General Music Chat

We did a three song audition in Nashville recently.
Thought I would share the E-mail response we received.

Hey Guys, You did a great job! Thanks for coming out, I hope you had a great time in Nashville.

Keep in mind, i'm saying this in the best possible way I'm not trying to sound mean! haha

Song 1
The intro was extremely awkward. Not sure it was important and confusing why you felt it was so important to start over once you realized it wasn't on point. You should ax this part.

Guitar tones sound pretty good.

Drummer, it harder, hitting softly makes people sound like beginners. Get a bit of rimshot in your snare hits.

I know that its a very hard setting to act natural but you need to play the same if you are playing in front of just me as you do in front of 1000 people. BUT you look a little tense, you need to loosen up. I would recommend video taping your rehearsals and go back and watch it and see what movements look good and what looks awkward. Here is the thing, even the least talented person ever, is really good if they are confident. Confidence makes a good artist great.

This song doesn't really strike me as a radio friends song. The hook isn't really strong enough but I do enjoy the up tempo.

Song 2
Cool band name, good idea

I like the talking, but summarize. Short sweet and to the point.

We like the vocal at the beginning of the song. Your tone sounds great.

Okay this song has some decent ideas it.

Have all your transitions scripted between songs so that you don't lose your audiences attention.

Song 3
You do a good job of lifting in the chorus, good work. Its just a matter of getting better hooks for your songs. They aren't bad right now or poorly executed, they just aren't that strong.

Look around and connect with each other as a band more, the audience wants to know that you are best friends and you love playing music together.

Work on the entertaining aspect of your show, if people just wanted to hear the music then they would save their money and just listen to your cd. Be creative on how you are going to entertain your audience.

Keep writing, you have some pretty good songs right now. The most valuable thing that you can have as a band is good songs, and good writers. Anyone who is in a band can play covers, but it takes AMAZING talent to bring amazing songs to a venue. You need a huge hook in your songs. A part in your songs that I will not be able to get out of my head, that everyone wakes up thinking and in the shower singing...make since So keep writing and practicing! You are on the right track!!

I will continue to bring you up in label meetings that I have coming up and will let you know if someone seems interested. But also, be sure to let me know if someone reaches out to you. Sometimes I just give them your info to connect with you on their time so that we don't have to keep running through me

Okay so here is the deal. After all is said and done you are on the right track, playing out, hard working, your heart is in the right place and we all want to see you grow. The BEST next step for you is to get a great product. We need to get your songs up to par, but also the production of your songs to be able to send to radio.

Please don't take this the wrong way, for where you guys are right now no labels are interested in signing and investing. That doesn't mean anything though…so don't' worry.

We are interested in helping you out. We can't offer you a "deal" per say however we can help you with recording costs. Would you be interested in working something out?


Kind Regards

George, was it a country music producer who said all that? or was it a gospel music guy/gal?.. I can't hardly believe they would have you drive to Nashville from Texas, since a tape or CD in the mail would have been cheaper to get a critique.. years ago, when I was really into writing tunes I sent off some cassette tapes to publishers in Tennessee and most did not even respond.. one guy that did send my tape back with a response, said a certain tune of mine was "too corny".. it did not take me long to give up songwriting for the most part, why work your azz off only to be denigrated..time after time.. there was a band named SAGA back in the 1980's that had a hit or two, and listening to them (their spokesman lead singer?)on Casey Kasem morning top 40 countdown kept saying you have to write 100's or 1,000's of tunes to even have a chance getting a homerun hit.. that is when I really gave up.. I will never work hour after hour for a possible no reward.. I need to be rewarded even with average things I have done..

6 nuggets of truth in there. ...In my opinion.

Beyond the critique... Are they offering something or are they selling something?

That was a thoughtful and professional critique. If that guy wants to work with you all to help you develop (and not suck you dry of money) I'd consider it.

Talbot

Nashville is one of the toughest possible markets, but I wonder how much of the whole thing was a way to get you there so they could offer a recording 'deal'.
What songs did you do? Some good advice regarding songwriting - HOOKS! It's something that needs to be strived for when writing lyrics (and surprisingly wasn't covered nearly enough in the Berklee class I took). I'd suggest your songwriting team try to join a local songwriter group (or form one!) as the advice from non-bandmembers can really help.

We played RAIN FOR DAYS, ARMY OF GOD ( new arrangement ) and YOU GUIDE MY WAY
There was a panel of three 'judges' whom wrote critique on both music and presence.
It was a good trip. We had fun. We witnessed of Jesus Christ not only in our music but to folks along the way.
We might consider 'working' with the cat whom was interested in us, but we have other opportunities to investigate this season.

Funny thing, with the exception of the bit about our drummer ( I like that he plays with finesse not just pounds the skins like a baboon ) we had pretty much critiqued our performance the same way.

We have work to do . . . and we are going to do it.

Positive take-away from the whole thing!

Just my opinion here, but it reads like notes they were making during the performance.
They also mentioned at the end that they are willing to work with you and it ends very positive, that's better than a kick in the jewels!

Indeed AV

Long time no see.
Good to hear from you.

6 nuggets of truth in there. ...In my opinion.

Beyond the critique... Are they offering something or are they selling something?

My thoughts exactly. Some very useful critique and maybe their studio is a little quiet right now and they would love to work with you for a fee.

From listening to the demo tracks, I think your songs have merit George. Things I would work on? More hooks as he said, and really lock in the groove from the downbeat. Too often the drums and guitars drift away and the groove gets lost. My 2c. Keep Rockin!

Thank you for the input.
Much appreciated.

let me read my CL reply from a dude forming a country band from scratch, and then I will either cry my eyes out or get er done..

It's easy for us to throw the word Hook around. Easy to say, hard to do.
I think that if you can make parts that are interesting to you, yet still pleasing to outsiders, then you're in a good place.

This article is actually pretty good.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_(music)