Side Effects

We first posted Side Effects two and a half years ago (man, it do fly). I remastered it and created a video last year but never re-posted it — actually I forgot about it

I’ve not thought much about pitching music but on a lark I recently uploaded some songs to songtradr.com. FWIW, I think they have an interesting business model (some info about them is at the bottom of this post).

A couple of weeks ago they posted a request from a film company that was looking for a “sensual, soft, jazz vocal driven track to replace Norah Jones.” I thought of this song and, what the heck, I uploaded it and submitted it for review. It got “shortlisted” by the ST staff and later was selected to be in their final songs to be submitted to the music director of the requesting company (where it can reside for some time as they often request songs far in advance). Will it get licensed by them? I very seriously doubt it. But we were stoked to “make the finals” given the thousands of submissions. I hope this doesn’t come across as horn tooting as it’s not at all… we thought the process might be of interest to the forum community.

And with the power of BiaB you could quickly create a production that meets an expressed need.

So….having gone through the above process I then realized I had not posted the video and, well, here it is. A little upbeat whimsy and If I haven’t worn you out, as always, we would love to hear from you. Thanks for your time.

Vocal: Janice/Rodes NT1/Blue Icicle USB/Logic Pro X
Guitar Lead: Tom Adams (www.tommyadamsmusic.com) Thanks Tom!!
Bass: RT 1392 Jazz Ballad SW Very Simple / Neutron
Piano R: RT 2167 Country Swing SW / Neutron / 140 EMT Reverb Sim
Piano Solo (fills): RT 2047 Country SW /Neutron / 140 EMT Reverb Sim
Drums: RD Blues Rock /Neutron / 140 EMT Reverb Sim
Guitar R: RT 566 Blues SW / Amp Sim via Logic Pro X / Neutron / 140 EMT Reverb Sim
(All RT's and the Drum Track were comped from multiple regens)
Mixing: Logic Pro X
Mastering: Ozone 7 Adv

Songtradr info:

As mentioned I think they have an interesting maybe unique business model. The basic plan is absolutely free for around seven song submissions per month (additional submission credits are dirt cheap). What separates them from the pack is that you can submit to the posted request that you think your music fits. They will accept unlimited songs from you as long as you own them and you don’t have to undergo a review process just to get it listed in their catalog. Post it, then submit to a requester, and then if you make it through the two tiers of Songtradr reviews it gets sent to the music director of the entity that requested, e.g., film, tv, advertising, etc. And the information you furnish allows those in need of music to find your song even if ST doesn't feature their request. On the free plan ST gets 30% if the song gets licensed. Google them and you can find positive press. But with startups they may be gone next week

They also request instrumentals. As with vocals BiaB is a wonderful tool for rapid creation of genre specific instrumental requests.

Side effects

I get side effects from you baby yes I do
Yeah they come from hanging round you
Maybe I should have read your label cause
When you're away they make me blue

I get side effects every time you walk by
They always make me feel oh so high 
Maybe I should have read your label cause
My heart flutters when you catch my eye

I get side effects when I'm in your arms
They come on quick and set off my alarms
Maybe I should have read your label cause
I get dizzy when you turn on your charms

I get side effects when you call me sweetheart
when you say I'm yours they always start
Maybe I should have read your label cause
They run my temperature right off the chart 

Come on baby give me some side effects

Thanks for the re-post, I missed this first time around.

This is great, love the groove. Janice sounds wonderful as per usual, and Tom's playing is right on the money, also as per usual! Killer job on the mix too.

Thank for the head up on songtradr, looks like an interesting place, and cool that your song is in the running for a film! Best of luck with it.

Such a great listen! And cool video...

Everything you guys do sounds as pro as it gets.

Janice never misses a beat. (well, if course..)

Tom's playing in this is exceptional.

The mix and mastering are... masterful!

Hope this makes it all the way!!!

fj

Wow, this is incredible! I can't stress enough how flawless of a vocal performance this is. Every note is hit perfectly, and there is so much soul behind it. I can absolutely hear where a Norah Jones comparison might come from.

Great work on this - thanks so much for sharing

Well congrats on having the song move towards a professional status. I think you and Janice have some songs that should be getting radio play they are that good.

This song is no exception. Super laid back tune. Sultry vocal and Tom's guitar work is exceptional..

Bud and Janice,
Cute lyrics, great groove to the backing and, yes, that is a "sultry" vocal performance. I can hear why this would get the attention on songtradr ( your info is very informative and useful to many here).
Not blowing your horn at all- but you could with just about all your songs!
Best of luck in that final round.

Robert

Thanks Dave. Glad you got a chance to check it out. I appreciate the mix comments. It was one that I thought would be worth a remix with the hope that I've undergone some sonic growth

J&B

I was not with the company two years ago, so this is my first time hearing the song! I'm glad I got to hear it at all, and am really grateful that you reposted it.

It's such a smooth song, and when I think about the criteria you mentioned above for your entry—while your song was made before they put out the call—that criteria is all I can think about now!

Sensual; smooth; jazzy, just like you mentioned.

It's totally a perfect fit and I can see why you got short-listed. That on its own is a great feat! Congrats. Can't wait to hear the next one, old or new!

Congrats for going for it and hope it gets on!!! Terrific sound. Excellent job by all! BTW, I really like that rope heart that opens the video - small thing but it's really cool.

Janice, Bud & Tom

Song has been described so far as:
Killer, exceptional, masterful, pro, incredible, sultry, sensual, smooth & terrific.

That about sums it up for me!

Peter

Janice, Bud & Tom,

Kudos! This is simply wonderful - pro all the way! Janet is always the best friend a song can have. Great picking by Tom, Janice sounds as classy as always and the mix has the "Bud" touch - and that's a good thing!

Good luck with the pitch and congrats on making to the final review. Several years ago I got a cut on a Gypsy Jazz documentary in the UK. It's quite a feather in your hat when that happens - and the money spends pretty good, too!

Best to you - sounds like a winner to me.

Alan

Support from "The Man" is indeed gratifying!

J&B

Deryk, thanks for the time to listen and comment. Janice was all smiles when she read your comments! That was very nice of you and we appreciate it.

Bud

J&b, Tom, everything about this production is wonderful! Above all, Janice's vocal, IMHO, is this the best I've heard so far from you all! And that is saying something! The production doesn't get any better than this! Your mix couldn't be any better and Toms playing, well it just sounds great! Congrats on getting some buzz on this 'cause you deserve it! Take care, Torrey

I will repeat my comment on YouTube here:

such a cool song, vocals, solo guitar and very cool video! You guys did it again ;-

Rob

Sounds very pro

so nice and smooth, great guitar work in there

enjoyed the video, it added to the overall experience

super vocal, nice mix

first time I've heard it I believe

Enjoyed the listen!

Kenny

Hello, Janice & Bud, Tom

A very orthodox blues!
Janice's vocal has a tremendous expression.
Tom's guitar is also splendid.
Wonderful collaboration!
Great mix! I think Neutron is well active this time as well.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks Scott and, yep, Tom nailed that guitar track. It really brought the whole tune to another level.

J&B

The usual high standard has definitely been reproduced again.

This is really neat, the song has class, with no side effects.

Excellent job. Congratulations to all of you.
Great video.

Sergio

We appreciate that Robert. This was the rare one that came together quickly.
Thanks for checking it out.

J&B

Thanks Ember. We’re glad you felt that way about the song fitting the request. I guess Songtradr folks made it through Janice’s southern accent! We always appreciate your comments.

J&B

Thanks Josie and we’re glad you liked the rope image. We also felt it worked well. We try to put a lot of thought into the images to hit a sweet spot where they support the lyric without distracting from it.

J&B



Thanks Peter!



Thanks Alan. Given that we have no idea how many finalist songs were referred to the music director the chances may be slim. But as long as we have the songs why not give it a go; however we have zero interest in creating songs for the express purpose of pitching. That sounds like work! Cool that you got that placement.

J&B

Man, this is great.

Love the overall sound, mix, and of course those gorgeous vocals.

Sounds like an old classic standard.

Super guitar playing, lyrics, mix and arrangement.

Great job y'all.

Thanks Torrey! We appreciate your comments as does Tom who is, unfortunately, still in the recovery mode from Irma. We admire your productions and it is great to hear that you like this one.

J&B

Thanks Rob. Appreciate you mentioning the video!

J&B

Thanks Kenny. Glad you got to hear it.

J&B



Thank you Shigeki. Janice very much appreciated you mentioning her vocal.

J&B

Thanks! Glad you experienced no side effects...

J&B

Hi Bud, Janice and Tom

Very very nice! Janice's vocal is wonderful and smooth as usual. Great production too.

Well done on the songtradr selection. I have been submitting to them for a couple of months now and have 25 songs licensed so far but these are for the "deals" rather than the "music wanted". I have two currently in "final selection" for "music wanted".

I think the "music wanted" ones are quite lucrative because they are specific requests for a specific song whereas the "deals" are generally for libraries or compilations. There is currently a request for a public domain spiritual that I think Janice would just knock out of the park if you have time to record before the 5th October (or if you have something already?).

Best of luck!

Thanks Sergio and we appreciate you mentioning the video.

J&B

We appreciate that David. And sounding like an old classic is a great compliment.

Thanks!

J&B

Thanks Joannne. We have seven in the finals for music wanted including this one. And two of them are in the PD spiritual request you mentioned. We had a couple of BiaB productions we’d done 4-5 years ago that seemed to fit that request. We haven’t submitted any to the Deals. I can see submitting when a request resembles something in our catalog but putting a new production together to meet a request seems a wee bit like work! Thanks again for listening and making such a nice comment.

J&B

Hi, Bud, Janice and Tom !

I am awed at the workmanship
displayed with this wonderful
co-op ! I must congratulate you
all for a fantastic job !

Cheers
Dani

Thanks Dani -- it was a fun project. Good to see you at the forum more!

J&B