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Hi all, haven't posted much and hope this is in the right place.

I really thought I had a pretty good fit with this song:

https://soundcloud.com/nolosolo/rock90

Here's the return comments from #132. Even if it's off target it seems rather harsh but would love to hear if that's just my ego talkin'. Thanks!

"Song misses the sound, production, & music style needed by the listing. Listing requested the need for well-crafted Contemporary Alt/Rock Cues that would add a lively, exuberant, and rockin’ vibe to Sports TV programming, with killer guitar riffs, driving bass lines, and propulsive drums beats. This requested style & energetic performances was not evidenced in your submission."

Here's the request:

CONTEMPORARY ALT ROCK INSTRUMENTALS (Cues and/or Full Length) are needed by a Heavyweight Film/TV Music Industry Veteran who is building a new catalog as a joint venture with a successful Music Library that supplies music directly to a Major Sports TV Network. He needs Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals that could be found sharing the same playlist as bands like (but not limited to) Imagine Dragons, Twenty One Pilots, Neon Trees, etc., etc., etc. Please listen to the following references to get in the ballpark of what could work well for this pitch: “I’m So Sorry” by Imagine Dragons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pJbS2iw0vQ “Tear In My Heart” by Twenty One Pilots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky4me4NP70 “Love in The 21st Century” by Neon Trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX7briHTtNw Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals only for this pitch. Submit tracks that would add a lively, exuberant, and rockin’ vibe to Sports TV programming, with killer guitar riffs, driving bass lines, and propulsive drums beats. Catchy melodic hooks with an attention-grabbing rhythmic approach will work well for this pitch. Build your submissions around a central melodic theme, while adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation as it progress to add dynamics and keep the track from sounding too linear and boring. Sounding like a real, authentic, believable band will be a big plus for this pitch, so please avoid tracks that sound stiff or MIDI-driven. If you submit Instrumental Cues, please make sure they’re at least 2 minutes long, but full-length Instrumentals (3 Minutes or longer) are also welcome for this pitch. Short intros, or no intro at all, good edit points, and Non-Faded/Buttoned/Stinger endings will work best for this pitch. Please do NOT copy or rip off the referenced bands or songs in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, texture, tone, and feel. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal, so please make sure the submissions aren’t already signed to any another libraries or catalogs. They offer a 50/50 split – you’ll keep 100% of the Writer’s share and they get 100% of the Publishing. You must own or control your master and copyright. All submissions will be screened on a Yes/No basis. No full critiques. Please submit one to three Instrumental Tracks online or per CD no later than 11:59PM (PST), on Monday, April 25th, 2015. TAXI #U160425RC

Newbie here, so take this with a grain of salt.

Your track is good!

But after listening to the first few bars of the first reference, my impression is that they were looking for something hard hitting and guitar oriented.

The impression I got from your track was more of a lighthearted vybe, particularly because of the tempo, structure and especially the organ sound you used.

Just my two cents, look forward to hearing more of your tracks though!

nolosolo wrote:
I really thought I had a pretty good fit with this song:

Hi Nololsolo !

Obviously loving the pic of the Lightsabre Guitar..I want one

I had a listen to you Cue, firstly I think it's too long so it's a bit repetitive so you could maybe edit it down to the best 2 minutes or so and that would help with keeping the listener interested. I quite like the guitar but right off the bat at around 8 seconds in there is a very cheesy sounding keyboard which instantly dates the piece and puts me in mind of stuff like home keyboard demo tracks from the 80's & 90's or the type of music they might use at a holiday camp in the Kids entertainment shows when they have a "rock" tune.

I don't think the screener is being harsh, if you play the songs they mentioned and then your own they are nothing alike. Run down a checklist of what they asked for:-

Propulsive drumbeats ? - I think your hyperdrive is broken ..they sound like very basic in the box drums..nothing like the dynamic , layered pounding feel of the reference songs. My Sports team used to come out to "We will Rock You" by Queen..even though it's an old song ot still that has a propulsive beat and the whole stadium would stomp their feet and clap to it.

Driving bass lines - I can't really make it out that well in the mix, it just sort of sits in and plods along and seems to double the guitar part..it doesn't really drive it along or have chance to shine

Killer guitar riffs - About as off target as a stormtrooper with a blaster, the riffs are quite stilted probably because of the beat you are playing to. If you want to go for these kind of listings maybe immerse yourself in the genre and jam along to their stuff , let it flow through you.

Lively, exuberant, and rockin’ vibe - It's more Cantina Band than Contemporary Alternative Rock ...when I start a piece for a style I'm not a regular listener of I will go do some reading on Wikipedia etc about the band and the style of music. Eventually I tend to come across information about what scene that style of music grew out of...most of this music is being made by a different generation to me but they have influences that date back to what I liked when I was younger. If you can understand what they grew up listening to and then get a handle on what they changed when they became musicians I think it really helps to know where they are coming from musically.

Hope that helps and May The Force be With You.

Mark

Firstly, I liked your piece!

It sounded more like an upbeat optimistic "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" style song than a gritty "Are you ready for some football" type of something.

an it's a beautiful day to be outside watching a baseball game, and it doesn't really matter who wins, because it's a 3 game match, versus the weather is cold and nasty, I am going shirtless in full body paint, hardcore fan, that has a conniption fit every time a small error is made,lol!

The organ? more pleasing than gritty and dirty distortion. Occasionally seemed maybe a little too prominent though sounded great when more subdued.

Hey there, man.

My first thought was that this track reminded me of the Allman Bros. "What's Your Name?"
nothing like Imagine Dragons or any of the other references made.

I agree with the performance notes already made by others.

I think you have the skills. The rest will come with mileage.

Best of luck to you.

-b

Opps, forgot to subscribe.... Wow, thanks all for the honest comments! Guess my ego was in the way! As the title implies, I originally wrote it as a 90s rock song that missed the due date (read rushed) and tried submitting for the sports thing anyway.

Ken

Love your rhythm guitar playing.

For me the keyboard didn't fit the gritty sound I was wanting to hear.