Would Taxi Forward This Band?

[53mph]

Ern,That video is funny....I can't remember the last time I saw so many guys with painted on black jeans and white trainers. And the hair....they all look like Afghan hounds.It reminds me of my youth when I went to see bands like Megadeath or Lawnmower Death (who did a great cover of Kids in America), or any other band I can remember with Death in the title.Death Metal is really funny when people take themselves so seriously.I think screener comments would be:I'm trying to find a theme in your lyrics but it's escaping me at the moment. Just what are you trying to say? Think of the lyrics as the story to a film. Describe the actions as it happens Eg: first I rip the entrails from the stomach, then I eat them... Look at contemporary artists making similar music for an example like The Darkness. Not forwrded this time but shows potential. Good luck!

[edteja]

"Sounds like a sample?" What if you use a sample that you have the rights to? How can the screener tell that? Or if you created the sample? Or, as in this case, if it isn't a sample at all? What about drum tracks you create? They sound like samples, but if you are creating them they aren't. Boy this is one can o worms, Nomi.

[matto]

Quote:Absolutely...this is quite distressing. I write songs in several styles (but particularly hiphop and electronic) in which I "create" samples...a repeating recorded line is intentionally made to sound as if it was lifted from another song through the use of EQ, turntable noise, and other processes.It's true that Nomi should've contacted Taxi right away to get this sorted out. However...nobody's gonna return anybody's submission because there are elements in it that are made to sound like samples. Nomi stated that her song had a guitar lick in it that sounded like a well-known record. That's something you should ALWAYS stay away from, unless you've cleared that sample (and how many of us have the resources to do that?)Processing an element of your own recording to sound like a "sample", or using commercially released "sample libraries", or (obviously) using drum samples to create your tracks is perfectly fine and won't reduce your song's chances of getting forwarded.But if your song has an element or lick in it that sounds recognizably like a well-known record (whether intentional or not), the companies that place listings with Taxi will in general stay far away from something like that (particularly on the film/tv side). The don't wanna risk becoming embroiled in some kind of legal battle, regardless of the potential outcome.matto

[ernstinen]

Quote:Ern,That video is funny....I can't remember the last time I saw so many guys with painted on black jeans and white trainers. And the hair....they all look like Afghan hounds.LOL! And did you know that the guy who dove from the stage into the mosh pit between the first and second "verses" was none other than our own Matto!!! Ern

[nomiyah]

The guitar lick wasn't note for note like the other song, it was just similar sounding. It wouldn't have required any clearance. But I asked advice from another Taxi member who thought if it was similar enough to worry the screener, it could bother the person placing the listing. Apparently, the very thought of an illegal sample scares off the industry? Like Ed said, what if it was a sample but I had permission to use it? Anyway, I didn't call Taxi because I figured the screener's opinion wouldn't be changed. Andre, my understanding is that a forward is at the discretion of the screener so they wouldn't be required to defend their reasoning. The way Taxi works is the same way the rest of the industry works. A great song can be passed on by one person or a hundred people and then one person can make it into a hit. It's not a matter of fairness, it's just the music business. Thanks for the input everyone.Nomi

[53mph]

Quote:But if your song has an element or lick in it that sounds recognizably like a well-known record (whether intentional or not), the companies that place listings with Taxi will in general stay far away from something like that (particularly on the film/tv side). The don't wanna risk becoming embroiled in some kind of legal battle, regardless of the potential outcome. MattoI've seen lots of ads recently that seem to take 'the sound' of an artist and even the same chord structure of one of their songs but change one chord. Is that legit?Recently there has been a spate of Badly Drawn Boy sounding ads for things like tampons in Italy and they are so similar I'm amazed no-one has thought of sueingSometimes I'm amazed at how well the ads mimic famous artists current sounds and make copy-cat songs in a short space of time. I imagine a factory feeding Madonna into a machine and spewing out a production line of watered down versions of her songs... Recently I had a submission refused because it was an adaptation fo a popular classical piece by Satie. They said that I would have to clear the piece. I thought that songs that have been written over 100 years ago and, if it's been 75 years since the composers death, were public domain. Someone please fill me in on this.

[Casey H]

I hope you guys aren't being too hesitant about (politely!) contacting TAXI with a question or concern. When I was a member, I got in touch a few times when I had problems with their review or rejection -or- I wasn't quite sure what a particular listing was asking for and how my songs might fit. I always got quick and helpful answers. I even had a song re-reviewed by a different screener.In that case where a song was rejected do to a possible sampling/clearance issue, I would have recommended contacting them to get more information and discuss. Although I am not a current member, I do recall that their customer service was top notch. Clint and Chris were always very accessible. Casey

[nomiyah]

Casey,I agree that Taxi customer service has been awesome whenever I've called. I was just imagining 3000 anxious songwriters clogging up their phone lines every time they felt concerned about something. But I'll keep your advice in mind.Nomi

[matto]

I agree with Casey 100%. If you have a legitimate concern such as the ones put forth by nomi and 53 (and not one of the "my-stuff-is-better-than-the-crap-on-the-radio" variety ) , please do contact Taxi as soon as the problem arises. No one on this forum can help you with things like that. And if the screener DID make a mistake, Taxi's A&R staff will override that screeners decision.matto

[Casey H]

Quote:I agree with Casey 100%. If you have a legitimate concern such as the ones put forth by nomi and 53 (and not one of the "my-stuff-is-better-than-the-crap-on-the-radio" variety ) , please do contact Taxi as soon as the problem arises. No one on this forum can help you with things like that. And if the screener DID make a mistake, Taxi's A&R staff will override that screeners decision.mattoThanks Matto... Yeah, sometimes I worry when I post something like this that TAXI will be inundated with emails and calls from all sorts of people who didn't agree with their decision. Folks should reserve this action for the times when there really is something unusual. Casey