Springsteen/Mellencamp Submission Not 'Contemporary' Enough?

[jaredlutes]

My stuff is often compared (even by the screeners) to Springsteen, Mellencamp, and Van Morrison. So when I saw the listing (Y131122SS) mentioning those artists, I jumped the gun and submitted my FOUR best tunes in that Singer-Songwriter/Americana/Rock genre (including my most-forwarded tune). No dice. Although my stuff is often returned as being too 'Springteen' (not a terrible thing), this time those same tunes were rejected for an actual Springsteen listing! But the kicker is that my submissions were deemed "not contemporary enough" for what was being asked for! I'm sorry but Mellencamp and Van Morrison are not contemporary; their heydey was in the 70s and 80s, for the love of Pete!

I'm going back to Accounting school like dad always wanted.

Here are the tunes that were returned, and the link to them below:
- 'I Belong with You'
- 'Feel Your Love'
- 'Where You Are'
- 'Run Baby, Run'

https://soundcloud.com/jaredlutes/tracks

[Kolstad]

I don't know the wording of that listing, but to my ears most of your songs are a little more pop than the Americana side of Springsteen, Mellencamp and Van Morrison, at least to my far away ears. It's about the lyric content, the sweetness in the poetry, the grooves and the arrangement choices.

I'm hearing a lot that could be associated with John Mayer ("A matter of when"), Passenger ("Where you are" and "I belong with you"), and even Avicii (without the electronic elements) on "I am overcome". Your vocals sounds a bit darker and more classic, though, maybe a la Marc Cohn and maybe Don Henley.

While this said, I think it might also be something about choices (which is often so difficult for us creative people). I think "Caroline" and "Lifeline" sounded the most Mellencamp'y of yours (due to the groove and arrangement), so maybe you'd had those forwarded if you had submitted those. The "not contemporary" comment is a little confusing to me as well, but I could imagine they would like to hear contemporary sounding melodies and arrangements in the style of those artists (which they don't do because they are them, so they look for it through a listing). Contemporary melodies, according to Robin Frederick in "Shortcuts to HIT Songwriting"), are experimenting more with punctuation, maybe is a little more busy, the arrangements maybe have less what we call "breathing space", and there are more repeated riffing going on, than melodic lead filling/playing. So, if that's whats "contemporary" is about, I can hear your songs as a bit more classic and "laid back", which depending on the listing can be both good and bad.

Anyway, just my thoughts, fwiw, others may hear or emphasize different things.

But you have so much good stuff, Jared, that I think it's a matter of picking the right songs for the right listings.
Definitely easier said than done.

[RockChild56]

Dude, you may need accounting school to to keep track of all the cash you'll be making. I don't know what the listing said, but those songs fit the short description you let on to. "Run Baby Run" could be considered either Van Morrison or Brucie stylistically IMO (I jammed along to it for about an hour). And since Van Morrison is from Ireland, I wouldn't a say his stuff is Americana? (not that that means anything to this conversation). It is really a bummer when I see such talented artists such as yourself getting so frustrated and discouraged. Keep Pluggin You are gonna do just fine. I think.

EJB

[andygabrys]

Jared,

its always hard to get a return when you think you nailed it.

here's the full text of the listing (yellow words my emphasis, but this relates to the screeners comments):

Y131122SS

The Vice President of Nashville Based Music Publishing Company needs MALE SINGER SONGWRITER SONGS in the timeless and earthy style of Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Van Morrison, etc., to pitch to young, up and coming star!

Quoting the source: "This kid is a young Bruce Springsteen, so I need songs in that same Rock style with a contemporary edge. You know, songs that can still appeal a younger, mainstream audience." Male vocals only please. Acoustic style demos are okay, as long as they can help sell your song to the publisher and the people he's going to pitch to! They offer a single song contract with a two-year reversion clause. If they don't get your song cut during that two-year period, you get all rights and ownership back! They'll own 100% of the publishing during the contract. You'll keep 100% of the writer's share. Please submit one to three Songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis - No full critiques. Submissions must be received no later than Friday, November 22, 2013. TAXI #Y131122SS

as always, just an alternate perspective.

[funsongs]

To your health and success.
(previously posted comment removed by me)...
for Pete's sake.
Cheers.

[jaredlutes]

Thanks for your level-headed responses, fellas. I can see why my particular song submissions might not be right for a contemporary Springsteen. I'm an Americana-Roots-Rocker at heart and I got excited with this listing, since that genre is right up my alley. I'm always rejected for John Mayer-type Pop stuff, as well as Eric Church-style Country listings, so I was sure this classic, middle-of-the-road opportunity would be a sure-thing.

SongCabinet is right: I have other songs that are a better fit. But I tend to fall into that trap that Michael mentioned on TAXI TV, which is that we all think our newer stuff is the best. Sometimes I forget about my back-catalogue!

And I'm not complaining about the screener; their judgments are remarkably consistent. My stuff is often rejected, but I agree with their decisions 95% of the time. It's actually gone a long way toward improving my music.

I do get forwards. In fact, they're rolling in consistently now that I've taken over producing for myself. And the high praise from the screeners and from here on the forum are very encouraging. That puts me in a weird place, however, since I'm being told that my music is fantastic, but that I haven't made a cent from it so far. I really don't know what to think or do, and it causes me to be sensitive enough to rant here on the forum (something I've never done). I guess I have to keep on working, reproduce my success, and keep my cool. After all, "it's only a matter of when". HAHA!

[RockChild56]

You are correct, not If, but When?