TAXI.com

i guess my old school style can't help but shine thru...and it ain't helpin'. the listing:

D130916RI

DRIVING, UPTEMPO, ENERGETIC ROCK INSTRUMENTALS that would work well for SPORTS BROADCASTS are needed by the Owner of an extremely busy Music Library with incredibly solid connections to the MAJOR networks. This guy gets TONS of placements per year on dozens of TV Shows. He’s phenomenally successful at what he does! Give him Mid-To-Up Tempo Instrumentals with HIGH ENERGY and a contemporary sound that will play well during Sports television montages. Stylistically, he needs crazy, catchy, and melodic guitar riffs, energetic drums, sick bass lines, and anything else that will really help pack a wallop! Your Instrumentals need to get viewers’ adrenaline pumping like they’ve had one too many energy drinks. He’s definitely NOT looking for anything soft, sappy, or sentimental.

i submitted:

https://soundcloud.com/richard-dance-music/metal-hop

and screener says...(and i actually don't disagree--submitted this one on a whim):

"The main riff is cool and the mix of old and new is effective and creates an interesting mix of genres - reminiscent of what ZZ Top do so well. Having said that, the track seems too laid-back in my view and would need more energy and a faster tempo to really qualify for this "mid-to-uptempo" sports listing, which was looking for songs to "get viewers’ adrenaline pumping".

interstingly, the same screener forwarded this same song for another listing. so it usually is about matching the listing.

-----------------------------

the second track i submitted:

https://soundcloud.com/richard-dance-mu ... y-live-kit

screener says...

"Cool main riff and feel - sounds quite reminiscent of classic rock in my view. Having said that, the laid-back groove and slow tempo does not fit our listing, which was looking for more energetic and driving contemporary rock."

not sure if i agree on the 'slow tempo' comment. seemed fast enough to me, but it may just be that i'm getting older...ha!

i don't normally post about returns, but i realized it might help someone and our collective education as we all move forward.

fwiw

rdance wrote: not sure if i agree on the 'slow tempo' comment. seemed fast enough to me, but it may just be that i'm getting older...ha!

i don't normally post about returns, but i realized it might help someone and our collective education as we all move forward.

Hi Richard - yes thanks for posting this, it DOES help us figure things out! I listened to the second tune with the screener's comments in mind. Here's my 2 cents:

While tempo was mentioned, and I think it maybe was a factor to some degree, I think there is a bigger picture thing here. The adjective I'd use to describe a lot of the "sports rock instrumental" stuff I hear is "intense". With your tune I hear "rocking", "funky", and it's REALLY well put together. But I don't hear "intense". Faster tempos can help with that, but also more "edge-of-your-seat" type riffs, and make the riffs the main thing instead of a high "lead guitar" melody. Or at least save that for after you've given the riffs sufficient air time.

Now, me personally - I'd rather listen to you do this! It's really cool, great playing! My comments are strictly coming from a "fitting the listing" frame of mind. Hope that helps!

hey bob, i really appreciate your thoughtful response. i think you are dead right. the taxi adventure really forces a writer to get away from what they instinctively think would be the best way to write to a listing, and instead, listen to lots of 'correct' references, get out of one's comfort zone, and challenge yourself to stay on target. i didn't do that in this case.

since joining taxi, the challenge for me has been walking the fence between 'doing my art' and 'getting the gig'. it's been a slow process for me but i am not dejected. i learn a little more each return.

and thanks for your nice words about my playing. most appreciated!

cheers

I would rather call your style classic or timeless.
If there's one thing technology can't cop, it's classic blues chops.

I'd bet it would sound "modern" if you divided the licks in about half, and recorded that

magne, thank you, and that is a really interesting piece of strategy & advice...i think you are saying, don't 'talk' too much on the riffs, etc.?

Very cool track. (The first one) Yea, maybe it leans a bit more on the funky side than the "driving" sports thing. But no doubt, this one can be placed elsewhere.

Similar comments on the second one... Great track, lots of energy. Just not that "driving" thing from the sports POV I guess.

Close on both, though. I think the second one is closer. Sections of it might actually work for this.

Best,
Casey

rdance wrote:magne, thank you, and that is a really interesting piece of strategy & advice...i think you are saying, don't 'talk' too much on the riffs, etc.?

I think so, also approaching things from a blues angle. It can really result in interesting things, focusing on omitting notes from the lick you really would like to play. It's challenging too, because you'd feel something is "wrong", but I think the trick with that is to record the guitars earlier in the process, and then let other instruments fill out.. or fill in, if you like

casey, thanks for the feedback. i really appreciate your knowledge and experience.

you too, magne, this is such a big help.

so, two more for my personal catalog, and write a couple new ones for the next sports rock listing.

cheers gentelmen!