What's Wrong With This Song? at IMSTA FESTA Toronto 2024

Writing a great song is a primary creative goal of most artists and songwriters from around the world. Getting the beat perfect is only one step. Getting the lyrics and melody just right is another step. Then – does it have a memorable hook? Does the style and production match the story? Is it engaging to listen from beginning to end?

IMSTA is pleased with the amount of songwriters that submit songs and/or come to the show to get a song reviewed. There has been a common theme when reviewing these songs. While so many have some of the ingredients, more often than not there are crucial missing pieces and/or underdeveloped ideas. A weak song, that could have been stronger. A good song that could have been great.

In this panel – we will take a selection of songs – have our expert panel listen to them and discuss what elements might be missing or what could have been done differently to improve the song. Knowing what’s wrong with the song is a first step in making it a better song. This is a must panel for anyone who writes songs or produces tracks.

Panelists:

Ared Arzumanian is an award-winning Juno-nominated producer, composer, songwriter, remixer, and recording artist with a rich career spanning over 25 years. Formerly signed to BMG and Universal Music Group, Ared's music has been featured on major label releases and compilations worldwide. He co-wrote and co-produced the chart-topping single “Open Up Your Heart” for Mia Minx, along with multiple charting hits, and has collaborated on projects with artists including Force of Nature feat. Ali Tennant from The Voice UK (BMG Chrysalis), Kristinia DeBarge (Island Def Jam), Craig Smart (Ultra), and Témi (formerly of Ludacris’ band Untitled). Ared has also had the opportunity to work on remixes for notable artists including TLC, Gloria Gaynor, Amerie, Lyric (feat. Loon), Jerzee Monet (feat. DMX), Choclair (feat. Kurupt), Shawn Desman, and many more. Ared recently studied at the prestigious Los Angeles Academy for Artists & Music Production (LAAMP), founded by the renowned Stargate production team. His work has been licensed for film, including the soundtrack for "More to Love", which won Best Romantic Comedy at the 1999 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival. A passionate mentor, Ared actively supports aspiring talent and has served as a judge and panelist for dozens of prominent music industry platforms, conferences, and festivals.

Marcus Kane is a writer, producer, and remixer… Platinum Producer Marcus Kane has Sold Over 4 Million Albums and 30 Million Video Games WORLDWIDE!!! Kane’s produced (and/or co-produced) #1 hits on both sides of the Pacific, and has worked with some of today’s most Pre-Eminent Talent. This award-winning producer has been mentioned in Billboard, The Toronto Star, Canadian Musician, The Source, Respect, Tribute Magazine, etc. Over 100 records that Kane’s produced (or remixed) have been added to major radio stations across the globe. Several titles Kane composed saw placement in hit U.S. television shows including “Elementary”, “Entourage”, “Love and Hip Hop: Miami”, “NUMB3RS”, “X-Factor”, “Punk’d”, “NFL on Fox”, “Canadian Idol”, and Tyra Banks’ “America’s Next Top Model”. Major motion pictures such as “Project X”, commercials (Sprite, McDonalds), and hit video games including “Need For Speed: Most Wanted” have also featured music produced by Marcus Kane as well

Taya Marquis is a singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur with a fierce, ambitious fire. Taya’s music is a fusion of pop, R&B, hip-hip and world sounds topped by silky, rich vocals. She's opened for Tinashe and Taylor McFerrin, co-wrote with Ke$ha, and has been blessed with in-studio mentorship sessions by Young Guru, Jay Z's engineer. Taya’s Factor-funded EP, i’mperfect, uncovers the process of finding oneself, and is both an honest reflection on where she’s currently at in her life, as well as an embrace of our interconnectedness as humans. The first single off i'mperfect, "Be Who U Are" received 170K plays on Spotify. She uses her music as an avenue for mental health advocacy and enforces messages of self-discovery and #positiviTAY in her songwriting.