INDIE ROCK...help please!

[BrentI]

This is a two part question. The first is for some general feedback for this track. I'd like to submit it to the following listing.

https://soundcloud.com/brentisom/fuel-f ... al_sharing

The second is more general. I've been trying to write for indie/alt-rock listings for a while now, and I often hear the same feedback from the screeners ("needs more of an indie rock sound/production"). I'm not disputing the critiques...I'm just not exactly sure what that means. What would be some general characteristics of indie rock music/production?

As always, thanks for taking the time to listen and comment! I learn a lot from this forum!

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ANTHEMIC INDIE ROCK INSTRUMENTALS and/or INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed for Sports Programming by a NEW International Music Licensing Company started by highly experienced, successful founders!

This Company is searching for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals and/or Instrumental Cues in the general ballpark of these references:

"Legend" by The Score - https://youtu.be/jecQcgbyetw

"Play with Fire" by WAR*HALL - https://youtu.be/qrfCKCFbo-o

"Watch Me" by The Phantoms - https://youtu.be/QZ_v2wkBt3k

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals and/or Instrumental Cues only for this request.

Quoting the Company: "We are looking for greatly produced tracks with excellent performances that are representing the style and genre very well, while still staying within 'production music' rules."

Please send bombastic, current-sounding Indie Rock Instrumentals with solid melodies, engaging rhythms, and an overall anthemic feel. Instrumentation that's generally similar to the references will suit your submissions best – think rockin' guitars, big drums, and a mix of sampled and organic Rock instruments. Your production and any virtual instruments or samples you use should be high-quality and cutting-edge. Imagine the kind of music you'd hear in sports recaps on ESPN – that's what they're looking for!

[BradGray]

Hey Brent - nice track!

Catchy riff, and decent arrangement. There needs to be more in terms of development than just the riff over and over again. Adding in a second guitar harmony, percussion, a low pad instrument...something else to make it gradually build to excitement.

With regards to the indy/rock production, I'm a novice and not an expert - but here's what I hear.

Guitars - Are they in a similar space? Tone, reverb, "growl". Try to get a tone closer to the reference track; or perhaps even building to the tone in the track.
Drums - The drums in the reference have depth, and even some distortion. Yours are sounding like a midi kit sample. Not bad, but not much life. I would suggest randomizing some of the velocity of the drum hits to make it sound a bit more natural. I would suggest try laying in another kit, and see if you can make a sound closer to the reference tracks.

So all in all, listen closely to the references for the tonality and production of the instruments. The first reference has distortion on almost everything (blended in so it has a "bite"), yours is quite clean.

Good Luck!
Brad

[BrentI]

Hey Brent - nice track!

Catchy riff, and decent arrangement. There needs to be more in terms of development than just the riff over and over again. Adding in a second guitar harmony, percussion, a low pad instrument...something else to make it gradually build to excitement.

With regards to the indy/rock production, I'm a novice and not an expert - but here's what I hear.

Guitars - Are they in a similar space? Tone, reverb, "growl". Try to get a tone closer to the reference track; or perhaps even building to the tone in the track.
Drums - The drums in the reference have depth, and even some distortion. Yours are sounding like a midi kit sample. Not bad, but not much life. I would suggest randomizing some of the velocity of the drum hits to make it sound a bit more natural. I would suggest try laying in another kit, and see if you can make a sound closer to the reference tracks.

So all in all, listen closely to the references for the tonality and production of the instruments. The first reference has distortion on almost everything (blended in so it has a "bite"), yours is quite clean.

Good Luck!
Brad

Solid and much-appreciated feedback! Thanks Brad!

[SteveAlton]

Great question as to what an Indie rock should sound like...DO they give reference artists you can compare this too? I'm not crazy about those claps. I would probably replace those

Everything else sounds good,