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Please enlighten us

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:39 am
by thedivys
Here is the listing:DANCE-ROCK SONGS & INSTRUMENTALS with an accent on fun and the unusual are wanted by the President of an Artist Mgmt. Co. to represent for film/TV/video game/commercial placement. Styles can range from campy Disco [Scissor Sisters, the Rapture] to Roots/Rock/Reggae/Dub [Sly & Robbie, Tom Tom Club] to Industrial [Sisters Of Mercy, Ministry] to New Wave [Depeche Mode, the Killers]. The company's owner will come in to screen your submissions. They offer a very artist-friendly non-exclusive licensing deal. Broadcast quality needed [excellent home recordings are OK]. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Nov. 29, 2006. TAXI # S061129DRWe submitted 4 songs to this listing and none were forwarded even though they got very good reviews.The reasons they didn't pass them along differ a bit for each song.I'll list the song and the reason for not passing it along.You can hear all 4 songs at: www.garageband.com/TheDivys1. Get Up! Give Up! Move On! - Reason: Song lyric content needs to be made clearer and have more understanding of the characters offered. (what are we, novelists?) what sense does purple haze, black dog or I am the walrus mean?2. Shine - Reason: Song production and delivery is too close to influences(huh?)3. Tongue - Comment: The snaking rhythms opens this track up for a beat immediately. The arrangement is solid and moves forward like a freight train. The 'tongue' reference is well constructed. The jagged phrases that make up the bulk of the lyric content provides good soundbites of wording that comes together well for a consistent message. The overall tone of this track is techno and has lots of new wave influences. The musical and lyrical hooks are firmly in place. The techno aspect of the track is what is keeping me from a forward. For this Rock/Dance hybrid the techno side is a little overwhelming and locks the genre into the electronica category.Reason: Song style is not in the vein of artists such as Scissor Sisters, The Rapture, Sly & Robbie, Tom Tom Club, Sisters Of Mercy, Ministry, Depeche Mode and the Killers(wow! didn't know depeche or ministry or tom tom club didn't have techno elements about them)4. Disco Life - Reason: Songs style is not in the vein of artists such as The Rapture, Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Scissor Sisters, the Killers, Sly & Robbie and Tom Tom Club. Comment: A strong new wave techno groove runs through this track. The minimalist techno soundscapes come through in the style of artists such as Alan Vega and Martin Rev's work in Suicide. Nicely put together and delivered, Clifford. Your use of musical and lyrical hooks is well represented. The style is what is holding me back from a forward din this category seeking Dance Rock tracks in the style of artists such as The Rapture, Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Scissor Sisters, the Killers, Sly & Robbie and Tom Tom Club. (once again, we don't see what our styles don't have in common with Depeche & killers,etc.)

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:33 pm
by matto
Where in the critique does it say the screener was not the company's owner? Company reps still call it "a forward" and they have screener numbers too. I've had many submissions screened that way. Unless you have some insider information that we're not privy to, what you're doing here is arguing with a company president about his rejecting your material. And there I thought I'd seen it all...

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:28 pm
by Casey H
Thedivys The fact that the company's owner was the screener here is the only thing relevant. TAXI didn't reject your song, the actual A&R person did. So, if you had submitted directly to a label or a publisher and got rejected, what would you do? Probably not get nasty with them...BTW, this is why most labels and publishers do not give critical feedback, just "we will pass on the material", or "not what we are looking for", etc... They don't want to deal with this sort of argument.I spent my day today reviewing material submitted to me for my own company's film/TV leads. I tried an experiment. For every song submitted , by every artist, I emailed the artists letting them know which songs I could forward and which songs I couldn't. Where I said "no", I explained my reasons. So far, the replies have been very favorable. BUT, it would only take 1-2 morons to start a big argument with me, and have me to stop being so nice. (And a special shout-out to a forum member friend of mine who got one of those emails today-- you know who you are )Casey

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:17 am
by jchitty
I have to chuckle a bit because one of the lines to your song is "Move On." No offense, Divys, but I don't think anger will get you anywhere. Sure, it's valid to post a complaint. Everyone has a right to complain if they see fit to do so. I'm a new member. I really have very neutral feelings toward TAXI because I haven't been a member long enough to form an impression about them yet. Even though I read these posts that could influence me, I have to make my own conclusions. But I think anger is conterproductive. It will get you nowhere....I'd direct all that indignant energy and use it to your advantage. Write a song about being really pissed off 'at the forces that be.' When I got my first non-foward by TAXI, I was really bummed. I brooded about it, not because I was mad at the screeners, but because I was so disappointed. But oddly enough, it was a catalyst to me writing 10 new songs, LOL. No, not about being upset with TAXI, but songs about 'the struggles of of life. There are going to be many more rejections. At least, your song made it to a company president screening....(I think that's what I read).....how many folks would get that opportunity? Expect more rejection in the future, I certainly do...if you hang in there, you'll eventually be successful if your music is good. And remember, most successful songwriters had to wait YEARS before they got a song on the radio. Sorry, I tried to click on your link and listen to your music, and my computer is so slow....I finally have speakers now, but no dice.

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:00 pm
by andreh
Quote:Oi! You guys are still talking about this and not even getting it still? it just makes no sense that we weren't passed alongYOU'RE not getting it. I repeat: Passed along to whom? The listing party (meaning the end client) is the one who said no to your song...NOT Taxi. Quote:it's not the point and it's useless typing.That's becoming more clear with each of your responses. Andre

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:25 pm
by sgs4u
do you really think insulting anyone else is going to help?

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:22 pm
by thedivys
it will get us noticed

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:35 am
by gitarrero
Quote:it will get us noticed Yes, it will get you noticed - in a negative way, which is perfect if you don't want to get in touch with other folks...

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:35 pm
by Casey H
I always thought the "Tootsie" story made the best analogy as far as pitching songs and getting rejected. I'm not talking about attitude, I'm talking about all the conflicting reviews you get... Too fast, too slow.... too rock-ish, not rock-ish enough... great lyrics, bad lyrics...great production, poor production... etc... We've all been called both a genius and a fool for the same things...Not complaining, just learning to laugh and I think bout "Tootsie" all the time... If dressing up like a woman would help me sell more of my songs, I'd consider it. Casey

Re: Please enlighten us

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:27 pm
by rnrmachine
I thought your stuff was pretty good if you like that style, I'm not really into it but can appreciate it. I do not know enough about that style of music to see the big difference really. So, in that sense I would agree to the "wondering why not wanted?"Yours does seem, umm how do I say/type it??? harder then DM and I didn't bother listening to "The Killers" so no response to that.BUT... Maybe the guy already has stuff in his library like yours, maybe he sees it in a different way then you see your own music.Taxi got you a chance with an "owner" and he didn't want it but Taxi did their part. Hey, they want you to succeed!!! So they can splash you all over their website as another success story. My first submissions got rejected but I'm pluggin on and you will see me as a success story on Taxi someday. Only an obituary will stop me . Rejection in any form, even when you thought, "I got it for sure!!"... sucks, I know.If I walk onto a car lot and I tell the guy I want a PINK Cadillac and he tries to sell me, a black, red, blue... I think you get my point, I know what I want and he didn't have it.Best of luck in all you do, and remember to use the adrenaline to get better, not angry...