SS Return THREAD CLOSED

[Casey H]

I was a little disappointed on this return. The song is "Together" by Paul Otten and I.

https://soundcloud.com/caseyh/together-casey-paul-otten

Screener #310 checked "Music" and said, "The chorus could be built up a bit more for come additional contrast"...

It could be that that reason and comment are relative to the 'a la' songs and the song isn't on target enough for that referenced playlist. And it's always hard to interpret Y/N checkboxes and minimal feedback.

OTOH, (assuming it's on target), this is a song that gets lots of forwards and great reactions all the time. On Taxi TV, a major publisher loved it and called it a perfect film/TV song. I don't see this song as a killer-chorus driven one. It's a mood and emotion one. And the listing said, "Lyrics are KEY here. They don't want anything that draws attention away from the lyrics. Focus on romance and relationships, love and longing, etc. Submit songs that can create an INTIMATE and TOUCHING atmosphere to a scene"...

BTW, my confusion here does support the argument that maybe Y/N listings were better without any checkboxes or explanations. That can make things more confusing at times, raising more questions than ones answered.

Anyway, I'm disappointed but I am totally open minded on it.

Best
Casey

CONTEMPORARY SINGER SONGWRITER SONGS that would be heard on the same radio station playlists as "Stay With Me" by Sarah Jaffe, "Night Sky" by Andrew Bird, "Promise" by Ben Howard, etc., are needed by an Industry Veteran who has migrated into the Film/TV world. They're looking for songs that are BITTERSWEET and a bit MOODY, with a VERY DISTINCT vocal style. Your arrangements should consist of minimal instrumentation. They don't want anything too busy. Simple guitar and/or simple piano are fine. Lyrics are KEY here. They don't want anything that draws attention away from the lyrics. Focus on romance and relationships, love and longing, etc. Submit songs that can create an INTIMATE and TOUCHING atmosphere to a scene. ALL TEMPOS are OK for this. MALE or FEMALE vocals are both OK. Be sure that your lyrics are universal and versatile enough to fit within a wide variety of scenarios. You must own or control 100% of your master recording and composition. Broadcast quality is needed (excellent sounding home recordings are fine.) 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 FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Monday, May 6, 2013. TAXI #Y130506SS

[CrimsnSyrn]

I concur with you, Casey.

I think one of the major differences in writing for film/tv and radio, is, for film/tv - a big contrast between verse and chorus could disrupt the atmosphere/mood you're trying to set, whereas for radio, you WANT significant contrast.

I might understand if the screener had said something like "not as bittersweet as, or more instrumentation than a las", perhaps, but the contrast comment doesn't really fly IMHO.

I will say, to be honest I have to put a disclaimer: I got a return from the same screener today too (different listing) with what I think was a not strong enough excuse for that return, so don't have any warm, fuzzy thoughts regarding that screener at the moment. (Michael always says on TAXI TV, "don't you think we want to forward your song?!! We'd love to forward your song, we're so happy when we get forward a song!", but to me, it seems like some screeners use different guidelines than that, it's like they're looking for any reasons to NOT forward it, rather than "could this work"? I wish they all had to sit down and be reminded that that "yes - we WANT to forward as many as we can!"

However, I do not think my personal disappointment has clouded my judgement on your song, (believe it or not!).

"Together" is a mighty fine song. I, too, think it's a perfect film/tv song.

I"m sure you'll get a great placement for this one, eventually and it should be sooner rather than later!

Juliet

PPS. I just listened to the a las and although I wasn't paying rapt attention, I don't recall a lot of contrast between verses and choruses...

[eeoo]

I got returned by 310 as well, didn't agree with his/her suggestions but in the end we're all subject to the opinions and tastes of other humans, on to the next one...

eo

[Salty]

I got returned by 310 as well, didn't agree with his/her suggestions but in the end we're all subject to the opinions and tastes of other humans, on to the next one...

eo

That is one excellent saying EO.
Please remind me of this next time I express frustrations. (Im hoping that its not in the very near future)

[Casey H]

Returns happen.... (I know that is a profound statement)

Yup, just move on to the next one.

Casey

[songmaster]

Another great song from you guys!!! I guess the only thing I can pick out is that, I felt that this was more of an uplifting song, than a bittersweet, " moody " song. But all in all, still a great song.

All the best

Tom

[VTrails]

this is a song that gets lots of forwards and great reactions all the time

I think you answered your own question. If you're fortunate enough to have multiple sources of feedback you can look at the consensus that seems to be emerging and treat outliers for what they are worth.

I'd treat it as food for thought for future tunes, maybe there is some sneaky way to make choruses more impactful without being disruptive?

I'm in a different boat to most of you, as right now I'm submitting existing songs rather than writing for listings, or even specifically for licensing (although I am planning to ramp up the latter activity). It's sometimes amusing to me to get detailed production notes on tracks that there's just no way I'm going to change, sometimes I almost wish I could include a note with my submissions telling the screener not to waste their time with comments, just hit me with a Y or N.

Some of the feedback is useful for a) thinking about little things for future album tracks that might make them more licensing friendly (I'm not going to tailor the "art" for that purpose, but sometimes there are little things that can be decided one way or another and you can choose the more licensing-friendly option) and b) I can incorporate the feedback more directly as I do write and record more tunes specifically for licensing.

[Piewackit1]

Casey,
I hear what they are saying about the chorus.

That being said,

This is a excellent tune. One of the best I've hear from any Taxi member.

[rdance]

love the tune casey. sorry for the return. honor the disappointment i guess, have a vodka martini, and...onward!

[Casey H]

Thanks all... This is a relatively old thread. Appreciate all the input from everyone.

THREAD CLOSED

Casey