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In a recent Billboard article that was nationally syndicated to newspapers, the "flavor of the moment" Katy Perry talked about her background as a song critiquer for Taxi and made an insulting remark about the quality of the songs and seemingly demeaned Taxi as well. I don't have the article in front of me and cannot recall the specific remark, except to remember that it smacked of elitism and angered me greatly.

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I don't think TAXI should be held in such high regard as to be immune from scrutiny, ridicule, or especially opinions.

I welcome everyone's opinion - especially opinions coming from insiders.

Too bad you can't remember what was said.

John


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As I recall, her comment was just rather phenomenally dismissive towards the caliber of what was submitted to her as a Taxi reviewer and did not speak well to her as a human being or to the mindsets of Taxi Reviewers as a whole. I am NOT a Taxi Member and never have been, but people pay good money to have a professional (and I presume they get paid as well, how much I don't know) match their material to the needs of the industry. Her comment was something along the lines of "I was only reviewing this stuff until I got the record contract and boy was I glad to get how". It was just contemptuous and snarky. OK, so 99% of everything tends to be crap, but still you should not operate from that as a starting point.

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Here's the quote.

Quote
[After being dropped by Columbia] Perry took a job at the independent A&R company Taxi Music to pay the bills. I was sitting in a cube, listening to all this horrible music people had sent in and critiquing it, because I was supposed to be helping them get ahead in the music industry, she says. Then [former Capitol president] Jason Flom called me. That day I went out for coffee and never went back.


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I hope the majority of TAXI listeners aren't that enthusiastic about their jobs.

On a similar note:
I remember when TAXI first started doing this online thing. At that time you could use any website to link TAXI to your songs.

The website I used wouldn't register a "listen" under 30 seconds. I started getting critiques back that didn't register on my site. So I knew they were listening less than 30 seconds.

I called TAXI and was informed their listeners were supposed to listen a minimum of 30 seconds.

Shortly after this TAXI required online members to join Broadjam.com. So much for the checks & balances I had set-up.

Anyway, I can imagine some TAXI listeners cutting the song off immediately. Especially near the end of the day when they've already heard a couple hundred songs. They're only human. I can only hope they listen to my tracks with fresh ears (and for the minimum amount of time).

John

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She's right there are a lot of truly bad songs out there... I've written a number of them myself ..... Just show how good a job taxi does... to bad that it comes across like a nasty poke...




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Hello everybody,

I am sorry you got that impression from a TAXI member. It is hard sometimes to be delicate in matters like these. I wish she had been a little nicer but she does have a point no matter how she put it.
When you are in the music industry from any point of view you are involved first of all with your lively hood. Many of us who do similar things, have our own music, those of our friends, our companies, etc. involved, and while some of us do much of this for a living, most are "volunteers" or are paid a token amount to listen to a LOT of songs.
After being in the business a while (for me it is around 35 years) and particularly if you have either worked with some high level writers, artists, producers, publishers, labels,etc. you develop a sort of sixth sense for what will work and what will not very quickly. A lot of the submissions to TAXI, song pluggers, contests, etc. are frankly not very attuned to the market. Partially that is the reason they participate in them.
But many of the songs are simply not even beginning to be in the ball park, and due to the Enormous amount of songs and writers (There are about 2.5 million songwriters and wanna be songwriters in this industry) it gets overwhelming very fast. And for those who don't have a lot of patience, saying the same thing over and over and over, gets very tiring. So when you can go back to something that might be more educated, it sometimes is a relief.
At any rate, it probably should not be said like that, and you are right it was dissmissive. Please don't let that get a too bad taste in your mouth. Most judges, critiquers, song screeners, etc. are really decent people. It is just a lot of stuff. TAXI, NSAI, other orgainizations, etc. do a lot of good with ongoing workshops, critiques,etc and we all try to do our best to give out good information. But we all get a little tired too.
Personally, with me it is the overabundance of negativity and Ballads everywhere when they get turned off in publishing and pitch meetings at the intro, you can't even get them heard. and no matter how many pitch sheets are out there with "up-tempo and positive" on them, people still turn those kinds of songs in over and over again. And even though some of the biggest songs on the radio are ballads, there actually is a big difference in a "Power Ballad" (mid tempo) and an average ballad.( Plodding slow song)
So on behalf of the professional community, please allow me to apologize for some of our behavior from time to time. We can be jerks. But we mean well.

I am always at your service.

Marc-alan Barnette

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I think the figure would be closer to 2 billion than 2 million.. JMO... smile




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Obviously she is not cut out to be a mentor to aspiring songwriters, artists and composers. That takes tremendous patience, the ability to teach on the fly, in-depth knowledge, and the ability to be honest while also being encouraging.

As to the quality of music submitted to TAXI - that's exactly why TAXI is in business. Those mis-targetted, poorly recorded or badly written songs... or those mistargetted, well-recorded, good-but-not-great songs would have pitched directly to the industry reps. The job of a screener is not an easy one, trying to help the songwriter while adhering to the needs of the client & only forwarding the best tracks.

I've been to songwriting forums and the TAXI road rally and it's astounding how many songs are put in a genre box that they don't fit. It's like, the solo is a little pop, so let's put that country song in the pop box. I've heard wonderfully recorded songs that went nowhere because they lacked good form. But that's why we belong to TAXI, and SongU, and NSIA, and SAC, etc etc etc --- to learn our craft and get better at it.

I'm glad she "went for coffee and never went back". She didn't have the required skills for the job.

(I work with 28 to 32 aspiring singers a week... so I know a little of what I'm speaking of.)


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Marc,

Well said bro. I couldn't have said it any better.

Gregory Watton
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I'll have to call Laskow and get the true story, but I didn't see an actual attack on TAXI in that comment at all. I saw it as an admission of someone not up to that particular job. After years in corporate America, I know I could never go back and do the jobs I once did. It makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. But there's lots of other good people doing that work now.

As Vikki said, that is the point of their existence, to filter out the stuff that isn't good enough and to let folks know what it is going to take and how to improve what they are doing. It's a VERY tough job and it's the reason why I don't personally give feedback via our awards process. People can send me stuff that none of you reading this would even be willing to sit through. Then, when I don't give them feedback, they demand it. After this goes on a while, I occassionally reply to them do they REALLY want me to give them honest feedback even if it's not what they want to hear. Of course they always say yes. So I tell them and they go on the attack like crazed animals. I've had death threats, threats against my family, threats that my house would be burned down, threats that the reputation of JPF would be ruined.. on and on and on. And this type of crazed response hasn't always come from the run of the mill crazy person, though you'd think they must be a little disturbed to respond that way. Many times it's just someone who actually knows in their heart they're not cut out for the pressure of getting better and writing what people want or need. And that self realization can be a difficult process for some and while it is happening, they lash out. People who really have it may get turned down many many times and they just keep coming back and trying to prove they can do it. That process doesn't include death threats nor does it include writing nasty comments in Billboard magazine.

Stiff like this is EXACTLY what Taxi has to deal with every single day. Sure, not from everyone as most people are reasonable whether they are super talented or will never be good enough, but from enough people to make their work really tough. It's the reason why they went to screener numbers and not real names.

That's not to say there's never a bad screener working there and she certainly sounds like a typical bad screener.. someone who knows what they are doing, but has no real temperment to do the job completely and that includes helping entry level writers get better. Most writers suck when they start. Even truly gifted writers have to develop their skills. Some people just don't have enough talent to ever write commercially viable material. But you can't ban them from being a TAXI member and I know for a fact that Michael Laskow has given full refunds to people who they felt they couldn't help and that often angers them even more even though they are trying to do the right thing. Most of the time they focus on giving each member their membership dollars worth of useful feedback, tips and service. (Not to mention their conference is worth more than the membership fee alone). But there are still many people not willing to accept the truth or help. They've had people after receiving a refund, sign up again (and pay) with a fake name and then present the exact sames songs as if no one would notice. In one difficult case the guy made so many death threats that security had to be hired ahead of an event to protect everyone from the guy's threats. He literally killed himself the night before the event which the police told the TAXI folks about and which really shook them all. THAT is what you have to deal with when you are willing to help anyone who comes forward. And there's no other way for them to do what they do.

They provide a great service to people wanting to learn and develop the skills necessary, they provide a great service to those who are already good enough and want to expand their opportunities (since no one has all the contacts that TAXI does at one time... I've seen many hit writers submitting material to TAXI for extra income) and it's a great service to the labels and publishers because they'd never take ANY of that material because of the risk and hassle and it allows them to find only the most qualified material without all the time wasting and death threats and immense work. It even helps the people who will never have enough talent because they get productive feedback and unless they are mentally troubled or just belligerant, they will learn that perhaps songwriting is not their thing in the end. Songwriting is not easy. Not everyone can do it. And even if you CAN do it, it's STILL not easy because supply of stuff good enough STILL outweighs demand by 1000 to 1. We see it in our awards all the time.

So, I read that comment, as someone who has been there and done that with music submissions even more than the TAXI folks (we get more submissions to our music awards than TAXI gets all year for what they do) and I don't find anything negative against TAXI at all. In fact, it highlights how desperately the industry needs TAXI.

Michael Laskow and his team should be highly praised for the work they do. It's why I get so annoyed by attacks, usually from ignorant people who can't bother to learn the truth, or people who are deluded and think they are ready when they are not and who have gotten angry because TAXI actually told them the truth and like that Nicholson quote in a Few Good Men.. they couldn't handle the truth.

So don't sweat it Joel. But thanks for sticking up for TAXI and for the writing community. Most writers are great people who just want test the commercial waters or learn to write a better song. It's sad that a few bad screeners not up to the task and some mentally unstable people without enough talent to improve have to try and ruin it for a lot of others.

Brian


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One more thing... even when someone seems to be WAY off the mark, they CAN get a LOT better. There was a writer that sent us some really awful material year after year. It was clearly in the bottom 10% of everything we go. There was nothing good about any of it. He kept writing though. And each year he made some improvement. By the 5th year of sending us stuff, it was really pretty good and at least in the middle of the pack or better. By the 6th year, he finally figured it out and he started finding success. In his 7th year, he started getting some small cuts, he put a band together (he couldn't sign) and hired session guys to sing the songs for him and they sounded fantastic and exactly what the commercial industry was looking for. He was a fan of a particular sport and and wrote a song that ended up being used by that sport and which propelled him and his band to national TV spots live. He also got several other recognitions around this time including winning his first songwriting award, which happened to come from JPF. At that time I shared with him my early doubts as to whether he had enough talent to do what it took. I actually apologized to him and said I really wasn't sure he could ever get there, but that he'd really taught me a lot over the years that a great songwriter has to start somewhere. He told me not to feel bad. He said that everyone else around him all those years told him how terrible he was and that he should give up songwriting or that they told him the opposite that he was great just so they could steal his money. But he told me that I was the only person who just told him the truth, but didn't ALSO tell him to stop. He said it was my continued acceptance of him, good or bad, that kept him going and that because of that, he was able to lift his abilities to the point of fulfilling his dream.

Sadly he has since passed away. But it's still a message I haven't forgotten and one of the best compliments I've received. Just be honest with people, but respect them. Some will still be irate and offer up death threats when you tell them the truth, but most won't. And some will use that truth and honesty as a rudder to steer their ship in a more positive direction. I think that is what TAXI and many other people out here trying to help the music community focus on doing every day. And sometimes when you do it right, it can have a profoundly positive effect on someone's life. But it's not always easy helping others if they aren't yet ready to truly accept the help in the first place. Some are cut out for that and others aren't. And even those of us who are, we can get annoyed just like everyone else.

Everyone is stupid about something. Try to fix a car, run a marathon, heal a sick animal, proof read a set of instructions, ring a cash register with coupons and a check that won't clear, bake a wedding cake, fix someone's leaking plumbing, cut a tree down without injuring anyone or knocking down other trees, catch a fish in the deep sea, pass a law that will make people's lives better without ruining too many others and write a commercially viable song. How many of those things do you think YOU could do without looking STUPID? Now imagine trying to do them with someone insulting you and telling you that you're too stupid to try? Anytime I get frustrated by someone's musical effort, I think about that and suddenly it's no big deal. Perhaps the worst music we've ever gotten in 11 years came from a respected heart surgeon. I'd much rather have him working on my heart than Diane Warren.

Food for thought.

Brian


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I can't say that I'm familiar with Ms. Perry, and perhaps she could have worded it better, but I understand her feelings. And I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that she tried to screen properly.

One of the nice things about TAXI, from when I was a member, is that the screeners are identified by a number. After several submissions, I had learned that some were better than others. I built up a relationship with one of them by using their($10?) critiquing option on a few songs before I would submit them to the Listings.

The $50 total for those in depth critiques saved me a bundle from going overboard with $5 pitch submissions for songs that just weren't ready.

As for Ms. Perry's time at TAXI...I am trained & certified as a Telephone Installation Technician and truly enjoy my work...But back in the '90's after relocating, all I could find was a Temp Job cleaning and refurbishing old telephones. I was getting paid roughly $5.00 per hour to clean phones, with a toothbrush, when I knew that I could be making $15.00 per hour to install 'em.

It was torture!!!..So I guess that I can identify with her sitting in the cubicle listening when she knew she should be performing.

Fortunately, at least from my experience, most of the screeners do a pretty decent job..Although I did run across one complete id'jit once, but that's another story.

Midnite


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If it were true that TAXI have so much trouble with poor songs, why do they not raise the bar, then?

I would pay double, just to be sure the screeners were really listening (and had a window with a view, where they listen).

They could keep the review service at the current subscription rate, and have a quality stamp 'approved to pich' on songs they think are ready to move up to the 'pitchables'.

I hate to waste time, and we frequently pay to avoid that in western culture. Like for commercial free tv, records ect.

But of course, I understand Kate Perry too. Primarily because she by that job were forced to work with everyone elses stuff, while she needed to work on her own to break through!

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Magne,

You need to learn more about TAXI as your comments appear to suggest you don't really understand what they do. In short, they are screening music for publishers and labels and TV and Film supervisors who are looking for songs, but aren't able or willing to accept submissions from the masses. So they post an oppportunity to their members who can submit material they think is right for the listing. If the TAXI screeners find a song that fits the needs of the their clients (the folks running the listing) they forward it directly and notify the TAXI member that it has been forwarded directly to the decision maker. If they do not think it fits the pitch (could be that it's just not well done, or that it misses the mark on the listing such as being a country song when the listing wants a pop song etc.) they do a critique and offer feedback on why it didn't make the grade. So they already do exactly what you want them to do. That helps most members adjust their techniques so that the next time they are closer to the mark. But some will keep sending the same poorly written songs no matter what refusing to take no for an answer and refusing to improve on those songs or send something different.

We got 42K albums totally over a half million songs this year for our awards. We eliminated 60% of the material in Round 1. Of the Top 40% remaining, I have received comments and complaints from some judges that they are finding material that is weak. Well, they didn't even hear the bottom 60%. Imagine if they had to screen all of that as well? Who do those comments come from? None of the Industry professionals. They come from peers with no experience screening music or fans who know very little about the realities of dealing with a large community of musicians and songwriters and the diverse levels of talent and career development that comes along with that. Most fans only hear the radio and stuff that has been hyper filtered. Few appreciate a developing talent, no matter how promising, let alone someone who falls short. In the case of this judge, she clearly did't "get" it and it's good for everyone that she moved on to something she obviously has a lot more talent to do. Her comments weren't necessarily untrue, but they were short sighted and it's clear she didn't understand, or simply didn't like, working with developing songwriters. It's not a skill that everyone has, no matter what their talent level is.

I've said for years that I avoid dropping names of our famous judges. Sure, we have a lot of them. But being famous for being an artist or songwriter alone doesn't mean they are a good judge of musical talent. It also doesn't mean they are well suited to sort through all levels of songs, good and bad, and have the energy and focus to identify the keepers. In fact, I've seen just the opposite many times in the past. Some folks have that ability and others don't. Ms. Perry obviously didn't have that talent. That's fine. But making the comment that she did said far more about her than it did about the people she was screening.

It's also important to note that there's a HUGE difference between writing a GREAT song and writing a song that will be accepted by the masses. Those two things have less in common than we all wished they would. And it's not simply a matter of saying "give them the great song and they will love it." That shows naive thinking but I hear it a lot from artists and songwriters who just don't know any better. Think of a genre of music you love. Now, choose a specific song in that genre that you think is FANTASTIC. Now, if I play that song, as fantastic as it is, for someone who doesn't love that genre of music, most of the time they won't like it. So being great doesn't mean anything if you aren't serving the target audience. That is what experts in commercial music are faced with doing. I know many A&R guys and Radio Programmers and Publishers and others who make a living picking music that can sell to a wide audience and entertain a wide audience on the radio enough to keep listeners tuned in. Those folks have a stack of music they LOVE, but would never put forward because it doesn't fit the commercial need of the audience that is targeted. But they still love that music and totally respect the artistic quality of it.

Every year in the awards I find music I truly love that no one else seems to care about. It's always a bit heartbreaking to me. But I see the results, I know they aren't fixed and it's educated me to the reality and the difficulty of appealing to more than 1 person. That knowledge is also why I beg artists to focus on a small number of passionate fans who love what they do and serving them rather than worrying about appealing to a million people. Some artists are able to do both. Most are not. Taxi is tasked with pleasing the people who run the listings so that they are happy with the results and continue to offer up new opportunities so that their other contigency, their songwriter members, have a direct link to having their targeted music heard by decision makers. It's a tough gig and they do it better than anyone else.

Brian


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Hey Marc, I'll be GLAD to take her job! 25 years experience in the biz, 5 studio albums, and 2 years on the radio screening local music, and an unrepentant "music addict". Give me a shout!


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Great posts, Brian. I'm going to bookmark this one & refer people with questions about TAXI here.

Believe me, Magne, the bar is already *very* high at TAXI. It took me 3 years to get a forward and 3.5 years to get my first deal, in 2007. Even then I remained the 'return queen'. But I tried to listen to the screeners and learn from my peers. In 2008 I signed 4 deals. I just signed another 5 tracks in January 2009 & am waiting to hear on 2 more. My "internship" as a long term TAXI member, willing to listen & learn... is paying off.


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We all have a chance to grow, if we're willing to learn.

I'll give you a hint...When I first started writing songs, I wasn't exactly the greatest writer in the world. Actually, I'm still not the greatest writer in the world. BUT, I did learn and I did grow and I did get better.

If you were to compare my current writing talent to 12 years ago, you'd see a BIG difference.

Just because you may not be ready today, doesn't mean you can't be ready tomorrow.

Greg

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Hi Folks,

As promised I went directly to the source Michael Laskow and he sent me this reply and said I was free to post it verbatum, so I am doing so below. I've always made an effort to go to the source when things like this come up. It's too bad that Billboard didn't do the same.

Brian
-----------------------------------
From Michael Laskow, CEO and Founder of TAXI:

Hi Brian,

I saw the Katy Perry article Billboard article and dismissed it as media hype on Katy's part. It sounds dramatic to say that she worked in a cube, went out for coffee and never came back -- actually not true. Okay, so our screeners DO work in cubes, but really nice ones with comfy chairs. Kind of hard to put as many as 18 people at a time, each in a private office. We're not THAT big ;-)

BTW, our A&R people only listen for four hours or less at a time to keep them from burning out. And whoever posted that 30 second thing is wrong. We require our screeners to listen at LEAST as far as the bridge so they hear ALL the elements of the song. People might be surprised to know that songs are often heard all the way through and screeners go BACK to RE-listen to certain areas as they write the critiques.

BUT, back to Katy Perry. What she failed to mention is that she thanked me on at least two occasions for "...helping [me] pay my bills while I work on my next (first record got shelved) record," and "Thank you so much MIchael. I love what you're doing here. It's helping a lot of people."

The part of Katy's quote that was overlooked, "...because I was supposed to be helping them get ahead in the music industry," At least she got THAT right :-)

Here's the more interesting part. During the months that Katy Perry worked at TAXI (June 2006-March 2007) she listened to and personally selected/approved music from our members to be forwarded to companies like Atlantic Records, ATO Records (Dave Matthews' label), Capitol Records, Byron Gallimore (produces Faith Hill and a dozen other huge country artists), top music supervisors, SEVERAL top production music libraries, a top TV production company, a top producer, the manager of a platinum level act, and to my very favorite publisher in the entire Film/TV world. And while she made have indeed heard some music that wasn't great, Katy forwarded music from TAXI's members on exactly 117 occasions!

I've enclosed the Excel spreadsheet that shows the details. You can verify for your readers, but please don't publish the doc as it shows some private information.

We all know it SOUNDS cool to say that you left some horrible job and got plucked out of your cubicle to become a star, but the TRUTH in this case was somewhat less glamorous. Katy had good ears, industry qualifications as a signed artist and songwriter, was smart, bubbly, had a great work ethic, and got paid $30/hr. to listen to our members' music and find the stuff that was good enough to make it over the bar and be forwarded.

In short, she did a good job, seemed to enjoy her time at TAXI, and told a "fib" to make herself sound cool in the press. Big whoop -- no surprise.

I'm sending the enclosed spreadsheet to Billboard to remind them that as "journalists" they have a responsibility to check FACTS before they go to print. I can almost understand why Katy would dramatize her "dues paying" story (sadly at the expense of our members' reputations) because it makes for a "better" story. I can NOT understand why a publication like Billboard would risk its credibility by not checking facts. "Hello, this is Billboard calling. Can you verify that Katy Perry screened music at your company? For what period of time? She states that she heard a bunch of horrible music there... can you verify that? Did she in fact go out for coffee and never come back?"

That's what the press is supposed to do. We ASSUME they do, but don't be fooled for a second. We're not in Kansas any more.

Go ahead and print or post this if you'd like. Thanks for letting me know that your members were talking about it.

Warm regards,
Michael


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Where do I sign up, Micheal? {Only HALF kidding!}

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Thanks Michael, for giving us the facts!


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Thanks Brian for your thorough post!

Actually, I'm signed up with TAXI myself, so all I wanted to promote was that I hope their screeners feel comfortable and happy when doing their job, as that helps me in the end to have professional listeners to my songs.

I felt that the Perry story somehow implied that the screeners had a hard time working there, so that was the trigger for my comment. I have no business at all bashing TAXI, as they provide outsiders like me with hope and excitement about my future course of actions in the music business. Even if it only stays with that, I'll die happy.

So.. Im pleased to learn you have such a great relationship with ML, that you are able to get this correspondance across. I feel honored that tou are doing such a great job on the JPF members behalf, Brian!

And.. It feels good to know first hand, that the TAXI screeners actually are happy doing their job, and that the organization is professional all around.

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Referring to Michael's remark about the person that mentioned the "30 second" issue being wrong. Of course that was me.

I almost felt like Michael was calling me a liar (though being accused of being wrong isn't quite the same thing.), but in fact, I know it was indeed a fact.

First off; I've made some legitimate contacts through TAXI that led to some good TV placements. And I thank them for what they do.

However, I wouldn't for a moment give TAXI (or any business) a blank check on the accuracy of the facts (or for that matter, have blind loyalty for any company). They're human just like the rest of us. And they make mistakes.

Maybe Michael truly believes all his listeners follow the rules to a tee, but I'm sure, just like any boss, he can't keep tabs on all his employees every minute.

I personally highly recommend TAXI. I've defended them on several threads through-out the Internet.

Just wanted to clarify the 30 second issue.

Best, John


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John,

Well, there's also the possiblity that you're wrong. He does this as a living and I've never heard a similar complaint about them. I am sure that you're convinced you're correct and that's fine. But if I had to choose between one or the other, I'd give the benefit of the doubt to TAXI on this one. There are always legit complaints about any company, but I've seen the screeners working first hand. I also know quite a few of the screeners past and present. Since they have to write critiques most of the time for the material that is rejected, it's logical to believe what Michael is saying as I doubt anyone could listen and write a critique in less than 30 seconds both. I will say as a screener, that it's easy for me to figure out that a song isn't cutting it in 30 seconds. But I couldn't write a critique that fast. Another scenario is when you know a song is good enough and you go ahead and move it forward in 30 seconds and then there's no need for a critique anyway. But if you're now calling TAXI and Michael Laskow a liar, sorry.. I've known him personally for 11 years and I've never known him to cover up a problem or shy away from it. He's called out bad screeners in the past, but you suggested some type of systemic problem that just isn't true and I know that from direct observation as well as first hand discussions with many screeners.

We'll have to agree to disagree it appears on this one.

Brian


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Well her comment or not, I wouldn't listen more than 30 seconds on one of her songs. I really don't like her music at all, but millions of people do so I guess I am the one that has defected ears.

Who can figure what people want. I admire those that wade through all the music people send in and write. It has to be a hard job for sure. And she can continue to write and perform songs that I won't listen to .. more power to her I guess. But as we all know, 15 minutes of fame can be pretty tough to handle when it is over


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This is a hard one to call.

I've been a Taxi member for the last year. This year I won't be re-newing my membership. Why?

Simple.

I've learnt a hell of a lot from Taxi, over the last year, their attitude is spot on, and professionalism is secound to none. The simple fact is, that if you don't have the time and the effort, to put the work in, and realise what the current professional standard is, then they cannot help you in any way.

They get "wannabies" by they truck load. They filter out what is not appropriate for a listing, and foward what is relevant.

If I ever had the good fortune to be a musical director, I simply wouldn't be bothered with a "cattle call". I'd go to Taxi to do it for me.

On my part, I'm simply not prolific enough, and that focused enough, to be a commercial musician again. Taxi is about being a commercial musician, and that takes DAMN hard work, even to get a look-in.

The detractors have never had to write a piece of music "on que", have never had to sit in endless, mindeless meetings, have never had to spend ( and waste ) time with "creative genius'es" eg. from the fashion industry, have never had to go over, and over and over again, a simple vidio / to music mix.

For what it does, Taxi is what is is. Tough, and with high standards for what is acceptable.

Would you like to be a Taxi screener ? Heck no ! Sh*t of a job, and with no thanks.

Don't kock 'em. Can you do any better ?

cheers, niteshift


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Wait a minute Brian! I never ever insinuated Michael Laskow was less than honest. I have much respect for Michael. You don't have to defend his integrity with me. That's not in question.

I'm sure Michael has no way of knowing every moment of every screener's activities. This incident is one I've had a direct experience with.

Michael is speaking generalizations. And I'm sure he's correct from his position (and I agree with him); that on a whole his screeners are very efficient (and fair) at their job. No doubt here.

But to think this could never happen (with the enormous amount of submissions), is living in fantasy land.

I give two thumbs up to TAXI. They're great! I'm not the enemy here - but is it really a good thing to deem TAXI infallible and above honest observations by its members?

Best, John




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I think people are making way too much of her comment. It is easy to understand how frustrating it would be to listen to thousands of songs each and every week. We know by statistics alone, that most of them are not hits.

I don't feel it reflects upon anything other than a person's frustrations regarding her job. People do it every day and no one bats an eye. Why so much noise over this?


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The problem is, Heidi and John, that if you have 100 positive comments and 1 negative comment, the negative one sticks more than the 100 positive ones. That is a fact. John's comment implied that TAXI screeners spent less than 30 seconds screening songs and that when they switch technologies he could no longer track that fact. It has all sorts of negative connotations. I suggest that years ago (and it was YEARS ago before TAXI started using Broadjam which they've since left to do it on their own site, the technology in general was unrealiable and has ZERO connection to how things are done today and for many years since the example given. It's such old data and one anecdotal example and that is so irrelevent that the only possible point of making the comment was to leave a negative image of TAXI. I think it was very irresponsible and served no useful purpose. Nevertheless, Michael addressed it and John still felt the need to defend the attack. I think he's wrong. I want it to be CLEAR that TAXI screens songs fairly and his anecdotal comment was at best, outdated info on an outdated technological sampling.

Is TAXI perfect? Nope. But they do NOT screen unfairly and for only 30 seconds.

Brian


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Originally Posted by Brian Austin Whitney
if you have 100 positive comments and 1 negative comment, the negative one sticks more than the 100 positive ones. That is a fact.


An absolute fact. I deal with it in the restaurant business all the time. People can rave about you all they like, but that isn't nearly as powerful as one little diss. Blammo! It hurts business.

I bend over backwards to fix the smallest mistakes. It's life or death for me.

And TAXI is a sensitive issue in this case because so many people fear they are getting ripped off when they don't get their masterpieces forwarded. They get hammered on a daily basis, sometimes intentionally by competitors. What really impresses me is the many mindblowing ways Laskow has responded over the years to criticism (including this one). He once turned a harsh online critic around with an invitation to tour the place with him. The person who took him up on that offer eventually went to work for him, and also posts here. She's pretty darned cool herself.

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The problem is, Heidi and John, that if you have 100 positive comments and 1 negative comment, the negative one sticks more than the 100 positive ones. That is a fact. John's comment implied that TAXI screeners spent less than 30 seconds screening songs and that when they switch technologies he could no longer track that fact. It has all sorts of negative connotations - Brian

The implication was nothing of the kind Brian. I only mentioned an experience I had with TAXI before they moved to Broadjam. It was a fact. So, if there's one negative comment for every 100 comments, the negative should be just swept under the rug???

Besides, I've given TAXI far, far, more positive comments. I've also defended them on several threads through-out the web. I guess those are the ones that go unnoticed.

This is America. I think we all should have the right to speak our minds. Or is that just a little old-fashioned thinking of me.

In closing; this is your website, so it's definitely your option to ban anyone that states an opinion contrary to what you believe. If that's the way it is, so be it - but that will be contrary to everything I believe.

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I think I was better off when I was Johnny-Boy. Since I've become John Lawrence Schick, things have gotten rough.

Can I change my name back? Maybe just John-Boy? Only kidding.

Peace, John





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I still think that all Katy did was to complain about her job. I still don't understand the noise about that. People like to make mountains out of molehills.

I'm sure every one on these boards has complained about their job once or twice. So, why attack someone else for the same thing? I just don't get it. Am I missing something?

If a waitress at Denny's complained about her job, should we attack Dennys?

Just because a job complaint comes out in print, doesn't mean that the population who reads it should give it more energy than what it really is. It was a simple job complaint. Geeeeeesh!


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Originally Posted by John Lawrence Schick
I think I was better off when I was Johnny-Boy. Since I've become John Lawrence Schick, things have gotten rough.

Can I change my name back? Maybe just John-Boy? Only kidding.

Peace, John






See, that new name would never have worked on The Waltons.

"Good night, John Lawrence..."

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Heidi,

I totally agree. This topic has been blown way out of proportion.

I won't add any more fuel to the fire. I'm a lover (that's music lover), not a fighter.

Mark,

Funny you mentioned "The Waltons". I have quite a collection of The Waltons on DVD. I love being transported back into that era.
Yeah, I know, it was the Great Depression, but I think what this Country (the World) is in store for is going to be even worse.
There I go again, that's John Lawrence Schick talking. It's certainly not Johnny-Boy.

John, John-Boy, Johnny-Boy, John Lawrence Schick, whatever...

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If you ever do comedy, you could be John Lawrence Schtick. grin

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Mark,
The "schtick" comment is right up my alley!

John, (Johnny Boy, John-meister, John-O-Rama....)
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet!" At least ya' got 'em goin' with this one! LOL!

Heidi


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"In closing; this is your website, so it's definitely your option to ban anyone that states an opinion contrary to what you believe. If that's the way it is, so be it - but that will be contrary to everything I believe." John Schick

John,

You're doing the same thing to us that you did to TAXI. You are making a flippant comment that isn't true and that others reading this post might mistake for our policy. We don't ban people for disagreeing with us. We never have. In fact, we've probably banned fewer people than any other large message board on the net.

4 people to date have been banned and in all cases they were banned for threatening and harrassing other members and after multiple warnings they wouldn't stop, leaving us no choice. 4 of 17,000 is miraculous on an open internet message board.

People disagree with all sorts of things here every day. If I banned people who disagreed with me on something most of the folks on this post would already be gone. It takes a huge effort to keep something like this so open and so friendly to people of all viewpoints. Frankly your comment is not only wrong, it's deeply offensive.

"This is America. I think we all should have the right to speak our minds. Or is that just a little old-fashioned thinking of me." -John Schick

Actually it seems to be YOU who wants to shut people out of speaking their mind. Your real problem seems to be that I didn't let your comment go unanswered. I spoke up and went directly to the source and got a factual response to all the issues being discussed, including yours. You seem upset that I let Laskow respond and that I also spoke my mind. You're the one who turned it around and went on the attack and made the statement suggesting we would ban someone for disagreeing. You're the one trying to quell speech here.

If I see anyone saying something I know to be untrue, I am going to get the facts and dispute it. I'll point out when you're wrong like your banning comment. It suggests a policy that could easily be mistaken for the truth by an outsider.

As for 100 positive comments and 1 negative, if it's true, so be it. If it's false, it needs to be corrected. If there is disputed viewpoints, then all views should be shared so folks can make up their own minds. If I have to choose between you and Michael Laskow on how things work and what screeners do at TAXI, I am going to believe Laskow. People visiting this post can make up their own mind. You had your say, I had mine. That's exactly what you want right?

Brian


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"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Okay Brian, I see we'll never touch first base here.

For the record; I think this website is wonderful, and I have tons of respect for Michael Laskow (and TAXI) - always have. I didn't realize I insinuated anything to the contrary. I was just mentioning an experience I had.

Best, John

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Re 30 seconds. Listening to a bad song for more than 30 seconds does not make the song any better it just hurts your ears more. That said if people are paying for a service to get their song pro critiqued or pitched then it should be done properly even if the song sucks. I can usually tell after only a few seconds if the song is any good but if I am doing a critique then I listen to the whole song regrdless of how good/bad.
I agree that in the real world not every employee of every company follows the rules...some will take shortcuts and with something as objective as judging songs mistakes occur. However whether one listens to all or part of the song it is inevitable that some slip through the net.
Some of the top chart stuff I would switch off after a few seconds as being awful in every way. I have also heard songs that will never make it that IMO are far superior in every way to the crap that is in the charts.
This business is a rat race and the best does not always get a fair chance. Life is like that. It is up to us songwriters and musicians to do our best and hope we get the breaks.

I do not know much about Taxi but from what I have heard they generally are fair and do a good job. But nothing is perfect.

This girl who felt that her stuff was way better than the songs she had to screen is probably right. On the other hand some songwriters and her fellow screeners might think that their stuff is way better. There are mega stars who I do not rate and minnows who I think deserve a lot more recognition. Taste can be a funny thing.

Bottom line is if you are doing a job then take pride in what you do respect the customer and do your best for them. What goes around comes around. Fame usually lasts and instant. You need all the help you can get both on the way up and the way down.

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Originally Posted by Brian Austin Whitney
"In closing; this is your website, so it's definitely your option to ban anyone that states an opinion contrary to what you believe. If that's the way it is, so be it - but that will be contrary to everything I believe." John Schick

John,

You're doing the same thing to us that you did to TAXI. You are making a flippant comment that isn't true and that others reading this post might mistake for our policy. We don't ban people for disagreeing with us. We never have. In fact, we've probably banned fewer people than any other large message board on the net.

Brian


For starters..

John (who I don't know), is doing no such thing to Taxi or JPG. You're playing your pathetic spin games again because you're so used to having your head stuck so far up Michael Laskow's A$$ you're immune to the stink. John spoke to his real life experience with Taxi and as is your MO, when you don't have the morals and balls to ask the tough questions of Taxi, you instead cower to your master Mr. Laskow and insult your own members.

As for the Katy Perry situation. Michael Laskow didn't clear anything up, just applied some typical spin. Nothing he said contradicted what Katy said. Katy Perry being a TAXI screener in the first place should tell EVERYONE the "qaulity" of people screening your music. Miss Perry is judging others writing ability??????? is this a joke? Talk about terrible songwriting and music.. and she's supposed to be some sort of expert? lol.

You are a sad pathetic man and TAXI is a frick'n joke. And all you suckers out there who buy into it are the sheep they pray on.

Good day suckers..

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Well I think Katy Perry has the prettiest eyes in the music business. That's all I have to say about that.

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ViViv is actually Katy Perry. I just thought everyone should know. She is just having a bad stretch after getting kicked off of Sesame Street. The put downs about KP are just to throw everyone off the true scent.

Kevin


"Good science comes in peer reviewed journals. Conspiracy theories come in YouTube videos. "
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Who's Katy Perry? For that matter, who's ViViv?

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Originally Posted by ben willis
Who's Katy Perry? For that matter, who's ViViv?


I heard it was Linda incognito but no clue about ViViv.

Kinda weird. This post is 18 months old.

Me thinks this person doesn't think very highly of Brian. smile


Bill
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." --Thomas Jefferson didn't say it

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For the record, the content of the critiques I received from TAXI indicate that most of the reviewers had listened to my submissions the whole way through. Or else they have ESP and can predict last verses and endings.


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Disclaimer: I've been a TAXI member for a little over two years. I've only had 3 songs "forwarded", and they were all for one listing, "classic country".
ViViv: It's "prey on", not "pray on". If you can't even spell, why should anyone here think that you're not the "shiit" (excuse me, the "sheep")? Polly, here's a real troll for you.
I'm an active member on the TAXI forums. One of the more valuable forums on the site is "peer to peer", where just as on this site's MP3 forum, people critique each other's work. You do not have to be a TAXI member to participate in these forums. You would be pleasantly surprised at the credentials and achievements of some of the people who take the time to give feedback there.
Very recently, a young lady complained about her rejections from TAXI screeners. Not only did she get feedback and encouragement from forum posters, she got feedback from Michael Laskow saying that he thought one of her songs could be a hit!
This is typical of Michael. He does really care, and you can't fake that.
The gods kissed Katy Perry. Or, some connected producers did. She doesn't realize the difference?
Ott

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Aw Gee,Well, Shucks,

If i'm reading this post correctly, It seems the Young Lady in question ripped some, or several songs she critiqued at TAXI.

The Publisher I work with basically said the same thing about most of the songs he received for Publishing. Most were poor quality recordings as well as not much up to PAR for pitching to Producers.

The message is, if you are going to submit songs to TAXI or a Publisher do make sure it is at least in the Ball Park.

I have no doubt TAXI gets a lot of songs that are not ready for the Market. Write a Hit!


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Well, I want to thank ViViv for bumping up this old thread; it's been fun to read.

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As an artist/writer/producer that once used TAXI I can say that for what they do, they can provide a great service. Initially I was warned that I shouldn't join, by Brian. He felt I didn't need it. During my time with them I got a good number of forwards for listings (apparently a pretty high average). However I got no deals out of it.

I did run into trouble at one point where they had clearly mixed up my review with someone else's material. They took responsibility for the mistake and extended my subscription. Then properly reviewed the song. Good on them.

I had been to the TAXI offices on many occasions. I lived close enough that I could drop by to hand in submissions. It's as they say, cubicles in an office. Each person was there listening with headphones. That's what they do.

While my experience with TAXI didn't net any deals and I was warned I didn't need them. I still feel they provide a great service for those that do. It's unfortunate that the press doesn't check facts. I suppose they figured they were getting the straight dope from the singers mouth.


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