TAXI (A&R)
Encyclopedia
TAXI is an Independent A&R
company, based in Calabasas, CA, that was founded in 1992 by music veteran Michael Laskow with the intent of helping songwriters, artists, bands, and composers get their music heard by record labels, music publishers, and supervisors of film/TV projects.
Members submit their original recorded music before the deadline date specified in what Taxi refers to as an “Industry Listing.” Every piece of music that is submitted towards the industry listings is reviewed by Taxi’s A&R team, they then make the decision of whether or not the music is on target for what was requested by the industry, and choose to either send it along to the listing company, or return it to the songwriter
. When a member’s music is forwarded onto the listing company, Taxi does not take any part, monetarily, or in the negotiations of the potential deals.
of music. The A&R team is responsible for listening to every song submitted to Taxi, and making the subjective decision as to whether or not the song(s) are exactly what the industry listing is requesting. Many of the submissions are critiqued, and returned to the member with written feedback.
Taxi's A&R team members are required to have worked as at least one of the following:
Industry listings include the type of listing company, genre(s) requested, referenced artists, deadline date for music to be received by Taxi in order to screen, and any additional relevant information provided to Taxi. The name of the listing company remains undisclosed to the member unless the material that they submitted is chosen to be sent to the listing company.
The types of companies that run listings with Taxi are:
, who signed a record deal with the Earshot division of Columbia Records
, Erik Hickenlooper and Jim Funk who had a #1 Hit called “Buy Me a Rose
,” (recorded by Kenny Rogers
) that resulted from a Publishing Contract, and Matt Hirt, who has had placements in Film and TV resulting from Taxi connections.
. Of the subforums available, the General Hangout section is the most heavily used, with over 20,000 posts. As of May 2008, the TAXI forums had over 5,900 members.
every November since 1998.
The annual event is sponsored by companies both within the Music Industry, such as Roland, Korg
, and Masterwriter, as well as others including such as Apple, Aquafina
, and others.
, Neil Young
, Cheap Trick
and others.
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
company, based in Calabasas, CA, that was founded in 1992 by music veteran Michael Laskow with the intent of helping songwriters, artists, bands, and composers get their music heard by record labels, music publishers, and supervisors of film/TV projects.
Annual Membership
Taxi has over 10,000 members in all 50 States and in over 90 countries. Members of Taxi are sent an updated list of requests for music and artists from companies within the music, film, and television industries every two weeks.http://www.taxi.com/about.htmlMembers submit their original recorded music before the deadline date specified in what Taxi refers to as an “Industry Listing.” Every piece of music that is submitted towards the industry listings is reviewed by Taxi’s A&R team, they then make the decision of whether or not the music is on target for what was requested by the industry, and choose to either send it along to the listing company, or return it to the songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. When a member’s music is forwarded onto the listing company, Taxi does not take any part, monetarily, or in the negotiations of the potential deals.
A&R Team
Taxi’s A&R team is made up industry professionals who are experts in a specific genreGenre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
of music. The A&R team is responsible for listening to every song submitted to Taxi, and making the subjective decision as to whether or not the song(s) are exactly what the industry listing is requesting. Many of the submissions are critiqued, and returned to the member with written feedback.
Taxi's A&R team members are required to have worked as at least one of the following:
- An A&R person who has worked at a major label, or a credible independent label.
- A publisher who worked at a major publishing company, or credible independent publisher.
- A music journalist with strong credentials.
- A TV or film music supervisor with strong credits.
- A record producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
who has credits on nationally released and/or charted musical work. - An artist signed, or formerly signed to a major label or a credible independent label.
- A current or former staff writer for a major publishing company or credible independent publisher.
Industry Listings
Companies within in the music business contact Taxi to request music from independent bands, artists, songwriters, and composers within Taxi's membership base. The requests are turned into classified style ads, and delivered to the members on the 1st and 15th of every month (except for January 1) via either email or postal mail "Rules Of The Road".Industry listings include the type of listing company, genre(s) requested, referenced artists, deadline date for music to be received by Taxi in order to screen, and any additional relevant information provided to Taxi. The name of the listing company remains undisclosed to the member unless the material that they submitted is chosen to be sent to the listing company.
The types of companies that run listings with Taxi are:
- Major record labels.
- Major publishers.
- Small and mid-size publisher with verifiable cuts on nationally released and/or charted products
- Music supervisors with credits/tracks in nationally released films or TV shows.
- Independent record labels that have nationally released and distributed, or charted product.
- Producers who have credits on nationally released and distributed, and/or charted material.
- Nationally distributed production music libraryMusic libraryA music library contains music-related materials for patron use. Collections may also include non-print materials, such as digitized music scores or audio recordings. Use of such materials may be limited to specific patron groups, especially in private academic institutions...
companies with song placements in major films, TV shows or commercials. - Managers with major label affiliations.
Artists
Taxi’s membership base includes both amateur, and professional songwriters. In any given year, Taxi reports that 6% of all members gets a deal through their service, but also acknowledge that the number is skewed due to members not reporting deals to Taxi. Members have signed Recording Contracts, Publishing Contracts, and numerous Licensing contracts for Film and TV placements. Some of Taxi’s most successful artists include CrossfadeCrossfade (band)
-Studio albums:-Singles:...
, who signed a record deal with the Earshot division of Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, Erik Hickenlooper and Jim Funk who had a #1 Hit called “Buy Me a Rose
Buy Me a Rose
"Buy Me a Rose" is the title of a song written by Jim Funk and Erik Hickenlooper, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in October 1999 from his album She Rides Wild Horses...
,” (recorded by Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
) that resulted from a Publishing Contract, and Matt Hirt, who has had placements in Film and TV resulting from Taxi connections.
Forums
The Taxi website has a message board with topics including “forwards,” success through Taxi, songwriting, lyrics, music business, and music technologyMusic technology
Music technology is a term that refers to all forms of technology involved with the musical arts, particularly the use of electronic devices and computer software to facilitate playback, recording, composition, storage and performance. This subject is taught at many different educational levels,...
. Of the subforums available, the General Hangout section is the most heavily used, with over 20,000 posts. As of May 2008, the TAXI forums had over 5,900 members.
Annual Convention
Taxi members receive two passes for Taxi’s annual three day convention, the "Road Rally". The convention has been held in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
every November since 1998.
The annual event is sponsored by companies both within the Music Industry, such as Roland, Korg
Korg
is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
, and Masterwriter, as well as others including such as Apple, Aquafina
Aquafina
Aquafina is a brand of bottled water products produced by PepsiCo, Inc., consisting of both unflavored and flavored water. The Aquafina brand name is also licensed for use on multiple skin care products, including lip balm and wrinkle cream...
, and others.
History
TAXI was founded on Jaunuary 15th, 1992 by Michael Laskow in Woodland Hills, California. Michael was an engineer/ producer in the 1970’s and 1980’s working with artists such as Eric ClaptonEric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
and others.
External links
- TAXI.com (Home Page)
- TAXImusic.com (Web Hosting)
- Forums (Message Boards)
- Convention (Road Rally Convention)