Review for Indian music

[subinthompson]

Dear all,

Can you please have a listen and let me know your thoughts.
https://soundcloud.com/subinthompson/ba ... lHOYXCdbjB

Subin

Listing:
A LOT OF INDIAN INSTRUMENTALS (and/or Cues) are needed by a U.K. Music Licensing Company with GREAT Worldwide Distribution and lots of awesome placements in Film and TV.

They’re looking for a bunch of Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals (and/or Cues) that are in the general stylistic wheelhouse of these examples:

Indian Sitar Instrumental Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6B4xo6zYdk

Indian Tabla + Hang Drum Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qIzvMCU8_o

“Bollywood Dance” – Instrumental Indian Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xm7vFaBP5E

IMPORTANT NOTE: This Company has a high bar and they tend to gravitate towards music that “sounds like releasable commercial Songs” rather than material that sounds like it came from a "typical music library." Also, this company is only interested in signing material from composers who have worked for libraries and licensing companies in the past and understand how standard deals work. If you don't have that experience and you don't know the drill on typical deals, then they politely ask that you don't submit to this request.

Please submit well-crafted Indian Instrumentals (and/or Cues) that could cover a wide range of licensing opportunities ranging from travel documentaries and food shows, to movies and commercials revolving around Indian culture!

Your instrumentation can range from stripped-down solo Instrumentals (and/or Cues) to larger ensembles, as long as they sound authentic! Assuming that you’ll be using mostly Virtual Instruments, please make sure they sound convincing. Instruments that sound stiff, obviously quantized, or overtly synth-y will not work for this company. Over-dubbing one or two real instruments over virtual ones can add to the authenticity factor!

Your submissions should be 90 seconds to 2 minutes in length, give or take. Non-faded endings will work best. Do NOT copy the referenced material in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal, so please be sure the Instrumentals (and/or Cues) you pitch for this opportunity are NOT already signed with other Companies or Catalogs. You'll get 100% of the Writer's share, and the Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher's share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit. Please submit as many Instrumentals and/or Instrumental Cues as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Sunday, May 17th, 2020. TAXI Dispatch # D200517AN

[superkons]

Sounds all right, was wondering whether you could add some tanpura drones?

[subinthompson]

Sounds all right, was wondering whether you could add some tanpura drones?

Thanks Marco,

I did think about it. but decided not to and go for a minimalist approach. the Tabla seemed very intimate and I wanted to highlight that. Thanks for your input.

Subin

[ilikered]

Sounds great, that'll work, they should forward that.

I have a couple of bollywood style ones that I did last week for the other listing, wondering if that might work . . .


https://soundcloud.com/vikas-pawa/mera-pyaar-nahin

https://soundcloud.com/vikas-pawa/tumhaara-hamesha

[superkons]

Sounds all right, was wondering whether you could add some tanpura drones?

Thanks Marco,

I did think about it. but decided not to and go for a minimalist approach. the Tabla seemed very intimate and I wanted to highlight that. Thanks for your input.

Subin

The first ref track has got a tanpura, whereas the second and third one have not, so yes, you can get away without a tanpura, I suppose And forward for certain, in my opinion!

[subinthompson]

Sounds great, that'll work, they should forward that.

I have a couple of bollywood style ones that I did last week for the other listing, wondering if that might work . . .


https://soundcloud.com/vikas-pawa/mera-pyaar-nahin

https://soundcloud.com/vikas-pawa/tumhaara-hamesha

Hi Vikas,

Thanks for your kind words.
Your tracks sounds great! I think you should go for it. I did send another one for the previous Bollywood listing. Now that you sparked the idea, I am thinking if I should send that too.
https://soundcloud.com/subinthompson/mi ... l2jH5TnFcu

Subin

[subinthompson]

[/quote]

The first ref track has got a tanpura, whereas the second and third one have not, so yes, you can get away without a tanpura, I suppose And forward for certain, in my opinion!
[/quote]

Thanks Marco,
Yea, the references seemed to have a wide range - the first one seemed very mellow, third is a busy one and the second somewhere in between. So, I guess they are looking for something in general.
Thanks,
Subin

[ilikered]

Sounds great, that'll work, they should forward that.

I have a couple of bollywood style ones that I did last week for the other listing, wondering if that might work . . .


https://soundcloud.com/vikas-pawa/mera-pyaar-nahin

https://soundcloud.com/vikas-pawa/tumhaara-hamesha

Hi Vikas,

Thanks for your kind words.
Your tracks sounds great! I think you should go for it. I did send another one for the previous Bollywood listing. Now that you sparked the idea, I am thinking if I should send that too.
https://soundcloud.com/subinthompson/mi ... l2jH5TnFcu

Subin

You should totally send that one in, I think it's really usable for placement situations. Mine are a bit of a mess but I wanted to give it a try and see if I could come up with anything that might work. I don't have high hopes for the two I submitted, hahaha,

-Vikas

[subinthompson]

So, this didn't make it through.

below is the screener comments.In short it's the western influence that killed it. wondering if it's the guitar?


commet:

What I like most about this song
I like the sitar and tablas, they do a good job of setting an immediate tone/connection to this part of the world.

I think you could improve this song by
We lose the authentic connection with the introduction of Western instruments, but more so by the use of Western melodic and harmonic practices.

I returned or forwarded this song because
Really nice song, but we need to feel India authentically, so the Western influence should not be present, or at least, greatly minimized. Writing in the authentic style means also being familiar with the common practices of the region - in this case, using authentic scales and avoiding Western influences like harmonic progressions and counterpoint. Simple melodies based on one of the many different non-Western scales with interesting rhythms - that's the key here.