TAXI.com

I submitted "Underneath the Mistletoe - inst" (on my TAXI page).
It was returned for not being "contemporary enough."

NOwhere do I see anything "contemporary" mentioned in the listing, nor the reference tracks provided.

What am I not getting?

-b


ORIGINAL, CHRISTMAS INSTRUMENTAL CUES in ALL genres, tempos, and moods, and ensemble size are needed by a European Music Library with a very long and impressive list of great placements in Film and TV. This Library has only recently started running listings with TAXI, so you probably don’t have any material in their catalog yet. They’re on the hunt for Cues in All-Tempos that you’d expect to hear in festive TV advertisements during the holiday season. Take a listen to the following references to get an idea of the various styles that could work, but don’t limit yourself, these are just examples: Lidl Christmas Advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4jwTtGLZEg Sainsbury’s Christmas Advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuRn2S7iPNU Cartoon Network Christmas Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Snj_gSE8k Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iB0c7phqWQ Kringle Candle Christmas Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fRv1cvZTg8 Quoting the source: “We’re looking for Cues for our ‘Christmas’ library album. Instrumental Cues should be at least 2 minutes long. Tracks of any tempo but with an undeniable Christmas feel to them to sit under festive programming. If using sample libraries, absolute highest quality sample instruments only, bad or unconvincing MIDI sounds will not work regardless how good the writing is.” Please submit original Instrumental Cues that capture the true Christmas spirit. Build your Cue around a festive central melodic motif, while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as your Cue progresses. You can go with relatively simple, stripped-down arrangements, or more full-blown arrangements/productions. No matter which way you choose to go, keep the recording and production values high. All submissions should be at least 2 minutes long with easy edit points and natural, non-faded, buttoned endings. Do NOT copy or rip off the referenced music in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for the texture, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed (Great sounding home recordings are fine). This company offers an EXCLUSIVE 50/50 deal on performance royalties, and an 80/20 split in the Writer’s favor for any applicable download fees by clients from their Library! Please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with any other Libraries or Catalogs. You’ll get 100% of the Writer’s share, and the Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit. Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than 11:59PM (PST), on Friday, December 4th, 2015. TAXI #U151204XM

Heya, B.

There are two broad categories in the a'las there in the listing. First is the "orchestral" stuff. Then there is the stuff that seems contemporary-ish or indie-ish. However, in all cases, these examples TAXI provided sound "contemporary" to me.

This was a full critique listing. The screeners usually have more than one thing to say about submissions on these full critique listings.

Here's my take on your song:
This has a nice happy and somewhat christmassy feel to it. The two places where I think you really missed the mark on the listing is the "quality" of the samples and the building/variation of the piece.

The first thing that caught my ear is the drums. (it's always drums with me ) right off the bat, your snare gives itself away with what is referred to as "MIDI" sounding. This refers to variations in the triggered sample and the way it is performed "real" vs. "machine-like." The listing says "If using sample libraries, absolute highest quality sample instruments only...”

The second thing is the building/variation of the piece. The listing calls for "adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as your Cue progresses." This would mean more than bringing one melody instrument in or out. The trick is to keep the cue interesting instead of making the ear say, "oh, I already heard this earlier."

If you decide to work on this piece further (and you should), post in peer-to-peer so your fellow TAXI Forum members can lend you their ears.

Best Regards
Russell Landwehr

Russell, thanks for your ears and taking the time for such detailed notes.

Will definitely digest.

-b

PS: The critique sheet I got said was a Y/N listing even if it had a U in front of it.
The contemporary comment was all it said.

I think Russell covered it.

I'm hearing bass distortion in these headphones--- could be my cheap headphones.

This is one of those situations whereby a backing track to a vocal song (That's what this is, right?) doesn't do the job because it's not interesting enough. You could take the best ideas from that backing track and make a really cool stand alone Xmas cue, more contemporary, but with some re-work. Not sure if it's worth it to you for the future.

Merry Xmas!
Casey

Good notes.

Thanks Casey!

Merry Christmas!!