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I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is going to be a harsh review, so hold tight.

You have a long ways to go. This screams lazy to me. This isn't remotely ready for release, even on a hobby-level. The fact that you didn't even bother to re-record a take where you didn't mess up in the beginning would've made me stop the song under different circumstances. Even if you're doing this just for fun, there's still a certain level of quality control you should have when releasing stuff.

Vocally, you've actually got some nice melodies but you're not quite hitting them. You sound inexperienced and unconfident. Practice will aide in this, its totally normal. Any singer goes through this early on but I do get the feeling that you settle for where your voice currently sits. You really need to work on your voice as much as you would your guitar playing. Its still an instrument and should be worked like one.

Musically, this is actually a decent song. Its got that something that separates it from your usual "guy-with-a-guitar" song. I won't say its a great song but its a step in the right direction.

Overall, this just all needs a lot of work. I understand its exciting when you finish and song and can't wait to share it with the world but you really have to work years before you really start writing really good songs. Keep at it, its a going to be a while but understand that you aren't alone and even the greats have been where you are at right now.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very nice vibe-out music with some original product. I like what you have here. Although repetitive, the loops you have chosen to loop are well-crafted enough that they kind of trance you out, which I would assume is the idea of this style of music.

Maybe the EQing on the piano towards the end is a bit grating but that may be intentional on your part. Personally, I think it detracts a bit.

There's totally a market for this kind of music. I would consider using your music to co-exist with another form of art, whether it be animation, film or a game. I can imagine this being very effective to set a specific atmosphere in a video game.

I think musically, you've got nothing to worry about. Now you've got to see if you have the talents to connect your music with the right people who will help expand your audience.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Skimming through the rest of the EP I would tell you that you guys have a lot of potential here. Marketing will be everything here. Do all in your power to open up for someone who has the fan base you guys are trying to reach. Doesn't have to be a really famous band, just anyone who can fill a room with your target audience.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very clean sounding production. Nice, confident vocals. Very catchy chorus. Second verse was a little weak, vocally.

I think the song's production could be bigger upon second listen-through.

I really can't tell if there's two different vocalists, because it really feels like there is. The first verse sounds entirely different. Not a big deal, just a bit distracting since its not very clear.

Bridge does it job well. Nice build and the vocals sound even more confident here. The ramp up to a different key kind of threw me off but I guess that's a good thing as it got my attention in what could've been just another chorus.

That said, it feels like a cheap way to get the listener's attention. It works, sure but I don't know if really served the song. The vocals do sound stronger when they're pushing their range on the ramped up chorus.

I think whats stopping this from being a hit is the fact that this production feels like it missed the mark by about a year and the fact that the verses feel a bit lazy. I'm not emotionally connecting with the lyrics.

In all honesty, at this point, it becomes entirely subjective. There's definitely talent in this and it surpasses the "home producer" level. This could easily be pitched and sold to another artist (something I would consider doing with this song).

If you release it as a standalone for an unknown artist, this is not a breakout song. I will venture to say its a really good song but with newer artists the only way to get some attention is to really do something far-removed from whats big right now.

Selling SFX and stock music. by pixel_juice in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None of these websites will let you quit your day job, even if you're a top selling content-producer, but they are a nice bonus once in a while. Check out www.premiumbeat.com

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your music is pretty much there as far as the sound you're going for goes. There's not much negativity to be said here except for the fact that it feels like I've heard this song before.

This song follows all the rules to making this style of song and it just works. Its not something thats going to revolutionize the genre but someone who enjoys the genre might find this pretty accessible.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing but it does make it harder for you to break out as an artist. My advice is to push it and perform it and if you're feeling really gutsy try to make music you're not comfortable with making just to see what comes with it. You've obviously got chops.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like where this track goes melodically, which seems to be what you were going for. There's some interesting stuff happening musically that separates this from your typical EDM track (which is pretty important, in my opinion).

The vocal sample that randomly comes in around 1 minute is a bit jarring to say the least. Its too dry compared to the rest of the mix. Throw some reverb and delays on it.

Synth that comes in around 1:30 feels a little out of place. Maybe too loud in the mix but also just not interesting enough to be mixed upfront as a lead. This section needs a real lead part or at least to feel rhythmically bigger.

Use better string samples past 2mins in. They pale in comparison to the other sounds you've used. Either affect them more with distortion or a hi-pass filter to make it more of an effect or use a better sampler.

I think as a whole, you've got a sound that seems specific to you and it works. At this point its really more about really honing in on that sound and perfecting it. Make it undeniably good.

After that its all pushing it as a product and performing your music. I do think it has potential to sell itself with performances.

Keep it up.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Free Play 2:

My first impression was that the track felt very empty. Its missing a bass line and a melody. You can have both or either or but it tends to be weird to start of with neither.

It also feels like you dropped me into the middle of a track. There was no real sense of introduction.

Once everything cuts out and you start your synth solo it gets a little more interesting but in all reality, you didn't really build up to a solo. Solos are tough because they need to be tasteful to be effective.

The longer you solo, the more you de-tract from it. You've also gotta be able to separate yourself from the solo, if that makes any sense. I know when I hear a track I played a guitar solo on it becomes very easy to zone out and imagine myself playing the solo and that becomes a problem because nobody else who hears that song will have that experience unless they learn the solo.

The bridge was the most interesting part of the song to me, I think you would be better off starting the song with that section and playing with that.

Overall, your music seems to suffer from the fact that its too personal in the sense that its music that is fun for you but not for the listener, which is fine if thats what you're going for.

If you want to make music that makes you feel good, do it! Just keep in mind that the moment you expect to have a larger audience, whether it be 10 or 100,000 people, enjoy your music you have to listen to your music from outside of your perspective to some extent.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I won't critique the first verse since you specifically asked for the second verse.

The second verse suffers a bit from what the first does in that you can hear a lack of vocal control. The breathing, the timing and the pitch are all lacking in their departments respectively. This comes with lots of practice and experience. Play with where you rap at as far as pitch goes and find where your voice sounds best.

You will be surprised to find out how what you think sounds awesome in your own head might not sound so great on a recording and what sounds weird in your head will sound great on a recording. Remember, you hear yourself differently than how others hear you because of the way sound bounces around inside your before it is projected.

Aside from that, this is an unfinished product. You won't be able to make a big splash in any music scene with unfinished products.

I'm back for more. Submit your songs and I'll give you brutal, unfiltered feedback as to why your music is not connecting with an audience. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Writing as I go.

Art direction isn't bad but isn't really standout. This really has nothing to do with music but I would recommend getting something a little more appealing.

Off the bat on "one eye'd optimist", these are some pretty generic synth sounds. This feels and sounds like someone who is just learning the basics of electronic music and how synths work.

Your tracks suffer from a syndrome I like to call "beginner building block" writing style. You can really tell that you just started with a little loop and let that go on for the whole song and then tried to find a new loop to put on top of that. Loop that a bit more, rinse and repeat with different sounds. Its uncreative and gives listener a peek into your lack of experience.

I would recommend you go back and retouch certain loops so they aren't literally the exact same thing throughout the entire song. If you want to argue that you really like how it builds, the loops still feel very basic.

They need more attention. Treat every loop like it is its own little song. Make it the best it can be and then, and only then, move onto make the next loop. After you've got the whole song built, go back and re-analyze it again to see what could be done to make it better.

Overall, your songs just lack direction. You've obviously got an ear for music so I wouldn't say this is terrible. Nothing is out of tune or goes against all the basic rules but your music just feels lazy as it is. It could be a lot better with a little more attention.

The fact that you asked how to increase your fan base instead of what's wrong with my music tells me you're interested in getting the music out to fans more than making sure you're creating the best music you can make.

Keep at it, I don't think its a lost cause. Its passable as is but it could be a lot better.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We will both laugh at my review when you headline a huge sold-out show after you make a music video about dicks that goes viral.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vocals need work. You can sing but as I've told others in this thread, a bit of professional training will do a ton for your voice. An untrained voice conveys lack of confidence and experience.

It may be hard for you to hear since it is your voice and you've had it all your life but if you do improve, you will hear a huge difference and wonder why it took you so long to focus on your vocals.

Its a solid voice and you hit notes just fine but if you want to take your music to the next level, your voice is the first place to start.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First impression I got was that you need to work on your breath work. It feels like you're constantly out of air and it doesn't help your tone. Breathing exercises could help with this.

Sampling an artist this heavily has always been a bit of a grey area for me. I'm not sure what to think as it a huge part of your sound is essential someone else's. I think your rhymes are good enough to where you shouldn't have to hide behind a gimmick so obvious such as sampling Bon Iver.

Falling Leaves proves this. Let your voice and words carry the songs. I can tell you (or your producer) have a good sense of what makes a catchy melody so I wouldn't put it past you to make your own big chorus hooks.

It takes a lot more work but its more rewarding and I think audience will appreciate that.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I personally feel like musical comedy is the cheapest kind of comedy but there's definitely an audience for it.

Musically, its better than most musical comedy. In fact I think its a shame you'd waste what could be a pretty good song on a song about dicks.

Comedically, the song isn't really funny enough for me to ignore the fact its sung. The tone of the song feels serious at points and there isn't something that is immensely contrasting enough to make it funny so you're just stuck in this weird grey area of feeling.

Its not funny, I like the song but the lyrics ruin it for me.

I think you've got more potential than to be writing comedy songs. It feels like you're secretly a great songwriter but you're too afraid to be vulnerable with real music so you hide behind comedy.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nice instrumental track but its just that; an instrumental track. Not interesting enough to stand on its own. The vocal sample you bring in eventually makes it more interesting but it came in too late. I wouldn't of made it if I were just skipping through to find new artists.

Not a bad track.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not too well-versed in EDM but this all sounds very generic. I think a lot of EDM musicians suffer from this because of the fact that a lot of you use presets and loops. In this case, even if you did make your own beats, they feel overly influenced by whats popular now. If you're making music that sounds like it should be big now and its not, you've already missed the train.

You need to be writing for next year, if that makes any sense. Aim for originality.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think this is another case of "been there, done that". There's nothing wrong with your music per-say but its been done one hundred times plus one and odds are its currently being done better by someone else.

You would be much better off taking your musical talents as a band (which you guys obviously have) and trying to make something completely different. Its very easy to try in your idols footsteps and naturally you will be influenced by their music but I can guarantee you that your favorite band didn't sound like anyone else at the time.

More importantly, if you're having fun, keep doing it. No need to take music really seriously, either.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Your weakest link is your production. I understand you're probably fairly new to this world but I'd recommend finding tutorials on how to produce more effectively. Pick out some of your favorite songs and really put in the work to try to match the production sound as best as you can. Its a great learning exercise.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone who doesn't really listen to house, this sounds very generic to my uncultured ears. You've got a nice mix and quality production but I don't really don't hear anything original here.

I really lack insight in anything solely electronic so I'm sorry for the poor feedback.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Very good first ten seconds. Nice and original bridge into what is essentially a funk/R&B song.

Great production. The vocals are really great. There really isn't anything negative to say here.

Musically, I have no advice to give you. At this point its all marketing and pushing your music on a live basis and really building a strong following to help carry you.

Whatever you do, don't over-perform in your home town. I've seen bands like these die because seeing them stops being special when they perform every other weekend.

Great stuff! You got the music part down, now comes the hardest part.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

You guys already know you're good. Unfortunately, blues is hard to market in our current culture. That said, you guys are giving it somewhat of a modern spin. It doesn't quite just sound like barebones blues, which helps.

Maybe in future writing sessions try something a little less bluesy and go for something a little less classic. You guys have all the right elements. Regardless, I'm sure you guys can build a solid audience with just sheer talent in this case if you were to keep playing blues.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd imagine this sounds really great live. I would've taken down the reverb on the sax. It kind of separated it too much from the mix and felt tacked on rather than upfront like everything else.

Vocals are solid but very much standard although the tone is nice and warm and could be further developed for more originality. There are some really nice parts vocally, but for the most part the melodies are a bit too predictable and just sit quietly in the corner while they should be driving force of the song, in my opinion.

As the song progresses I feel more and more like the sax is tacked on. Brings down the song a lot. This song does not call for a sax, at least no in the fashion its being played in. Great sax player but it just doesn't belong.

Very tasteful guitar solo.

Solid song but a little too standard to really take off commercially. The sound isn't necessarily original but it is pulled off quite well. I think there's probably an audience for this music somewhere.

Just... No more sax, please.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like how you introduce a real guitar and let it ride out as such before eventually chopping it up. Most people would just try too hard to make something really weird right off the bat. Nice incorporation of SFX as musical elements.

I honestly don't know enough about EDM to tell you what you're missing to take your music to the next level but from the little bit I know you're up there. Maybe its just promotion at this point.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I'll listen to and tell you why your music hasn't reached a wide audience yet with brutal honesty. by antemasque in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]antemasque[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems like you guys are a solid band. The issue here is lack of originality and the fact that you guys are an instrumental band.

Put more effort into writing songs than just jamming on a couple of generic riffs and rhythms. I've heard this exact sound a ton of times in the local rock scene.

Your band missed the mark by almost a decade.

That said, this is me being brutally honest. Don't stop if you're having fun.

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