No More Excuses...Please Help A Wannabe Songwriter

[wagtunes]

So everyday I try to watch something on Youtube to help me in some way, whether it be music production, composition, business tips, whatever.

Today I watched Rick Beato's "Ask Me Anything" video and somebody asked the question, "What do I have to do to make it as a film composer?"

Now while not exactly what I'm trying to do, though I wouldn't be against it, it is closely related in that I'm trying to make it as a composer.

Rick's answer was simple and direct.

Move to LA.

I got it. And in thinking about it, it's what he would tell me to do if I asked him how to make it as a songwriter. He wouldn't say LA per say but he would name a city or some cities where the action is. Nobody is going to notice somebody living in Bumblefuck NJ. It's not happening. I have to go to where it's happening. And even then I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Again, 42 years ago, I could have made the choice to give up on everything else I ever wanted in my life (wife, kids, stable home, etc.) and gone all out for a career, either making it or dying alone trying.

Ultimately, that kind of sacrifice wasn't worth it to me.

And it's even less worth it to me now. I have too many wonderful things in my life to give them all up for a dream that will probably never happen.

Had I really thought that through BEFORE starting this thread, I would have never started it. But I only came to this realization AFTER I started the thread and started getting responses. The truth is, I'm NOT willing to do whatever it takes to make it in this business. Not if I have to make major sacrifices to get there.

Sorry. All of this could have been avoided had I really sat down and thought this through.

[vurt]

no need to apologise.
theres now a frank and open discussion for someone younger to read and act upon if they choose

and theres nothing wrong with putting family first
nothing at all!

but try to think of making it as something different maybe?
has your song writing received any favourable comments over time? (no need to answer, i know it has)
so, that means at least one of your songs (theres been more) has been enjoyed by someone somewhere out there!
success.

[wagtunes]

no need to apologise.
theres now a frank and open discussion for someone younger to read and act upon if they choose

and theres nothing wrong with putting family first
nothing at all!

but try to think of making it as something different maybe?
has your song writing received any favourable comments over time? (no need to answer, i know it has)
so, that means at least one of your songs (theres been more) has been enjoyed by someone somewhere out there!
success.

In my 42 years of doing this, here are my "acknowledgements" for lack of a better word.

1987 - "Rowdy Nights" - Won honorable mention in song contest.

1987 - "I Still Believe In Rock And Roll" - Won honorable mention in song contest.

1990 - "And The Angels Sing" - Published by Siskatune Music. Put on hold for Crystal Gale. Last minute she decided against doing it. That was the closest I ever got to having a record.

1997 - "Hell I'm In Hell" - Interest from a producer looking for music for a heavy metal band. Could not find band interested in doing the song.

2016 - "More Than This" - Finalist in Great American Song Festival Contest. If you go to their winners page from that year, you will see my name and the song.

2018 - "Joy Of Christmas" - Performed by the OES at their convention in Atlantic City

2019 - "Title Withheld" - Song on hold for future recording next year. This might finally be my break.

Also have written a number of anthems for my church choir.

So it's not like I haven't any kind of success in any manner shape or form ever. It's just I haven't had the success that I wanted.

Like I said, I'm just being ungrateful.

[JoeCat]

Don't have to move to LA to do library / production music:

https://www.soundonsound.com/music-busi ... sic-part-1

[wagtunes]

Don't have to move to LA to do library / production music:

https://www.soundonsound.com/music-busi ... sic-part-1

Have you read the article? It clearly says professional quality masters. Composing is one thing (I think I can compete there) but while my productions have improved, I am far from creating a professional quality master. According to the article, this is a must.

So now, we're back to the same problem. I need to find somebody willing to make a finished master recording of all these songs that I'm going to be sending to these companies.

Sure, I can try doing this on my own, but it's unlikely that I'll get anywhere. I've been rejected by a "crap" site like Audio Jungle. So what chance do I have with a major company?

[jancivil]

Film composer, move to LA and get to know everybody and liked by many. The whole enterprise is social, you don't make it as a lone wolf.
I'm not all that social but, and surprising to me as I stick to myself, I knocked on a lotta doors and persisted and asked perfect strangers to take a meeting with me out of nowhere, where ulimately I realized I'd prefer not to do all they did just to be where they were. Like Bartleby, the antithesis of the must conquer, super-active type.
A contemporary of mine, aspirational during the same era, is Alan Silvestri. Read up on him, for film scoring path.
OR more on the dark side Michael Giacchino. A generation younger than mine. The way he placed himself in the industry though, man oh man. There's a template.



production music is kind of a different goal than songwriting proper. Even with the kind of low-rent get your song heard services for movies, it's about happening to fit the movie. Although that's not nothing,

[wagtunes]

Film composer, move to LA and get to know everybody and liked by many. The whole enterprise is social, you don't make it as a lone wolf.
I'm not all that social but, and surprising to me as I stick to myself, I knocked on a lotta doors and persisted and asked perfect strangers to take a meeting with me out of nowhere, where ulimately I realized I'd prefer not to do all they did just to be where they were. Like Bartleby, the antithesis of the must conquer, super-active type.



production music is kind of a different goal than songwriting proper. Even with the kind of low-rent get your song heard services for movies, it's about happening to fit the movie. Although that's not nothing,

As I know what production music is (you hear it all the time) I'm well aware of that. I think my years of listening to movie trailers and even some classical has prepared me to do this IF I wanted to.

But again, the problem is, these companies want pro quality master recordings. My production skills, while better, are nowhere near that level. So it's doubtful I'd ever get anyone to take any of my music. If it was just a matter of writing, I think I have a chance. But I'm no producer.

[jancivil]

Yeah, mastering. It can be pretty cheap but you may send some money down the tubes trying to find what works for you.

[toonertik]

Don't have to move to LA to do library / production music:

https://www.soundonsound.com/music-busi ... sic-part-1

Have you read the article? It clearly says professional quality masters. Composing is one thing (I think I can compete there) but while my productions have improved, I am far from creating a professional quality master. According to the article, this is a must.

So now, we're back to the same problem. I need to find somebody willing to make a finished master recording of all these songs that I'm going to be sending to these companies.

Sure, I can try doing this on my own, but it's unlikely that I'll get anywhere. I've been rejected by a "crap" site like Audio Jungle. So what chance do I have with a major company?

ermm... did you read the article.. it is about Library music

"Library music, also known as ‘production music’, is created mainly for video professionals working on TV shows, movie trailers, advertising and more. It’s not written for specific visuals but, instead, to (hopefully inspiring) album concepts, and distributed around the world where it can end up being be used in random ways. For example, for many years my highest-earning track was a five-second boom sound buried in a French Polynesian news theme, while my artistic opuses made peanuts."

This is not songs...
When I made advets and did sound for documentaries this is what we used... and YES, It has to be finished usable "mastered" standard for broadcast... this is not the same as song writing for submission for other artists to perform.

BTW, back in the 70's and 80's I did work with songswriters.. but they were, for the most.. singer songwriters.
The one thing I have got from this and other thread posts, wags, is your attitude to co-operating with others...
I worked in live and studio (as a paid pro.. ie, is was my sole income) and all work was a team work.. co-operating and working as a team.

Had I thought I had songs worthy of being performed by an professional artist.. I would have PAID for studio time to have my work performed by session musicians and even targeted at a particular performer... and as others have mentioned.. it is SO much about networking.
I can only imagine how much studio time all those VSTs would have bought...
Luck.. yeah, we all need luck... but one thing I have seen in life is that we can make our own luck...
sitting at home waiting for lady luck...
or out on the trail .. blazing the jungle, cutting YOUR path...
the choice...

[debra1rlo]

I need to find somebody willing to make a finished master recording of all these songs that I'm going to be sending to these companies.

Willing? Good luck, they tend to want to be paid for their services. Though, really, it's not much. My boss at the studio I work at charges $30/song. Slightly lower per song for an album. He produced Meredith Brooks' Bitch, among other things, so I think he qualifies as pro level. See, not outrageous $$ by any stretch.

[vurt]

be nice to debs, shes got contacts

[debra1rlo]

be nice to debs, shes got contacts

There's a gold record in our studio for South Park-Chef Aid CD too. "Chocolate Salty Balls" FTW!!!

[JoeCat]

Don't have to move to LA to do library / production music:

https://www.soundonsound.com/music-busi ... sic-part-1

Have you read the article? It clearly says professional quality masters. Composing is one thing (I think I can compete there) but while my productions have improved, I am far from creating a professional quality master. According to the article, this is a must.

So now, we're back to the same problem. I need to find somebody willing to make a finished master recording of all these songs that I'm going to be sending to these companies.

Sure, I can try doing this on my own, but it's unlikely that I'll get anywhere. I've been rejected by a "crap" site like Audio Jungle. So what chance do I have with a major company?

Yeah, I read the article, but I'm not familiar with the mastering skills of everyone on KVR

I also replied to your post recently on another thread concerning this topic viewtopic.php?f=1&t=529089&start=30.

I've heard your stuff and some of what's on the library sites; I'm not convinced you can't do it.

And, somewhat counter-intuitively - they typically want production quality masters for demos, but usually do their own mastering for product and want mixes - it's a fuzzy term now, mastering (especially considering streaming service requirements), but in general, some two-buss processing is always necessary to "gel" a sound, but you don't need to professionally "master" like you would for vinyl, etc., to get a consistent sound.

My band never really mastered our album (since we produced the tracks separately and have not gotten around to mastering as a whole), and certainly didn't master specifically for the different streamers (Tidal, Spotfy, etc. have different requirements), and are quite successful.

Don't sell yourself short. And summing up my other post - produce less, and spend more time on perfecting your best work. You don't need to be writing the next Marvel trailer, but you might at least get to put your skills to some good use!

[wagtunes]

Know what? I'm gonna give this library music thing a shot. Worst case scenario, I'm no worse off than I am now.

So after I finish my current CD (have 2 songs left to do) I'm going to start working on my library music CDs. The article says 4 CDs a year, 12 songs each one.

Is there any place I can go to hear examples of these compilations so I have some idea what companies are looking for?

I'm going to give this a real honest effort. Worst they can do is say no thanks.

[Unaspected]

Nice work, JoeCat.

And, Wags... It's great to see you motivated!

be nice to debs, shes got contacts

There's a gold record in our studio for South Park-Chef Aid CD too. "Chocolate Salty Balls" FTW!!!

Hehe. I remember that. Christmas number one in the UK.