Thought this might interest a few of you who have ever considered using Taxi.com, as it's hard to find ANY user reviews or blogs etc out there on these guys. They may even have a way of suppressing negative reviews etc. Anyway, this isn't a bad review - just a run-through of my personal experiences after a year of membership.
For those of you unfamiliar with Taxi, they claim to have in-roads into all the major players who commission music and sign new artists etc. I have no doubt that it's true, as they bombard you with 'success' stories, and there are a lot of listings to apply to. Their PR is a relentless machine, that's for sure.
I'm convinced Taxi is both a genuine opportunity and that they know their stuff. However...
At $200 per year membership and $5 per song submission, it's not cheap. They say this encourages only 'serious' people to submit. Or rich ones, lol.
There are a lot of listings to apply to. Sadly, far too many of them are Country ones. All well and good if you're a Nashville kind of geetar picker, but not so good for me ::)
The easiest route into being commissioned seems to be for TV and movie songs (i.e. production & broadcast companies wanting background music by non-established artists they don't have to pay big money for...). This is fraught with complications though:
The listings will say they want a song that sounds like 'so-and-so' (some flavour of the month band / singer). They don't mean that it can sound a bit like them. They mean they want an absolute carbon copy of them! I've fallen down on this point over and over. I can't sound like anything but me. Even if I tried I couldn't. This inability to think outside their f*cking little mimic box really f*cks me off. For example, you'd think I'd have stood a chance when they referenced 'Crowded House' on a listing, bearing in mind that's what people always say I sound most like. Nope... "not Crowded House enough" was the response. Crowded House themselves might have stood a chance, lol. Or maybe not.
Secondly, they will often give very specific themes they want songs about. This means you'd have to write something from scratch (whilst still sounding like the artist(s) they reference).
So, overall, I've been a total Taxi flop. I've had many positive and encouraging comments from their reviewers about my strength of song-writing, and even my vocals and musicianship have been praised more than I thought. But it all counts for nothing. If you don't sound like f*cking Florence and the Machine or The Ting Tings (who?), forget it etc etc. What a waste of money!
But the thing that has really p*ssed me off is when they pick you up on the production of your songs. Considering I've recorded it all on an MBR, they've been pretty kind. But the comments are often there about the production not being quite good enough. Well – no shit, Sherlock. It's a F*CKING HOME RECORDED DEMO!
So, what they want is....
A professionally studio-recorded song that's 'on-theme', 'on-genre', and sounds EXACTLY like the artists referenced in the listing. Not only that – you have to be a damn near professional musician and singer to perform it all well enough (or hire some people that are...). Judging from what I hear on every f*cking TV ad these days, it will also help if you're a female who sings like an asthmatic, retarded 5 year old.
It seems to be a clear fact that they aren't looking for good songs in their own right. It has to be a good song which also has all the above covered. i.e. there is absolutely no effort required by anyone at their end. Fair enough you may say.
Got all of the above covered? Well – join up today!
This isn't sour grapes. This is just the (very) sad reality for a middle-aged song-writer who performs their own stuff and is totally out of step with what's in or out these days.
End of review. I just wish there was a proper outlet for songwriters somewhere in this world.
p.s. I have a song coming that sums up my feelings on all this. Should be posted in the next few days, lol.
p.p.s. I won't be renewing my membership.
And who the f*ck is Jason Mraz? I'm supposed to try to sound like him according to my last critique.
An example of part of a critique - this one was on 'Elderflower and Midnight' ....
"Hey Tim, thanks for submitting this song for this listing. You have a relatable theme with universal qualities, which you describe with creative details. The main thing you could do to establish your song is add to your production, seeking a more dynamic structure. Increasing the contrast between sections is an effective way to do this. You could try adding and taking away some instrumental tracks, or you could look into creating some more dynamic builds into the chorus from the verse. Overall you have some great elements here, keep it up".
"This song could use a more modern sound to get the Singer Songwriter vibe, a la Jason Mraz, like this listing is looking for".
"I love the title of this song. You have a great sense of detail in your lyrics. The main thing you could do to create a more professional sounding track is build up your guitar tone and drum sound. Perhaps you could listen to "Say" by John Mayer, back to back with your own song to hear where your mix feels on the empty side and get some inspiration for how to develop a fuller sound".
I can't believe you have to pay for the privelige of being a member, do they give you an idea of the percentages you get back if you are 'successful'??
Do you remember those cheap tapes cassettes you used to be able to buy at Woolies years ago, it would be a covers artist who played a Paul McCartney album with a weird title sold at a 3rd of the price of the real album. That sounds like the kind of stuff they are after.
This appears to be the modern way with today's music (think x factor), never ever do they bring their own/original songs, it's all about sounding like someone else.
My wife likes Jason Mraz.......................nuff said! :D
Jason Mraz......singer songwriter???........do you think he'll end up as one of the choices in SingerSongwriter3?
You dont need to waste your time doing that crap, you're too good!
Tim, I have friend that is also a very good middle aged songwriter and was a member of Taxi for one year. His sentiments on their membership costs, reviews, and positive/non-positive returns is a mirror image of your assessment. I've looked at them several times but never could get past the $200/year and $5 per song submission cost. It seems high, especially the per song fee....which should be included in the membership cost.
You're a very good songwriter no doubt but it's a different world in music now. It's no longer the major record companies that are exploiting musician's and songwriters but now it's all these other spin off businesses (like Taxi) that are trying to make their millions. I don't fault them for making money, that's business, but at least give something back in return.
I don't have any answers for you....I struggle with the same problems. I've even thought of starting up solo acoustic gigging again just to sell some cds. That's where I used to sell the most cds any way.
No Taxi for me.....I'll drive myself , lol.
Farrell
I think my sentiments are clearly stated here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pklq_ShnbA
Quote from: Farrell Jackson on October 10, 2011, 11:29:27 AMTim, I have friend that is also a very good middle aged songwriter and was a member of Taxi for one year. His sentiments on their membership costs, reviews, and positive/non-positive returns is a mirror image of your assessment
Glad it's not just me!
Quote from: Burtog on October 10, 2011, 10:57:47 AMI can't believe you have to pay for the privelige of being a member, do they give you an idea of the percentages you get back if you are 'successful'??
No percentages, just testimonial after testimonial of people who've made money / careers out of their service. Never do they spell out that you have to strip away all your originality and personality and play the game THEIR way to achieve any success with them.
My lyrics have also taken a real clobbering. Too wordy / too weird / not 'current'. I guess you have to pitch your words at semi-literate 8 year olds to sound 'current'.
Quote from: Burtog on October 10, 2011, 10:57:47 AMDo you remember those cheap tapes cassettes you used to be able to buy at Woolies years ago, it would be a covers artist who played a Paul McCartney album with a weird title sold at a 3rd of the price of the real album. That sounds like the kind of stuff they are after.
I remember those. In fact, I remember the old Top of the Pops style LP's with shoddy cover versions on. I never understood why you'd want something that sounds a bit like the original when you could just buy the original in the first place. Even if it is really cheap.
By the time cassettes came out there was no need to buy anything - just tape the Top 40, lol.
Don't know what to say about the business, but I can say this: still yesterday evening I found myself whistling Lo-Fi Fo Fum and can't get it out of my head. Now, think of you, instead of being writing this song, loosing time forcing yourself to write like someone else. You did the right move!
Great review Tim .
Very interesting article Tim. I never did know how to sell songs and now I don't even want to try. I'm quite happy posting to a couple of sites (including this one) and if you guys like it it's enough for me. What would piss me off though is if I heard one of my songs just slightly changed and selling as part of an album or even a single. The chances of that are fairly remote but I have heard stories of where this has happened and the writer has no real recourse other than through the courts which can cost even more than you would potentially make.
Keep writing, keep playing and who knows.............Willie
I'm still hung on them telling you to be Jason Mraz. I really would choke the fucker in a face to face.
If Jason Mraz was told to sound like somebody else.... it becomes a perpetual circle. We'd all sound like Elvis. I like Jason Mraz, but I damn sure wouldn't want to emulate him. I'd rather be me.
I'm really fortunate that I have no desire to write songs, I just want to play instruments. It's liberating, like being the retarded kid in gym class who can drop his shorts with no remorse, simply because it seemed like a good idea. I have nothing to hope for, no pressure to do more than I'm doing, I just AM.
As it stands, I solely listen to music downloaded off the 2 forums. The only exception is the set list I'm learning to cover right now.
Quote from: Tony W on October 11, 2011, 08:58:53 AMI'm still hung on them telling you to be Jason Mraz. I really would choke the fucker in a face to face.
If Jason Mraz was told to sound like somebody else.... it becomes a perpetual circle. We'd all sound like Elvis. I like Jason Mraz, but I damn sure wouldn't want to emulate him. I'd rather be me.
I'm really fortunate that I have no desire to write songs, I just want to play instruments. It's liberating, like being the retarded kid in gym class who can drop his shorts with no remorse, simply because it seemed like a good idea. I have nothing to hope for, no pressure to do more than I'm doing, I just AM.
As it stands, I solely listen to music downloaded off the 2 forums. The only exception is the set list I'm learning to cover right now.
I'm pretty happy doing my own thing too (as I have been since the age of 18...). I just thought I'd give this Taxi thing a go, to see if my songs stood up outside of this forum and the favourable reactions I've had at open mics etc. It was kind of interesting as an experiment, albeit a damn expensive one. It's just not the right channel for my particular brand of music. But I can now crawl back into my shell knowing that I gave it a go, lol.
It took me a lot of years to try Taxi. It was first mentioned to me back in 2001 by someone who worked for Sony BMG. They said they actually did use Taxi to source new artists and songs. Shortly after (and by complete coincidence), I was down to the last 2 interviewees to be Sony BMG's European marketing manager. I didn't get the job though. Could have all been very different!
But I'm still haunted by a guy that was going to be the manager of my very first band - when I was 18. He'd been a session musician for UB40 (amongst others) but had been paralysed in a motorcycle accident. He thought our synth band was pretty good, but gave us this advice: "if you haven't made it by the time you're 26, forget it". I can still remember him saying it.
What's the magical age now? 19?!
This is a f*cking brutal business.
somewise words from peter hammill about the music industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvBII2FPvM
I'm 63 in December, that makes me totally f%cked.................Willie
well tony bennett just hit no1 in the us album charts at 85 years of age
That Peter Hammil song is superb!
Quote from: Willie Wendon on October 11, 2011, 09:27:00 AMI'm 63 in December, that makes me totally f%cked.................Willie
I'm not far behind you Willie...........I know a lot of us that fit into this grey haired rock category. We might as well have a f%cking good time of it.....that's one reason I stopped trying the write the right hit lyric. Now I just write down words that I can identify with and try not to think too hard about the process because it just hurts my old f%cking head.
Farrell
Start of a new genre? The "had hair metal/rock"?
Quote from: Farrell Jackson on October 11, 2011, 10:12:54 AMI know a lot of us that fit into this grey haired rock category.
http://www.greydefence.com/blog/gray-hair-general-articles/gray-hair-rock-real/
Ugh the youngins are trying to steal everything from the real hip generation!
(never trust anyone under 55!!!)
Quote from: oldrottenhead on October 11, 2011, 09:35:02 AMwell tony bennett just hit no1 in the us album charts at 85 years of age
That's because he does duets with hot chicks! Is that the secret?? Actually he's pretty cool, always liked him.
Quote from: Farrell Jackson on October 11, 2011, 10:12:54 AMQuote from: Willie Wendon on October 11, 2011, 09:27:00 AMI'm 63 in December, that makes me totally f%cked.................Willie
I'm not far behind you Willie...........I know a lot of us that fit into this grey haired rock category. We might as well have a f%cking good time of it.....that's one reason I stopped trying the write the right hit lyric. Now I just write down words that I can identify with and try not to think too hard about the process because it just hurts my old f%cking head.
Farrell
Hell, you guys are the bomb!! You keep my mp3 player full and happy! That's all I have to say 'bout that!
QuoteJudging from what I hear on every f*cking TV ad these days, it will also help if you're a female who sings like an asthmatic, retarded 5 year old.
Although true and frustrating, Tim, I am laughing my frickin' ass off now! But at least you will be saved true embarassment later in life because you didn't sell out - Even though he won't admit it Vanilla Ice, after covering his trendy image, deep down still feels like a douche...
Quote from: launched on October 12, 2011, 02:39:33 AM.....
That's because he does duets with hot chicks! ...
Ummmm.....Amy Winehouse?
Quote from: oldrottenhead on October 11, 2011, 09:35:02 AMwell tony bennett just hit no1 in the us album charts at 85 years of age
But he had his first US #1 hit at the age of 25! Just in time!
Quote from: SdC on October 12, 2011, 08:17:49 AMQuote from: launched on October 12, 2011, 02:39:33 AM.....
That's because he does duets with hot chicks! ...
Ummmm.....Amy Winehouse?
Ah, I was thinking more Norah Jones, etc. but whatever suits your taste bro!
Wow - Thanks for that review Tim.
I honestly considered joining Taxi a few months ago, but didn't know if they really did any music other than "New Country" (oops sorry - I just threw up in my mouth a little there).
Anyways, I read a good interview with Ralph Murphy (http://www.taxi.com/music-business-faq/ar/murphy.html) where he was touting some of the benefits of orgs like Taxi and also talks about how to shop your songs. He does state that you do not need to spend a lot of money on a super quality demo, but that at the very least you should be in tune.
I respect Ralph's opinions, and music knowledge. I sent him an email about 10 years ago and he actually called me and we had a lengthy phone conversation regarding the music biz.
In short, he told me "...if you're not willing to physically relocate to where the scene is (Nashville, Vancouver, Toronto at the time), then forget about it...".
Needless to say - I didn't move.
Sounds to me like Taxi is trying to suck up any left over money struggling Nashville writers have to offer.
It would be really interesting to hear from someone who has gone from obscurity (i.e. no previous song submisions to other labels, songwriting memberships, etc.) to actually selling a song via Taxi.
Thanks again Tim.
The bottom line is you CAN only be yourself and SHOULD only be yourself when writing songs.
Isn`t that the whole point of sounding ORIGINAL!!!
You are a pro to my ears Tim, and there is lots like you too that Taxi doesn`t like. But in the end
what do they know or care? Everyone is greedy and loves the almighty dollar.
Thanks for the review....Don`t change for anyone!
Maybe we should all send individual emails to Taxi telling them how much we enjoy Tim's music and songwriting.......especially his last one, lol! Maybe mention how screwed up they are as a byline ;D
Farrell
Here's a link to a review of Taxi's services from a guy that was a two year member. It's a well written review and easy read without nastily attacking Taxi. But, in the end he spent a lot of money and got zero in return. Check it out if you have the time. BTW, I don't know this guy at all. I just googled Taxi reviews and this popped up.
http://blog.earbits.com/online_radio/a-review-of-taxi-com/
Farrell
Quote from: Farrell Jackson on October 14, 2011, 11:49:36 AMMaybe we should all send individual emails to Taxi telling them how much we enjoy Tim's music and songwriting.......especially his last one, lol! Maybe mention how screwed up they are as a byline ;D
Farrell
Here's my sample email "Dear Taxi, you suck....Tim Green's music does not" LOL!
Farrell
You da bomb Tim!
An excellent review Tim.
There's a huge predatory industry out there preying on the desires of the independent artists, to get their music out to the public or to the powers that be.
Coming late to this as I haven't been on here much recently but I abhor Taxi. It's the music industry scumbags taking back control of music through social media. It sounds great - use the internet to get your music heard by serious music industry people, but as Tim points out they have complete control and just want commercial pap. There is no interest in finding new music, it's just a way to get muzak for cheap without the A&R men leaving their office. They don't even have to leave their damn office, at least in the old days they would come and see you, now you pay them money for the privilege of sending your music to them and having it ignored or rejected for spurious reasons.
I spent a bit of time reading through the forums a while back when I was thinking about going on there and it became clear to me it's just as Tim points out, a bunch of tired old A&R people skimming through stuff and making musicians do what they want. Reviews are inconsistent and no individuality is tolerated. Everything that we good old punks rebelled against in '76. Pah.
Cheers,
Nigel