Reflections on Rally 2009

[yammer107]

Thanks for the post..... Reading it makes me realize how many things have been effectively pounded into my head hanging about this forum.... but sometimes it still all needs to be seen on the same page to help absorb it..... great points also Casey

[Casey H]

Above and beyond the education and hanging with all you wonderful dotted folks (the best part!), a few things of note for me...A major music library person I chatted with in the lounge said they would listen to a few of my songs off-line, not for potential signing, but for general feedback as to the film/TV pitch-worthiness... Kind of like an after-the-fact drive-by mentor session.I initiated a collaboration with one of our members who is very successful with film/TV placements. I already have the first draft and it kicks butt! In my travels, I ended up chatting and exchanging info with someone prominent in the world of TV--- an indirect result of going the rally, but nevertheless this wouldn't have happened had I not come. We make our own luck. These are things that happen when you spend face time with peers and industry folks. There is no substitute for it.Thank you again, ML and the Taxi staff!! Casey

[shorty]

Wow, lots to think on. Radio edits, listening to your peers, knock your socks off choruses, will do and work on!

[bigbluebarry]

Mazz,While I haven't posted as much on the forums over the last couple of months, I have definitely lurked in from time to time and I couldn't help but notice just how much of your time you had been giving. So I was just so happy to see you get that award on Saturday!!! You TOTALLY deserved it! You're not only a composer that never ceases to amaze me with each new track you do outdoing the one before it, you're also one of the nicest and coolest guys I know to hang around. With your talent and knowledge, you could easily act like a "rock star" if you wanted, but instead you choose to be a humble servant, and that my friend, is just awesome. Thank you for being so approachable. Just imagine if that drunk guy in the lounge from last year's Rally would have seen you get this award! LOL!I'm glad you brought up the point about the intro. Even though I didn't have any tracks played, that's something that I'm definitely going to make sure I take care of for next year's Rally. If nothing else, it'll set your song apart right from the get-go when the panel hears it.Congrats again on the award! Can't wait to see you again next year my friend!- Big Blue

[cardell]

Thanks for the blog Mazz.Stuart

[jonathanm]

Thanks, Mazz. Good stuff.

[djbobm]

Great posts Mazz and Casey. To elaborate on the A&R song panels, after sitting in the audience for a while, you see what the real A&R people deal with. Song after song after song, while having some good qualities, fizzled because of poor structure or some other weakness. Most of them were decent songs, had pro demos and a quality sound, but since the A&R people are looking for hits, the songs just didn’t cut it. Sitting in the audience, I could feel the energy increase when certain songs were played. We were all hoping for something the A&R people would go nuts over. Then we get to where the chorus and big hook should be... sometimes there wasn’t a chorus and sometimes the chorus just died. Bummer!The good news is that you can have your song analyzed by an industry pro for as little as $30 (I believe the custom critiques from Taxi are less than that.) before you pay the big bucks to go into a studio. There were some excellent teachers, with major writing credits, who were presenters and are really willing to help craft your song into a marketable item. While in theory, you should be able to write anything you want and be able to have it heard by the world. In reality, if you want it to be a hit, it needs to be crafted. Take advantage of professional critiques and then re-write, re-write, re-write until your original idea and emotion is crafted into a marketable item.Next year, I would really like to hear some great songs that could launch some careers.Bob

[Casey H]

Nov 11, 2009, 6:41am, djbobm wrote:Great posts Mazz and Casey. To elaborate on the A&R song panels, after sitting in the audience for a while, you see what the real A&R people deal with. Song after song after song, while having some good qualities, fizzled because of poor structure or some other weakness. Most of them were decent songs, had pro demos and a quality sound, but since the A&R people are looking for hits, the songs just didn’t cut it. Sitting in the audience, I could feel the energy increase when certain songs were played. We were all hoping for something the A&R people would go nuts over. Then we get to where the chorus and big hook should be... sometimes there wasn’t a chorus and sometimes the chorus just died. Bummer!The good news is that you can have your song analyzed by an industry pro for as little as $30 (I believe the custom critiques from Taxi are less than that.) before you pay the big bucks to go into a studio. There were some excellent teachers, with major writing credits, who were presenters and are really willing to help craft your song into a marketable item. While in theory, you should be able to write anything you want and be able to have it heard by the world. In reality, if you want it to be a hit, it needs to be crafted. Take advantage of professional critiques and then re-write, re-write, re-write until your original idea and emotion is crafted into a marketable item.Next year, I would really like to hear some great songs that could launch some careers.BobHi DJ!I agree... I wish more who dropped CDs at the panels had their work at a higher level before attempting that. (Maybe I'm lucky my CD didn't get picked, LOL!)It's tough with some 2000+ people, many of whom don't have enough industry knowledge and experience yet. But then again, that's what the rally (and this forum!) provides.Just to add, I've been VERY impressed with taxi custom critiques. They are a tremendous value at $20. The screeners spend A LOT of time on these (so much so it costs taxi more than the $20 fee) and especially if you provide a list of questions, the resulting feedback is top notch. I said this on another thread. Taxi keeps no secrets as to what it takes to succeed. Between the rally, the forum, the standard submission critiques, and the custom critiques-- it's all there for whoever wants to listen.PS A special shoutout to Screener #95 who did some excellent customs for me in the film/TV/rock music category. Casey

[jpmuzic]

Wow Mazz undeliverable this was well said I am glad that I know you that is a lot of information but it is true you have to keep grinding to get to where you want to go. I was in one of the drivers ed class, and there was a gentleman there he said that how much time do I have to pit onto this thing? And I said wow what would you do to invest in yourself? He said that I just want people to buy my music that's all I said to him if you don't invest in yourself no one else will invest in you! So thank you for this post. The Rally was very good!

[bombaycharlie1]

Hey Mazz, it was great to meet you face to face at the rally. You definitely deserved the award...do you sleep at all? Anyway, you said a lot of useful things in your blog...wish I had attended the 5 year plan panel, maybe next time?talk to you all soon,Charlie