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Spiritbox
by Gary E. Andrews - 09/18/26 09:51 PM
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TV Drama
by Bill Draper - 09/18/26 02:22 PM
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Syd
by Gary E. Andrews - 09/17/26 09:40 PM
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Lagoons
by Gary E. Andrews - 09/17/26 01:34 AM
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Söndörgő
by Gary E. Andrews - 09/17/26 12:01 AM
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Bayside
by Gary E. Andrews - 09/16/26 01:51 AM
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I've read thru most of the big thread on this subject. The reason I'm starting a new thread is that I'm interested from hearing from anyone who has joined recently, since the beginning of the year or so.
I'm going to be joining one or the other in a month or two. I know Taxi's been around a lot longer and Broadjam is the 'little brother', which was originally a little adjunct service of Taxi. But it sure seems like it's grown.
I'm mostly interested in submitting instrumental film/ad/music library stuff and it seems like Broadjam has more opportunities. At this point, I'm leaning towards Broadjam.
Has anyone joined recently? Your thoughts about your decision making process would REALLY be appreciated!
Thanks,
Ian
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Hey Ian! TAXI's a good move, but I'd stay clear of Broadjam. Another option is to submit your music to music libraries directly, especially since you're interested in instrumental film/ad/music library stuff. Good place to start is here: http://musiclibraryreport.com/ They have a list of over 200 libraries and feedback from writers that use those libraries. The site used to be free, but now I think they charge to be a member. You could sign-up for two weeks (minimal charge). That would give you enough time to compile a list of libraries that suit you and your music. The owner of the site, Art Munson, is one of the good guys. You have some great tracks that would be perfect for underscores. Good luck, John 
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Broadjam was not a little adjunct service.. they were partners doing different things.
If you still don't clearly know the answer after all your years on JPF, then nothing is ever going to convince you of the obvious answer.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"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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I liked the system of them having to listen to people before they could see what form they attempted. Even though being clear on that doesn't mean better ratings in the categories.
But a company gaining their independence can be a good thing despite the rocky road.
Having a few people run the press has been futile.
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I don't believe one company can determine the state of "quality music".
That would be running in to the same gamut that crippled the popular music scene in the nineties.
The net could hardly be compared to club acts to begin with since not everyone is out to get rooked in a scene or has big goals.
There are people that may be liked that would not score well at that organization. So the more the merrier with new outlets and splinter outlets.
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Taxi is a company that invented offering a particular service. MANY other companies have tried to do the same, and failed to gain traction by comparison. For over 13 years, we've been talking about TAXI, pro and con (and there's been plenty of detractors, often who turned out later to be simply competitors pretending to be consumers to stack the discussion, but still losing) but TAXI has only gotten better and better at what they do and no one else has really challenged them, including those currently in the marketplace. The point is that for someone who has been here as long as Ian, he's had ample opportunity to read and read about TAXI and even about some of their many imitators over the years. So if he didn't have enough info yet to pull the trigger, it seems unlikely there's going to be something new and signficant to suddenly change the argument.
I've read all the previous TAXI posts and even participated in most of them. If we haven't convinced him yet, he must be looking for something else or he trusts no one's opinion here so asking yet again when the previous arguments (on both sides) haven't changed since the last one he already ready, what's the point? It's like doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results... we all know what that means right? = )
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"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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I don't disagree with the legitimacy myself.
There are places that someone could have an audience seemingly doing hand claps and chants to their farting the way it is in the current enviroment.
I was thinking of signing up for TAXI as a fair to midland pop musician with my own ideas. I pretty much spread my wings everywhere else.
I am a part timer with it yet there are certain songs I would like to work on and find musicians for without being in the establishment. TAXI is going to be more for musicians that are more established just as they should.
I would not want something conglomerized for what I am doing and my money would be just as good.
But I am going to feel ready when I have my most recent project done to find out.
Anyone else here use TAXI that is no full-fledged with it?
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"I was thinking of signing up for TAXI as a fair to midland pop musician with my own ideas. I pretty much spread my wings everywhere else" - R&M Hey R&M... I suggest checking out the TAXI website: http://www.taxi.com/ (very thorough). You can have a look at their current listings. When submitting to a TAXI listing you'll have to be smack-dab on the mark (and usually broadcast quality). I always considered one of their listings as a work-for-hire. Trying to satisfy the client of the listing. I've had good experiences with TAXI. Good luck, John
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Thanks John!
I don't want to hire out my services yet believe there are certain things on an instrument or area that I would like to explore. As well as doing my own stuff and trying to hone it up.
I would love to get work for hire musicians around a set of recordings.
Sounds like a good avenue to start too.
Thanks!
Matt
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Thanks guys. Looks like I touched off some nerves which was really NOT my intention. I belonged to Taxi for 2 years ending ~3-4 years ago. I tell everyone that it's not perfect but it's a good, solid service providing real opportunities.
I remember looking at Broadjam ~5 years ago when I joined Taxi and I thought there wasn't much of a comparison. But looking at their websites now, it looks like Broadjam has grown and Taxi is about the same---at least in terms of opportunities posted.
I read thru much/most of the other thread.
I honestly posted to try get the thoughts of anyone who's recently joined one or the other or both. That's still what I'd really like to hear about. Which service did you choose and why?
Thanks again,
Ian
Last edited by Ian Ferrin; 08/21/11 12:10 PM.
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"I remember looking at Broadjam ~5 years ago when I joined Taxi and I thought there wasn't much of a comparison" - IanI should add that my experiences with TAXI & Broadjam aren't recent. Don't know anything about the current state-of-affairs of either. I would wager that many of the "instrumental" film & TV opportunities from both are through music libraries. Best, John
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I'm fairly convinced that a majority of people who are unsatisfied with Taxi's service simply aren't good enough musicians and/or producers. They join Taxi expecting to have their wonderful (read: average at best) music sent to the top music supervisors with a bow and a box of chocolates with a publishing contract to be returned to them within the hours.
In other words, a lot of people are misinformed about what Taxi offers or CAN offer (partially through the fault of Taxi's marketing campaign, relying heavily on the people who have used it to make their career in producing music...and rightfully so) or are simply delusional about their talent.
I know one of the things that has kept me from joining Taxi (at least as a worthwhile investment) is I'm not a talented enough musician yet to write songs to a specific listing in a reasonable amount of time. (Also need a good amount of work on my production quality)
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I'm glad with the more I hear of TAXI not just being a one trick pony and for who is not in the circle with it. That must be an extra chore with the marketing. I forget sometimes that this is the net and the facts are not always in what is heard from someone else.
I like testimonials from every source there is doing that.
Perhaps a thread or forum devoted just to TAXI.
I have done things in places before and felt like an ass wasting time not doing what I think should have from my perceptions.
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I don't think there's any contest between Taxi and Broadjam, Ian. I have tried both, and they are not in the same league at all. It's all about giving the market what they need, so read the listings carefully, and give them just that. It's probably a good idea to follow the latest Industry listings, and then join when there are some listings that fits what you have, or plan making next, Ian. If you accept the market premise, then you are likely to get some forwards and ultimately some deals, I think Ian. You have awesome composing and production skills, so I believe Taxi should be for you. The Taxi Ustream shows are great, and there's recently been one about joining, so you could check that out: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16669108
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It's probably not worth using either if you don't have a good reason to do so - TAXI, for all it's positive qualities, still knowingly takes money from folks who ain't going anywhere, since that's the main method of generating income for these services. Broadjam just looks like a bit of a waste of time full stop (in my opinion, of course). As with all things music related, make your own plan and act upon it - and only pay for stuff you need, and which moves things along. Dan
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Magne - Thanks. That's a good post. I don't think there's any contest between Taxi and Broadjam, Ian. I have tried both, and they are not in the same league at all. I completely agree that Taxi and Broadjam USED to be an order of magnitude apart. How recently did you belong to Taxi and Broadjam? That's basically my question. I belonged to Taxi 5 years ago and at that time, I'd say your assessment was 100% correct. But now I'm not sure. That's why I posted. Peace, Ian
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Ian, I was a Taxi member this year up til summer. I now have more options to pitch my music, than I possibly can supply, so I didn't renew. I still might in the future.
I have had a free account at Broadjam for a couple years, and submitted to some of their listings, but never heard anything. I can't even tell if they are real.
Maybe I just haven't had the luck, but with Taxi there's no question about the validity of the opportunities.
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+1 on MLR, it's a great resource
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Dan,
I think TAXI is a wonderful reality check for someone who seriously plans to work hard and find success making music for commercial consumption. If that doesn't describe you, then no need to join anything at all. Just make music and have fun. If you are serious and can't even pass the bar put up by TAXI, you'll get feedback on where you fell short. Then you can at least have an honest unbiased opinion and some advice most likely from a current or former A&R, Publisher, Label Exec etc who works at TAXI to help pay the bills and/or find new talent.
I think someone on the fence should go watch the Ustream weekly free educational discussions post on TAXI's site and get a taste of their credibility, the quality of people they work with and what they offer to help people free of charge with no strings attached (except perhaps your email address, but that might not even be required).
This post pretty much matches the previous one. Nothing has changed. If you can't believe all your peers here, nor my own opinion as the founder of this site who has long partnered with TAXI when I started off very skeptical until I just went out there and found out first hand if they were legit back in Jan of 1999 and have endorsed them ever since, long before they were a JPF community partner and sponsor, then why would you be here asking us in the first place?
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"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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Magne - Thanks for that.
It sounds like you've made some good industry associations. Were these a result of you Taxi forwards?
Peace,
Ian
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It is mostly a myth that marketing sites will not cost at least something. There are online distribution sites and dj's to where at least something might be made from it if one puts themselves out there with it enough for little money.
But then there is making a life out of it.
So it is pretty much what one puts in to it.
I like my independence yet like the market concept also.
What TAXI is is an outlet for that, at least from what I have seen.
Blaming them for misfortunes with it would be like being blaming all insurance companies. Of course they want the money. But it depends on where that individual is at with it too.
I guess I will find out for myself.
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Dan,
I think TAXI is a wonderful reality check for someone who seriously plans to work hard and find success making music for commercial consumption. If that doesn't describe you, then no need to join anything at all. Just make music and have fun. If you are serious and can't even pass the bar put up by TAXI, you'll get feedback on where you fell short. Then you can at least have an honest unbiased opinion and some advice most likely from a current or former A&R, Publisher, Label Exec etc who works at TAXI to help pay the bills and/or find new talent.
I think someone on the fence should go watch the Ustream weekly free educational discussions post on TAXI's site and get a taste of their credibility, the quality of people they work with and what they offer to help people free of charge with no strings attached (except perhaps your email address, but that might not even be required).
This post pretty much matches the previous one. Nothing has changed. If you can't believe all your peers here, nor my own opinion as the founder of this site who has long partnered with TAXI when I started off very skeptical until I just went out there and found out first hand if they were legit back in Jan of 1999 and have endorsed them ever since, long before they were a JPF community partner and sponsor, then why would you be here asking us in the first place?
Brian Brian I think folks make their own goals and work towards them as appropriate - and I'm not convinced that TAXI is a 'reality check' for most people. I think it's possibly just part of the delusion. Dan
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[quote]I'm fairly convinced that a majority of people who are unsatisfied with Taxi's service simply aren't good enough musicians and/or producers. They join Taxi expecting to have their wonderful (read: average at best) music sent to the top music supervisors with a bow and a box of chocolates with a publishing contract to be returned to them within the hours. Ian, Funk hit it on the head. People who are adequate musicians at best get very pissed off because TAXI hasn't answered their dreams. I know your work and think you are certainly TAXI "worthy." As far as Broadjam, I just cashed a 4 figure check from a signing with one of their publishers. Music Dealers is good too--we got something picked up by them a few months back. Go for it--you have the chops. Zeek
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I was doing some web research to explain the different results I'm getting from broadjam and soundclick on song play activity and came upon your quite interesting forum. I have the same song hosted on both sites and have done no promotional interaction with other members and yet the soundclick posting has been getting 5 to 10 plays per day for 2 years whereas at broadjam it has only gotten 5 plays in 3 months. ( http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=specifix) The only explanation, short of a conspiracy at soundclick to keep me in the top 20, is that Broadjam seems to be more of a vanity service with song chart rankings determined more by quid pro quo interaction between members than by the tastes of independent listeners. A look at the #1 song on a few of their charts will confirm this. There's not going to be much activity on your song at broadjam without doing some serious networking among the members. Soundclick on the other hand seems to have some non-artist members who are driving their chart rankings. Broadjam is a good site but it needs a more objective means of identifying the better creative material.
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Step 12,
Welcome to JPF. As for Broadjam and Soundclick... Well... nah... not going to go there. I think you said most of what I would say Step 12. I think both sites share some of the same issues though when it comes to hits and charts.
You should come out of anonymity and use your real name so we can get to know you. You'll notice the majority of regulars use real names or at least stage names (think Elton John versus Reginald Dwight) so we get to know you as someone worth getting to know and vice versa.
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"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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I think regardless of talent, there is only so much opportunity to go around. I know plenty of unbelievable musicians and songwriters who cant give away their music.
And I have heard marginally talented people get places.
You have to be good, but you gotta be in the right place at the right time.
Taxi can work, all depends on what you can offer at the right time for the right person invilved.
I write from habit and I enjoy improving and helping others get out of the gate. I'd like to publish songs left and right but I understand there is only a few needles to find in the haystack.
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I was a member of Taxi...and was very frustrated at the fact my songs were always just missin' by this much...lol...the tag line I always seemed to hear was "eye of the needle submission" which meant the song had to be absolutely perfect in every detail. My songs recieved 9's and 10's but never were forward for that reason. Of course, that's not to say your music wouldn't be what they are looking for, just that mine wasn't. So I hooked up with a publisher who recieves 20% if she places something. As of yet, no luck there either. LOL....I'll keep pluggin though, and you should to. just pick one that feels right, and see what happens!
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Sometimes I know people with excellent music send it in and get those responses and get frustrated. But if they need something for a specific scene and your song isn't about the right topic or doesn't have a specific line they want (usually they don't exactly know what they want until they hear something that just "clicks" to them (the client I mean, not TAXI) and I've seen cases where they choose a weaker overall song than others but one or two lines, or an intro or music break just "works" for them. It is far from exact science. If you are getting 9's and 10's you must have the talent to do it, make sure you try hard to create something that fits what they say they are looking for as best you can and you are bound to break through that way. A publisher may be tougher unless they work with the breadth of companies that TAXI does, and they get to keep 20% of your song forever versus TAXI not getting anything beyond your membership and submission fees no matter how much you make.
So good news for you in that you must be making viable music and that means try working on diversifying your topics/subject matter and keep writing and recording and building your musical archive so you'll have the perfect match one of these attempts.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"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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HI, I have reviewed more about Taxi. I plan to join there soon and also try other avenues. Because it is always a long shot, you have to try many sources!!! 
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"If you are stuck in your musical composing, be unreasonable. Change your environment. If you are stuck in your lyrical efforts, instead of forcing the same old words out, force yourself to do unreasonable things." -Brian Austin Whitney
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