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STRATEGY FOR THE DAY: Be kind to humans.

I spent yesterday at the Taxi Road Rally - the annual songwriter conference hosted by Taxi.com - doing some one-to-one mentoring and group mentoring. There were many, many talented, dedicated songwriters there and it was a pleasure to be able to meet and talk with a few of them. I guessed (and I was right) that many songwriters would be interested in information about submitting songs to film and TV. I put together a list the night before the Rally with links to useful articles on the internet, info on music libraries where songwriters can submit, and talked about the kind of music that music supervisors are often looking for. Here are a few items from my list...

Music Supervisors are looking for songs that sound like what's the charts. This is a big one. If you are serious about getting your music into film and television projects, remember that no director or producer ever told a music supervisor, "I want music that sounds dated." (Unless the movie is a period piece in which case they'll use real music of the era.)

They usually can't get what's on the charts. It's expensive. Record labels like to save their hits for big, major studio films. So music supervisors are always looking for affordable, available music that will create the same mood. Independent songwriters and artists can offer a reasonable price and a one-stop licensing deal.

If you have a list of music supervisors (The Film & Television Music Guide from MusicRegistry.com is a good one.), be sure to send an email first. Ask if the music supervisor will accept your material. Include any track record you have. (You've been on the charts at Garageband.com or Broadjam.com. You've been a finalist in a song contest. You've placed a cut on a local TV or charity compilation CD. Any review quotes from a source that's not your mother.) Provide links to a place where your music can be heard so they can check it out!

If you are offered a deal, be sure to have it looked over by a qualified, knowledgeable music business attorney. With regards to music libraries, try to get an non-exclusive publishing deal that allows you to retain total control of your copyright.

HERE ARE SOME USEFUL LINKS

**** Get airplay and build your track record:

MusicSubmit.com - submits your music to online radio stations, podcasts, and reviewers. You do the follow-up. Time consuming but affordable.

GarageBand.com - upload your songs and enter the competition. Work your way up the charts. Do some reviewing yourself. It's VERY educational!

**** Submit your music to music libraries:

Global Graffiti - A large and well-respected music library. This link will take you to their submission guidelines. Well worth checking out if you have broadcast quality demos or an indie CD.

LukeHits - A good guy who works his tail off for indie artists and makes a few bucks for himself. Definitely worth checking out if you have broadcast quality demos or an indie CD. Be sure to read his submission guidelines before mailing your CD!

**** Here are links to internet articles with information on film and television music usage. Some are a couple years old but the info is still relevant:

Reel Money by Skip Adams available at the Electronic Musician magazine web site.

Money for Your Music: The Cold Hard Facts About Music Licensing by the G-Man available at Music Biz Academy.

Want To Get Songs Into Film & Television? - Here are helpful tips from a group of music supervisors on the ASCAP web site.

Don't forget ...

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL SOLO ALBUM MONTH! The gauntlet has been thrown down. Anyone up for the challenge? You write and record a complete album during the month of November! It's not a contest; it's a personal challenge. Here's the web site with the rules and info: NaSoAlMo. Could be fun. Could be hell. I'm tempted! I really am but I'm not crazy.

The album must be at least as long as Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" at 28:22. (This is from the web site, honest.) Thanks to Evan Shurak for passing along the info.

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Read A Brief History Of Love Songs by Robin Frederick at the Sound Experience Music web site.

Copyright 2006 Robin Frederick. All rights reserved.