PRSS- Post Rally Stoked Syndrome

[aubreyz]

Yes, I'm stoked. Just got back last night- we stayed a couple of extra nights in LA. It was great meeting everyone, though there's so many of us dots now it's hard to keep up One of my best Rally moments was after the rally was over. I had a chance to stop by the Taxi office. Michael graciously gave me a tour and took time from the dozens of return calls and emails to sit and chat. Though it's hard to put into words how much that meant to me, I'll do my best to give a quick synopsis. Others have posted their Taxi tour experiences but here's my perspective.So we pull up to this office building. Nice place, nothing earth shattering - just an office building. The front door to the Taxi suite was very incognito. The lobby was nice, modern -- not lavish at all, but a cool, clean look. Through the glass I can see Craig and David working at their desks. Michael comes out in a minute with a smile on his face like some royalty has just arrived. He gives me the quick tour.The thing that impressed me the most was how organized and efficient everything was. I mean this was a couple of days after the rally so I expected things to be understandably in a bit of disarray. Also, the office was nice but not extravagant. And even though I've heard from others who have been there, I was somewhat surprised about how unassuming it was. But then again, that's why Taxi hasn't jacked up their prices for all these years. I feel somewhat like a very small stockholder, and everything I saw and heard gave me confidence that Taxi is being a good steward of its member's interests.The screening room was library quite. Every cubical was full, some faces I recognized and thought, cool, they really DO screen. The thing that impressed me was how focused they were. I could see the critique forms on their screens as they listened and reviewed. They all seemed to be enjoying what they were doing- just very focused. Hardly anybody but Elvis in the corner looked up and caught my eye. These people take their job seriously. I felt like calling some friends to check out the screener cam and waving my arms and mouthing "hi mom"... but thought better of it. Then we went to see Robin. She was training a new screener. Her office is also the mail room and I got to see the bins for those who mail their submissions. We see listing numbers, but on these bins they had the actual listing party. I scanned the bins-- major labels, indie labels I know, major music libraries I know-- big names over and over again. This was no set up or list of who has ever used Taxi, but a sample of current listings. I already knew Taxi's listings were legit. I've been forwarded enough to know, but it was pretty impressive to see all those big names lined up.Michael grabbed a screener's training packet (the size of a phone book) and we headed to his office. He just had a "new" desk delivered. It was his old dining room table from home. I have one of those "desks" too-- that was a very "real" thing to me. There's the award in his office next to the family portrait. He described again how great that was. While we talked, he let me thumb through the screener training manual. The thing that impressed me the most is that it is very obvious that if a screener doesn't do their job according to the detailed principles outlined, it's defined in black and white that Taxi will "no longer need their screening services." The high bar that we have to get over to be forwarded exists for the screeners too. There's a lot of competition to be a screener, and keeping the gig means you have to consistently perform above the bar. Now I get why the screener room was so quiet. They take their job seriously-- they have too or they won't HAVE the job. That's good for us members. Every critique puts their job on the line. Though we may not always agree with their opinions, there's some comfort in knowing that they are held VERY accountable.Michael as a matter of conversation showed me the sticky notes of phone calls and emails to return just from that day. He needs a dining table for post it notes if nothing else. He quickly read off some of the names-- it was like an industry who's who. Then I had an epiphany-- he TOOK my call that day, and I'm just another one of his members. The fact that my time was a priority to him says volumes about why Taxi exists. It's all about the members and their success.I'm sure there's some details that I left out, questions I should have asked, but the bottom line is that I came away from the visit with the assurance that my faith in Taxi is well placed and well deserved. Those who work for Taxi are working for us and our success. Michael's perspective and integrity is reflected in everything they do.I'm grateful to have seen it first hand, and combined with my Rally experience this year have a renewed resolve to work harder than ever to improve my music. I want a screener to jump out of his chair and say, "You gotta hear this stuff!" Every year I get closer to that bar, but also get more insight into how high that bar really is. There are a lot of really good artists and writers out there, but good doesn't get you much of anywhere. Taxi provides many tools to go from okay to good, good to really good and really good to great. Great is my goal. It's good to know that Taxi is on my side and want me to succeed enough that they won't settle for anything less than that.Aub "on the road to great" Delane

[allends]

What a great writeup Aub! Here's my favorite part:Nov 13, 2008, 12:56pm, aubreyz wrote:The high bar that we have to get over to be forwarded exists for the screeners too. There's a lot of competition to be a screener, and keeping the gig means you have to consistently perform above the bar.

[aubreyz]

Thanks Allen!You know, I guess that I should mention that I got home from the airport, checked email and got a rejection. Figures, huh. I did think about how possible it was that someone was screening my submission while I was there--- should have looked at the screens a little closer Aub

[tedsingingfox]

Hey, Aub.This is a FANTASTIC post-Rally posting, and I'm so thankful you shared this with me/all of us.

[devin]

Awesome...a great read!Thank you for taking the time Aub!

[trentoliphant]

Great info Aub. Thanks for sharing it with us.It was great to meet you and your wife at the rally.Trent

[georginasaint]

Hi Aub - wow, what a post! I am slightly envious.... ha ha!!! But just great to hear about your tour and what a giving person ML is! Thanks for the vicarious tour!!!! I hope I might do that one day. Georgie

[ragani]

Nov 13, 2008, 12:56pm, aubreyz wrote:Michael as a matter of conversation showed me the sticky notes of phone calls and emails to return just from that day. He needs a dining table for post it notes if nothing else. He quickly read off some of the names-- it was like an industry who's who. Then I had an epiphany-- he TOOK my call that day, and I'm just another one of his members. The fact that my time was a priority to him says volumes about why Taxi exists. It's all about the members and their success.That's my favorite part! That's what makes TAXI so special to me-- it's a total reflection of Michael's accessible, warm, and generous personality and approach toward each and every one of us. I remember last year when I sent something to the staff after the Rally-- I was so moved that my second Rally was even better than my first (and so it goes for my 3rd as well!)-- and Michael actually called me at my home. I nearly fell off my chair to hear his voice. He already knew me by my forum name too. Wow. That's the kind of person touch that Michael gives. I swear that made my year, Michael! Thanks for the great post, Aub. It was great to meet you at the Rally this year too. Most of us already know the value and authenticity of TAXI, but the details you shared give another insight into the integrity and down-to-earth style with which they operate. Yeah, I'm also waiting for the day someone shouts from their listening station about one of my songs. Getting closer, closer... Raags

[christig]

Hi Aub!It was great to meet you at the Rally. Thanks for taking the time to post your experience. It is just as I would have thought. There are so many great people associated with Taxi I wouldn't have expected anything different!

[partyofone]

Yes, thanks for taking the time to share.