Reflections on Rally 2009

[jay10music]

Nov 13, 2009, 11:03am, ullali wrote:Success is a journey, not a destination! - So well said Mazz, - and we better LOVE the journey too...I know I do.Reading what you just wrote I feel so dumb I didn't think of making a shorter version of my songs for the panels. It never crossed my mind, but then I didn't know what I know now, listening to all the panels and reading your note here.I had my CD in most of the panels (country) bin boxes and I went from thinking PICK ME PICK ME to thinking NOOO...PLEASE DO NOT pick me!...all the time, as I learned more about how they think and judge. My song WAS actually played in the Film & TV Publisher panel on Sunday, and I have NEVER been this scrared in my intire life! My heart jumped right up into my throat and pumped like hell, I almost felt sick. That was so scarry!Michael Laskow compared me to Karen Carpenter and Ann Murray, - which probably, only meant 'dated', - but I chose to take that as a compliment, even if it wasn't, since I do love their (dated) styles. Also I was amazed and happy that I actually got some real nice feedback on my song....so I survived....even if I am dated and chose "the wrong song" (the only one I have with two verses before the chorus....little did I know!). I was affraid they would cut me off before the hook, thank God they didn't. So this is one of the things I definately learnt: if I want to have more forwards: my 'old' recorded songs are dated and probably won't stand a chance, so I need to learn how to write more contemporary songs and get to the point and the hook, even if that is not my 'current' style.The more I learn, the less I seem to know. But I WILL learn....and LOVE the journey! Bless you all for sharing!Hugs'n smiles from Denmark. Hi Ullali,I'm glad you enjoyed the Rally and didn't get sick before your song was played As most of the regulars on this forum would tell you, I'm not famous for speaking in code. I literally meant that your voice reminded me of Anne Murray, and if I remember correctly, one of the panelists agreed and added Karen Carpenter's name.Sounding like Ms. Murray or Carpenter is a GOOD thing. The phrase, "dulcimer tones" comes to mind. If your music sounds dated, you can do a couple of things;1) Take Mojo's advice and work toward sounding more contemporary by updating your writing and production techniques, or...2) Embrace your sound and plug it for films or TV shows that need classic '70s female, soft-rock vocals.Maybe you could do BOTH! They're not mutually exclusive Best of luck and thanks again for coming to the Rally!Michael

[chrisbee]

Nov 10, 2009, 4:03pm, mazz wrote:Success is a journey, not a destination! Right on! Congrats on the award Mazz!I was bummed that I had to take off on Sunday morning and missed yours, Dave's and Matt's class. However, I'm personally in the middle of living out the 5 year plan, so I'll just be a happy cheerleader.I'm really proud of you, Mazz. The quality of your compositions, your heads up career planning and your heart for those who are just a few steps behind us are the way I want to live as well. You're definitely an inspiration and a peer I'm happy as hell to have! The fact that you three were so open about the process was great. Those writers coming up behind us can really use a friend and accurate info. They have both from you, Dave and Matt. I just want to be the same.And now... back to practicing writing game music. heheheeee (maniacal laughter) The game music panel was, to me, the best panel in my 3 years of attending Rallies. I've not been this excited about an opportunity since I found TAXI and landed my first deal. MAN, I love the Rallies!! See y'all next year!!cb

[hummingbird]

great post Mazz. I was proud to watch you be presented with the community spirit award as I think you embody a generosity of spirit that deserves applause. You have helped me so much in my process as a composer, and it has meant a lot to me to have you (along with many other forum buds) cheering from the sidelines when I take another stumbling baby step forward. You always do your best to help others and that's just one reason why we love you. (the other reason is your taste in wine. (and dogs ))hugsVikki

[Casey H]

Nov 15, 2009, 7:48pm, TAXI wrote: As most of the regulars on this forum would tell you, I'm not famous for speaking in code. I literally meant that your voice reminded me of Anne Murray, and if I remember correctly, one of the panelists agreed and added Karen Carpenter's name.Sounding like Ms. Murray or Carpenter is a GOOD thing. The phrase, "dulcimer tones" comes to mind. If your music sounds dated, you can do a couple of things;1) Take Mojo's advice and work toward sounding more contemporary by updating your writing and production techniques, or...2) Embrace your sound and plug it for films or TV shows that need classic '70s female, soft-rock vocals. Hi Ullali One of the good things about the explosion in demand for film/TV music this past decade is "dated" is not the bad word it was way back.As Michael said, modernizing your sound is an option. But if you have an Ann Murray or Karen Carpenter sound (great voices to be compared with!) the other path he mentioned is the film/TV replacement market. The trick there is to make your music sound authentic like it came from a particular artist and/or era-- production, arrangement, lyrical style, vocal, etc... In film/TV, there are always scenes from other time periods. The background music used often has to sound like it could have actually been on the radio during that time. Imagine a scene taking place in the 70's... What would you hear? So "dated" can be embraced as a key to success as well. And nothing stops you from making multiple versions of a song.Best! Casey

[mazz]

Nov 15, 2009, 8:58pm, chrisbee wrote:Nov 10, 2009, 4:03pm, mazz wrote:Success is a journey, not a destination! Right on! Congrats on the award Mazz!I was bummed that I had to take off on Sunday morning and missed yours, Dave's and Matt's class. However, I'm personally in the middle of living out the 5 year plan, so I'll just be a happy cheerleader.I'm really proud of you, Mazz. The quality of your compositions, your heads up career planning and your heart for those who are just a few steps behind us are the way I want to live as well. You're definitely an inspiration and a peer I'm happy as hell to have! The fact that you three were so open about the process was great. Those writers coming up behind us can really use a friend and accurate info. They have both from you, Dave and Matt. I just want to be the same.And now... back to practicing writing game music. heheheeee (maniacal laughter) The game music panel was, to me, the best panel in my 3 years of attending Rallies. I've not been this excited about an opportunity since I found TAXI and landed my first deal. MAN, I love the Rallies!! See y'all next year!!cbHey Chris, always great to see you and great to meet your lovely wife this time around! Thanks for the kind words, all I can say is "back at you bro"!The game panel was awesome for sure. Look those guys up on iTunes, Inon has one album on there and Chris and Sascha have one too. Those are the guys to beat and I have no doubt we can beat them at their own game!! See you next year, if not sooner!Mazz

[ullali]

Nov 16, 2009, 6:01am, hurowitz wrote:Nov 15, 2009, 7:48pm, TAXI wrote: As most of the regulars on this forum would tell you, I'm not famous for speaking in code. I literally meant that your voice reminded me of Anne Murray, and if I remember correctly, one of the panelists agreed and added Karen Carpenter's name.Sounding like Ms. Murray or Carpenter is a GOOD thing. The phrase, "dulcimer tones" comes to mind. If your music sounds dated, you can do a couple of things;1) Take Mojo's advice and work toward sounding more contemporary by updating your writing and production techniques, or...2) Embrace your sound and plug it for films or TV shows that need classic '70s female, soft-rock vocals. Hi Ullali One of the good things about the explosion in demand for film/TV music this past decade is "dated" is not the bad word it was way back.As Michael said, modernizing your sound is an option. But if you have an Ann Murray or Karen Carpenter sound (great voices to be compared with!) the other path he mentioned is the film/TV replacement market. The trick there is to make your music sound authentic like it came from a particular artist and/or era-- production, arrangement, lyrical style, vocal, etc... In film/TV, there are always scenes from other time periods. The background music used often has to sound like it could have actually been on the radio during that time. Imagine a scene taking place in the 70's... What would you hear? So "dated" can be embraced as a key to success as well. And nothing stops you from making multiple versions of a song.Best! Casey Hi Michael & Casey.THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kind words, great advice and for cheering me on here! I truly appreciate it and I sure WILL consider all the options that you both, and Mojo wrote. I am here, (and was at the Rally), to LEARN, so ALL great ideas and input are SO more than welcome. Actually I never aimed at sounding like AM and KC, that’s just how I seem to sound, at least on SOME of my songs, (and I AM REAL proud to hear that!), I never thought about “speculating” in that, and try to copy their style on purpose, with the right instrumentation too, but that is a GREAT idea and would be fun to do. I would probably have to find another recording studio, to make the Carpenters sound though....(but wouldn’t the REAL thing, (KC/Carpenters) be cheap for them to get by now??? So why take a copy? Hmmmm?). I am still struggling with finding the right listings/genres for my already recorded songs, since I seem to be somewhere ‘in between everything’, but I hope to get some (more) advice from my nice mentor and a publisher, who promised to listen and get back to me on that. Do we have any listings for a 70’s Country Karen ever? LOL – These are the songs that made me to join TAXI in the first place, now after a year, I seem to be up to, and inspired to do LOTS of other stuff too...thanks to TAXI, The Rally / you guys, and my new Music Library Deal! Isn’t that AWESOME!?Yeah Michael I truly LOVED the Rally and WILL be back next year for sure!....I just need the dates!!! And yeah...I am glad I ‘survived’ you playing and commenting on my song...Gosh! I wonder what would have happened if you had said something bad!? Do you have insurance that covers? LOL THANKS again, for everything. The Danish Country “Karen”

[jamesm]

Congratulations on receiving the award, Mazz. You definitely deserve it. Thanks again for a great class on "The Five-Year Plan". I have a one-year plan in place now, thanks to you, Dave and Matt and I'm working on what comes after that.