky to go under dialogue and transitional scenes in Reality TV."

Send them well-produced modern, Indie Pop/Rock Instrumental Cues that have a fun, quirky vibe and sound. Your submissions should have prominent, engaging rhythms and beats and light-hearted melodies. As always, craft your submissions around a singular mood and motif, and create a sense of dynamics and forward momentum by layering instrumentation in and out as they progress. Your production can lean toward the Pop or Rock side of the Indie spectrum (or somewhere in between) – just be sure that your production is high-quality; evokes a positive, fun feeling; and features fresh, current-sounding software instruments and samples.

All submissions should be about 90 seconds long (give or take). If you go a little long, don’t sweat it! Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will work best. Please do NOT copy the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

[gitanosoy]

Hi Ken...yeah the lead part I think the guitar sounding instrument is of with some notes in various place....that's all I hear for now.

[cosmicdolphin]

Guitar sounds a bit out of time to me as well. Get in there with the scissor tool and line it up by eye.

Also check you have't got a bunch of delays that clash with each other and make it feel more out than it is.

[Kolstad]

To me it sounds more 90s alt.rock than 20s indie pop. I like everything in the writing but the drums, they sound heavy and hard, stale (same velocity overall) and repetituous. They also has that dreaded midi sound in the breakdown half way through.

I would expect something more light, varied and dynamic for fun indie pop. Current refs in that genre is more minimalistic and air’y sounding.

Justmy2c

[PDebik]

n/a

[KentB]

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for the quick replies! I'll go back and look more closely at the lead and the delays. Also, I was wondering if maybe the rhythm of the lead guitar might conflict with the rhythm guitar.

Thanks again! Have a great holiday weekend
Kent

[KentB]

BTW, the screener did also say it needed more modern sounds. Which I totally understand. I myself came up in 90s alt rock.

[andygabrys]

in addition to what is written above, you made your track almost a verbatim copy of Summer by Simpson. Sure difference chords, but the filter sweep in the intro and the guitar sounds? Too close.

When ref tracks are given, imagine they are like 3 or four distant points that define the genre. You should be trying to throw a dart in-between all those end points.

Don't copy too exactly any sounds, tempos, song forms or very specific production techniques.

If you copy the vibe too much from one track - you are going to be liable for copyright infringement.

Sometimes a client is so in love with a temp track (say for a commercial they are editing) and for whatever reason they can't afford that track. Sometimes they might err on the side of getting something that is too close. If you are the composer that made that "too close" track then you could be liable - as most contract language stipulates that you are licensing original material.

Try again and take some elements from every ref.

[KentB]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the feedback. That's great info! I think I remember the references all started with a filter sweep but after that my track pretty much sounds like a rip off of "Summer". I even titled it "Summer Is Forever"

I like what you said about throwing the dart. I think that's helping things come into focus for me a little better.

Kent