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I get asked this from time to time.
I will usually ask to see the remix pack before I give an opinion, have a play and then see if something starts to come together.
If it does then cool, it means I will do a better job, but if it doesn't then remixing is pointless as it will become a question of going through the motions and will sound half hearted.
A lot of people will take on any remix thinking this is the way forward and whilst it may teach you something, it isn't going to get you noticed.
My own style for the most part is quite gritty and filthy and having someone hand me a flowery vocal saying make this dirty isn't really going to work especially if they insist on keeping the full vocal content.
If they want to have another piece of nondescript vocal trance, then go to a non-descript vocal trance producers. But then I like to turn the tables on them, because if they approach me and want something that I don't really do then they don't really respect me as an artist or have a proper grip on the music industry, thus it will probably be a waste of my time anyway.
The vast majority of request that people get these days is from half wit labels anyway.
As long as your own material is intersting and has a distinct sound people are going to ask you to remix. There is nothing wrong with responding that the track that they have presented you with doesn't excite you. If you DJ in clubs (Or even just go to clubs a lot) and you know what works on the dance floor and you can tell that what you have been given isn't going to do it, and it doesn't get your creative juices flowing, be honest about it and don't waste their time or yours.
Sure, labes are shifty at times, which is why I say keep them on a short leash.
Some labels have only ever asked me once, but the majority of those have never been seen or heard of again anyway as is often the case these days.
In my opinion, remix competitions yield more in terms of exposure, because if you are any good, you have a pretty good chance of being heard by a good label and people that actually matter. If you don't win or get an honerable mention then you are not as good as you think you are, simples. Focus on getting your name around so that people will become familiar with it, that way they will be more inclined to take you seriously when you submit a demo.
Don't feel bad about turning mickey mouse labels down, they just want a half decent producer to try and turn shit into gold, but as the old expression goes, shit in, shit out.
A lot of times that I have been asked to remix a track it's for something that I actually wouldn't want to be linked to anyway.
If on the other hand you get asked by a label with some status then you would be advised to consider the offer carefully as it can open doors for you.
The truth is simple, you are either going to get noticed because of your original style and quality song writing and you get signed because of that. Then after that people will seek out your sound because they want their music to sound like yours.
OR
You remix a track of your own choosing without asking the permission of the original artist, make sure it's a humdinger of a track and then pass it out to DJs to promote it for you. If they play it, then it will generate enough demand for the orginal label to seek you out to 1 sign you as an artist or 2, take you to court for copyright infringement. But ever since about 1988 when Suzane Vega got DNA signed for remixing Tom's Diner even the major players have realized the value of a quality remix with clubland interest so unless you sell copies of the track you are not likely to get sued.
If the DJs don't play it, then it simply isn't good enough. Back to the drawing board.
The reality is that most of us here (me included)are just not original or talented enough to get this break. And the labels we deal with tend to reflect that too.
Therefore I see no reason not to tell it like it is.
Just think about the wording...
If you tell them - I don't have any ideas for this song, then you are telling them YOU are weak.
If you tell them - Your track does nothing to inspire me, then you are telling them their track is weak. This in my mind is the better option because it puts you in a postion of power and they might offer you something better.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't be polite, you should always try to be professional. But remember it's business.
Mad ramblings from a tired man... take them or leave them. I will probably start reading this post tomorrow not realising that I wrote it and think, 'what retard came up with this... oh, it was me...'
Cheers
Nem
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https://www.mixcloud.com/Calvin_Karass/
Last edited by Nemesis44 on Sep-21-2009 at 23:21
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