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Hello Taxi Forums,I'm a struggling young singer-songwriter based in Toronto, and I read about TAXI in John Braheny's 3rd edition Craft book (which I am devouring btw).I'm considering joining TAXI, it seems like an amazing service, if only for the critiques and community, but I'm hesitant about making the investment. Not based on the quality of services, but on my own readiness to take this leap. I love writing to spec and to deadline, but I'm not sure if my writing is in league with what's expected.I'd love to e-meet some people from the community, and get some feedback on whether or not this is right for me. I'm an active forum member elsewhere, and plan to be here as well, so I'm good with giving back to the community.Anyways... I'd be super appreciative if a few of the senior members around would have a listen at my myspace 'myspace.com/danielabrahamson' (Big Man and Pictures of You are the ones I'd isolate, I suppose) and give me some sense of guidance on what to do next. It's nice to meet you all, and I look forward to working with you!

welcome.... what are your career goals? Pitching music for film/tv, pitching self as artist, pitching songs to artists?nice to meet youcheersHummin'bird

My career goals is actually something I'm looking to gain some focus on by joining TAXI.I've written plenty for musical theatre, most recently the songs for the musical "Funny Business" here in Toronto...funnybusinessthemusical.com and have always been writing my own 'therapeutic' material along the way.I love writing for other singers, but also stuff that suits my own 'unique' voice and delivery. I'm not sure how marketable I would be as a singer/songwriter artist, though if I heard different I'd like to believe it. Pitching to other artists feels right at the moment. Something like Ryan Tedder's career really appeals to me. But I've heard that what I write would be difficult to slate into a commercial idiom.I've been reading lots about TAXI, mainly off the site. I'm trying to figure out if I'm ready for this kind of service.

These are good answers, because I've found if we can figure out where we are, and where we want to be, we can likely find a path between the two points.I asked these questions because, as a Taxi member you are going come up against this thing we call "commercial viability". If you can produce broadcast quality recordings for film/tv and/or if you can produce decent demos for song pitches, that's good. But if you aren't writing what the market wants, you are going to have difficulty moving forward. Personally, I used my Taxi membership as one way to educate myself on how to write for and pitch to the marketplace. I used Taxi critiques & custom critiques and feedback/advice from members of this forum, as well as some mentors like John Braheny & Pat Luboff, to assist me in growing my skills of craft and production to the point where my music started getting forwards & deals. Who do you picture recording Big Man and Pictures of You?

HiFolks here are very nice and extremely helpful.Post your stuff here and you WILL get help/comments if you are in fact looking for that.Welcome Paul

Thanks for the welcome Paul. I'm finding everybody very helpful so far.I suppose Pictures of You would sound good on an Avril/Duff/Miley? Young female tween pop perhaps.Big Man I want to evolve into a pop/R&B sound, though I see what you mean, both songs kinda lack specificity on where they want to be placed.The jazzier ones on the page, 'Baby Do You Miss Me Yet' and 'Stop Me Love' I want to pitch to the Buble/Peter Cincotti type.

hey daniel,welcome aboard!just my 2 cents: if high-bar artist pitches is what you're looking for - sure, try it just be aware that it's really high-bar. but I would also take a close look to the tv/film market - if you're able to write lyircs that fit in particular situations, and can produce decent sounding recordings than that market might also be interesting for you.and to do film/tv stuff doesn't mean you can't do major artist pitches along the way. just a thought.cheers,martin

Hey Dan,Welcome!!!!All I can say is be a music whore - don't close yourself off to any opportunity!Just my £.0.01Take CareBP.s. I think your stuff is cool!

Thanks guys! I'm going to be hyper-annoying and ask lots of questions... don't worry I'll do forum searching as well if I feel it's well covered...Does the quality of production need to be A-1 in order to be forwarded on 'broadcast quality' recordings? Where can I hear samples so I know what to strive for in my dinky-ass studio?And martin... i know those artists are high-bar... I'm not really familiar with what kinds of artists/studio generally ask TAXI for forwards. Are there generally more listings in the TV/Film submissions... or what?

Hi, Daniel. Welcome..."Never Dump a Songwriter"...brilliant