Don't Be Afraid to Make Your Music More <Pony>!

[SoaringFlight]

I agree with Makkon completely. Ponies did bring me here, and that's how i started doing things in music. The issue im facing though is, that it is a bit hard to make something sound pony (trance for example) without obvious use of samples or lyrics.

I would still rather hear a good quality well done instrumental track (especially if artist has done a good job with describing the track in description and connected that with title and video - in short if he put effort into everything) than a track that uses samples just because it can on EQD. Just my 2 cents.

[Freewave]

Let's not also forget that one of the reasons the prelisteners were established, was actually less instrumental musicians trying to take advantage of popularity, but more because people were throwing samples on copyrighted songs (like Skrillex), and getting it featured.

Ahh I've never heard that mentioned during any of the pre-listener discussions in the past but that makes a lot of sense and I do see a lot of pmv's that sound awesome only to find out they simply made a pmv with a well known dubstep or pop artist or something to that effect.

"Being Pony" can actually become a handicap for an artist if they feel that in order to get any attention they have to produce pony music. Lets be honest, fluttershy dubstep will never be fluttershy, no matter how many fluttershy samples you put in there. I got a song featured on EQD that I didn't submit that wasn't pony related at all. While people liked it, I felt that it didn't belong there. But I never pretended that it was a pony song, because it was never meant to be pony related.

Agreed and it's ok for an artist to take a break and want to do something outside of pony music too or to be clear if they're giving it up and moving on as many have done (Stevie V, PinkiePieSwear, maybe Alex S). It is silly when EqD can't see a track is non-pony and I'm glad they're tightening their standards (although Seth occasionally just posts something non-pony by a Brony artist he likes w/o going through the pre-listeners although those are infrequent). I'd be curious to know what track of yours they featured that wasn't pony Makkon...

My invitation to everyone out there is to write what you want. Write music for the sake of music. Write it because you love it.
If it's pony related, make it clear in concept and feeling. If it's not pony, DON'T PRETEND THAT IT IS. If you hope to get a feature on EQD, then make it clear that it's pony related (and that involves much more than samples as mentioned earlier).But please don't forget that this is a music community more than it's a brony community. Ponies brought you here, but we hope that you stay for the music.

Agree with this too especially the if it's not pony don't fake it. I'll be honest the reason I felt compelled to make this post is that MLR specifically is a NEW musician forum to a big degree. You won't find many of the top Brony artists helping to coach the new artists coming in. A lot of those guys keep to themselves (and there's some big brony artists that aren't good at making a real connection to the show either) so it's up those who really consider this place a home (no matter what their musical experience) to help out those who are "trying to find their cutie marks (musically)". So when I see musicians starting out who put <pony> on their threads and look for feedback it's important that they know what makes a track "pony" and why it's important to make that connection with the show if they're really attempting to. There's endless inspirations that people can take from the show and make a musical connection or theme in their music and it's important that that idea of a concept is an important part of a brony musician's technique. If people are looking to get started and find what to write about, it's rather simple, look to the show.

[Freewave]

I agree with Makkon completely. Ponies did bring me here, and that's how i started doing things in music. The issue im facing though is, that it is a bit hard to make something sound pony (trance for example) without obvious use of samples or lyrics.

I would still rather hear a good quality well done instrumental track (especially if artist has done a good job with describing the track in description and connected that with title and video - in short if he put effort into everything) than a track that uses samples just because it can on EQD. Just my 2 cents.

I love Trance music but it's really hard to find much of it that really captures a pony vibe unless its a trance cover of a show tune or a trance remix of a brony track or really going a step further to show a connection. Thorinair has done a somewhat decent job of it but I also look at a good newcomer like Nicolas Dominique and he makes good trance music with pony images, explanations of what inspired him, and titles in his soundcloud but not getting much traction yet or an EqD spotlight. Could throwing in a show dialogue sample during a breakdown be ALL he needs to get featured in EqD? It might be and it would be a shame if he didn't at some point if that's all it takes. A person shouldn't HAVE to use samples to make that inspiration link complete but sometimes a sample CAN help if it's appropriate and well placed. Again vocal samples (complete or chopped) can make a difference in fleshing out an instrumental that could be lacking. Would PinkiePieSwear or SoGreatandPowerful be AS good brony artists without samples? I honestly don't think so. So let's not forget that as component and a technique if it's easily available to musicans to use well.

[Icky]

I am actually quitting pony music myself. Not because I want to move on to a bigger fanbase, but because I am sick of my image as brony musician.

This started out as me making music for a show a loved, and it should have stayed that way. Instead I feel forced to make music related to MLP just because that's what people expect from me. It started to turn into a "how can I ponify this song" game, and instead of doing what I wanted to do myself I started making music for my subscribers. My subscribers who only care for my music because of the link to a popular show.

My music would never have been this well received if it wasn't for the pony samples and themes I used. It makes me feel like a huge hack knowing that the only reason I have over 3000 subscribers on youtube is because of a popular show I made a few mediocre songs for.

I'm probably still going to stick around the forums and the skype chats because of all the friends I've made in this community, but don't expect any more <Pony> from me.

[Freewave]

Aw shoot man. Sorry to hear about this. It's the catch 22 with identifying yourself as a brony artist is that there IS an expectation of what that means and what you may have to give up to do it, and audience expectations IF you get popular. Very sorry to see you feel that way but I think everyone expects that anyone may reach a point where there isn't a love in doing it (making this music) anymore and they will want to give it up. Very sorry if you've reached that point.

[soup2504]

I am actually quitting pony music myself. Not because I want to move on to a bigger fanbase, but because I am sick of my image as brony musician.

This started out as me making music for a show a loved, and it should have stayed that way. Instead I feel forced to make music related to MLP just because that's what people expect from me. It started to turn into a "how can I ponify this song" game, and instead of doing what I wanted to do myself I started making music for my subscribers. My subscribers who only care for my music because of the link to a popular show.

My music would never have been this well received if it wasn't for the pony samples and themes I used. It makes me feel like a huge hack knowing that the only reason I have over 3000 subscribers on youtube is because of a popular show I made a few mediocre songs for.

I'm probably still going to stick around the forums and the skype chats because of all the friends I've made in this community, but don't expect any more <Pony> from me.

Are you quitting music altogether, or just pony music? I hope it's the latter.

I also find people quitting for reasons like this extremely silly, your fans need to just deal with it, your fans shouldn't drive you to quit

[bartekko]

I am actually quitting pony music myself.

Are you quitting music altogether, or just pony music?

Ayfkm

[soup2504]

I am actually quitting pony music myself.

Are you quitting music altogether, or just pony music?

Ayfkm

Yeah, I just realized that before I read your post >_< I do alot of stupid things like this, so shush.

[Whitetail]

The absolute worst thing you can do for the community and yourself is to shoehorn pony samples into things that don't need them.

If you were inspired by the show to make a song then it should at least in some way be apparent, be it mood, composition or otherwise - if you weren't inspired by the show or you're trying to force yourself to be inspired by the show then you're more looking for attention then anything else and your songs will show it.

[CaptainFluffatun]

. . . an instrumental that shows a clear influence by the show, it should be apparent that a show is "Pony" in the song itself. I'm seeing so many people jumping on the instrumental bandwagon AND not making any effort to show the influence . . .

Well who decides what "cuts it" as far as it being pony-related and instrumental? I make instrumental music, and I can assure you the influence is pony (when I claim it is) -- but what if that's not evident to someone else? Who is ANYONE but the artist to claim what it is about? Music is subjective, and the artist gets first pick.

Now, I know what you mean; You're talking about the folk who make a complete song, and THEN add pony, and I agree, that is silly. In instrumental music, the influence should be decided from the get-go. My deal is this:

What if the person's influence is pony, but YOU don't see it? Is it then suddenly THEIR fault?

[the4thImpulse]

. . . an instrumental that shows a clear influence by the show, it should be apparent that a show is "Pony" in the song itself. I'm seeing so many people jumping on the instrumental bandwagon AND not making any effort to show the influence . . .

Well who decides what "cuts it" as far as it being pony-related and instrumental? I make instrumental music, and I can assure you the influence is pony (when I claim it is) -- but what if that's not evident to someone else? Who is ANYONE but the artist to claim what it is about? Music is subjective, and the artist gets first pick.

Now, I know what you mean; You're talking about the folk who make a complete song, and THEN add pony, and I agree, that is silly. In instrumental music, the influence should be decided from the get-go. My deal is this:

What if the person's influence is pony, but YOU don't see it? Is it then suddenly THEIR fault?

Its already been said but thats what descriptions are for under youtube video's/ soundcould or whatever you use. Simply write what inspired you and people will understand the track otherwise it would be near impossible to just listen to the music and know if its pony or not.

[CaptainFluffatun]

Its already been said

Still wanted to give my two cents.

[the4thImpulse]

Its already been said

Still wanted to give my two cents.

I do agree with you though, there is no true way of knowing if an instrumental is pony inspired or just added on. It is what is in the end and you can either believe it or ignore and enjoy the music.

[ArtAttack]

The fact that this has to be discussed in detail is one of the reasons I won't be sticking with "Brony Music" much longer.

[Legion]

The fact that this has to be discussed in detail is one of the reasons I won't be sticking with "Brony Music" much longer.

I'm bummed to hear that, it's really sad that it's come down to artists flat out leaving brony music. Wherever you go, if and when you change directions, good luck in whatever you do.

Edit: 100th post get!

[soup2504]

The fact that this has to be discussed in detail is one of the reasons I won't be sticking with "Brony Music" much longer.

That isn't a good enough reason to quit, if you ask me, it's kinda silly that something like this would drive ANYONE to quit(much like people leaving the brony fandom because they saw someone doing something they don't like).

I'm not stopping you and I'm not saying you aren't allowed to quit, but I still think it's a silly reason, and I just want that to be known <3

[Lavender_Harmony]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Don't disconnect yourself from brony music, don't forbid yourself to make it. Just make music. Who cares if it's about Fluttershy, or rainclouds, or lasers, just make music from whatever inspires you.

[ArtAttack]

The fact that this has to be discussed in detail is one of the reasons I won't be sticking with "Brony Music" much longer.

That isn't a good enough reason to quit, if you ask me, it's kinda silly that something like this would drive ANYONE to quit(much like people leaving the brony fandom because they saw someone doing something they don't like).

I'm not stopping you and I'm not saying you aren't allowed to quit, but I still think it's a silly reason, and I just want that to be known <3

Oh ok nevermind

[soup2504]

The fact that this has to be discussed in detail is one of the reasons I won't be sticking with "Brony Music" much longer.

That isn't a good enough reason to quit, if you ask me, it's kinda silly that something like this would drive ANYONE to quit(much like people leaving the brony fandom because they saw someone doing something they don't like).

I'm not stopping you and I'm not saying you aren't allowed to quit, but I still think it's a silly reason, and I just want that to be known <3

Oh ok nevermind

/expecting an argument

Well, you se- Wait..... What? Not sure if serious....

[ArtAttack]

The whole arguing about what is and isn't pony, encouraging people to make their things more pony, the need for my music to have ponies in it to have people pay attention to me, the fact that "pony" is being used as an adjective, yeah, how about no.

TL;DR, fans at the moment listen to my music because candy ponies and not because music, I don't like that, I'm jumping ship, or at least doing what Lav said and not giving a frack.

[soup2504]

The whole arguing about what is and isn't pony, encouraging people to make their things more pony, the need for my music to have ponies in it to have people pay attention to me, the fact that "pony" is being used as an adjective, yeah, how about no.

TL;DR, fans at the moment listen to my music because candy ponies and not because music, I don't like that, I'm jumping ship, or at least doing what Lav said and not giving a frack.

The TL;DR was pretty pointless, considering it was almost as long as what was directly above it.

But anyways, clarification is good, but TBH, if I somehow get popular (HAH!) and I start busting out some non-pony tracks and people start complaining, I would not give two fucks.

If Alex S. and Archie are allowed to do it, so is every other brony musician. They just need to deal with it.

[Stars In Autumn]

This old argument. If you are influenced by something pony or community related, then I consider the song pony related. As it's already been mentioned, explaining how it was influenced helps.

In terms of musicians no longer making pony music, I understand completely why. At some point, making music for ponies becomes restrictive. As much as I love the show, I can handle only so much of it before it becomes stale and uninteresting, and my music I upload shows. In terms of my last few songs, only one was pony related.

In terms of future stuff, I am writing music for a pony game, and there's at least one more pony song that I'm trying to finish, if I can get it right. Outside of that, I might just move on.

The point is that we grow as musicians. Being restricted to pony stuff only will stunt that growth.

[Freewave]

The whole arguing about what is and isn't pony, encouraging people to make their things more pony, the need for my music to have ponies in it to have people pay attention to me, the fact that "pony" is being used as an adjective, yeah, how about no.

TL;DR, fans at the moment listen to my music because candy ponies and not because music, I don't like that, I'm jumping ship, or at least doing what Lav said and not giving a frack.

Hey all I'm saying is that all the new brony musicians coming into the scene need to consider what consists of the scene and yes that's music mixed with references to the show. Not including that as part of your music inspiration doesn't really make a track "pony" and it does come through in the music whe its slapped on afterwards. I don't think there's a real argument or witch hunt about what is and isn't "pony" except for some tracks where the inspiration wasn't explained or the artist didn't really show that influence well, or it wasn't there to begin with. Newcomers should certainly know they can get and use show samples (without background music even) and take advantage of using show themes (like in Toast Beard). Assuming that they know this already would be likely be incorrect. Our "job" on the forum is to help make the music better.

Ultimately people listen to the music because it hopefully is good MUSIC and compliments the show (making it part of that wider community). Ultimately any artist CAN do whatever they want and some may see being part of the brony community and including that influence as something they are tired of or find it restrictive but it's what it is. If people leave its very sad but there's always an end point for any artist here on how much it inspires them. The scene as a whole may suffer if enough prominant bronies feel this way and walk off. Ultimately we want any artist to be happy making this music so if you're not feeling it anymore conitinue to make the music you want to make. But there are always new people coming in to fill the void but its important that the next music be AS good (hence all the threads on the technical aspects of music) and that does mean a solid foundation. That's why the pony inspiration should be a part of technique on this forum as that's part of what makes Brony Music what it IS..

[guitarfan01]

TL;DR, fans at the moment listen to my music because candy ponies and not because music, I don't like that, I'm jumping ship, or at least doing what Lav said and not giving a frack.

ArtAttack, I listen to your music because it kicks ass, whatever individual tracks are inspired by. That's why I listen to any of the musicians who are bronies, just as it's why I listen to musicians who are Christians. I like MLP, so I'll be more willing to give a first listen to an artist who also likes MLP, just as I'm more willing to give a first, ear-unheard listen to a musician is a Christian because I share philosophical convictions. But whether I continue to listen is dependent solely on the quality of the content the artist produces. That's my opinion as a consumer of music by bronies, rather than a producer (although I have like five songs that are half-written and refuse to be finished).

So, ArtAttack, you can leave the "brony scene" if you like, just make sure you leave a forwarding address, because I want to hear whatever else you do.

[MYCUTIEMARKISAGUN]

Yeah, problem is i'm actually FAR less interested in sampling the show than i am in sampling all this crazy weird music you ppl post everyday. I was a (pretty good heh heh) hip-hop producer for years before ponies, I'm accustomed to searching for the most eclectic music possible for sampling. With this community, not only do I have a awesome sample source none of my contemporaries/SWORN ENEMIES are aware of, I can actually talk to the guys who made them and ask for say, a BPM or a solo wav of a certain instrument. AND OH YEAH, nobody's gonna be a total douche about it and demand all sorts of royalties and stupid shit.

Hell, most of the stuff I'm using are just WIPs posted in #bronymusic anyhow