If TAXI is a waste of time.....How do I get my music heard

[shikawkee]

Originally Posted by adclark

Where do I get the names, addresses, #'s to get in touch with these people? Indie Bible? Songwriters Market. There's thousands of addresses in those publications.

Here's a tip from an old songwriter:

What genre are you? What artists in that genre go to outside material? Who manges them? Call the label. Go to a gig. Work it. Find out what publishers they've worked with (credits on on the records themselves of course).

If you write country you come to Nashville. It's a whole 'nother set of skills you'll need. Punk rock is another crowd obviously and so on. Do some research, find out who the hot writers and producers are. Figure out what makes them great and elevate your game.

Those are just some ideas early on a Sat. off the top of my head.

[John Findlay]

Originally Posted by adclark

I'm really hesitant about TAXI. I've heard many negatives (and positives) about the service. Anyway, If TAXI is the wrong way to get my music into "somebodys" hands (labels, TV/Movie/advertisement music execs, etc.) what is the right way? I know its a "one shot in 2 million" but I need to start somewhere. I've read all the industry standard books etc.. I want to know the methods people here have used. I'm not expecting to be the next Mike Oldfield or Moby..but it would be nice to hear my tracks as background for commercials, television, etc. Please list your proven methods and sucsess/failure stories about TAXI or any other service. I plan on having a "4 track" sampler EP finished by summer. I'm hoping to have Sterling master the tracks. Listen here for an example of my work (it's unmastered...and in mid quality MP3 format)http://web.mac.com/a.daleclark/iWeb/...0Whispers.html

any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Abery Clark

.

I joined TAXI years ago-wound up on tour-never used it.
I've worked in broadcast/scoring over the years-so I never had a need for an agent.

Im listening to your stuff-its ver good-it may have an application.
I feel with any of these middle man operations--its the same-they throw alot stuff out-the returns are nominal...they still get their 500$ registration fee--AND they give you a critique
--'not enuff melody'--lyrics should be better......

I can honestly tell ya-suceeding in the biz seems to be mainly 'gettin' in the door-being discovered-being prepared.

If you have any stuff you want an honest opinion on email me-you can
hear my score stuff at my web-under TV music too

good luck

[lucey]

Taxi buys you a critique and maybe a chance at something with an unknown person.


You can get plenty of in-depth critiques right here, and make your own chances with great music and getting out there.

[abit]

Originally Posted by lucey

You can get plenty of in-depth critiques right here, and make your own chances with great music and getting out there.

ditto

[skip bitmin]

I did some jingles for a small production company. Sent a cd out and because
his current writer bailed on him he gave me a try and happened to like my
work.Now he has his own studio and hires musicians to play his jingles,he
told me on the phone I was getting the majority of the money that he could
be recieving (I appriecated his honesty-saw it comming anyways). After
observing how he established himself I figure my best chance to make some
money at this is get off my ass and go ( for example) to one of the local car
dealers (or 10 ) and try to sell them a jingle.It's hard, most of use just want
to stay home and write/produce I know I do. My point to this long post is
the same as most who posted, get out there.I wish I would follow my own
advice.Id rather work on my own songs but the jingles can be a fun sideline
and make a little extra money for your family.Also its good practice for dealing
with pressure (deadlines for finishing the music etc.).
Good luck I know how painfull it can be working a day job and thinking
about music all day and yes I work a day job but my wife and two little girls
are more important than any dream.

[adclark]

Which is best rference book? Songwriters Market? Indie Bible? any others?

[adclark]

I'll try other avenues before joining TAXI.

[jimiheath]

Funny. I worked at TAXI before I moved to Nashville, and it's been several years since they've done any handwritten reviews. I have a hard time believing your info based on the fact that you've obviously not told the truth about getting a handwritten review from them recently, when they've been doing them on computer for about 4 or 5 years.

Also, they have an A&R Cam in the room where they do the listening. You can actually watch them screening music between 9-6 PACIFIC time in real time. You'll see that they're suing computers. Here's the link http://www.taxi.com/abouts/webcam.html

Also, I'd like to tell you that prior to working at TAXI, I was the world's biggest skeptic. But after moving to LA and getting a job on the "inside", I found them to be VERY honest in what they do, and saw plenty of people getting deals with my own eyes, and found that every negative thing I had ever heard about them on message boards came from people who had no ACTUAL knowledge of how they REALLY work, or were just sour grapes people who would rather blame TAXI than admitting that their music wasn't quite up to snuff.

Next time you see a negative post about TAXI, ask the poster to publish a link to their song. Listen to it with this in mind; "Would I play this for a VP of A&R at major label, and tell them it's the next big thing?"

TAXI's totally cool, and it really works if your music is great, and you're pitching to the right listings. Many members that don't get deals simply don't know what they've got in their hand, and they pitch it to the wrong opps.

[robmix]

Originally Posted by jimiheath

and found that every negative thing I had ever heard about them on message boards came from people who had no ACTUAL knowledge of how they REALLY work, or were just sour grapes people who would rather blame TAXI than admitting that their music wasn't quite up to snuff.

Next time you see a negative post about TAXI, ask the poster to publish a link to their song. Listen to it with this in mind; "Would I play this for a VP of A&R at major label, and tell them it's the next big thing?"

TAXI's totally cool, and it really works if your music is great, and you're pitching to the right listings. Many members that don't get deals simply don't know what they've got in their hand, and they pitch it to the wrong opps.

I couldn't disagree more. Feel free to check out my website or even that god-awful allmusic.com and you'll see that my credits speak for themselves. Again check my post above to see what we accomplished on our own the same year we joined Taxi.

Here's the original

Originally Posted by robmix

That same year we had something like 9 cuts, 1/2 a dozen tv placements, and some commercial spots - all stemming from relationships and being able to follow our tracks through the entire process.

Again, it's not that Taxi isn't working for you, they're trying. But the inability to followup is a huge problem. I'm sure lots of people have gotten deals but why are they still running that one ad with the scottish guy ? The label shutdown years ago. . . . .

[jimiheath]

Guys, all I said was that having worked at TAXI, I can tell you as a former employee, it's a VERY Kosher company. And as far as you having success on your own, great! Michael Laskow is huge supporter of people doing the work themselves, and feels like it's the best way to get results. Here are the first few paragraphs from TAXI's brochure and website:

The Best Way To Get Signed
If you're trying to land a record deal, nothing works better than hitting the road, playing hundreds of gigs, and selling thousands of CDs from the trunk of your car.

If you're a songwriter, moving to Los Angeles, New York, or Nashville and "paying your dues" is often the best way to go.

But, can you just walk away from your life, your job, your family, and your mortgage payment? Okay, that might be tempting, but let's get real! You need a vehicle to help you get your music to the right people. TAXI will help you do that no matter where you live."

I didn't say that you sucked. I didn't say that your music sucked. But I have seen posts where people have been trashing TAXI, and then, when I heard their music, I could see why TAXI didn't get them a deal... they weren't very good.

remember... I was a huge TAXI skeptic until I got a job there and saw from the inside that they are incredibly honest people who work really hard to provide a great service to people who need it.

I'm not trying to start an argument, and frankly, I don't have the time to hang out very long on message boards, but I wanted you to know what I know about TAXI. Obviously, you're talented, and I wish you much luck.

and by the way, I'm not a DUDE. I'm a lady :-)

[pan60]

Originally Posted by jimiheath

I'm not trying to start an argument, and frankly, I don't have the time to hang out very long on message boards, but I wanted you to know what I know about TAXI. Obviously, you're talented, and I wish you much luck.

and by the way, I'm not a DUDE. I'm a lady :-)

you showing up only to defend taxi do seem suspect.
i would say hang out and offer some input, then your comments may cary some weight.
as it is, you appear only to be sent to defend taxi, that makes me leery.

[jimiheath]

Yes, I was alerted to this thread. Someone emailed me about it, I came and read it and responded accordingly. Please keep in mind that I am an EX-employee, so I really have nothing to gain by saying they are legit or they suck. I just came here to tell the truth. And I did.

Now I'm done. I write songs for a living, and have work to do. As I can see many of you make your living that way as well. Don;t we all have better and more productive things to do with our time? I know I do.

Last time I am replying. So go ahead and rip me to shreds, talk shit about TAXI, etc etc, I really don't care. The proof is in the pudding and TAXI works successfully for many members.

Cya.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by jimiheath

Last time I am replying. So go ahead and rip me to shreds, talk shit about TAXI, etc etc, I really don't care.
Cya.

i have no plans to rip anyone or taxi to shreds.
their is a lot to gain and surely something to that one can give here at gearslutz, as i said stick around.

[pan60]

p.s. their are plenty of individuals here that are song writers.

[robmix]

Exactly, I don't think anyone is really here to fight. It's an exchange of ideas and experiences. Several professionals on this board have had negative results with Taxi - real life experiences, while still being successful songwriters. It was actually you who attacked some long standing members of the audio community and this forum. I hope you'll stay on gearslutz, there's a lot of great info here.

[BZLewis]

Originally Posted by shikawkee

We did a test with them at one point.
We weren't getting any forwards so we decided to start asking for their "reviews" to see why. We shortly started seeing a pattern. A WRITING pattern. Though each review was supposed to be by a different reviewer with a different ID# THEY ALL HAD THE SAME HANDWRITING. Now, you could say that a secretary was dictated the notes but I don't think so (and if Taxi's doing well enough to have secretary's dictating song notes on every song then I'm on the wrong side of the biz).

Furthermore, the notes were ridiculous. I've been in the biz 20 years and had numerous publishing deals and these notes were useless and very unhelpful, written by someone who knew nothing about music publishing.

I could go on but it's early and it's been years since I've thought about this crap. I remember there being more reasons to cancel my trial. I'm sure people get TV/Film stuff from them every once in a while--it's merely a matter of numbers, but I think it's a waste of time and a scam. Spend your money on a good demos, phone calls and mailing costs.

People who charge for what good professionals don't are scammers.
I've seen a boatlod of them in 20 years. If you're good, you're good. Paying someone to help probably won't do you much good in the long run.
Too many people trying to make money off of musicians in this biz for my comfort level.

YMMV.

I've had a ton of success with taxi. It got my music to a lot of people- people who place and continue to use my music. Taxi has connected me with placements on all the major TV networks, several independent and a few not-so-independent films, a publishing deal, regional and local ad campains, platinum selling video games. One company (Media Creature Music) used my music for some Nissan commercials a few years back- this money became the deposit on my first house. It would be very difficult for me to label taxi as a "scam"- every time I walk into my house, I think where would I be without Taxi? I had no connections, and no way to get my stuff heard, yet through Taxi I'm now a full time musician/composer/all-around studio/music guy. These guys are totally legit.

[gitarrero]

Originally Posted by BZLewis

I've had a ton of success with taxi. It got my music to a lot of people- people who place and continue to use my music. Taxi has connected me with placements on all the major TV networks, several independent and a few not-so-independent films, a publishing deal, regional and local ad campains, platinum selling video games. One company (Media Creature Music) used my music for some Nissan commercials a few years back- this money became the deposit on my first house. It would be very difficult for me to label taxi as a "scam"- every time I walk into my house, I think where would I be without Taxi? I had no connections, and no way to get my stuff heard, yet through Taxi I'm now a full time musician/composer/all-around studio/music guy. These guys are totally legit.

ditto - I'm currently not a full-time guy, but after about 13 month of membership with taxi I had over 10 deals, the sync-licenses of film/tv placements alone covered all costs I had for taxi - and the deals keep coming in and in. so I have no doubt that I will be able to do full-time what I like doing most: composing & producing music.

it seems that some guys keep posting that taxi isn't legit, without any clear & objective argument; if someone says that their feedback was bad, well you can post it - but also post your song (that you've originally submitted) - there's even a corner on the taxi-boards for that, and you'll get lot's of helpfull replies:

TAXI - www.taxi.com - Home

if someone feels comfortable to just diss companies or other people, than that's nothing helpfull nor constructive, so: just let it be.

cheers,

gitarrero

[croftish]

On the subject of the track itself, I found it a bit cliched and bit too sub-Moby. The strings were a static pad - you could have done much more with them I felt, and I found the piano too fake sounding. Get yourself a decent piano lib! NI Acoustic Piano is cheap and perfectly adequate.
As someone else said earlier, if you're going to try to get stuff out there, you've got to produce material that is better ,or at least as good as, the stuff already doing the rounds!

[dan p]

I am shopping Volume 1 of my own stuff and have had 3 different deals that have been offered to my production co thru taxi.

Dan P

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by jimiheath

You can actually watch them screening music between 9-6 PACIFIC time in real time.

You'll see that they're suing computers.

[timbreman]

Problem I have with Taxi is very few of their classifieds are looking for electronica which is my style of writing. I mean....a FEW are but really there should be alot more than what I see. Especially conisdering how often I hear electronica played in tv commercials and shows.

But have a listen to my music for yourself......I just dont know that spending hundreds of dollars on a service that only offers me a few oppurtunities is worth my time and money.

MySpace.com - liquid loops - San Antonio, Texas - Electronica / IDM / Psychedelic - www.myspace.com/liquidloops

[timbreman]

I am also curious about their money back gaurantee....has anyone had any problems getting a refund for any particular reasons?

[dan p]

I had joined a few years ago when i had just finished producing my wifes cd and we made some money the first time around.Not a lot $ though then we did not renew.Now i have just recently renewed again and we'll see if we can make some $.
I actually ghost write for somone else and have had that gig for 15 years.
Now i am trying my own thing but i have made a great living and still continue to make residual income froms stuff i did years ago.I consider myself very lucky to have a gig in this biz.Good Luck!

DAn P

[drakewire]

A&R Worldwide is a great place to start, but your music needs to be really incredible not just good. Since MuseExpo is one of the other projects. They don't take bullshit or money, they look for stars.. Taxi is crap and no one cares what they push anymore. The truth is move to a music city. Its one of the quickest ways to get into the door. Oh yeah, and lots and lots of hustle a wittle bit of bullshit with the best of em and talent to back it all up...But truth is not to much is getting signed these days...
d.

[remixx]

i was really impressed with your song, however, it started off kind of slow and i thought it was really amateur-ish until the beat kicked in.





i think you should somehow spice up the piano to make it sound more professional.


that said, GREAT WORK!!

[ianzxcvb]

We joined TAXI a few months back - we've put in dozens of songs - (it's $5 per song submission on top of membership fee btw - and that can really mount up!!!)

none have been forwarded.

the odd comment from their screener was fair - but generally the stuff coming back was silly - like 'try changing key of last chorus'.

They give some praise - but then find an excuse not to forward you rather than let their contact decide - because either they have a quota or costs incurred. So unless you're ideal - they just take your money.

Maybe we are just crap - or 'not up to snuff' - but we're finding our audience and outlets through hard work.

When people judge other's music - and take on the mantle of critic or gatekeeper - they should always bear in mind that everyone has very different tastes. For example I regard the music and performers that Simon Cowell rates as being utterly banal - offensive even - give me Joe Strummer's off key vocals or the sloppy guitar of a My Bloody Valentine album any day.

However legit and noble TAXI may be - unless you're lucky enough to be able to press their buttons their way then they'll just be taking your money for nothing.

MySpace.com - So Shush - Manchester, Northwest - Indie / Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/soshush

[gitarrero]

Originally Posted by ianzxcvb

none have been forwarded.

...and maybe there's a reason for that?

maybe there's also a reason why some members did get more than 15 deals (from diffrent companies) offered in a membership of about 2 years (that's my personal experience)..?

it's up to you to decide whether to hone your skills, sharpen your songs or simply blame taxi for a lack of success.
blaming taxi is for sure the more comfortable route, but it won't bring you any further.

so it comes down to what do you want - do you want to make your tracks broadcast ready, or do you want to continue to believe that "the industry doesn't recognize our talent/our great songs..."..?

it's up to you. YOU decide which route you take.

but one thing is for sure: taxi DOES do what they say - they only forward something if it has a real chance on the desk of the listing-party. I'm very happy that they do that, because if they don't, they would lose their customers (= listings party, the folks who offer oppurtunities for taxi members).

there's a ton of pitch services out there that forward everything that got submitted to them. I once saw WHAT exactly got submitted through such a "no limits" service - as receiver you likely stop listening; in my case I did get more than 500 tracks, and about 80-85 % of it wasn't even in the style requested.
the musicians who submit may be "happy" because they can keep up the illusion that their music has landed on a desk - but the few appropriate submissions simply got lost in the piles of completely inadequate submissions.

that's why I think the system of taxi really, really makes sense.

and no, being successfull with taxi hasn't got something to do with "being friends with the taxi staff" - I'm living in switzerland, they didn't know me at all when I joined. but I got forwarded instantly.

maybe there's a reason for that, too?

whatever decision you make, best of luck with it!

martin

[CISUM]

Ok so here is the thing, TAXI is a bunch of B'S. Honestly...

To charge $300 to join, then charge an addition $5. per submission. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

The truth is, the have an office where they have a few people listen to each track, write a bunch of stuff "they" think will or wont work.
Sure for some it may work, which if it does, GREAT more power to you.

But I wont name any names, a close friend of mine who actually writes for MTV and other t.v. shows, submitted his music to taxi for shi*s and giggles, they wrote back and said something to the matter of:
"They are looking for something less agressive" etc...

Guess what... His publishing company got him the SAME gig...

You tell me, does TAXI really do what it says? Or take your $300. per year membership... $5. a submission... And write you a bunch of stuff their staff thinks is good or bad..

To me, its a waste... to some it may not be, thats just my experiance & opinion...

Thanks

[gitarrero]

Originally Posted by CISUM

Ok so here is the thing, TAXI is a bunch of B'S. Honestly...

To charge $300 to join, then charge an addition $5. per submission. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

The truth is, the have an office where they have a few people listen to each track, write a bunch of stuff "they" think will or wont work.
Sure for some it may work, which if it does, GREAT more power to you.

But I wont name any names, a close friend of mine who actually writes for MTV and other t.v. shows, submitted his music to taxi for shi*s and giggles, they wrote back and said something to the matter of:
"They are looking for something less agressive" etc...

Guess what... His publishing company got him the SAME gig...

You tell me, does TAXI really do what it says? Or take your $300. per year membership... $5. a submission... And write you a bunch of stuff their staff thinks is good or bad..

To me, its a waste... to some it may not be, thats just my experiance & opinion...

Thanks

1. the 5 $ fee per submission makes sense - here's why: if that fee wouldn't exist, a lot of member would simply submit everything they have for every listing. so there would be even more country tunes to listing that ask for hiphop (I'm not kidding, that really happens a lot - see my own experience with a "no limit" pitch sheet above).

2. sure, taxi is a business, they make money with it. BUT as long as they doing a great job at bringing oppurtunities to my table, some of which I wouldn't be able to find by myself, it's a good investement.

3. re: your friend who got the same gig through his publisher. such a thing can happen, since human errors are where humans work. what you don't know is what request/briefing taxi did get - something like that the assistant of a supervisor told them to send something not too aggressive, for example. who knows?

sure, I'm speculating here - but such a thing can happen in every place of the music industry, especially if the supervisor/a&r or whatever industry rep is not a musician himself. and that can be quite often the case, as we all know. how often has it happened to you that an a&r was asking for e.g. a song with some rocky edge, but then changed their mind and choosed a poptune or the like?

also, I don't say that taxi is a "magical thing", the "holy grail" or anything like that - it is a tool to make money with your music, and it's a good & working tool. nobody keeps away you from using diffrent tools at the same time; in fact that's what I'd recommend.

all I'm saying is: calling taxi a BS is simply a very black/white kind of thinking - for those who didn't find success it's BS and a scam, for those who found success it's great... sorry, give ME a break - that simply doen't make sense to me.

[ProFool]

The people i know that tried out taxi are still not talking very positive of it...
but what has been proven very successful to them was the Sonicbids EPK (electronic press kit), Garageband (to get opinions about there music) and CD BABY, one of them tried almost every online thing out and wasted a lot of $ on it and those few really worked out well. cheers