Last week, I mentioned that big labels can give you the most demanding feedback, but it does not mean that you have to send songs to labels only for feedback. The goal is to test yourself, and you have to make sure that your music is at its peak for you to send. However, sometimes labels don’t even answer you and, when they do, they can be vague, so what can you take from vague responses, or even get a response?
3 THOUGHTS FROM ME
1. The classic ‘Not for us’. This simply means that this song is not what they are looking for, but it also could mean that your song didn’t hook the label enough for them to consider it. When they answer like this, it’s your job to ask them how could it be better:
“Could you give me some feedback on how this song could fit more with <Label> or some examples from the label so I could check myself?”
2. No answer at all. First, have they listened to it? I always prefer to send my songs via email (only links, no attachments) since it’s more personal, and you can build a relationship with a person over the years. But, even then, sometimes there’s no answer. This means you’re not there yet, unfortunately. When labels like your song, they email right away after listening, and no response means you still have work to do until you send your next song.
3. If you get really good feedback from a label, praise the A&R who did it. Email back thanking them for the valuable content he has given you and how this helps you get better. It’s not to ‘feed their ego’, it’s to thank them for their time and effort. And, by all means, apply this feedback to your track and, before sending songs again, directly ask your producer friends if ‘this feedback’ got fixed. “Hey, label X said that my song is YYY, do you think this song fixes this issue”?
What if you don’t have anyone to send your song for feedback? Then, send it to me over here and I’ll give my opinion to you.
1 QUESTION FOR YOU
1. If I said that your song needs to “be more massive”, “be tighter”, how would you fix your song? Some possible requests/answers from feedback:
a. “Be more massive“: Either your song is not mixed so energetically or the contents don’t bring the attention that much. But, it could be more;
b. “Be tighter“: Often, having too many elements can lead to a crowded mix, which can lead to a low energy mix since no element cuts through the mix. Cleaning frequencies/elements could be a start;
c. “More energy“: Look at your low end or main elements. It could mean your main elements are not so prominent and need more volume in the mix;
d. “More balance“: Your mix might not be done yet. It means some elements are not as loud as they should be, and others are louder than they should.
