Three best things I learned at the Rally

[mikev]

Quote:Quote:What does WIIFM mean?Glad you asked. I was curious about that one, myself.W I I F M - What's In It For Me

[sgs4u]

Thank you for that. Being a Taxi member, really has cause that cancerous condition to lessen. But every once in a while, I revert to my sub-human punker self-absorbed ego. During those moments, I refrain from posting... Quote:Quote:Glad you asked. I was curious about that one, myself.W I I F M - What's In It For Me

[djdeweese]

Best thing I learned from this thread: I should have found a way to get to the rally.

[ragani]

Better than that-- find a way to get to the Rally next year!

[Pinkstar]

It was great to meet many Taxi members in person, to hang out in a very relaxed atmosphere and it was extremely inspiring to hear how many people really do this successfully. The energy was just amazing. 1. There's opportunity for everyone at anytime anywhere2. Good isn't good enough. Strive for GREAT. Collaborate and learn, constantly grow, take risks and step outside the box. Meet new people. Keep writing music! Living the dream, doing what the heart desires.3. Have fun, be yourself and RELAX. Taxi makes me feel like I've found a new family, a place to meet people with common goals, in a pool of inspiration, support and just pure fun, love and joy.I loved every part of it!

[ragani]

I'll add four great things I learned at the 2007 Rally-- my second Rally. These were the things I learned that also pleasantly surprised me:(1) TAXI reviewers are only allowed to work 4 hours maximum per day when reviewing songs. I know I can't listen for long periods of time, and it was reassuring to know that we're getting listeners who aren't burned out from 8 hour days! Thank you, Michael! (2) TAXI listeners are required to listen to each song ALL THE WAY THROUGH before deciding whether to forward or not. This really surprised me. I don't know why, but I had expected that they'd know within the first few moments of the song, and that they wouldn't really listen all the way through some of the submissions they received. Hearing that they are required to listen all the way through only added to my already high opinion of TAXI.(3) Many of the people in the industry (the ones who were there to teach us) ALSO USE AND RELY ON TAXI, and have been using TAXI for many years. Now why wouldn't I want to be a member, with that kind of track record and access to the industry??(4) And this was most surprising (I think to many others too)-- someone as proficient and in-demand as Kara D. CO-WRITES all her songs. She was hard-pressed to think of the last time she wrote alone. Wow! I don't know why, but I imagined most of these heavy-hitters to be writing alone in their studios. The lights went on with that one (thanks Kara!), and it makes total sense. My goodness, the things you learn when you're talking to the folks who are doing it!So that's my $0.02Raags

[davewalton]

Quote:(3) Many of the people in the industry (the ones who were there to teach us) ALSO USE AND RELY ON TAXI, and have been using TAXI for many years. Now why wouldn't I want to be a member, with that kind of track record and access to the industry??That's a good point. This is the one most people miss and is the reason why "Taxi screeners are morons" is such a, well, moronic statement. The screeners aren't screening for us, they're screening for Taxi's clients... all of whom would jump ship in an instant if the music they were getting was a random selection of great and crappy music because of screener incompetence.A few clients do their own screening for their own reasons but I think the thing that says how good the screeners really are is the fact that the listing clients (most of which are long-term repeat clients, "cream of the crop" labels and companies) have complete faith in the screeners, to the point where they rely on them absolutely to make those selection decisions. That's a lot of trust to put into a company and individual screener, IMHO.

[ragani]

Very true, Dave. And to clarify I also got the impression that not only were they using TAXI to get listings, but they were also using TAXI to find placements for their own production work. That's what I found so groovy!

[ric4hitsongs]

This is my very first post in the community of Taxi members. I have been a member for 4 years or so with a one year break to deal with a few unexpected events in my life...(long story, and yes I was framed!..haha!). One thing that I learned and do believe is that opportunities will present themselves to you if you are confident and really understand your abilities and strengths as a person as well as a creator of music. I believe that there are a large percentage of "Go-Getters" who are the overly persistent types that do everything in their power to get noticed or hunt down that next contact. Its usually these types that invest more time on the footwork of the business and overlook the most important element of the business..."The Music". I have always been one to take a back seat and really observe the events concentrating on the personalities of the higher-up's in the business. Understanding their presentation and how they carry themselves can be a big part in the way you need to approach them when the timing is right. I may be crazy but I strongly believe that having a personal confidence and casual approach to these people will show them that you have something about you that stands out from the rest. Sometimes just making a comment that isn't related to music but more of a personal comment about them will put them at ease enough to really feel like sharing a conversation with you. But timing is everything and what you learn and observe in the backseat could really be the key to getting their attention. BUT!!...careful listening to their musical expertise and really understanding the points they make is essential! Picture yourself in their shoes when it seems that everyone is after you to get you to take your CD or listen to yet another story about your music theory's...what would it take for a person to really stop and think, "Something about that person stood out to me"... Moral of the story..Yes, relationships are the key in the music business, but make sure the musical knowledge and product behind your door is.. "$$The Bomb$$"

[ragani]

Hey Ricci,Welcome to the boards! Raags