General Music Chat

I helped a Christian brother move his boss's 700 LB gun safe!
Turns out his boss was a big whig with muzak. He has connections. He asked for my music. He said he would pass it on to name I wont drop. He's the brother of a successful bassist. The advice I need is help me pick my best material to send him.

I feel like my vocals are the number one thing to showcase. I also think I should share my signature - looping. Both A Capella and instrumental.

Order is important too of course. Gotta grab his attention immediately.

Here are what I think are some highlights. Of course I'm too close to be impartial. Thus my request, gents.

"Nothing but wrong". This is with Jimmy Danger. All I'm doing is belting out the vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

"Festiva Lifting" An intense instrumental live loop with my cigar box guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg

Walking alone - looping with instruments and vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5IAQVPG ... e=youtu.be

"little wing"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKxWbDyaTOQ

"Let me down easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5PJloYN3pk

"Johnny B Goode" A Capella
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhxRVcg6AqY

I think I will also send him "Mama tried" and "Wild horses" Found in my profile here.

Please guys, tell me where I'm wrong and if you're feeling frisky you can scroll through my youtube vids and maybe something will pop up that you think is a better selling point.

THANKS in advance.

I trust your judgement...

Paul,
If I were in your shoes, I would probably send my top 2 or 3 favorites... (Not what somebody else says...unless they have a really specific strategy they were trying to convey.)

If there is a chance they get recorded, you'll be glad you did those and not the ones that you might have had doubts or uneasiness about.

However, on the flip side of that, if there is a possibility that you lose the rights to your songs, you have to weight out if you can spare the favorites or not.

Regardless, consider the favorites above all others for any venture...
just IMHO

Good Luck!

I think you should start here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg

Then here for versatility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

A third I'd pick something religious from you ACapella selections.

Best wishes . . .

They're all great, hard to pick. Of course I'm partial to the stuff you did with me, but really any of them showcase your talent. One you don't have on your short list is "No Matter What", I think you did that great. Anyway, best of luck!

Isn't muzak all instrumental? (I think of 'elevator music') I don't think you want to go with any cover songs if that's the case - unless you have already secured the rights.

Please do not give him a cover.

I know you have something original in your portfolio..use it.

Neander,There all great.Who ever does your video work and your rec/sound is very professional.Have you considered a collage of what you have posted.
That way the music professionals will get a glimpse of everything.If most of the songs are 2,3,minutes long they will get a good sense of your versatility.Anyway great work.You and Jimmy did an awesome job.The best of luck to you Neander and I hope you get the fruits of your labors,well done sir.

I like your mix Paul. A combination of covers, originals, vocal, and loopers really showcases your talent.

I wouldn't worry about song rights or someone stealing your stuff at this point. Because all of it is published and dated on youtube you are in a strong legal position. If someone wants to use one of your covers in a broadcast, they will need to handle ASCAP permissions and fees.

Paul

No matter the actual content of the songs we write - the personal ones and the ones where we project from another point of view and tell a story - the songs we create honor God.

Martin Luther wrote that a shepherd or carpenter honored God in their work and so do you and I.

So choose the songs you thing are your best work. Because your best work honors God the most.

Talbot

Paul, they want to hear the hook. They want you to get to the chorus .
There are thousands of voices and songs to listen to. My advise, pick 3
completely different style songs. They are only gonna listen to the first 30-40
seconds anyway. If it takes you longer to get to the hook thats a negative to them.

Been through it.
Good Luck[/b]

I'd show him these 3 in this order.



1. This one showcases your playing and a unique talent with looping

"Festiva Lifting" An intense instrumental live loop with my cigar box guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg



2. This one showcases your vocal ability combined with looping.

Walking alone - looping with instruments and vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5IAQVPG ... e=youtu.be




3. This one is so different from everything else you do that it almost confuses the issue of who you are. Still, it's pretty good and another side of you

"Nothing but wrong". This is with Jimmy Danger. All I'm doing is belting out the vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

I'd show him these 3 in this order.



1. This one showcases your playing and a unique talent with looping

"Festiva Lifting" An intense instrumental live loop with my cigar box guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg



2. This one showcases your vocal ability combined with looping.

Walking alone - looping with instruments and vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5IAQVPG ... e=youtu.be




3. This one is so different from everything else you do that it almost confuses the issue of who you are. Still, it's pretty good and another side of you

"Nothing but wrong". This is with Jimmy Danger. All I'm doing is belting out the vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

I agree with Yod on this one! Sorry I didn't read this post yesterday. I saw it but didn't notice it was from you Paul. You are such a level headed guy I just didn't equate you and advice needed!

Paul,
If I were in your shoes, I would probably send my top 2 or 3 favorites... (Not what somebody else says...unless they have a really specific strategy they were trying to convey.)

If there is a chance they get recorded, you'll be glad you did those and not the ones that you might have had doubts or uneasiness about.

However, on the flip side of that, if there is a possibility that you lose the rights to your songs, you have to weight out if you can spare the favorites or not.

Regardless, consider the favorites above all others for any venture...
just IMHO

Good Luck!

Thanks, I think
I would have to sign away rights to an original.

I think you should start here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg

Then here for versatility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

A third I'd pick something religious from you ACapella selections.

Best wishes . . .

Thanks George!

They're all great, hard to pick. Of course I'm partial to the stuff you did with me, but really any of them showcase your talent. One you don't have on your short list is "No Matter What", I think you did that great. Anyway, best of luck!

I thought about that Jimmy. As you can see "Nothing but wrong" made the short list. It has been said here that our collabs are better than each of our solo work.

Isn't muzak all instrumental? (I think of 'elevator music') I don't think you want to go with any cover songs if that's the case - unless you have already secured the rights.

Turns out his boss WAS a big whig with muzak.

I have heard that having your stuff posted online secures you. The date is there.

Please do not give him a cover.

I know you have something original in your portfolio..use it.

"Nothing but wrong" is original. Jimmy wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics and melodies. "Walking Alone" is original. My friend Nathan Hunnicutt wrote 3/4 of it. I wrote the rest. "Festiva Lifting" is mine.

Neander,There all great.Who ever does your video work and your rec/sound is very professional.Have you considered a collage of what you have posted.
That way the music professionals will get a glimpse of everything.If most of the songs are 2,3,minutes long they will get a good sense of your versatility.Anyway great work.You and Jimmy did an awesome job.The best of luck to you Neander and I hope you get the fruits of your labors,well done sir.

I do all of my audio and video work except for a few not posted in this thread. Thanks!

I like your mix Paul. A combination of covers, originals, vocal, and loopers really showcases your talent.

I wouldn't worry about song rights or someone stealing your stuff at this point. Because all of it is published and dated on youtube you are in a strong legal position. If someone wants to use one of your covers in a broadcast, they will need to handle ASCAP permissions and fees.

Great info! Thanks!

Paul

No matter the actual content of the songs we write - the personal ones and the ones where we project from another point of view and tell a story - the songs we create honor God.

Martin Luther wrote that a shepherd or carpenter honored God in their work and so do you and I.

So choose the songs you thing are your best work. Because your best work honors God the most.

Talbot

We use our God given talents to work and play for sure. Totally agree there. Great insight. Thanks!

Paul, they want to hear the hook. They want you to get to the chorus .
There are thousands of voices and songs to listen to. My advise, pick 3
completely different style songs. They are only gonna listen to the first 30-40
seconds anyway. If it takes you longer to get to the hook thats a negative to them.

Been through it.
Good Luck[/b]

Solid, thanks. Thinking about doing the collage like Joewillplay suggested. I could get straight to some choruses that way. Maybe do a 5 song collage as the first link. Then link some full songs. I know it's a totally short attention span thing I'm up against.

I'd show him these 3 in this order.



1. This one showcases your playing and a unique talent with looping

"Festiva Lifting" An intense instrumental live loop with my cigar box guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg



2. This one showcases your vocal ability combined with looping.

Walking alone - looping with instruments and vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5IAQVPG ... e=youtu.be




3. This one is so different from everything else you do that it almost confuses the issue of who you are. Still, it's pretty good and another side of you

"Nothing but wrong". This is with Jimmy Danger. All I'm doing is belting out the vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

Thanks Yod, I'm leaning toward getting in and out. Less is more. He can delve into my youtube if he gets more interested.

I'd show him these 3 in this order.



1. This one showcases your playing and a unique talent with looping

"Festiva Lifting" An intense instrumental live loop with my cigar box guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cUlKKw ... wMBJ-5cGyg



2. This one showcases your vocal ability combined with looping.

Walking alone - looping with instruments and vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5IAQVPG ... e=youtu.be




3. This one is so different from everything else you do that it almost confuses the issue of who you are. Still, it's pretty good and another side of you

"Nothing but wrong". This is with Jimmy Danger. All I'm doing is belting out the vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x63Nc0c7CJA

I agree with Yod on this one! Sorry I didn't read this post yesterday. I saw it but didn't notice it was from you Paul. You are such a level headed guy I just didn't equate you and advice needed!

Lol!! Thanks for the compliment Jeff! You are one of the ones I thought of specifically when I posted!

Seriously thanks all!

Here's another twist to the story. I was with this guy when I met the former muzak guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X99tI7VVgU4

The guy talked to us and asked us both to send something. For several reasons I dragged my feet. Mainly I doubted it would go anywhere. Well the guy's guy called my young friend Sam right away. He gave him a brutal, kind, helpful, accurate critique. So now I'm playing catch up. I hope it doesn't bite me.

Hey NP!

All your stuff is pretty damn good, you are a monster player and have a great voice.

It would actually help to know not exactly who the material will go to, but what capacity that person is in would make a huge difference in what I would personally advise to send him- Clearly it's not muzak, so is it a label guy from a christian contempary, or someone from a commercial R&R label? Or maybe an indy label, specializing in folk?

I'd send 3 different packages of your stuff to the above depending on that answer. If you are looking for the strongest song you have, I think it's easily "let me down easy", but I also would have to agree that sending covers might not be the best idea-