What does "not to vanilla mean"? Please help?

[stevecollom]

Hey guys I am working on a listing and was wondering what "not to vanilla" mean?

The listing is due tomorrow.


Thanks ahead of time
Steve

[Casey H]

It means lean more chocolate or strawberry!! Duh!

Seriously, please post the entire listing so we can better answer.

Casey

[stevecollom]

Casey!!!!
lol ....... of course ....... i was asking for that hey?

New Listing AD AGENCY MUSIC SUPERVISOR needs ELECTRO and TRIP HOP INSTRUMENTALS for a COMMERCIAL for a BIOTECH PRODUCT. This commercial is like a short film, so they're looking for SOPHISTICATED, CEREBRAL and CINEMATIC-sounding DOWN-to-MIDTEMPO ELECTRO and TRIP HOP to use in the background as score. Quoting the agency rep, "We're looking for a THEME with either a DISTINCTIVE MELODY or a MOTIF that can act as a HOOK. We are NOT looking for vanilla. The music should be UNIQUE though never intrusive. It can't compete with the dialog and all the medical jabbering." Reference artists include MASSIVE ATTACK, ZERO 7, ALPHA, MONO, AIRÉ The vibe of your INSTRUMENTAL should not be too DARK nor too HAPPY. It needs to sit right in the middle and communicate CONFIDENCE and SOPHISTICATION without sounding too brash or chintzy. Your INSTRUMENTAL must be a minimum of 2 minutes long. Instrumentation and performance MUST sound TOP-NOTCH, CURRENT, and CONTEMPORARY. Broadcast Quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine). As always, do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists or their songs in any way, shape, or form! NO SAMPLES of other songs or artists can be incorporated into your track. The estimated fee for this license will be $5,000-7,000 total. Forwards will be sent DIRECTLY to the MUSIC SUPERVISOR. YOU WILL KEEP 100% of the ultimate fee, and you will NOT give up ANY of your Master, Publishing and Writer's share! You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights to submit for this listing. Please submit ONE to THREE INSTRUMENTALS online. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS by a person hand-picked by the MUSIC SUPERVISOR. NO FULL CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than Thursday, August 2, 2012, 9:30AM PDT. TAXI #U120801EL

[Casey H]

I think they mean they want something unique that really excites them as not just another one of the same kind.

The key is giving them a hook that really blows them away and makes for a good theme track... Not just another copycat track of the genre. My take is "vanilla" would mean it sounds like a million other electro or trip hop tracks they hear from production music libraries.

Yup.... It's pretty challenging.

HTH
Casey

[stevecollom]

that's good, casey ... thanks ...... now the pressure is on....!!!!

[BruceBrown]

Like Pat Boone is to Muddy Waters. Pat vanilla, Muddy not.

[stevecollom]

ok..... so when i mixed this song and as the final mix was bouncing i ate an entire tub on "chocolate" icream........ trying very hard not to think "vanilla" thoughts ......... i think i nailed this listing !!!!!!