Masters Of Song Fu #3: Round 2 Challenge Voting Begins!

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We here at Quick Stop Entertainment are true lovers of music, in all its forms. We’re also quite keen on the spirit of competition, and of spurring creativity through said competition.

To that end, we launched a brand new form of creative combat here at the Stop – Masters of Song Fu.

In this age of manufactured and painfully earnest talent contests, we’ve decided to instead shine a light on the quirky, quixotic underworld of musicians that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.

Ah, but I did mention that there was a competition involved…

We invited 28 challengers to pick up the thrown-down gauntlet (You know, some spares as well). 26 Responded in time.

Like a songwriting version of Iron Chef, these 26 competitors are presented with a very specific songwriting challenge. They’ll be given one week to complete their songs – however they see fit, within the parameters set forth – after which time the entries will be uploaded to Quick Stop to be voted on by you, the readers.

In past editions of Song Fu, we’ve used these votes to eliminate Challengers as we’ve progressed from Challenge to Challenge. For this cycle, however, we’ve decided that all of the Challengers will be able to compete in every Challenge, and the Challenger with the most cumulative votes after the 3 Challenges will be the one that takes on the Master in the Final Round. So what was the first Challenge?

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ROUND 1 CHALLENGE

In light of all the doom and gloom of recent months, as financial markets crashed and winter closed in, we’re going to kick things off with a rather straightforward challenge. You can interpret this challenge however you’d like – how you do so will give people a sense of just what your songwriting personality and style is…

Your first challenge is to WRITE A HAPPY SONG.

That’s it. The only other directive is that your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 45 seconds.

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You’ll find the Round 1 songs from each of our Masters below, as well as the results of the Round 1 voting. Our masters and Challengers were then given their second Challenge…

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ROUND 2 CHALLENGE

Write a song containing *exactly* 10 unique words (this includes words such as a, and, the, etc.). You can repeat the words you choose as few or as many times as you want, but the sum total of the unique words can not be less than or more than 10.. You can write on any topic and in any style. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 15 seconds.

Here’s a word cloud look at what everyone chose:

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You’ll find the Round 2 songs from each of our Masters below, including the 10 words they chose for their songs. Immediately following, you’ll be able to place your votes…

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MASTERS OF SONG FU

For this edition of Song Fu, we’re bringing in 2 (well, 3, if you’re being technical) very special Masters who you’ll be going up against. Think of them as the iron chefs of Song Fu, and your ultimate challengers, as you’ll square off against one of them mano-a-mano in the Final Round:

NEIL INNES

songfu-innes.jpgIf you’re a bit puzzled but there’s a little twinge of recognition niggling at your subconscious right now, it’s probably because you already know who Neil Innes is without even realizing it.

It was during the Jurassic period (the late 60s) that Neil was a member of the legendary Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. Madcap purveyors of esoteric music (Who else would revive music hall standards in the age of rock? They did it, and it worked!), their biggest hit was the deceptively poignant “I’m the Urban Spaceman.”

While firmly ensconced within the Bonzos, Neil first became acquainted (and vice-versa) with Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and Terry Jones while working on DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET, a children’s show whose viewers tended to skew a bit older than the intended audience. Eric, Mike, and the two Terrys went on to form MONTY PYTHON with Graham Chapman and John Cleese. The Pythons called on Neil’s musical skills numerous times over the years, particularly when producing their best-selling albums. When John Cleese decided to move on to greener pastures prior to PYTHON’s fourth series, Neil stepped into the void as a contributing writer and performer.

Not able to escape the Pythons so easily, Neil was also tapped for MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, contributing music and a memorable performance as the annoyingly truthful minstrel of Eric Idle’s cowardly Sir Robin. Still not willing to let him get away just yet, Neil was brought in again for their follow-up film, THE LIFE OF BRIAN (wherein he outruns certain death during the colosseum debate scene).

Even while working with the Pythons, Neil continued his solo career, releasing numerous albums on his own as well as with the groups The Grimms and The World. His BBC program, INNES BOOK OF RECORDS, ran for 3 series and featured 90 original tunes. From torch song and ballad to rock and parody, the show featured an exceedingly wide range of styles.

It was during the latter-half of the 70s, however, that Neil produced his most enduring work. While collaborating with Eric Idle on the post-Python TV series RUTLAND WEEKEND TELEVISION, the two devised a brief HARD DAY’S NIGHT parody with Idle portraying a boring filmmaker (so boring the camera ran from him) and Innes providing the Beatles-esque “I Must Be in Love.” During his next hosting gig on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Idle unleashed the short film on the American public. That led to SNL’s Lorne Michaels producing a mockumentary of the mock-band, named The Rutles, for NBC. ALL YOU NEED IS CASH aired on March 22, 1978, starring Eric and Neil as one half of the “Pre-Fab Four” and featuring songs by Innes. In 1996, Innes reunited with Rutles bandmates John Halsey and Ricki Fataar to release THE RUTLES: ARCHEOLOGY, which sported 16 brand new tracks “discovered in the vaults,” a la THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY.

He recently released a new solo album, WORKS IN PROGRESS, and a brand new reunion album with the Bonzos, POUR L’AMOUR DES CHIENS. Neil continues to write and perform, and is in the process of recording his next solo album.

Official Website: www.innesbookofrecords.com
Twitter: twitter.com/NeilInnes
ROUND 1 SONG:Imitation Song (Ron Nasty’s Last Song)
ROUND 2 SONG: Unfortunately, Neil Innes had to pull out of this round due to professional commitments.

PAUL & STORM

songfu-02.jpgPaul and Storm are a comedy music duo, and they have been performing as a duo since 2004. Before that, they were one half of a cappella band Da Vinci’s Notebook for about 12 years. A Paul and Storm show is part music concert and part standup/improv comedy”“just enough of both to fit neatly in neither category. They like to engage the audience, and are known to award snack cakes and/or other prizes for good (and sometimes bad) behavior. Their show would be PERFECT as a cable special, and would make lots of money for whichever brave channel decides to air them first.

Official Website: www.paulandstorm.com
Twitter: twitter.com/paulandstorm
ROUND 1 SONG:Hippie with a Djembe
ROUND 2 SONG:Boolean Love Song” (WORDS USED: Amy, Bobby, Mary, if, then, equals, and, not, loves, happy)

GARFUNKEL & OATES

songfu-garfuneloates.jpgRiki “Garfunkel” Lindhome and Kate “Oates” Micucci make up this band, which is a mixture of acoustic folk, comedy and pure sugar. Riki has been seen in The Changeling, My Best Friend’s Girl, Pushing Daisies, Gilmore Girls and Million Dollar Baby. You can catch Kate in Scrubs, When in Rome, Four Kings, How I Met Your Mother, or in her one-woman show “Playing with Micucci” at the Steve Allen Theater.

Official Website: www.garfunkelandoates.com
Twitter: twitter.com/KateMicucci
ROUND 1 SONG:The Happy Song
ROUND 2 SONG: Unfortunately, Garfunkel & Oates had to drop out of this round for health reasons.

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In a moment, you’ll discover the details of the first challenge. First, though, here is the list of challengers:

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THE CHALLENGERS

JEFF MacDOUGALL

songfu-jeffmcdougall.jpgJeff’s stint of reigning challenger in MoSF#1 (yet ultimately losing to Master Jonathan Coulton) has won him critical acclaim from around the world. Or is it criticism from around his house? Either way, he’s back for more and hoping to balance bringing the Fu with taking out the trash.

Official Website: www.jeffmacdougall.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jeffmacdougall
ROUND 1 SONG:The Bop Bop Song
ROUND 2 SONG:Free Love” (WORDS USED: see, I, like, could, love, so, me, and, free, you)

EDRIC HALEEN

songfu-edrichaleen.jpgEdric has been writing music (off and on) for the past fifteen years. He wrote and directed a musical, The Pushcart War, based on Jean Merrill’s wonderful novel. He has written and/or arranged a number of songs for various friends – some commissioned, some as surprises. He loves acting in community theatre, and is inspired by the music of Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty – and yes, Jonathan Coulton, who in addition to writing wonderful songs, also served as a portal to finding out about the Song Fu competition.

Official Website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2arBC7f-6FY
ROUND 1 SONG:(Happiness)
ROUND 2 SONG:Extreme Mad-Libs (Song Fu Edition)” (WORDS USED: adjective, pronoun, name, verb, noun, article, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection)

“BUCKETHAT” BOBBY MATHESON

songfu-buckethatbobby.jpgI’m “BucketHat” Bobby Matheson. I used to make cartoons for the internet, and sometimes still do, but mostly focus on my music right now. Lately, I’ve been getting more into recording other singer/songwriters in my little, make-shift studio than I have been recording myself. I want Masters Of Song Fu to change that. I don’t really know what genre my music would fall under. Influences range from Klezmer to folk, to punk and back, which ends up sounding more like Zydeco than anything else (who’d have guessed?). I’ve been thinking of dropping the “BucketHat” from my stagename, but fear change.

Official Website: www.buckethatbobby.randomsociety.com
Twitter: twitter.com/BucketHatBobby
ROUND 1 SONG:You Gotta Smile
ROUND 2 SONG:My Romantic Interest In You Is Dwarfed By The Amount Of Money I Will Undoubtedly Be Making Off Of This Song (“Love Why You Love Me”)” (WORDS USED: who, me, you, I, are, am, why, love, do, too)

INSANE IAN

songfu-ianbonds.jpgInsane Ian is a comedian and writer from Baltimore, Maryland who specializes in all things nerdy, both in parody and original compositions. From Sci-fi TV shows and films, to video games, to comic books – no nerdy topic escapes his sardonic (and satiric) wit. Among his peers – such as Sudden Death, the great Luke Ski, Jonathan Coulton and, of course, “Weird Al” Yankovic – he is the only artist to have written this bio, and remains at the top of that list. Currently, his song “Guitar Hero” (from his upcoming album n3rds0ngs) was the 11th most requested song on the Dr. Demento radio show in 2008. Usually for a song, I.I. surrounds himself with talented people to make himself look better… and now is no exception, as friend and producer Benjamin Stahl helps on instrumental duties.

Official Website: www.insaneian.com
ROUND 1 SONG:Happy
ROUND 2 SONG:Consortium Of Comprehension” (WORDS USED: I, did, not, quite, fully, understand, the, challenge, this, week)

JOE “COVENANT” LAMB

My name is Joe Lamb, I’ve been known online as JoeCovenant, or JoeCov, Or just Cov for the last decade or so. I’m 45 and have been performing for 40 of those years. Up until 2005 I was solely a professional actor/singer, but I am now also a Civil Servant and work for Her Majesty. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 10, but still think Bar Chords are things played in pubs. (I can’t do ’em!) I’m not too bad on the Bhodran and can pick out a tune on a keyboard when pushed”¦ really hard. I’ve always been frustrated that my ideas outdistance my abilities, so my output is always rather simplistic… But I like to think that, occasionally, synergy does its job well! This contest will be my first use of my new recording equipment… hope it doesn’t throw my limitations to the fore!

Official Website: www.mikeoldfield.net/shadowland.html
ROUND 1 SONG:What Makes You Feel Happy
ROUND 2 SONG:I Wish I Could Tell You I Love You” (WORDS USED: could, I, wish, love, can’t, know, but, you, do, tell)

MICK BORDET

songfu-mickbordet.jpgMick Bordet steadfastly insists on bouncing between and across genres at every opportunity like a hummingbird with ADD, using an eclectic collection of instruments for his sonic palette, from guitar and ukulele to theremin, yobstick and electric harmonium. Mick is a founder member of “The Lunacy Board”, Scotland’s premier progressive avant-garde skiffle duo, and cites influences as diverse as Edgard Varèse, Ivor Cutler, Conlon Nancarrow, and Roy Harper, to name but four. The duo have recently released three debut albums, including one written, recorded, and mixed within a single day. Mick’s latest project is a year-long weekly podcast set in an alternative universe as it diverges from our reality.

Official Website: mickbordet.blogspot.com
ROUND 1 SONG:Happy People
ROUND 2 SONG:What Is Wrong” (WORDS USED: doctor, what, is, wrong, with, me, you, need, some, methionylglutaminylarginyltyrosylglutamylseryl-
leucylphenylalanylalanylglutaminylleucyllysylglutamylarginyl- lysylglutamylglycylalanylphenylalanylvalylprolylphenylalanyl- valylthreonylleucylglycylaspartylprolylglycylisoleucylglutamyl- glutaminylserylleucyllysylisoleucylaspartylthreonylleucyl- isoleucylglutamylalanylglycylalanylaspartylalanylleucylglutamyl- leucylglycylisoleucylprolylphenylalanylserylaspartylprolyl- leucylalanylaspartylglycylprolylthreonylisoleucylglutaminyl- asparaginylalanylthreonylleucylarginylalanylphenylalanyl- alanylalanylglycylvalylthreonylprolylalanylglutaminylcysteinyl- phenylalanylglutamylmethionylleucylalanylleucylisoleucylarginyl- glutaminyllysylhistidylprolylthreonylisoleucylprolylisoleucyl- glycylleucylleucylmethionyltyrosylalanylasparaginylleucylvalyl- phenylalanylasparaginyllysylglycylisoleucylaspartylglutamyl- phenylalanyltyrosylalanylglutaminylcysteinylglutamyllysylvalyl- glycylvalylaspartylserylvalylleucylvalylalanylaspartylvalyl- prolylvalylglutaminylglutamylserylalanylprolylphenylalanyl- arginylglutaminylalanylalanylleucylarginylhistidylasparaginyl- valylalanylprolylisoleucylphenylalanylisoleucylcysteinylprolyl- prolylaspartylalanylaspartylaspartylaspartylleucylleucylarginyl- glutaminylisoleucylalanylseryltyrosylglycylarginylglycyltyrosyl- threonyltyrosylleucylleucylserylarginylalanylglycylvalylthreonyl- glycylalanylglutamylasparaginylarginylalanylalanylleucylprolyl- leucylasparaginylhistidylleucylvalylalanyllysylleucyllysyl- glutamyltyrosylasparaginylalanylalanylprolylprolylleucyl- glutaminylglycylphenylalanylglycylisoleucylserylalanylprolyl- aspartylglutaminylvalyllysylalanylalanylisoleucylaspartylalanyl- glycylalanylalanylglycylalanylisoleucylserylglycylserylalanyl- isoleucylvalyllysylisoleucylisoleucylglutamylglutaminylhistidyl- asparaginylisoleucylglutamylprolylglutamyllysylmethionylleucyl- alanylalanylleucyllysylvalylphenylalanylvalylglutaminylprolyl- methionyllysylalanylalanylthreonylarginylserine)

THE MASKED STRANGER

The Masked Stranger (a.k.a Neal John Mac Rae), is a self proclaimed noise/folk artist from Nova Scotia, Canada. Although his work has gone completely unnoticed on an official level, he has still managed to garner several fans from Australia and amoungst his close friends. The Masked Stranger project started in 2004 when Neal John recorded “The River Song”, a simple panflute tune he furiously augmented and destroyed on his computer. Since then he has created roughly 30 other distinctly more destroyed and demented tracks under the moniker of The Masked Stranger. His music has been described as “a total disregard for musical theory”, “aaaaaaaah!”, “raw and grating”, “annoying”, “Twisting is a word I want to use to describe it… Very natural and earthly”, and “disturbing and yet… strangely enjoyable”. His most well liked and most consistant piece “Rue The Red” was described by Cape Breton goregrind artist Devin Meaney as “a posessed man jigging out on the strings of his creator. Like a puppet, devouring the flesh of god. And this is exactly what it reminds me of, no joke.”. This awkward and soil laiden musician’s journeys into the abrassive and the tribal only threaten to continue.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/themaskedstranger777
ROUND 1 SONG:My Personal Eccentric Happiness
ROUND 2 SONG:The Mushroom Folk Devour The Tresspasser” (WORDS USED: mushroom, folk, oh, the, devour, tresspasser, dance, prance, punishment)

BRYCE JENSEN

Bryce Jensen has been writing songs off and on for well over twenty years, but he has rarely shared any of them beyond his friends and family.  His styles range from a capella to heavy metal with a lot of wimpy finger picking stuff in between.  Bryce took part in the recent Holiday Special edition of the Song Fu and found the constraints and deadline to be quite a rush.  He also learned that sharing his work with the world can be very rewarding.  Back for this competition because he is hooked and needs another fix, Bryce is looking forward to whatever crazy challenges lie ahead.

Official Website: www.brycejensen.com
Twitter: twitter.com/psychobman
ROUND 1 SONG:As Happy As Me
ROUND 2 SONG:You And I” (WORDS USED: like, away, need, I, run, you, me, see, love, follow)

JEFF FARDINK

Jeff began playing guitar in 2003. He wrote his first comedy song in early 2004, and later that year, he wrote a song that was actually funny and in key, unlike his earlier works.  He began playing shows after accidentally opening for a local band while passing through a bar. He continues to play because nobody has told him to stop.

Official Website: www.JeffFardink.com
ROUND 1 SONG:Let The Happiness In
ROUND 2 SONG:I Forgot The Words Blues” (WORDS USED: I, forgot, the, words, to, this, song, got, blues, yeah)

TIMOTHY RUSH

On stage I am Timmy Vendetta. I’m 18 and I live with my mom and her wife. I hope to become famous and live vicariously through a hamster.

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Official Website: www.myspace.com/tweed234
ROUND 1 SONG:The Happy Song
ROUND 2 SONG:Chanhgrila” (WORDS USED: life, love, time, is, pure, strong, dead, gone, strange, wrong)

CRABBYDAD

Crabbydad is a writer/sound designer/musician who, four years ago, was forced to leave all of his bands and musical compatriots behind in Chicago when his Old Lady got herself a proffesorin’ gig at a giant university in a tiny mid-Michigan town that’s devoid of any sort of culture, musical or otherwise. So he started recording songs with his kids and posting them on his blog for his four or five readers to hear. When he’s not recording songs about spiders and/or poop, he creates comedy, sound effects, and music for a company called Jellyvision, Inc.

Official Website: crabbydad.blogspot.com
ROUND 1 SONG:Happy (H.A.P.P.Y.)
ROUND 2 SONG:Machine” (WORDS USED: machine, serious, circuit, trouble, blood, courage, three, two, one, danger)

HANK GREEN

Hank Green never wrote a song until his eternal passion for Helen Hunt (both as an actress and a woman) started off a multi-year YouTube project in which he writes a song every other Wednesday. The songs are part of a larger project in which he and his brother discuss their lives, their world, and the community of which they are a part. Their videos have now been watched more than 20 million times. Hank’s first album, SO JOKES, was just released and is available at DFTBA.com.

Official Website: www.nerdfighters.com
Twitter: twitter.com/ecogeek
ROUND 1 SONG:The Deep Sea Anglerfish
ROUND 2 SONG:I Know” (WORDS USED: I, don’t, think, know, you, what, that, but, baby, maybe)

MIKE LOMBARDO

Mike Lombardo is a piano-playing pop-rock singer-songwriter who likes to use hyphens when describing his occupation. He has been known to write songs about just about anything, including rocks and SAW 4. When not banging on a piano, Mike spends most of his time  playing way too many video games and fighting with his roomate. Currently finishing up his degree in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, he will be touring the country this summer with his band, the Mike Lombardo Trio. Feel free to go to his website and send him lots of money. Or cookies.

Official Website: www.mikelombardomusic.com
Twitter: twitter.com/mikelombardo
ROUND 1 SONG:Caroline
ROUND 2 SONG:Sandwich Girl (Lunchtime Lovestory)” (WORDS USED: lunch, cafe, sandwich, line, girl, be, mine, make, me, and)

HALLELUJAH APE

“Hallelujah Ape” is the working name for the personal musical projects of Paul Abbott. When he’s not playing bass guitar and shouting in such bands as Three Minute Margin, he’s usually fiddling with a ukulele or trying to write Manfred Mann inspired songs for films that don’t exist. Main influences are The Bonzo’s, The Beatles and Fugazi. He owns many comedy things and likes to rub his face up against them when no-one is looking. He also co-writes the British Foghorn Company blog.

Official Website: www.myspace.com/hallelujahape
Twitter: twitter.com/Pablovich
ROUND 1 SONG:Do What You Want
ROUND 2 SONG:Why” (WORDS USED: the, grim, inevitability, of, last, spoon, in, a, sink, why)

JALEPENO HABANEROS

In the far off land of Chandler, Arizona, where the rivers flow with sand and cacti, our leader and master, the Lord of Our Lady Gwynyth, guitar and microphone in hand, called for the greatest musicians in the land to assemble a rock and roll group like none other. Unfortunately, they were cut off on the road, and the Jalapeño Habañeros made it there first. With The Rogue Bohemian on saxophone and The Boxcar Bassist on bass and keyboards, the Lord was pleased. Now, they roam the streets of Chandler, playing epic songs and rocking faces, much like Bon Jovi. Unfortunately they are paid in change, and often get thrown into the street, also like Bon Jovi. Their lives have intertwined, and the era of the Jalapeño Habañeros has begun. Be prepared.

Official Website: None
ROUND 1 SONG:The Pompadour Song
ROUND 2 SONG:Let’s Not Tip It Over” (WORDS USED: we’re, gonna, rock, the, boat, let’s, not, tip, it, over)

HAZEN NESTER

Hazen Nester is a multi-platinum-selling*, award-winning**, and incredibly gifted”  songwriter.  His works have been described as “heavenly”, “complex”, and “thought-provoking” by his critics and fans.” ” Â  He has, to date, three full albums”¡, two EPs”¡”¡, and is currently working on a new collection of work§. He holds a B.S. degree§§, an MFAâ•‘, and a PhDâ•‘â•‘ and currently lives in Michigan, where he spends his days writing songs and working in the fulfilling and worthwhile sector of public-access television.  Apart from songwriting, his hobbies include cinema, golf, and the occasional role in various stage and audio productions. 🙂 [* – Lie, ** – Another lie, ”  – Bold-faced lie, ” ”  – His mom. They’re one and the same, really., “¡ – More lies, “¡”¡ – Yet another lie, § – Another lie. No, wait, actually that one’s true., §§ – In film. How appropriate., ? – Lie. What a surprise there., ?? – Do I really have to put this here?, 🙂 – That’s probably the most truthful statement in this entire document.]

Official Website: www.hazennester.com
ROUND 1 SONG:Wide-Eyed Happy
ROUND 2 SONG:A Cliche Love Song” (WORDS USED: I, love, you, don’t, leave, me, won’t, forgive, baby, but)

AUDIOMOHEL

Forged in the furnace of irony, molded with the hammer of satire, flattened on the anvil of righteousness, and cooled in the water of awesomeness, AudioMohel was thrust upon the world. Named from the lost audio transcripts of ’09, AudioMohel serves as a public-service backlash against the anti-circumcision trend sweeping the so-called “enlightened parents” crowd, AudioMohel urges their more devoted and impressionable fans to undergo the snip two or even three times. AudioMohel enjoys experimenting with new breakthrough genres like speed blues and death classical even though most of AudioMohel’s tunes reside firmly in the ethereal realm of vapor-ware. Some of AudioMohel’s members admitted to being a bit intimidated by the professed experience and actual musical talent apparently possessed by the Song Fu Masters, but finally it was decided that if the need arose, sabotage would not be out of the question. To be used as a last resort, naturally, but not out of the question.

Official Website: www.AudioMohel.com
Twitter: twitter.com/AudioMohel
ROUND 1 SONG:Parole Day
ROUND 2 SONG:Greasy Bacon” (WORDS USED: bacon, crispy, greasy, need, get, some, Canadian, making, tasty, kevin)

MOLLY LEWIS

When she’s not bluffing her way through college courses or looking passably attractive from a distance, Molly Lewis enjoys playing ukulele, microwaving marshmallow Peeps, talking to cats, and Twittering. Early last year, she wrote two original songs, “MyHope” and “Road Trip”. “MyHope” is about the inevitable day when our children will learn how to navigate the interweb and how they will LOL at our old internet presences, namely MySpace; of “Road Trip”, Molly says it’s about “that astronaut lady who went crazy and wore the diapers, you remember that?”  She has not written any songs since.  Hopefully this competition will remedy that. When Molly was in middle school, she took up the guitar. That sank into the swamp. So she took up the mandolin. That sank into the swamp. So she took up the banjo. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the ukulele has stayed. And that’s what you’re going to get, Quick Stop Entertainment: the strongest ukulele in all of Tacoma, Washington.

Official Website: www.sweetafton23.com/primer/
Twitter: twitter.com/Molly23
ROUND 1 SONG:I Pity The (Song) Fu
ROUND 2 SONG:Peep Fight” (WORDS USED: marshmallow, Peeps, toothpicks, microwave, sword, fight, stomach, put, in, the)

JUTZE SCHULT

songfu-jutzeschult.jpgJohannes “Jutze” Schult (from Germany) likes to make songs about weird stories and situations. It’s all about creating a musical scenario that is somewhat original, yet believable by some stretch of imagination. Jutze used to play drums in a heavy metal band, and then founded his own pop band where he played guitar. These days he’s mainly doing solo work for the fun of it.

Official Website: www.jutze.com
Twitter: twitter.com/schult
ROUND 1 SONG:A Mallful Of Brains
ROUND 2 SONG:God Of Bingo” (WORDS USED: bingo, Jimmi, Simpson, is, awesome, rocks, the, god, of, he)

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ROUND 2 VOTING

And now, it’s time for that all important voting. For this round, you can choose your TOP 5 FAVORITE Challenger songs. Be sure to choose carefully. Also, if you enjoy their tune, be sure to vote for our reigning Masters of Song Fu – Paul & Storm, as those votes will count when the other remasters rejoin in the next round. VOTING CLOSES AT 11:59pm EST on MONDAY, MARCH 9th.

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ROUND 2 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS

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ROUND 2 VOTING – THE MASTERS

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ROUND 1 VOTING RESULTS – THE CHALLENGERS

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ROUND 1 VOTING RESULTS – THE MASTERS

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If you triumph, not only will you win remarkable (and potentially off-putting) bragging rights and a clutch of fantastic mystery prizes, you will also become the proud owner of the magnificent, one-of-a-kind MASTER OF SONG FU TROPHY.

Good luck, and bring on the Fu.

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Comments

110 responses to “Masters Of Song Fu #3: Round 2 Challenge Voting Begins!”

  1. BucketHatBobby Avatar
    BucketHatBobby

    I seriously appreciate it, Jaleho.
    I was going more for a Nickelback/Hinder/TheoryOfADeadMan type every-band-sounds-the-same kind of song, and I don’t have a “rock” voice, which is probably why it sounded so forced.
    However, Vocals always tend to be my weakest point, and I really don’t know what to do about it.
    on the other side, I’m no spectacular musician, so I can only get so technical with my music before it becomes unplayable for me.
    I thought I had varied it up decently, but I’ll have to try harder.
    I really have to try Step-up the next round.

  2. Eric of AudioMohel Avatar

    6 billion comments? Like this page isn’t slow and unwieldy enough already.

    Jaleho, do you realize you called him Booby in the third paragraph? Hasn’t the poor man suffered enough slings and arrows? 😉

  3. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    It would also be something if 6 million people actually voted here in the first place.

  4. cjsamms Avatar
    cjsamms

    @BucketHat
    Regarding the comment that it sounded like you were making up the song a second before singing it, I might be a little quirky that way, but that’s actually what I liked about it.

  5. Nate MVA Avatar
    Nate MVA

    Wow! I am really impressed with this lot of songs… only a few even fall into the “ok” category. I’m surprised that Timothy Rush’s song isn’t doing better, I personally love it. Very melodic and soothing. I’m a big Molly fan but there’s just so many awesome songs this round I’m having trouble picking a top five.

    BTW @ Hank: Holy Crap! Your song makes my ears go cross eyed.

  6. BucketHatBobby Avatar

    Don’t worry, I’m not loosing any sleep over this. Haha!

    Jaleho, if you don’t mind, what do you think I could do different next time.
    This question isn’t just for Jaleho, this is open for anyone.

    I’m not an experienced musician, I need all the advice I can get.

  7. […] Green is so much more suited for this world than I am. Not only are his entries for the current Song Fu challenge great. His recent plea for more vegetarianism is so eloquent and so appropriate that I have nothing […]

  8. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    I think the voting tallies should be kept secret until voting is finished. There are many songs, and it is too great a temptation to only listen to the current “best” ones when making your decision (I did listen to them all). I feel like this information has the potential to unfairly bias the results…

  9. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    Hank Green’s song is genius; it’s been stuck in my head since I first heard it.

  10. Thomas Avatar
    Thomas

    So…wait. The guy who doesn’t do the challenge right not only DOESN’T get disqualified, but his song is in 5th place?

    Sure, his song is clever, but it doesn’t follow the stipulations. It’s only supposed to be ten words…right?

    Man…unfair. Crafty, Edric.

  11. Nicky Avatar
    Nicky

    Hank Green, hands down win. The only other one that comes close is sandwich girl.

  12. BucketHatBobby Avatar
    BucketHatBobby

    It’s really a matter of what the voters find to be fair or unfair.
    Apparantly, most voters believed that the “talking part” of the song isn’t included. They’re technically not “lyrics”.
    Either that, or the overall cleverness of his song overcame a slight rule-bend.
    I don’t think it was actually a break of rules.

    Some may say that the title of my song broke the rules.
    Some may say that The Masked Stranger’s only using 9 words shouldn’t count.

    Also, Edric: This is definitely my favorite song of yours.
    Very clever. A large number of my friends all love you now.

  13. ainekatt Avatar
    ainekatt

    This is fabulous.

    Hank Green and Edric Haleen’s are the best, hands down.

    I’m going to have lots of fun with singing both of them.

    And yes, I actually took the time to write down the lyrics of both of them. And I fully intend to try to fill in the MadLib song. xD

    Way to go everyone, especially the crazies who thought up this challenge- it’s fabulous!

  14. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    I’d like to ask Karstan and Riddle what it is that was oddly impressive about my entry? And while you’re at it, what would have made it even better?

  15. Jaleho Avatar

    Bobby: Not knowing what you’re planning to do with your next song, it’s hard to say what to do differently. Basically, I can give some specifics for the one you already did, maybe you can apply that:

    First, for your style of music, singing, and what you were trying to emulate, the high hat seemed out of place. Where you had a high tinny sound, I would have expected a lower harder beat. Same rhythm and all, just a different tone to it.

    Second, your very first line (“Who do you love”) sounds to me like you’re using something like:

    F#3 to C#3 and then to something between D3 and D#3

    Without changing the shape too much, try singing it with something like

    F#3 to F2 to F#2 to G#2 to F#2

    The notes you had felt like they belonged more in the middle of the song, not as the opening. This new group keeps the high to low to medium shape you originally had. You could even skip the F#3 and start right on the F2. I just think the C# you had didn’t fit with your guitar, and the D3/D3# wasn’t strong enough.

    I know, this is all to techie. I just need to sing the damn line and record it, it would make more sense then.

  16. BHB Avatar
    BHB

    Also, this is the first song I attempted to put drums into. I’m so not a percussion guy.
    Maybe if I took time to understand drums a bit more…

    I don’t know what notes I was singing, but I know Vocals are definitely the place I need more focus.

    I’m going to try make my new stuff a little more like my last competition’s entries. “I hate the moon” had a bit of vocal ‘bleh’ in it, but all-in-all was a better song than anything I’ve done in this competition.

    I think I need to think less about writing my songs into the competition rules, and more making the competition rules fit into my song.

    Thanks for the tips.

    …I’m probably going to stop talking here. This is far too public of a place to be getting music lessons. Haha!

  17. Eddie Colton Avatar
    Eddie Colton

    I don’t think Edric cheated more than anyone else. The SONG only has ten words. No one said you couldn’t talk in the song too. It’s not like anyone’s going, “Wow, he talked in the song! That puts it over the top!” Now, if he rapped explaining the song, that would be a disqualification. I mean look at it this way – are you going to be “repeating along” with the talking parts when you listen to it?

    I thought one of the cleverest songs was Ian’s. I’m surprised his isn’t getting more votes. He was really creative with the music too. Very “You Know My Name (Look Up The Number).”

  18. PK9 Avatar
    PK9

    I came here because of Hank, but like any good nerdfighter I listened to them all and picked the best five on their merits. “I Know” happens to be my favorite, because not only does it put 10 words into a musical context (the mininum definition of a song), it goes above and beyond by forming those words into coherent stanzas and sung to a catchy melody. The same goes with the other ones I picked “Sandwich Girl”, “God of Bingo” and “Chanhgrila”. The other one I chose “What is Wrong” because it set the World Record for the longest single word in a song. Anyone know what protein that was?

  19. Mick Bordet Avatar

    That would be “tryptophan synthetase A”, to give its less throat-drying common name.

    Thanks to everyone who voted for my song in this round. I appreciate that it may have more to do with just how ridiculous it is as a concept than how well it stands up as a song, but if it makes you smile then my job is done!

  20. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    The minimum definition of a song? I wasn’t aware music was so narrowly defined as even needing words.

  21. sevinPackage Avatar

    I’ve created a video review for this round of Song Fu.
    You can watch it here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOc13d10KJI

  22. Hippie Freak Avatar
    Hippie Freak

    I was able to hear the songs the other day but I only had time to listen to a few. Ever since then they will buffer but not play. I tried everything, including restarting my computer, but they still won’t play.

    Is anyone else having this problem?

  23. SevinPackage Avatar

    Yeah, Hippie. I’ve had that problem as well.
    The best way to listen is to download instead.

  24. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    That’s what I did, download it all.

  25. Angelastic Avatar

    I also downloaded them all and listened to them on my iPod while doing other things. I am also surprised that Timothy Rush’s song isn’t doing better, the music is just great and it’s an interesting way to use the words.

    Mick, your song is basically a clever gimmick, and gimmicks and jokes get old eventually (well, with me, maybe not. I like ridiculous things no matter how old they are. That’s why I like [insert celebrity name here].) So each time I listen to it, it takes longer before I start laughing, but it’s a very long word, so it will take a lot of listens before I can listen to the whole thing without laughing. That’s why you got my vote. Some day I will memorise it, and sing it to anyone who is not impressed by my having memorised Tom Lehrer’s ‘The Elements’.

    I also voted for Machine, because the music is great and it’s such an interesting/funny idea. Also, Free Love, because it sounds awesome (a lot of the time I’ve already upped my rating of a song on hearing the first few notes; this was one of those songs) and it kind of tells a story with those ten words.

    I had a really hard time deciding over the last vote. I’d have voted for Jutze if he’d submitted Captain Tinglebaraby (it’s on his blog.) I’d probably have voted for Edric if he’d submitted the song without the intro and outro, proving that it could stand alone without that. My main objection to the spoken intro is that it implies that the song needs those extra words to make sense, which goes against the spirit (as well as the letter) of the rules. If you can’t get your idea across in ten words plus a title, you need a different idea. It’s a shame, because I think I’d have not only understood it but also enjoyed it more (because of the sudden absurdity) without the introduction, but now I’ll never know.

    So eventually I voted for Hank Green’s song, even though I was sort of biased against that, knowing that he’d sent tens of thousands of fans here who might be voting for him without listening to the others. But he did choose good words to make it sound like he wasn’t limited.

    And since The Masked Stranger asked for criticisms, here’s one that would go nicely with the current list in your profile — ‘like singing through vomit’. Sorry, but I really can’t listen to that style of singing. Also, it makes it hard to tell what the words are.

  26. Adreanna Avatar
    Adreanna

    I love how Paul and Storm are alone in the masters category, and yet 306 people bothered to vote anyway!
    (Yes, I was one of those)

    Surely it says something that people liked their song enough to vote for it, EVEN WHEN IT WOULDN’T DO ANYTHING!

  27. Hazen Nester Avatar
    Hazen Nester

    @sevinPackage: I can honestly say that the thought that I could “earn votes by writing boring downtempo ballads” never crossed my mind. The fact of the matter was that I had a chord progression kicking around for a while and this challenge gave me an opportunity to use it. On the other hand, thanks for complimenting the writing and melody. I wish I could make more polished recordings, but I’m just not that well-equipped.

  28. SevinPackage Avatar

    @Hazen: I know you’ve got the chops to make a good song, and I hope that the next challenge gives you the leeway to express yourself properly.
    Don’t worry about the equipment – Music is in the heart.

  29. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    Angeltastic, that was a glowing compliment,even if you didn’t intend it to be, that is the exact sound I was trying to make, I’m glad you got it and that it bothered you, it means I’m doing my job ^_^. That’s the whole point in me being in this competition, I know that what I do isn’t going to be readily accepted or appreciated here, this is not the kind of crowd that likes what I do. I’m in this competition for two reasons:
    One, to become notorious as a musical heretic and fool.
    Two, to see if anyone out there might actually enjoy what I’m putting out or at least get something positive from it. Whether I get votes or not, I know that I’ll stand out because of how different I am, and that means I’m bound to accomplish my goals to at least some extent.

  30. Riddle Avatar
    Riddle

    @Naked Strangler, er i mean, Masked Stranger: i guess what “oddly” impressed about your song is the fact that i usually find such “noise” rock infuriatingly juvenile and pointless, but “the mushroom folk…” has two things that elevate it for me: an actual rhythm, though plodding, and an actual point, though obscure. as for improving it, i’d say a chorus where the mushroom folk sing as they dance like the lollipop kids from the wiz of oz would have been the maraschino at the pinnacle.

  31. HATBOI Avatar
    HATBOI

    GOOOOOOOOO Masked Stranger!

  32. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    Hmmm… That is a good idea Riddle… A whole chorus of singing mushroom folk… But, what would they sound like? I wouldn’t want to impart the rest of the song’s vocal style upon them, perhaps I could pitch-shift some kids singing it.
    Also, the Naked Strangler is a good friend of mine and an upstanding citizen, just because he is a leading cause of asphyxiation in his area doesn’t mean he isn’t a gentleman. I’d ask him to join this competition as he is a rather competent violin player, but alas he has a morbid fear of computers, and contests that are decided by vote.

  33. Angelastic Avatar

    Excellent, I had a feeling you weren’t exactly going for something like The Sound of Music, so I hoped you’d not be surprised or offended by my comment. I didn’t realise you were specifically going for the sound of mucous/vomit though. Well done!

    I have one question though, and one which probably shouldn’t be asked of a supposedly-masked stranger. Who are you, really? The Masked Stranger, The Naked Strangler, Neal John Mac Rae or Harry Macrae? How many of you are there? Going by the tags on the mp3, it was difficult to figure out exactly which contestant not to vote for.

  34. Angelastic Avatar

    I just discovered that I didn’t know the difference between mucus and mucous until now.

  35. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    Technically I was going for the sound of music, it just wasn’t the kind of music you’re comfortable with. As for my identity, you can pick one, I’d rather not interfere with your interpretation of what it is that I am. The more enigmatic I am, the better. As an artist, as a musical entity, being human, being understandable, it just isn’t interesting enough for me. The Masked Stranger is whatever he is, and when I’m him (myself)I don’t want to be recognizable as human or even believable. If I play a show, or hatchet-pluck my bantar in seeming privacy, I want witnesses to question what they saw, I want them to tell themselves that they didn’t hear or see what they just heard or saw. I want them to hope it was some dream or a miraculous illusion. I would much rather be known to the subconscious of my viewers than to their wakeful selves.

  36. Angelastic Avatar

    I can’t believe I just read that.

  37. PK9 Avatar
    PK9

    Masked Stranger,

    You’re right, a song doesn’t have to have words in it. But this prompt was for a song with lyrics (10 to be exact). =)

    By the way, I wish I had a 6th vote for yours, it’s getting more and more stuck in my head.

  38. Insane Ian Avatar

    @ Eddie Colton: Thanks for the kind words! We were actually going for more of a “One Night In Bangcock” feel, but “You Know My Name” fits very well as well!

    I’m really enjoying being in this competition again…and for longer this time! My entry from Song Fu #2 Round 1 is on my just-released album “n3rds0ngs”, and what WOULD have been my Round 2 entry (had i made it that far) is as well…

    -Insane Ian

  39. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    See, it’s working already. You’re already doubting the stability of my existence!

  40. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    Wait, PK9, you’re talking to me when you say “By the way, I wish I had a 6th vote for yours, it’s getting more and more stuck in my head.”, right? I never expected anyone to find it catchy… at all. XD thanks for the ghost vote.

  41. Karstan Avatar
    Karstan

    Masked Stranger

    One of the reasons I like your song is that it was wholly different from everyone else’s. Like Molly, you took the rules for the round and ran in a different direction from everyone else. The song also reminded me of some of Les Claypool’s work. I’m a HUGE fan of his.

    Some things I’d change: While I liked the direction you went with the lyrics, I’d make them a bit more intelligible. Not so much that you ruin what you were striving for, but a bit. Also, while I like the random-noise intro, I didn’t really start digging the song until the real rhythm started. Perhaps a shorter intro (or skipping it entirely), along with a bit clearer lyrics would have made your song more accessible to some more people in the voting.

    Seriously, though, I see what you’re doing with it, and I though it was compelling enough for one of my votes.

  42. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    Thank you very much Karstan, and I agree that the into might have been a bit long… Then again, it might have been better even longer, it would have been more rewarding for anyone willing to sit through it XD.

  43. joey fixit Avatar
    joey fixit

    Jalapeno Habeneros: I voted for your song. No offense to Molly or any of the other fine entries, but I personally thought yours was the best of the bunch.

  44. The Masked Stranger Avatar
    The Masked Stranger

    You do know that you can vote for up to five people right? Not just one. Also, you shouldn’t worry about offending other contestants when your vote is anonymous. Now however, it isn’t and I’m pretty sure that no one is offended even now that we all know where Joey Fixit has placed his very important vote.

  45. Sport Goggle Avatar
    Sport Goggle

    Next challenge please!

  46. The Rogue Bohemian Avatar
    The Rogue Bohemian

    @ joey fixit – Thank you for your choice. We are fledgling songwriters, and are using this competition to develop our talents. We are absolutely thrilled that we have almost twice the votes we had last week; we take it to mean we did better this time. Maybe the absence of two minutes of dialog helped our case. We’ll keep doing our best to come out with better and better songs. It’s very encouraging to know that somebody out there likes what we put together.

    I’m also very pleased to be working in a competition with the group assembled. The talent in our group puts on a pressure to improve, and while it’s evident that some artists do better or worse each week, it’s also evident that everybody here has serious Fu. Thank you for being good and making us better.

  47. Wilson Fowlie Avatar
    Wilson Fowlie

    @Masked Stranger, re: “I wasn’t aware music was so narrowly defined as even needing words.”

    PK9 didn’t say that *music* needed words, he said that putting “words into a musical context” was “the minimum definition of a song” not of ‘music’. A song is something one sings – that’s why it’s called that. If it doesn’t have words – if you don’t sing it – it’s not a song. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with music not being a song; many of the best and best known pieces of music have no words at all. But they don’t fall into the category ‘song’.

    (One might even argue – if one were to take PK9’s definition very literally – that a piece of music with no intelligible lyrics – scatting or nonsense syllable songs, or vocalizations of originally instrumental pieces (cf. the Swingle Singers) – are also not songs, as such. I personally would rate them as songs, but to a lesser degree than songs with lyrics.)

  48. Wilson Fowlie Avatar
    Wilson Fowlie

    And instead of ‘rate’, in that last sentence, I should have said ‘categorize’.

  49. Bessyboo Avatar
    Bessyboo

    I’m having a great time playing this game with all your songs-
    http://www.kongregate.com/games/Reflexive/music-catch-2

  50. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    Hello. Just wondering… When does the next challenge go up?

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