male demo for female artist

[marcin]

HI!Maybe some of you remember me... if not... that's ok! I'm not that special! The think is I was recording my CD the last few months, read all the business books watched the taxi videos and so on so I didn't have the time to be an active member of this great forum. But yeah, I learned a lot in this few months and thought NOW I know everything! BUT then I had a look on at the latest listings! And found this: "MODERN POP/POP-ROCK SONGS for a couple of young Female artists". I'm not going to send anything to this listing (deadline is over anyway) BUT it make me think... if I have a song for that one... already recorded on let's say piano and male vocals (because as I learned from the books that you shouldn't send a full produced song if they're looking for SONGS to produce with other artists)... would it be a minus that the VOCALS are male? Oh, and of course let's pretend that the lyrics are ok for both female AND male singers.I mean... in such situation, would you post your song? Or would you re-record the song with a female singer?In MY oppinion it dosn't matter, because you can change the pitch of the song whenever you want and I HOPE that a pro-producer is able to imagine how this song will sound with his "young female singer".Am I right? Because I'm not sure. What do you think? ByeMarcin

[squidlips]

There seems to be differing opinions on this. Those who are into making sure their productions are flawless will hire a female vocalist for a female artist pitch. There are some, however, who feel that a couple of things are going on in a situation like this (theoretically):A male artist is less likely to listen to a female vocalist and picture himself singing the song. A female, however, is more likely to consider a song even if it's done by a male. I know that sounds like a response to a double standard and it probably is. That's life. However, it's unlikely the artist is actually going to hear this song before their manager/rep does and the manager/rep is gonna be the one to decide if the artist will find it attractive. Too many variables for me, I'd rather cut down on the risk when I can.If I was dead sure this song was gonna do it for someone and I wanted it to get as much exposure as possible, I'd have it done in both male and female vox. Why cut off your nose to save some and money?

[ncc1701]

Everything I've learned from these forums points to the concept that you absolutely SHOULD submit the best demo possible for artist pitches. If all you have access to is a piano, then make it the best piano and vocal recording you can; but if you can add even a Band-In-A-Box rhythm section that helps fill it out and doesn't detract by being too MIDI, even better.And I would think that a female vocal is almost imperative.The whole point (beyond having a killer song, of course) is to require the least amount of effort for the screener to imagine what the fully produced version would sound like. The more work they have to do (even subconsciously) to "fill in" what's not there on the demo, the less they're able to concentrate on the song itself, IMO.

[marcin]

Yeah, that makes sense!DAMN! One more recording session! I must pay my bills, and something to eat would be great too!!