Is TAXI right for you?

[brandondrury]

Here's an article I wrote about the popular music placement service, TAXI.

<a href="http://www.recordingreview.com/artic...For-You%3F">Is TAXI Right For You?</a>

Let me know what you think.

Brandon Drury

[earthboundaudio]

ok.. fess up... how much did TAXI pay you for that? j/k.. great article.

[brandondrury]

I don't know. It's in my Swiss bank account.

The reality is TAXI would go out of business if they didn't get songs placed. No TV people would pay them then. Since their real service is to their TV / Movie people, (and essentially the musicians are not the real customers) they will always bust their ass to get music placed. At first, I was a little bit upset when I heard that they were paid by movies places and such. Then when I thought about it, it made even better sense.

It's just a shame that they require $300 to get your foot in the door. That should weed out those who don't have enough confidence in their music.

Brandon

[H2000]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

The reality is TAXI would go out of business if they didn't get songs placed.?

Really?? I guess an estimated $3 million in membershio dues plus another $1 million in submission fees isn't enough to run a small business these days?? They have at least 10,000 members.

No TV people would pay them then.? Since their real service is to their TV / Movie? people, (and essentially the musicians are not the real customers) they will always bust their ass to get music placed. At first, I was a little bit upset when I heard that they were paid by movies places and such.? Then when I thought about it, it made even better sense.

Interesting. I wasn't aware they got paid from the clients. In fact, their advertising suggests the opposite. They clearly state that they don't get percentages or commissions and don't participate in any deals. Where did you hear this??Are you saying they get kickbacks or finders fees?

It's just a shame that they require $300 to get your foot in the door.? That should weed out those who don't have enough confidence in their music.

The $300 doesn't bother me at all really. But if what you said is true, it changes the equation a little. Taxi should not make anything from the TV/movie clients. If they were not charging them, then I would think there would be a great many more listings available.

All that said, there still really isn't too many other options available other than sending out mass mailings to publishers. One other option is Songlink, a UK tip sheet. I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with them.

[randy]

From what I've read, TAXI does not get paid by the labels or film companies. They do not participate in any dealings whatsoever between you and your prospective label/film co., nor do they recieve any commissions from your deal. They rack in the money with annual dues.

You might also add that each submission sent to the perspective label/TV company/etc will cost the artist $15. (I believe it's $15, but may be $5 or $10, I forget). Take that into consideration, and you will be spending closer to $400-$600 a year, depending on how many submissions you send in. That isn't a bad fee if you ask me. We spent $1,000 on a similar talent agency back in '00, yes, for one year. They were a little different. They shopped our music, we did nothing. In return, we were offered a few deals, but nothing really that made us want to quit our day job as a factory worker.

Don't we all want to work in factories for the rest of our lives? Sure...

I think you spent most of the time on the article addressing the most appropriate question "is it right for you?" TAXI is right for many artists, it's just that they need to read the listings very carefully. If your song doesn't fit what they want, you're wasting your time AND money. I just finished reading the latest TAXI listing, emailed to me today, and I found 2 maybe 3 listings (out of a few hundred) that would fit us. READ EVERYTHING IN THE LISTING! If they want a heavy touring band, and your band practices twice a month and plays 4 shows a month, you're wasting your time AND money. If they stress they want a young band with energy and a good look, and you're youngest member is 32, has to sit and smoke a cigarette every other song, and has recently developed a beer gut, you're wasting your time AND money. I can't stress enough the importance of submitting your songs to the appropriate listing.

Also, TAXI gives critiques on nearly every submission you send in, so that could be very helpful.

We are wanting to join TAXI eventually, but we're planning on writing more material, and record a VERY strong 3 song ep. That way, we're not wasting our......you guessed it......... time AND money!

Great article Brandon.

[H2000]

Thanks for the tips Randy!

I just asked over at the Taxi forum and got an immediate "No" response when I posed the question of Taxi making money off of deals.

Like you, I generally will see two listings per sheet that I could see something of mine fitting in - sometimes more, sometimes less. Which is actually not too bad when you consider that it's a direct request for that type of material.

The submission fee is $5 per song. They say they do this to discourage people from flooding listing with questionable material (which makes sense).

I think you make a very good point - it is important to have a number of really good songs and a bunch of strong material before going into it. I think alot of people will go into it before they are at that point. Some people will actually write for the listing under pressure, but I really am not interested in that. I'd rather work in a factory the rest of my life?? :P

Hmmm, maybe I'll join today.

[H2000]

Oh, and I just thought of something else that the article reminded me of:

There are many who think that Taxi is a waste of money. Well, obviously those are the people who feel that it didn't benefit them.

Brandon's article brings up an important point that Taxi is providing a service. In their defense, at least when you pay your membership, you know it is going to pay the people who work there - they actually do have to work in that they screen all the material (whether you agree with it or not)

On the other hand, I see that Songlink International is even more expensive and it is really only a tip sheet. They don't screen material and so they are making more money for less work.

[randy]

Ha, you're welcome.

$5, good! That makes me feel a little better about joining up some day.

[randy]

Below is an article copy & pasted from Taxi's listings for an example...........

Unique & innovative ALTERNATIVE ROCK BANDS that have obvious star-quality, in-depth songwriting, and solid instrumental chops are wanted by the A&R Executive of a Major Label. He's not seeking some derivative band that sounds like everyone else. That said, you must show obvious commercial potential. Please submit two to three songs online or per CD/cassette, include lyrics/photo/bio. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received no later than Dec. 12, 2005.

It's funny.........I wonder how many bands read that and think, "Wow! That would be perfect for us. Oh wait.....we sound like everybody else. Too bad!" HAHA, yeah right! Aren't we all unique and innovative!?

[brandondrury]

When I get my hands on that bastard who said that Taxi gets paid on both ends, I'm probably not going to do anything.

Oh well. Either way, TAXI wants your band to be .... big. They make more money when you do. However, most people / musicians suck.

Brandon