Why I won't be rejoining Taxi next year...

[squids]

Oct 13, 2008, 4:49pm, claire wrote:vocals are good when singer is singing.As opposed to what? Vocals being good when the singer isn't singing? I think you were a lot more restrained than I would have been, given a review comment as inane as that. Claire I thought that too!!

[squids]

Oct 13, 2008, 5:00pm, mazz wrote:Honestly I can see how one would want to "run it by" the group here before calling TAXI. TAXI is a really cool bunch of folks and are generally very friendly but if a person has never called or is a bit nervous about calling a company and complaining (or just afraid of getting stuck in the endless phone trees like at banks or phone companies!!!), then I can see how testing the waters first would be considered a viable alternative. (BTW: I've never gotten a phone tree or an answering machine when I've called TAXI!)MazzI agree. Nice post, Mazz.

[squids]

Hey Janine:nice ta meetcha. Sorry I caughtcha on your way out (yes, I'm the teenager who writes 'kinda' but not on msn! And not a teenager! hahahahah)I can thoroughly understand your frustration about the screening process and the arbitrary nature of having songs rejected/forwarded without a review that tells us precisely why that was. I've had a few real dog critiques that were complete mysteries to me too. My favorites are the ones where they describe to me what's going on in the song.......I guess I appreciate the time they took but I was there when it was written so yeah, I KNOW I put 13 vox tracks layered over, thanks! Glad you loved 'em and all but......ya know, let's hear the bad news if you got it or the good news if you got that! So sho, I'd call Taxi and request another screener. The 'melodic run' comment (paraphrasing here) had me scratching my head. Slang is okay when you're in a room full of musicians and they can figure out from body language what the heck you're sayin'....it doesn't come through well in a professional settin' (no matta what I tell myself! hahahahah). Most folks here seem to understand me okay but I'd never use this language in a setting where I'm getting paid good money (and I know they do okay over at Taxi HQ).And yes, absolutely, broadcast quality really matters. It sucks the bar's raised so high now but there it is........imho, you've got a lovely voice, it's 90% of what's goin' on in singer/songwriter tunes (whether we wanna admit it or not......sigh) and it's gotta be dead clear fo them to hear you so there aren't any excuses. I guess I look at it as vocal honesty. If they can hear you very well, and there's no obvious pitch correction, then you're being more honest with them then most of us are hearin' on the radio these days. And honesty is a very good policy in music. That's jes me though. Like Dave, I use Taxi as one avenue to promote my tunes. Definitely not the only one and I don't think as a singer/songwriter who's serious about getting your stuff out there, it should be. The web is full of other PR methods as well as giggin' out.You'll get this. You will.

[Casey H]

Hi JanineI listened to Salt Water a few times this morning. This is a really good singer/songwriter song and you have a lovely voice! Vikki's comments were right on the money. One of the things that could make this a winner is the production. It's not bad but it's not quite where it needs to be. And don't forget that with the 1-10 scale, the 4-6 range is the "OK, but not very good or great rating" and, of course, no two screeners rank the same way.It appears the screener wasn't positive about the vocal in the beginning which has a half-spoken thing going on. I have a feeling the hisses into the mic are influencing that a lot and that's where this "whispering" thing may have come from. But, the screener's choice of words here weren't clear at all. This song fits the singer/songwriter genre much more than Modern Pop/Hot AC and there is a good chance it wouldn't get a forward for this listing regardless. However, MHO is that with the right production, it could get forwarded as a singer/songwriter SONG. I highlighted "song" there because listings looking for singer/songwriter artists are a lot tougher... VERY high bar and it's about you, your bio & career, and usually multiple great songs.When I first read your review and hadn't listened, I made a guess as to what "run on" melody meant. After listening, I personally feel that term does not apply to a song like this with it's singer/songwriter style. IF the screener had said that this type of melody construction doesn't work for modern AC/Pop but could work for singer/songwriter, I could understand. But this wasn't made clear and you have a right to a better critique.I really hope you'll contact taxi and discuss this critique. You pay for the service and should get your dollar's worth. The important thing is, for all members, not to abuse that call to taxi for a re-screen privilege by doing it every time you are simply pissed off about a return. Here, I think it is very much warranted.I do feel that this song with good production has a lot of potential. Feel free to PM me if I can help you in any way by pointing you to some folks who may be able to help. And many people on the board here are willing to help by collaborating, production for hire, co-write, etc.Best!! Casey

[inyourdefense]

Oct 14, 2008, 8:40pm, hummingbird wrote:Just go and listen to some Sara Bareilles on iTunes and listen to her songs and try to assess how they are produced. Listen to the mix and see how "clean" her vocal line is - no sibilance or fuzziness. You definitely have a similar vibe, but IMO it's the production of your songs that is working against you. They aren't yet at the level needed for film/tv. And I don't think they serve you well as examples of your singing, since the mixes don't compliment your vocals.Vicki, I love that you used Sara B as the comparison there....it's just ironic, because her and her band were actually friends of mine (I KNOW that sounds like bullshit nowadays, but I actually knew her and followed her career long before she hit the big time!)And man, I've listened to her CD endlessly trying to pick apart the production techniques, because Eric Rosse is a genius... so you gave me very sound and relevant advice Vicki!!! I really, really appreciate all of you guys taking the time to offer up all of these suggestions, especially about the production. I completely agree that production is not my strong point. To be honest, Salt Water is the first thing I personally have EVER attempted to produce in my life, so I'm more than willing to accept that fact that it sure ain't perfect, and I really do want to learn how to improve in that area, so any suggestions anyone may have are very welcome.I also really appreciate all the positive comments about the songs, and my voice. As a singer/songwriter those are the two types of compliments I live for I know a couple of you guys said you might be willing to work with me on the production end of things... honestly, if you were serious, send me a message! I do need some help to improve in that area!You guys are really cool though...you all take the time to help out, which is amazing. Despite the rocky start, I'm glad I popped into this forum to check things out. Thanks again,Janine

[mistydawn]

Hi Janine,You have a beautiful voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The songs are fantastic! When your vocals are so clear, its easier to notice that the tail end of what your singing is being cut off in the beginning. At another point, your vocals were drowned in the music. That's it. Its wonderful. And your voice....WOW.I can understand that you're upset after getting completely mixed reviews on your music, that would concern me too. All you can do is not focus on the mixed reviews, but get down to what you can you do about production, if you can. That's all you can do. Your genre is in demand, and that's good. I wonder if they're looking for something a bit more "peppy"? I say that because the names on the list are pretty upbeat. That could be as simple as bpm. Honestly, posting music on the forum and getting feedback from lots of musicians is awesome and can help with tweaking music before sending it in. Nothing beats it.I had to get very particular about what I submit to as well, and make absolutely sure that its mostly an equal match up.Otherwise, it doesn't get forwarded....and then I kick myself and say "I knew it". The listings are very, very surface.If you think of Kelly Clarkson as "Since You've Been Gone" and Sara as "Love Song", then "peppy" certainly comes to mind. Find a popular artist that matches you exactly, and it becomes easier to answer listings.Hope that was positive and also a help to you M

[christophersclaybo]

My interest is PIQUED! I really really REALLY want to hear your song! WHERE can I go to hear it?

[davewalton]

Just as a reminder or whatever to check out the posting dates for some of these threads. Sometimes there's replies to threads that are months or years old and the people have since moved on. The last post Janine made was Oct 15th. Hopefully she'll be back. Her last post was really nice... Quote:I really, really appreciate all of you guys taking the time to offer up all of these suggestions, especially about the production. I completely agree that production is not my strong point. To be honest, Salt Water is the first thing I personally have EVER attempted to produce in my life, so I'm more than willing to accept that fact that it sure ain't perfect, and I really do want to learn how to improve in that area, so any suggestions anyone may have are very welcome.I also really appreciate all the positive comments about the songs, and my voice. As a singer/songwriter those are the two types of compliments I live for I know a couple of you guys said you might be willing to work with me on the production end of things... honestly, if you were serious, send me a message! I do need some help to improve in that area!You guys are really cool though...you all take the time to help out, which is amazing. Despite the rocky start, I'm glad I popped into this forum to check things out.