MonoStone

I said 5! The aliens are messing with your mind...

Hmmm .... an innocent comment about some other website or a coded alert message to The 'other s'ite for backup? Who really knows for sure?

I'm currently favouring aliens. It's the most likely explanation. I don't fall for all that 'guests' stuff...that's the kind of explanation one of The Others would give.

Most topics in the critique forums get replied to by around 10% of the viewers... e.g. the figures shown might be 50 views, 5 replies. Sometimes much less, rarely much more. So... who are The Others? Guests browsing? Really? I don't think that's true, there's just not that many guests looking in.... Or maybe they're not unique views, but still that's not really stacking up... Someone is looking!!!

Wonderful song. I don't know how you could think it was 'throw-away' ... although I've been there, it's harder to know with your own songs eh. Sounds fantastic. Dek

I was just remembering the records I listened to as a small child, Mum n Dad's records...before I was old enough to buy my own. I'd sit by the hi fi for hours in headphones searching through their LPs. I was wondering what, if any, influence their music had on me (I think I hear some, maybe...not sure) ... And then I wondered what others here grew up on before they could go buy their own (So I can see if it had some influence on you)... If anyone's interested. A few I remember and still love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daCK3-0ye10

Michael, You're a superstar waiting to happen! Have you ever hit a wrong note? Great song and performance. Somehow you manage to be note perfect, confident and cool about it whilst still seeming humble. Rare quality. What's on the cards? You signed to a label or something yet? Dek

Sorry I missed your reply EJB. Ahhhhhh yes I get it! That's a weird illusion. I'll have to try that idea sometime. I didn't get it first time because I thought the melody was actually changing. Clever!

I'm too stupid to get the point you were making but your post intrigued me so I listened... and all I can say is I really liked it. I like the way the repetitive soft melody contrasts the hard music... somehow gave it a northern UK sound I can identify with. It made me imagine more, if that makes sense. Anyway I liked it so thought I'd say. Great guitar work by the way. Dek

Monostone: I'm sure there are some talents out there now, but unfortunately they don't make it to big distribution, so it's hard to find them... I guess a forum like this one should be a good place to find new talents. On the other hand, I think that if there are some real talented innovators out there they will come out, if there is enough demand for good music. My point is that I don't see that demand!

I reckon it's absolutely the case, I'd put money on that. Not so long ago, as an unsigned artist wanting to get your music heard you HAD to get studio time (which was never cheap), and then peddle your wares at gigs and any record shop kind enough to stick one on the shelf.... It's never been as easy as now.... add that to today's culture of 'anyone can be 'famous'' and there's bound to be a flood. I think it's a great thing. I wish it had been this way when I was in a band... using Facebook is way simpler (and safer) than taking your chances plastering posters around town or writing the band name across the local railway bridge (that wasn't me!!!). Harder to stand out though.... It's a shame there aren't more people listening on places like Soundcloud/Bandcamp etc purely as listeners rather than as fellow musicians. Ummm.... did I just go way off topic? I dunno... sorry if so.... Rambling........

Don't they? I mean...I'm not saying they definitely do since I don't know for sure but... surely they must do? Surely it's similar now to how it always was...some kids aren't THAT deeply into music but some are REALLY into music. I just find it really hard to believe that teenagers no longer listen to music as much. Sure some of them spend too much time listening to One Direction or whatever (but it still counts as listening and I reckon many do that obsessively)... but still I bet a whole load get just as lost in new indie music, rock, metal, or whatever as any of us did. Round here it's rare to see a teenager without headphones on... they seem to listen non-stop, not just on their beds....and I think people share music now more than ever. It's maybe true to say that an LP seems less special now, since it's likely a download with no sleeve to read through, and because it's one of SO many...somethings lost there... but gained in other ways. I don't think teenagers will ever stop finding cool new music (or finding cool classics) and sharing that with friends, and being just as into it as any of us are/were. Re magic years - I'm way beyond teens (WAY!!) but still find brilliant new music, both signed and unsigned (also agree with David... there's plenty here alone)... plus Soundcloud and similar are overflowing with creative original music.... the only sad thing is that not enough of that makes it out to the masses, record companies won't take the risks they used to ... and so the mainstream has a fair amount of manufactured crap in it, but it's out there for sure. And there's talent to rival the greats too ... but generally overlooked and not given the chance to be great. I suppose it's harder to be totally fresh now though...

Yes Mr Skylark, I can cheat... it's my island!

Ok decided, not parting with anything... I'm sneaking some Ozric's onto the island. Not saying where I'm hiding it, but taking Strangeitude.

Hmmm thinking more about that... Better take some Ozric Tentacles.. . No idea what I'll drop though.

The mushrooms on the island are very good.

http://jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/204087/page/16 http://www.soundsonline-forums.com/showthread.php?t=11703&page=2 They've clearly been at it for a while. I guess there's a difference between a full on SCAM (e.g someone claiming to be Nigerian Royalty to con you out of your cash) and a company which maybe has some dubious practices. Very possible that it's a real company which in some way does what it says, maybe even does license music, and no doubt then someone there to take calls and tell you everything's rosey... but if that's the case then the question is did they really single you out because your music is awesome, or do they mail a whole load of amateur musicians in order to get them paying the sign up and membership fees? I have no idea whether this company are any good or worth the money. But I guess there are choices of licensing companies, and best to go with whichever has the best reputation and results.... and then only if you really think your stuff is ready and your investment will be worthwhile.... Oh by the way.. I have no experience with such things. Just saying what I think seems like common sense.

Post up the name of the company. Someone might know about them. And if it is a scam (which sounds highly likely) then it alerts others. A quick google search will normally reveal a scam, unless you just happen to be one of the first potential victims. Then again... could be real Either way it's worth investigating. ... scam emails are usually badly written or far too generic. Someone really interested in you will write a personal email I'd imagine.

I read the lyrics you posted in the lyrics section. It reads like a rap. So if that's what it is then you need to either rap it or hook up with a rapper. My gut feeling was that you at least imagined the flow of it when you wrote it, so maybe you performed it inside your head...or maybe out loud... either way suggests that you could perform it. So if you can, record it (even simply with a phone if you have no mic) and that's probably what you'd be best showing to a producer. I think the genre makes a difference to the approach.... so, sorry if I'm mistaken about your intended genre.