I've read their annoying ads and get their pesky e-mail newsletter on a weekly basis. I've researched their operation thoroughly and it all seems to add up, as I clearly understand what they do, and even more importantly, I understand what it is they don't.
I have yet to sign up with them, as finances are tight, but after literally a year of considering it, I think I'm on the verge of doing so by next month. My question is:
Have any of you joined TAXI, known someone who did, perhaps can share some thoughts, stories or opinions involving TAXI, is it worth the $299 a year?
I'm not in a band, I'm just a home based muso, writing cinematic electronica, melodic instrumentals that hold well on their own, yet often get associated with film music, commercials, etc.
So I thought I'd give TAXI a try, see if it makes me a little $$ here and there, perhaps some big $$ if I'm lucky.
Just want to know if anyone can shed some light on TAXI. Thank you.
pk
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General consensus is; never pay to have your songs shopped. The way it works is they are supposed to pay you. If your going to pay someone it should be an entertainment attorney who has contacts with publishers and and record lables. Try to find someone who is enthusiastic about your songs and has some faith in your abilities. Good Luck, Fats
Krou, I too have considered using them. And like you have contemplated it for over a year now.
I do not hold to the addage that you should never pay someone to shop your tunes. In business, you can't always do everything yourself, that means you have to hire someone to do those things for you. People that don't hire someone to shop their tunes (outside of local bars) end up with tunes that don't get shopped.
I too have researched them fully, and believe they are legetimate. I wouldn't go to them with the high hopes that they are going to land you some big lucrative contract, but that maybe you'll have something forwarded to a post production facility. You will at the very least, make your presence known.
Additionally, you can have your music critiqued by industry professionals, and hopefully walk away from the experience a little wiser. Is all that worth $299 to you?
Only you can decide.
Thanks Michael,
I think I'll take that chance and hopefully be able to join in september. The fee isn't cheap, but then again, it can always be made up with one good forwarded submission, be it TV, video game, etc. Form what I gather, I'd probably be more discouraged if I was part of a pop-rock band, hoping for them to 'hook us up', but as an independant electronica artist, I think there are many avenues where such music can be placed.
Thanks for your reply.
As you'd expect, there's a plethora of discussion around their offering.
The short of it - most people have had a really disappointing experience, which is probably partially explainable by the fact that not everyone is going to get a deal. I found _one_ anecdotal reference to someone who has done very well via taxi. I would assume that one deal pretty much leads to another, once you've got your foot in a door.
There were several issues that stand in the way of me signing up:
- The selling point for many, seemed to be to get a feedback of one's music, thereby improving one's craft for the future. The quality of these 'professional' critiques seems to be in question. Responses are breif, rushed and vary according the reviewer's taste (two reviewers will have exactly the opposite opinion of the same bit of a track), which implies that they can't see through their own opinions to be objective.
Well, what do you expect for $5? In all likelihood they have time to listen to each track once and jot down their quick opinion. The reveiws come in the form of a checklist, with a small space for comments.
Personal tastes are understandable but since the reveiwers have to pass judgement before passing on the tracks to A&R people, your tracks are going through this 'personal taste' test twice. The focus of the reveiws also seems to be on commercial appeal, but that could be because the majority of posts I found seemed to be involved in pop songs.
It sounds like you'll get better critiques here, and at other forums online. Some people mentioned professional song reviewers as more worthwhile. You might want to track down the writers of your favourite songs (it's a lot easier than you think, these days) and ask them to critique your stuff for a fee. It won't be $5 a song, but you are more likely to get your money's worth.
- the $5 per song fee builds up really quickly, if you are serious about this stuff, expecially since you'll be submitting 2-3 songs per submission.
- an overly large number of the submissions with _no_ critique - simply a yes/no response. You still have to pay your $5/song.
People seem to complain that the reviewers were 'leading them on' ie continually telling them that the songs were _almost_ there but need a little more work. The reveiwers are probably pressured not to use very critical language when responding, for many reasons.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of the experiences I found online were from vendors of wares very different from the ones I'm hawking :> i.e. 'Songwriters' trying to write hit pop and country songs, rather people trying to get film placement and distribution for master ready recordings. I'm not sure how that would change the dynamics.
sonicgirl, post: 364 wrote: My advice is to run from TAXI, but I
sonicgirl, post: 364 wrote: My advice is to run from TAXI, but I never used or known of anyone who has used it... SO maybe I am wrong...
jen
Wow, I've never eaten hamburger or known anybody who HAS, but I'd run from it! Incredibly wise advice??? I've never heard your music or known anybody who has, but I'd run from it. Getting the picture?
How about some factual info about TAXI?
[="http://forums.taxi.com/taxi-success-stories-f7.html"]TAXI.com - TAXI Success Stories[/]="http://forums.taxi…"]TAXI.com - TAXI Success Stories[/]
[[url=http://="http://www.taxi.com…"]TAXI: What Would You Do With the Ultimate List of Publishers, Record Labels and Film & TV Music Supervisors?[/]="http://www.taxi.com…"]TAXI: What Would You Do With the Ultimate List of Publishers, Record Labels and Film & TV Music Supervisors?[/]
Kurt Foster, post: 367 wrote: General consensus is; never pay to
Kurt Foster, post: 367 wrote: General consensus is; never pay to have your songs shopped. The way it works is they are supposed to pay you. If your going to pay someone it should be an entertainment attorney who has contacts with publishers and and record lables. Try to find someone who is enthusiastic about your songs and has some faith in your abilities. Good Luck, Fats
Wise advice
My advice is to run from TAXI, but I never used or known of anyone who has used it... SO maybe I am wrong...
jen