Taxi Music Forward - Cover Version of "Hallelujah"

Gave this a shot, and "scored":

MUSIC LIBRARY U-R-G-E-N-T-L-Y needs COVER VERSIONS of "Over The Rainbow" (often referred to as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”) from The Wizard of Oz, and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. They’re anxiously waiting to hear super creative, original interpretations of these Songs to pitch for a particular TV show. Please check out the links below to hear a few different versions of the Songs: “Over The Rainbow” by Judy Garland: http://bit.ly/1hMnDUR “Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: http://bit.ly/1kj0yIx “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen: http://bit.ly/1dPV0ag “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley: http://bit.ly/1eBwreY Your Cover can literally be in ANY GENRE and ANY TEMPO! This is your chance to get creative and give us your twist on these classic Songs. You can submit stripped-down acoustic versions, OR over the top productions with lots of bells and whistles. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Covers with male, female, duet, group, A cappella, etc., vocals will all be considered. Your vocal performance should be Top-Notch, and do a great job of conveying the emotional essence of the Song.

Taxi Music Forward - Cover Version of "Hallelujah"

Taxi Music Forward - Singer/Songwriter Song (Fun, Happy, Positive)

Bought a ukulele. Wrote a song. Recorded it. Pitched it. :)



The pitch called for:

FUN, HAPPY and POSITIVE, SINGER SONGWRITER SONGS that could be heard on the same radio station as A Fine Frenzy, Jason Mraz, Sara Bariliees, Ingrid Michaelson, Matt Nathanson, etc. are needed by the Owner of a busy Music Library. He specifically asked up for songs with a positive message. Songs with a sincere and honest approach in the vocals will help grab this guys attention. Lyrics themes can focus on love, life, relationships, etc. This is a film and TV pitch, so please be sure your lyrics are universal.

Taxi Music Forward - Singer/Songwriter Song (Fun, Happy, Positive)

Taxi Music Forward - 70's Style Singer/Songwriter

I had a rough mix on my desktop (ie: track not finished but close), and being as I was on the road, this is all I had to submit.  Whadaya know - it was forwarded on for further consideration to the publisher. Yay!

This was for:

ACOUSTIC-BASED, 1970s style SINGER/SONGWRITER SONGS that have the timeless quality of songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, etc., are needed by the Owner of a Production Music Library pitching to a multitude of Film and TV opportunities. He's looking for songs that have an honest and genuine sounding vocal, with lyrics that are universal and engaging. Instrumentation can range from a solo guitar/vocal, to a more developed acoustic-based band sound.

Taxi Music Forward - 70's Style Singer/Songwriter

Taxi Music Forward - New Age Instrumental

Yanni I am not.  But it was nice to get a nod of recognition by getting this track moved on to the next step of possible usage.  The pitch called for:

NEW AGE INSTRUMENTALS as calming and tranquil as any Yanni, David Arkentsone, or David Lanz track are needed by the Owner of an incredibly successful Music Library. We just started working this company a few months ago. They’ve got tons of placements in some of today’s hottest TV Shows, Films, and Commercials. Your tracks must be engaging and compelling from beginning (no long intros please!) to end through use of sophisticated grooves, creative sounds, and an interesting arrangement. They’re looking for melodic instrumentals that will leave the listener feeling as though a sense of peace has gently washed over them. We’d advise that you stick to one central motif, and keep it moving forward by adding new layers and interest as you go. All tempos will be considered. 

I and my primal screaming self (who you hear way down in the mix) submitted this:

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Taxi Music Forward - New Age Instrumental

Taxi Music Forward - Classic Rock

The pitch called for:
GUITAR-DRIVEN RIFF ROCK INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Publisher who’s placing tracks in an upcoming Feature Film. He’s looking for virtually ALL styles of Riff Rock for this one. Quoting the Publisher: “Classic Rock like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin will work. Current Rock like Jet, or The Hives will also be cool. I’m even open to aggressive Heavy Metal and Grunge, as long as there’s a big juicy guitar riff on the track. The most important thing is that the instrumentals have an edgy attitude that will work in both suspenseful scenes, and in action scenes.” He wants your tracks to sound like authentic band songs, not like under-sore that has been composed for scene. 

I had just the track for it!

Learn how to get your music noticed at ReverbNation.com

I modeled "Ocean Strut" after this song. Perhaps you've heard it?:

Taxi Music Forward - Classic Rock

Taxi Music Forward! - How Kitschy!

Got a Taxi Music Forward!  Yay, for kitschy retro crime jazz!


Here's what I had to go on:

MUSIC SUPERVISOR for a REALITY TV SERIES needs kitschy CRIME JAZZ and LOUNGE INSTRUMENTALS a la John Barry, Lalo Schiffrin, Peter Thomas, Keith Mansfield, David Holmes... DOWN to MID-TEMPO tracks will work best. They're looking for instrumentals with a distinctly RETRO vibe. James Bond-style brass would be nice but is not necessary. You can go DARK and a bit SINISTER but it needs to have a bit of a SMIRK. They're not looking for an epic Morricone-style Spaghetti Western score. Your tracks must be at least 1:30 long.

This was fun to do. Trying to get the feel from the Dirty Harry film soundtracks and the work of composer, Lalo Schiffrin.  Had a limited time frame as usual to put something together. I happen to love this old stuff.

Taxi Music Forward! - How Kitschy!

Tracks Signed!

Everybody - Fist pump!

Well, it's official!  I've signed a contract with a publishing library on four of my instrumental tracks.  If (When!?)  placed these will most likely show up on some sort of Reality TV show or "Access Holywood".


This my first deal specifically dealing with television music as oppposed to prior placements in YouTube commercials, web site music, non-profit video brochures, etc such as I've listed on the "News" page.


This is not really my forte, by I was willing to give writing this stuff a try.  You can hear three of the short tunes below (dancing shoes optional):

Tracks Signed!

Taxi Forward - Urgent Entertainment News! - Sounds Like?

It's always good to get a bit of good news when you're not feeling up to snuff from the flu.

Got the results of another Taxi Music pitch of mine that was forwarded.  In short, the listing called for:

ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION-type INSTRUMENTAL CUES a la shows similar to Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, etc., needed by a Full Service Music Publishing Company with a great working relationship at a Major Network for use in multiple shows! They're looking for short cues of 60 seconds or less - think "bumpers" and transition music! They said, and we quote: "The key word often used for the music we want is 'urgent entertainment news'."


Click on the music player to hear my....creation "Celebrity D&B"



We'll see what happens"!

What is Taxi?  What is a "Forward"  Click HERE.

Taxi Forward - Urgent Entertainment News! - Sounds Like?

Taxi Forward - Classic Rock, Rocks!

Recently got the email news of another Taxi Music Forward instrumental!

Two bands mentioned in the pitch were Aerosmith and Kiss, so went for some sort of classic rock feel on this one.

Click on music player below to hear "Kiss This Way":

free music download from Steve Probst

I was so clever in coming up with a title, wasn't I? ha ha.

What is Taxi?  What is a "Forward"  Click HERE.

Taxi Forward - Classic Rock, Rocks!

There's Goes Sebastian.... to Italy "Parte Tre x 4"

...Part 3 x 4 = Are you getting tired of me posting these YouTube commercials by Renault Italy utilizing my infamous track "There Goes Sebastian"? Just reporting the news, folks. :) Might as well buy a Renault. I'm half Italian, you know.

There's Goes Sebastian.... to Italy "Parte Tre x 4"

There's Goes Sebastian.... to Italy "Parte Due"

...That's "Part 2"

I found two more YouTube commercials posted by Renault Italy using my track, "There Goes Sebastian"!  (I shared the first two videos HERE)

Though we've always been a Toyota family I may have to check out a Renault during our next car shopping experience - maybe get an "employee" discount? ;)

There's Goes Sebastian.... to Italy "Parte Due"

There's Goes Sebastian.... to Italy!

Was jazzed today to find my instrumental track "There Goes Sebastian" in a couple of YouTube commercials for Renault Italy!  It plays in and out throughout both videos.  I have arrived! ;)

(I previous posted about this track a while back. Click HERE to revisit that post and hear the original track clocking in at 1:33, which now plays basically twice in each of these 3 min. videos)

And to add to my excitement, it was picked up for another internet (animaton) project just yesterday!  This little track is getting a lot of mileage. Have to add these with the others on the News section.



And the other...

There's Goes Sebastian.... to Italy!

2 New Tracks, Taxi Music Forwards - from Brooding Rock to Muzak!

After "landing" in Florida (if buses could only fly) from our long cross-country trip for some shows on the east coast, got two emails about some Taxi Music instrumental forwards.  (What are forwards?  Please see this post)

The first was for a pitch for an opening theme for cable show calling for dark and brooding, sort of cross between Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" and White Stripes "Seven Nation Army".  Did a little online research and worked up this one I think in two days.

Click on the music player below to hear "Iron Nation"

free music download from Steve Probst

The next one called for a publisher looking for Muzak Instrumentals.  (It's almost scary that I had so much fun with this one!)

Click on music player below to hear "Breezy Afternoon"

free music download from Steve Probst

I'll keep you posted as to the outcome as these tracks make their way through the appropriate channels!

2 New Tracks, Taxi Music Forwards - from Brooding Rock to Muzak!

Okay, "Bring It"!

Love getting these smile-inducing emails, especially when far away from home.  I was informed of my latest forward of a new track through Taxi Music.

Was going for a Classic Rock, AC/DC feel & sound. Dialed up my Dean Evo Special in Apple Logic and away we go!

Click on music player below to hear "Bring It":

free music download from Steve Probst

Okay, "Bring It"!

There Goes "There Goes Sebastian"!

Today is the start of the first installment of new catagory, "Taxi Forwards".

Taxi Music is an Independent A&R Company that I subscribe to that screens music submitted by songwriters and/or composers like myself for TV, Film, Publishers, and Record Companies looking to place new material. You can read more about Taxi HERE.

I submitted the song below for an "Indie Pop Instrumental" listing, and one of the "sounds-like" examples was a group I've never heard of called "Belle and Sebastian".  So, did some research and had some fun!  By the way, this is just the first step in the process of getting an actual placement on a TV program.  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Click on music player below to hear "There Goes Sebastian":

free music download from Steve Probst

And as a painfully humorous aside , for those of you still reading, here's what happens when I play an energetic guitar track(s) with no pick and hence suffer for the successful artistic cause (Apologies for the blurry photo. You get the idea):

There Goes "There Goes Sebastian"!