Re: I Think I've Figured out TAXI

gitarrero · Post by **gitarrero** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:47 am

Hi shakabrah,I think you see it a little too "black/white". I think Taxi is a service for quite a wide range of people - some just life not in the states (like I do) and are able to take oppurtunities through taxi, some are stuck in the past musically and can take afford out of the advice of screeners to sound more current, some are just not good self-marketer and therefore ain't good in schnoozing, etc.however, I think taxi is a TOOL - which means it is not the holy grail, the secret weapon etc. People tend to look out for that "secret" that let them become successfull - well I think that secret exist, but it's not a service or anything like that. I think it's well said wiht "the 4 Ps":Passion, Persistence, Patience, and Professionalism.Taxi can help you to develope your writing/production etc, to pitch songs to more oppurtunities you won't have yet without taxi, and - if forwarded - to get heared by industry people (how *they* decide what do to or not to do with your music is another cup of tea, it's their decision).BUT no tool will be usefull if you don't work with it - meaning: it's US who need to work on our music, who really want to get better etc. Taxi can just be a help - I personally think it can be a good help.cheers,Martin

pogodog · Post by **pogodog** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:26 am

Hello Mr. Sad face. Are you sad cause you're new? Me too. Not sad, but new. I'm what you'd call a "Newbie" LOL. I'm not sure if thats a complement or not, it should be, it sure sounds cute. Anyway, I always reply with a "thank you you're sweet ", and a little smiley on the end . That's something, if you don't already know, put a smiley next to your name it really makes you shine. Oh yeah, one more thing. When you're posting around old people I'm talking dead-in-the-water people 25 and up, never use the phrase over-the-hill ... unless your giving directions to a Starbucks. It gives them chronic frown lines. Yeah, it's sad Nothing short of a " Hasselhoff " will help these washed-up-wanna-bee's , not Smileys, not botox not even Shaka Brah Records. Oops, my Taxi's here. Have a shiny day.

pitterpatter · Post by **pitterpatter** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:30 am

There are a few dead-in-the-water people under 25 years old too and they'll be getting their frown lines soon enough...but let's not name any names. Thank you. You're sweet. Am I shining yet? Cause I feel like I'm shining. ?? ....

walter327 · Post by **walter327** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:47 am

You've neglected to consider those of us who do write great songs, but don't have the money to go to Nasheville, taking time off from work which pays the bills, to knock on doors that get slammed in our faces because we don't have connections. Taxi provides a service for us by going to doors that are already open. The people behind those doors would throw folks like me out on our keisters(sp?). They know the folks from Taxi, though.They pitch our art for us. Saves lotso time and fuel.

onoffon · Post by **onoffon** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:12 am

Quote:2) cutting-edge/happening songwriters are already in the industry and working.Yeah - cause ALL the cutting edge/happening songwriters in the world are already working... There's absolutely no undiscovered talent out there because the industry is so good at recognizing it...

donho · Post by **donho** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:13 am

eh shaka brah,wasap? checked out your site, no disrespect, but looks like you're a taxi wanna be? Critiques, placements etc. plus a small kine studio? am i missin somthin? PLeny guys get real industry deals with Taxi. But one akamai brah like you knows that, so whats your point?

onoffon · Post by **onoffon** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:45 am

Quote:Where do you find those songs? Publishers you already know?Only if you want the same old regurgitated drivel that has over-saturated the marketplace... If you truly want something "cutting edge/happening" you have to go out of the traditional loop and go somewhere that has something different to offer. Granted, it's only going to happen for one out of 10,000, but for that one...

donho · Post by **donho** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:13 am

Hey Brah,You are absolutlely right, that being where the industry is ....is where its at for most career oriented artist and writers but geography has nothing to do with talent, and I would even say, that cutting edge is, by definition, outside the "box" of the industry. (i don't really think many taxi listings are looking for anything remotely like "cutting edge")These taxi listing are the real deal, the real industry looking for artist, songs for artist, film, tv etc. so thats gotta tell ya somethin'. BTW, if the web page is outdated, whats your deal these days?

onoffon · Post by **onoffon** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:29 am

Quote:And the good ones all have publishing deals.I don't understand your belief that success and talent go hand and hand.There are very successful songwriters out there that are talentless hacks and, conversely, there are extremely talented songwriters that are complete unknowns..."Success" is simply a quirk of fate - whatever vehicle leads to it or away from it is also a quirk of fate...Good luck to you...

hummingbird · Post by **hummingbird** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:55 am

Quote:Quote:You've neglected to consider those of us who do write great songs, but don't have the money to go to Nasheville, taking time off from work which pays the bills, to knock on doors that get slammed in our faces because we don't have connections. Taxi provides a service for us by going to doors that are already open. The people behind those doors would throw folks like me out on our keisters(sp?). They know the folks from Taxi, though.They pitch our art for us. Saves lotso time and fuel.I would bet that 90% of TAXI members are over age 35. I agree with your post, not everyone can go live for the 10+ years in Nashville. TAXI is a good middleman. I take it you're writing country? Cool. That's a great genre that's not too age biased. Site??Based on my attendance at the last two Road Rally's with over 1,000 other musicians, songwriters, producers, etc., I'd say - 90% of Taxi members are under 35; 90% of the industry execs are over 35; and 5% of the under 35s who attend the Rally blow your socks off with their talent. I'm privileged to have heard them before the rest of the world.I think it's blatant ageism to assume that someone over 35 can't write cutting edge. How easy it is to make assumptions based on a number. I've met several professional songwriter's with hits under their belts and they were 90% over 35. Who cares? It's the SONG that counts, not the writer's age.