Choosing a genre

[RichardT]

Hi all,

I’m releasing some music in September and I was thinking of trying to get some music blogs interested.

But I have a problem: what genre is it?

It’s a kind of mixture of things, elements of electronica, rock, folk and contemporary classical, and a bit of jazz.

I think for the most part, it’s primarily electronic. But when I look into electronic music it’s just a mass of confusing genres none of which I can relate to.

Has anybody else faced this problem? Any advice or thoughts ? It occurred to me I might try prog music blogs as they seem to be open to various genre combinations.

Here’s an example track

https://soundcloud.com/samplehound/the- ... Ordq6kcCAd

R

[The Elf]

We all think we break genres. Mostly we don't. I'd say let a few close friends hear your music and see how they would place it.

[Eddy Deegan]

I'd describe it as ambient with jazz influences for the most part, with a bit of electronica thrown in for good measure

[Folderol]

I'd describe it as ambient with jazz influences for the most part, with a bit of electronica thrown in for good measure

So just call it Heinz 57

[RichardT]

We all think we break genres. Mostly we don't. I'd say let a few close friends hear your music and see how they would place it.

Now that is a very interesting perspective, thanks!

[Sam Spoons]

It's a great example of why 'genres are crap' The music business is obsessed with categorising everything and most good modern music is a mix of genres.

I'm not even going to bother trying to list the different influences I hear in this, its good music very well played/recorded/produced. I'll just say I like it.

[RichardT]

It's a great example of why 'genres are crap' The music business is obsessed with categorising everything and most good modern music is a mix of genres.

I'm not even going to bother trying to list the different influences I hear in this, its good music very well played/recorded/produced. I'll just say I like it.

Why thank you!

[CS70]

I’m releasing some music in September and I was thinking of trying to get some music blogs interested.

But I have a problem: what genre is it?

Whatever genre the specific music blog deals with!

[Arpangel]

This is amazing! Sounds like a lot of things, difficult to pin down, all I know is I’d buy it!
"Ambient Fusion" if you have to pin it down, I hate genres though, and they can be a hinderance rather than a benefit most of the time.
Great music though, let us know how you get on, similar to some stuff I make, but a bit more mainstream.

[RichardT]

I’m releasing some music in September and I was thinking of trying to get some music blogs interested.

But I have a problem: what genre is it?

Whatever genre the specific music blog deals with!

Ah - I see what you’re saying. A bit like customising a CV.

[RichardT]

This is amazing! Sounds like a lot of things, difficult to pin down, all I know is I’d buy it!
"Ambient Fusion" if you have to pin it down, I hate genres though, and they can be a hinderance rather than a benefit most of the time.
Great music though, let us know how you get on, similar to some stuff I make, but a bit more mainstream.

Thank you very much Arpangel.

[Drew Stephenson]

I’m releasing some music in September and I was thinking of trying to get some music blogs interested.

But I have a problem: what genre is it?

Whatever genre the specific music blog deals with!

Ah - I see what you’re saying. A bit like customising a CV.

Alternatively, send it to loads and see who runs with it, then find out what genre they think they talk about...

[Martin Walker]

This is amazing! Sounds like a lot of things, difficult to pin down, all I know is I’d buy it!
"Ambient Fusion" if you have to pin it down, I hate genres though, and they can be a hinderance rather than a benefit most of the time.

Same here - this is so refreshingly different, and I'd certainly buy it for my collection.

Personally I get confused by the term fusion, as to me this simply seems to imply a combination of styles without specifically declaring what they are

I like Eddy Deegan's description of ambient jazz, but once the beats come in it's closer to electronica, so overall I'd go with 'ambient jazz electronica', a combo that should hopefully intrigue potential listeners (and bloggers) enough to press the play button to find out more.

Bravo RichardT - love it!

Martin

[RichardT]

This is amazing! Sounds like a lot of things, difficult to pin down, all I know is I’d buy it!
"Ambient Fusion" if you have to pin it down, I hate genres though, and they can be a hinderance rather than a benefit most of the time.

Same here - this is so refreshingly different, and I'd certainly buy it for my collection.

Personally I get confused by the term fusion, as to me this simply seems to imply a combination of styles without specifically declaring what they are

I like Eddy Deegan's description of ambient jazz, but once the beats come in it's closer to electronica, so overall I'd go with 'ambient jazz electronica', a combo that should hopefully intrigue potential listeners (and bloggers) enough to press the play button to find out more.

Bravo RichardT - love it!

Martin

Thanks Martin, I like that suggestion! Thanks too for the kind words.

[Chet Leeway]

For filing purposes or record shop organization, it clearly belongs in "Electronic music".

Beyond that, it's all about how you want to profile yourself. I'd maybe read through some reviews of Four Tet's music and see if you come across a description you feel comfy with. He's pretty ecletic, but I hear similarities to some of his stuff.

[Drew Stephenson]

Having now had a (very enjoyable) proper listen, I'd just stick with 'ambient electronica'.

[Folderol]

Just had a more serious listen. It really is very captivating, and defies being pigeonholed. I agree that probably the best policy would be to not give it one, and see what potential distributors say.

[RichardT]

For filing purposes or record shop organization, it clearly belongs in "Electronic music".

Beyond that, it's all about how you want to profile yourself. I'd maybe read through some reviews of Four Tet's music and see if you come across a description you feel comfy with. He's pretty ecletic, but I hear similarities to some of his stuff.

Good thought - I enjoy Four Tet.

[RichardT]

Having now had a (very enjoyable) proper listen, I'd just stick with 'ambient electronica'.

Thanks Drew

[RichardT]

Just had a more serious listen. It really is very captivating, and defies being pigeonholed. I agree that probably the best policy would be to not give it one, and see what potential distributors say.

Thanks Folderol.

[awjoe]

Yeah, had a listen. It falls into a genre I call 'Good'.

[RichardT]

Yeah, had a listen. It falls into a genre I call 'Good'.

Too kind!

[The Bunk]

Like it a lot. Personally I'd put that in my own sort of genre of "Stuff I like to listen to watching a sunset on a Greek Island with a cold beer".

Or electronic ambient, as has been suggested above, I suppose.

[RichardT]

Like it a lot. Personally I'd put that in my own sort of genre of "Stuff I like to listen to watching a sunset on a Greek Island with a cold beer".

Or electronic ambient, as has been suggested above, I suppose.

Thanks very much!

[Martin Walker]

I still feel that 'electronic ambient' misses out on (for me anyway) the most obvious influence, which from the very first bar screamed jazz chord shapes.

That's what immediately sucked me in to listening more.

I even followed RichardT on SoundCloud as a result, so I could investigate more of his tracks

Martin