TAXI.com

I just got a return for the following listing:

Huge NY Ad Agency URGENTLY needs a "QUIRKY, SIMPLE, INDIE BAND or SINGER/SONGWRITER SONG --or-- INSTRUMENTAL for a NATIONAL TV COMMERCIAL for a huge Consumer Electronics brand. ESTIMATED FEE: $10,000 for SONG version Ð no idea for the Instrumental version. They need a little bounce, some contemporary hipness, Indie-ness, catchy/memorable melody and lyrics (if you submit a song) that are about "Life is easier," "Easy," or "You make my life Easier." They are NOT looking for a relationship song, so leave the lovey-dovey stuff at home. This spot is about how this company and the product/service it sells make life EASY. TAXI Tip: Additional lyric themes that could work; "You're always there for me, "You're always there when I need you," "You're always there, making my life easy (easier)," "Life is easier when you're around or when you're with me." MALE or FEMALE VOCALS are BOTH okay for this if you submit a song. Keep it Indie sounding, not jingle-y! FULL-LENGTH SONGS (if you include lyrics) or 30 second versions (for Instrumentals) are both okay to submit. NO BIG PRODUCTIONSÑKEEP IT SIMPLE and make it COOL and INDIE-Sounding. DO NOT title your submission like you would for a music library pitch. This is DIRECT-to-the-Agency, so you'll KEEP 100% of this deal with NO Publisher Splits! Broadcast Quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine). You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights. If you ARE chosen, the Ad Agency will contact you DIRECTLY. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD. Include LYRIC SHEETS where applicable. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS. NO FULL CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than THURSDAY, JULY 21st at 1pm, (PDT). TAXI Listing #Y110721SS

Only the "Music" box was checked. I usually get the "Stylistically Off Target" box checked.

I was wondering what it means when the "Music" box is checked?

My 30 second instrumental submission was "Party Online", it is on my Taxi homepage linked below.

Hi John. I too received the same response to both this and many other submissions lately. The check boxes in the past often listed "Material Not Compelling/Distinctive Enough" but I think they have shortened their response to "Music".

Allen

Hi John! 'Music' and 'other' are the two most annoying check boxes!! : )))

I think the screeners are well aware this causes some question too, as when I have got returns with one of these checked there is often a little note. No doubt they were really up against the clock on this one!

Sedge

Thanks guys.

It really makes you wonder what the deal is, the bass a little out of sync? guitars too distorted? drums to tight? stupid melody? I thought the Carousel was a cool sound, but maybe that was really a bad idea.

John

johnclavin wrote:bass a little out of sync? guitars too distorted? drums to tight?

Those I think follow under 'broadcast quality' ?

johnclavin wrote:stupid melody

No such thing! : ) a politician may say "melody that did not fit" : )

I think that would be a "music" check box thing

I do singer songwriter stuff, but maybe folks in the Peer2Peer who also submitted for this listing can shed more light.

My feeling, don't scratch the head so much, it was not right for a listing that has now been and gone, changes to make would be for a new listing?

No expert, learning too - Hope I helped!

Sedgey

Listening to your track (on bad speakers), I think it probably should be more "stylistically off target" but "music" can be a catch-all for the fact that the music doesn't work for the listing.

I'm not hearing a contemporary indie or singer-songwriter sound.

My guess is, although instrumentals were allowed for this listing, an instrumental would have to kick butt even more than a vocal to make it. With a vocal, you have the lyrical hook to catch with as well as the music.

I mistakenly submitted something and it's easy for me to see why it was off the mark.

Best,
Casey

Hi

This is my first post on these forums after one year experimenting with taxi. This year started submitting so here goes.

I recently sent in two thirty second instrumentals featuring 2 distinct indie guitar parts. However, the comment was - off target. Its difficult to imagine how one can be off target with a description as large and ambiguous - indie-ness QUIRKY, SIMPLE, INDIE BAND or SINGER/SONGWRITER SONG --or-- INSTRUMENTAL - INDIE-Sounding.
When they say indie sounding do they mean indie-pop :Indie-ballad (singer songwriter)- or indie rock. The indie sound has grown over the years and incorporates quite a repertoire of differing styles.

I was also wandering what M stood for - my last three had M checked. I certainly dont mind being not forwarded and cert5ainly not going to give up my day job since im doing this as a projet for fun, but would be a little more helpful if they could detail the box a little more. Have no idea how to improve on these and im not sure its worth 20 bucks a shot for every 30 second instrumental.

Thanks

Ged

Hi Ged - Try posting your tunes in the peer to peer section with specific questions and the listing your pitching to, it's free!

eo