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 unique form of creative combat here at the Stop.
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…
Like a songwriting version of Iron Chef, the competitors will be 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 audience.
Oh, and what do we call this competition?
MASTERS OF SONG FU
Let us not forget the very special Masters of MASTERS OF SONG FU. Think of them as the iron chefs of Song Fu – one of which will be revealed as your ultimate challenger in THE FINAL CHALLENGE. Past Masters have included Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, Neil Innes, The RiffTones, and Garfunkel & Oates. Any one of them could be your final Challenge – or perhaps it could be a brand new Master. Only the Challenger who garners the most cumulative votes in all of the Challenges will move on to the Final and face that Master, mano a mano.
So what was the first Challenge?
ROUND 1 CHALLENGE
This is a bit of a fun one. Your first task is based upon the work of Friend-of-the-Stop John Hodgman – specifically, the “700 MOLE MEN” listed in his second book, More Information Than You Require. You’ll find the full list of “700 Mole Men” – and their descriptions – HERE. Your task is to choose one (1) and write a song about that Mole Man, based on the description provided by Hodgman. The title of your song will be the name of the Mole Man you’ve chosen, and its corresponding number on the list. You are free to write your song in any style that you choose.
That’s it. The only other directive is that your song must run no shorter than 1 minute.
You’ll find the Round 1 songs from each of our Challengers below, as well as the STILL ONGOING Round 1 voting (it ends on November 22nd, so be sure to vote!). More importantly, though, you’ll also discover what the Round 2 Challenge is!
THE CHALLENGERS
GOVERNING DYNAMICS
Governing Dynamics is the name of Travis Norris’s eternal sideproject, where all the stuff written by him goes when his current band (whatever it may be) refuses to play it. The music has been favorably compared to such bands as Eels, Radiohead, The White Stripes, and other bands that cool people like. It has been unfavorably compared to the tactics used by the FBI against the Branch Dividians at Waco. If he has to describe his music by genre (and refer to himself in third person) Travis calls it “alternative/shoegazer with a liberal dose of Midwestern rock”. Official Website: governingdynamics.bandcamp.com Twitter: twitter.com/travisnorris ROUND 1 SONG: “#288 Polly The Exhumer”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/governing_dynamics-288-polly_the_exhumer.mp3]
JASON MORRIS
I suppose I am what you could call a “Multi-Instrumentalist”. That is a nice way of saying “Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-none”. I began playing drums as a teenager and spent a great deal of energy during my 20’s trying to “make it” in the music biz. As a drummer, I have had the opportunity to play with some pretty incredible musicians, garnering literally DOZENS of fans over the years. In 2004 I joined the band Celestial Static, and spent several years melting some face with good friends Jeremy and Julie Elzerman. Once that ran its course, I decided to spend more time locked away in my studio, writing my own songs and learning to play guitar, bass and sing. It doesn’t pay the bills, but I have a good time doing it. Official Website: www.jason-morris.net Twitter: twitter.com/JasonLMorris ROUND 1 SONG: “#019 Thomas Ashley Innersun”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jason_morris-019-thomas_ashley_innersun.mp3]
EDRIC HALEEN
Edric is a returning veteran of the Masters of Song Fu competition. He has been writing music (off and on) since the early nineties. 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. Also – feel free to check out (and add to!) the “Happiness Board” on his web pages! Official Website: happinessboard.com/Edric_Haleen.html ROUND 1 SONG: “#138 Sir Isaac Quickmud”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/edric_haleen-138-sir_isaac_quickmud.mp3]
“BUCKETHAT” BOBBY MATHESON
I’m “BucketHat” Bobby Matheson. I used to make cartoons for the internet, and sometimes still do, but mostly focus on my music right now. I write and record my songs solo, in my little make-shift studio, and when I play live, I often get some help from friends. Some of my music is funny, and some isn’t. More often than not, the humour is unintentional. My Influences range from Klezmer to folk, to punk and back again, which ends up sounding more like Zydeco than anything else (who’d have guessed?). I’ve been described as a “Cajun Buddy Holly” and an “Optimistic Elvis Costello”. It’s been said that I sound like “That guy from the Barenaked Ladies” and a “Nasaly Bob Dylan”. One of these days, I hope to have a description that is accurate. Official Website: www.buckethatbobby.randomsociety.com Twitter: twitter.com/BucketHatBobby ROUND 1 SONG: “#139 Mr. Genuine Hissfurther”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/buckethat_bobby_matheson-139-mr_genuine_hissfurther.mp3]
TYLER MASSEY
Tyler Massey is an uncomplicated person. He likes to sip Cristal and polish his yacht collection. He enjoys the simple things in life, like stepping on snails barefoot and nude origami. He wishes that he had a proper Hobo Name, and is open to suggestions. Official Website: www.tylermassey.co.uk Twitter: twitter.com/tylermassey ROUND 1 SONG: “#429 Mr Roughfingers and his ‘Louse’-estra”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/tyler_massey-429-mr_roughfingers.mp3]
GODZ POODLZ
Legends foretell of a mighty duo, born in the frozen North. Two neighbors and friends will unite to form “Godz Poodlz” and battle the Mazters or Song Fu for glory and bragging rights! Godz Poodlz are Rüss Rogers and Rod Durre. Russ Rogers was once a member of “Kit and Kaboodle” (still available on iTunes) and currently performs in “Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree!” Rhod Durre was in the Goth Rock Band, “Sear!” Beware the Godz Poodlz Ear Worm! Godz Poodlz songs are bright, funny and tenaciously catchy. Come join Godz Poodlz Legionz of Fanz! Official Website: www.myspace.com/godzpoodlz ROUND 1 SONG: “#381 Captain Dane Frostline”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/godz_poodlz-381-captain_dane_frostline.mp3]
BRAM TANT
Bram Tant is a Belgian coputer science student with a distinct love for music. Ever since going to music school as a kid, he’s enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, and has been writing songs for some years now. While he’s still learning to play the guitar, sing and write songs better, he improves with each attempt, and he makes up for it (and the lack of proper recording equipment) with his passion and enthusiasm. He would like to become a professional musician someday, but for now he’s satisfied with writing and performing for friends, family, and strangers on the internet. Official Website: studwww.ugent.be/~btant/
Hi, my name is Steve Chatterton, the quintessential one-man-band singer/songwriter net-based recording project. Mom always said I marched to the sound of a different drummer, but she never mentioned which one. Dad had a fondness for bagpipes. Fortunately, neither of them have any direct influence on my music. Specializing in quirky little guitar-oriented pop songs about bugs, the Scooby gang, pirates, palindromes, superheroes, old movies, infectious diseases, imaginary friends and sideshow freaks, I guess you could say I pretty much write love songs. I’m a cheesy bastard at heart. I’m a stay-at-home dad who’s looking to find more time in the studio when my youngest starts school in September. I have an ever-expanding back catalog (at least 3 albums worth & counting) I’m dying to share with the world one download at a time. Official Website: www.stevechatterton.com Twitter: twitter.com/SteveChatterton ROUND 1 SONG: “#042 Miss Claudia Inward Burrowdown”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/steve_chatteron-042-miss_claudia_inward_burrowdown.mp3]
MANTICESS
Manitcess are Susanne Wolff (Lupa) on vocals and Johannes Schult (Jutze) on guitar. The duo plays melodic song somewhere between pop, folk and rock. Melodies are more important than trends. The band has already played various gigs in Germany and Switzerland and is eager to entertain – or better to enchant their audience with their musical tales. Official Website: www.myspace.com/manticess Twitter: twitter.com/schult ROUND 1 SONG: “#423 Red”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/manticess-423-red.mp3]
JARRETT HEATHER
Although he has no formal training, Jarrett is an accomplished pianist who has been composing music for nearly twenty years. A relative newcomer to the world of online amateur competitive songwriting, he burst onto the scene earlier this year when he filled out an entry form just before the deadline. While earning his living as a graphic artist and website developer, Jarrett secretly dreams of leaving behind the glamor and prestige of internet publishing so he can focus on composing music for songwriting contests full-time. Official Website: www.spaceparanoids.net Twitter: twitter.com/SpaceParanoids ROUND 1 SONG: “#042 Miss Claudia Inward Burrowdown”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jarrett_heather-042-miss_claudia_inward_burrowdown.mp3]
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. Official Website: www.AudioMohel.com Twitter: twitter.com/AudioMohel ROUND 1 SONG: “#471 Mr. Armskin”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/audiomohel-471-mr_armskin.mp3]
JALAPENO 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: jalapenojabaneros.blogspot.com ROUND 1 SONG: “#604 Suction-Cupped Jonny”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jalapeno_habaneros-604-suction-cupped_jonny.mp3]
TIMOTHY RUSH
Hi, my name is Timothy. I like me. I like my school, I like my friends. I like to play the music. I very much enjoy the peoples. Thank you. Official Website: www.myspace.com/tweed234 Twitter: twitter.com/TimmyVendetta ROUND 1 SONG: “#006 Sir Stinson Maggotwrangle”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/timothy_rush-006-sir_stinson_maggotwrangle.mp3]
JUBILEE JEWS
They are not some traveling country hillbilly act. They are celebrating the year of Jubilee in the form of ukulele based indie pop. They are Akiva Misto and Eliana Bartimeus and they are prepared to rock your yarmulkes! Official Website: NONE ROUND 1 SONG: “#487 Lady Antonia Oddpolyps”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jubilee_jews-487-lady_antonia_oddpolyps.mp3]
GORBZILLA
Gorbzilla is a musician/band teacher in Mid-Michigan. He has been in a few bands over the years, most notably as the bass player/vocalist for the band “Satin Jones” and the guitarist/vocalist for the band “Jimmy Likes Pie”. The proud father of two future rock maniacs, Gorbzilla has been writing music for the past twenty years, and is currently working on his first musical Beer – Finally a Musical for Men based on the Haiku by Patrick “Horkmeister” Sweet entitled, “I Think I Threw Up”. He has been happily married for eight years, and is looking forward to this competition. Official Website: gorbzilla.blogspot.com ROUND 1 SONG: “#414 Nick Nolte”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/gorbzilla-414-nick_nolte.mp3]
PETER BENEDICT
Peter is a person of sorts. Since his birth he has consistently occupied himself with a variety of time consuming and completely un-noteworthy activities. Despite this breadth of experience he remains untalented in the ways of writing all encompassing 600 word essays. He does, however, greatly enjoy the rare treat that is writing about oneself in the third person, especially when such a gift should be presented to him at the wonderful time of 4AM. Peter now supposes that since this a musical competition he is entering, he might want to include something about that in his bio. At the way too old age of 18, Peter first attempted to play music. His guitar teacher warned him that he was much to old to begin training, and that he would probably be an emotionally unstable musician that would eventually turn to the dark side. Peter took no heed to this warning, and indeed dropped out of guitar lessons fairly quickly, realizing that he enjoyed learning much more when done alone. In the year and a half since then, Peter has been on a steady rise and will no doubt be taking the musical world by storm in the coming year. Perhaps his greatest musical moment came in December of 2008, when his Christmas caroling band, The Sizzle, took his small hick town by storm with a door to door tour through the suburbs, melting the figurative face of listeners with a funk/rap cover of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. In 2009 Peter has become active in the youtube community, known not for his music but for his notorious use of stop-motion eating scenes and a DIY laugh track. Hoping to hone his barely existing musical skills through the pressure of competition, Peter joins Round 5 of Song Fu. He sincerely hopes that rewriting this bio at a later date will be an option. The Peter Is Competing. Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/thepeteris Twitter: twitter.com/thepeteris ROUND 1 SONG: “#315 Mr. Dennimore Evercrouch”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/peter_benedict-315-mr_dennimore_evercrouch.mp3]
CRAIG RICHIE
At the ripe age of 19, this strapping young lad has been song writing for two years now. With his mates Meredith and Cornelius (guitar and ukulele, respectively), Craig Richie is prepared to join the ranks of the Song Fu warriors. Finding strong influences from former masters JoCo and Molly Lewis, as well as pinches of Kimya Dawson and Elvis Costello, this boy’s got a perspective on the world to share. Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/craigtotherichie ROUND 1 SONG: “#275 Mr. Owen Daylight”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/craig_richie-275-mr_owen_daylight.mp3]
JOSH HOLOBER-WARD
Josh was born in Canada, which probably explains more about him than anything else he could put in a bio. He plays the accordion, is self-taught on the piano, and highly enjoys playing and writing for both – though he rarely finishes anything without a deadline. With this grueling contest, he hopes to push himself to unleash the best Fu he possibly can… and hell, maybe even some he impossibly can. YARRR! Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/PossessedRaccoon ROUND 1 SONG: “#422 Mokey”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/josh_holober-ward-422-mokey.mp3]
AARON Z
Many folks say that Aaron Z is a pretty cool guy. He plays too many instruments, but mostly piano & guitar. He wastes too much of his free time writing and performing music, which has been known to make people laugh, tough men cry, and ladies melt in his arms. His current projects include Orange Box: The Musical! and A Tribute to the Letter E. He likes food cooked with mushrooms and his favorite ice-creams are vanilla-based, not chocolate-based. Check out his music, including his previously-weekly but now faux-weekly music project on his website, plus his other cool music. Official Website: aaronz.bandcamp.com ROUND 1 SONG: “#590 Harvey Rupert Elder”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/aaron_z-590-harvey_rupert_elder.mp3]
SPENCER SOKOL
Spencer is trying to do things. Music is one of those things. It is painfully obvious to him, if not others, that he has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. In the past he has been musically inclined with a guitar and occasionally with a piano. He is trying to be musically active once again, but this time he is attempting to do so while on the Internets. Creating music is a large part of his 40×40 list and he thinks this competition seems like “a Super Mega Happy Fun way” to rekindle his musical desires. Official Website: www.spencersokol.com Twitter: twitter.com/spencersokol ROUND 1 SONG: “#298 Mr. Deadend”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/spencer_sokol-298-mr_deadend.mp3]
JOE “COVENANT” LAMB
I’m Joe Covenant. I’m Scottish. And never have enough time to do everything I wanna! Been singing and perfoming for over 40 years… (yes, I am 46.)… and I’ve nearly learned a 6th chord! Everything I do. I do for Song Fu. (If not for this ‘contest’ I would have never met and collaborated with so many talented people.) Official Website: joecovenant.bandcamp.com Twitter: twitter.com/JoeCovenant ROUND 1 SONG: “#297 Mr. Tom Furby”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/joe_covenant_lamb-297-mr_tom_furby.mp3]
LEX VADER
Lex Vader was born to a single mother who worked as silicon tycoon’s personal assistant. When she died of poor hygiene, Lex was sent to an orphanage where he showed interest in organizing races and laser fencing. After being recruited into a religious order, he spent the next few years between several of their private schools. In his final year, Lex lost his hand in an argument with a professor over Kryptochlorians. Despite this, Lex was able to achieve a successful business career and even a knighthood. Tragedy struck, however, when a former classmate’s arctic home caught fire during a business lunch, scarring half of Lex’s face. At this point, Lex’s behavior became erratic. When he managed to buy SithCo, the cult that schooled him, he was shunned by the corporate world. No longer taken seriously, Lex started an evil empire and now moonlights with his evil emotronic alternapop band. Official Website: lexvaderssecretjournal.wordpress.com Twitter: twitter.com/LexVader ROUND 1 SONG: “#153 Permanent Unsex”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/lex_vader-153-permanent_unsex.mp3]
CALEB HINES
Caleb became a software engineer instead of a musician because the type of music he likes best went out of style at the end of the 18th century. Self-taught in music theory, he is more comfortable writing a four-part instrumental fugue than he is writing a verse-chorus-bridge song. After discovering the likes of Weird Al, Dr. Horrible, and especially Jonathan Coulton, he realized that “modern music” can be fun too. Now he is on a quest to update, expand, and diversify his musical knowledge and experience. In addition to singing, he plays a whole family of recorders, baroque flute, ukulele, melodica, pretends to play keyboard, and most recently, guitar. He also uses virtual MIDI instruments because a real orchestra costs too much. Official Website: refactoringmybrain.blogspot.com Twitter: twitter.com/calebhines ROUND 1 SONG: “#490 Mr. Nehemiah Bloodwormer”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/caleb_hines-490-mr_nehemiah_bloodwormer.mp3]
IAN “TWO SHADES” JOHNSON
Ian Johnson was born atop Mount Everest, was attacked by a troop of ninjas on his way out of the womb, then rode a grizzly bear down the mountain and punched Hitler’s ghost on the way down. Then he ate some mashed peas. Seriously though. Ian played piano for about six years before taking a break in music. Then he decided to play guitar, because as we all know, piano don’t get chicks. He started playing guitar about a year and a half ago. His music has been described (by himself) as garage-punk ska-esque acoustic altern-rock with just a little ukulele thrown in for good measure. Official Website: ianjohnson.bandcamp.com ROUND 1 SONG: “#145 Mandibular-Jaw Johnny”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/ian_johnson-145-mandibular-jaw_johnny.mp3]
ZER0GUY
Sometimes two people get together who are destined to make history. Sometimes they are born into the same family. zer0guy is the musical/life-partnership of Jon and Dan Kelly, long time musicians looking forward to placing notes in your head. Official Website: www.myspace.com/zer0guyband ROUND 1 SONG: “#237 Dirtbag Dan”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/zer0guy-237-dirtbag_dan.mp3]
JONATHAN MANN
My current project is writing A Song a Day (Rock Cookie Bottom), and my former projects include The Last Nympho Leprechaun, a rock opera, The Mario Opera, a rock opera, GameJew, a web show, and The Mushroom Singdom, singing old school video game reviews. Official Website: www.rockcookiebottom.com ROUND 1 SONG: “#612 Mr. Barry Screwskull”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jonathan_mann-612-mr_barry_screwskull.mp3]
SARA PARSONS
Sara Parsons is a twenty-year-old music composition student from northern California. She participated in Masters of Song Fu #4 and had a blast and met a ton of great people. She hopes she’s better at writing songs than she is at writing her own biography. Official Website: www.youtube.com/user/sargeantketchup ROUND 1 SONG: “#573 Miss Miriam Poisonblisters”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/sara_parsons-573-miss_miriam_poisonblisters.mp3]
CHAS LILLY
Chas Lilly is a man that needs introduction. He is geeky but hopefully without being boring. He has been known to write songs about Pluto, Tim Allen, funerals, and everything in between. People often describe his music as “music”. Official Website: www.youtube.com/friendswobenefits Twitter: twitter.com/foldsaholic ROUND 1 SONG: “#567 Mr. Angelo Openjaw”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/chas_lilly-567-mr_angelo_openjaw.mp3]
KYLIE PETTO
My name is Kylie, and I’m your everyday 17-year-old girl with a passion for music. I’ve been writing my own songs since I was ten years old, and nothing is more fun for me than to sit down with my guitar and unwind. I’d like to use Masters of Song Fu to really challenge myself, and hopefully grow as a musical artist. Official Website: NONE Twitter: twitter.com/KyliePetto ROUND 1 SONG: “#141 Devil Anse Doubledirt”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/kylie_petto-141-devil-anse-doubledirt.mp3]
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: “#623 Jenna Frogtalker”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/jeff_fardink-623-jenna_frogtalker.mp3]
ALEX TAYLOR
I am a young musician who plays trombone, guitar, ukulele, piano, melodica, and a little bit of harmonica. I play everything from rock songs with distortion pedals on ukulele, to rap medleys on piano, to sappy love songs and songs about the internet crashing on guitar. This is my first time in Song Fu. Official Website: NONE ROUND 1 SONG: “#604 Suction-Cupped Jonny”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/alex_taylor-604-suction-cupped_jonny.mp3]
GIFTED GEAR
I’m just a kid with a guitar. Sometimes I even play it. Official Website: NONE ROUND 1 SONG: “#580 Old Man Hades”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/gifted_gear-580-old_man_hades.mp3]
BOB WESTFALL
Bob Westfall (guitar, mandolin, vocals, songwriting) has studied and worked with some of the top acoustic players in the country – Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, John Hartford, and Alex DeGrassi. But, while these influences are certainly evident, Westfall’s songwriting and lyrics are uniquely his own. An award-winning mandolinist, Bob grew up in Texas and Minnesota, and his style incorporates the best elements of composing with a hybrid jazz/pop/worldbeat/bluegrass feel. Official Website: www.sonicbids.com/thebobwestfallband ROUND 1 SONG: “#023 Miss Annabelle Tunnelsmell”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/bobby_westfall-023-miss_annabelle_tunnelsmell.mp3]
JUSTIN VEGA
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to mix Ravishing Rick Rude and the Beatles together? Me too. Man that would be awesome. Justin Vega is a songwriter/sort of singer from Las Vegas, NV. Justin Vega thinks writing in third person is awesome. Official Website: NONE ROUND 1 SONG: “#077 Dr. Hieronymous Sandpuppy”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/justin_vega-077-dr_hieronymous_sandpuppy.mp3]
SIMMBIOSIS
Simmbiosis – three part band. Defies the usual type or brand. A combo bred, in this strange head. The obscene voice the unseen hand. Terpsichore and muse imbued. Perverse perhaps a little rude. Music composed, a life exposed. Giving you all I can exude. Studio C where I compose. Club Bed where I take my repose. Iniquity, safe haven for me. The rest you’ll just have to suppose. To be among this crowd, auspicious. An honor bordering on delicious. Thanks to View Askew, I’ll whip out my Song Fu. And work not to be repetitious, repetitious, repetitious. Official Website: www.myspace.com/simmbiosis ROUND 1 SONG: “#646 Hydrostatic Charlie”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/05song1/simmbiosis-646-hydrostatic_charlie.mp3]
To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 1 songs, CLICK HERE.
ROUND 2 CHALLENGE
Write a song about a number.
That’s right – a song about a number. It can be any number, and it can be describing or representing anything. The number you choose will be the title of your song. The song can be in any style you’d like. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute.
Your song must be submitted in mp3 form (128-192kbps) either via e-mail (to songfu @ asitecalledfred.com – remember to remove the spaces) or a file upload service (like RapidShare or YouSendIt). Deadline for submission is 11:59pm EST on Sunday, November 29th, 2009.
Voting on Round 2 submissions will commence on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009.
And now, it’s time for the voting. For this round, you can choose your TOP 5 FAVORITE Challenger songs. Be sure to choose carefully. VOTING CLOSES AT 11:59pm EST on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd. If you are having trouble voting, CLEAR YOUR BROWSER’S CACHE and try again. PLEASE NOTE: This voting system bases voting eligibility on your IP Address. If there are other computers on a home or business network that share the same IP address through a router, it may say you’ve already voted. Unfortunately, there is no way around this, and still be able to prevent ballot stuffing. It’s just the nature of the online voting beast.
ROUND 1 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS
Which Song Fu Challengers brought the most fu to Round 1? (CHOOSE 5)
Joe Covenant Lamb - "#297 Mr. Tom Furby" (12%, 191 Votes)
Sara Parsons - "#573 Miss Miriam Poisonblisters" (9%, 145 Votes)
Chas Lilly - "#567 Mr. Angelo Openjaw" (8%, 131 Votes)
Josh Holober-Ward - "#422 Mokey" (6%, 95 Votes)
Jason Morris - "#019 Thomas Ashley Innersun" (5%, 70 Votes)
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.
I would like to offer a suggestion to increase the fairness of this contest. In the first round I submitted my song on Friday, had it acknowledged on Sunday, found it excluded on Tuesday and found myself on the bottom of a very long list when I was reintroduced into the competition later that day.
As this is a competition, would it not also add to the parity and challenge to display the contestants in the order their song is received?
It seems that Song Fu is all about speed and agility (just like its pathetic Asian knock-off Kung Fu) so this would also motivate us to work more efficiently as Fu followers. And, as we all know, mastery can only exist through efficiency and commitment.
We addressed your accidental omission via e-mail, Simmbiosis. As I had to add the bio back in and add you to the voting template, it had to be placed at the bottom. No harm intended. And, at the end of the day, Song Fu is about the songs – not the speed or the placement in a layout.
So I realized that my idea and my lyrics and my melody and my chord progressions were all pretty much lame… then I caught a cold or flu or something that prevents me from singing anyways. My entry will probably only be an instrumental. “But how can instruments convey a number?” I hear you ask. You’ll have to stay tuned as I figure that one out, but I do have a plan.
This one is not for the squeamish, but as John Cleese said, “There are some people one would want to offend…” This challenge was to write a song about a number and the number that first came to me was 7 as in George Carlin’s 7 Dirty Words. As the great Mr. Carlin has recently left those of us above ground I felt a tribute was in order, so this one is for George.
It seemed too easy to do a song about the 7 dirty words, so I decided to up my challenge quotient. From the start all music is done in sequences of seven, every drum beat every guitar note, every mallet – at the end I had numerous left over 7s so I plugged them in. The song plays at 7 minutes (though mp3 seems to squeeze it a bit), took 7 days to produce (about 77 hours) and all the lyrics are in reference to 7s (I combined the 7 Dirty Words and & deadly sins in the first verse) and are either 7 words or seven syllables long.
I got mine turned in, by the way. Don’t feel bad – anyone who had the remotest amount of trouble. I wrote mine the day it was due. It was my fifth go. I have about three more good ideas near a completion. If there’s no other close ones I might do them. After the mole. This is becomming typical. I also have several other mole songs. I turn into a Woody Allen-esque creature as far as Fu is concerned. My husband takes it in good stride.
As always and as usual, there’s the typical problems with the mastering. I have figured out how to get the fades and the song the *length* I want, but I’m afraid that the Engineering Fairies hate me. I laid down a piano track and said “you will accept this last one, or die.” I thought I’d try my hand at some reverbs and vocal editing and stuff too, and it got out of hand. I have started having a good time doing it though, and I sure do think I’m a badass anyway. I’m getting ever closer to getting the ‘Hellya’ in my head to “Oh yeah, it’s Out There.” So that’s all a good thing. I think ‘Anna … Gerbil …’ was the closest I’ve come so far in Fu.
Governing Dynamics is the name of Travis Norris’s eternal sideproject, where all the stuff written by him goes when his current band (whatever it may be) refuses to play it. The music has been favorably compared to such bands as Eels, Radiohead, The White Stripes, and other bands that cool people like. It has been unfavorably compared to the tactics used by the FBI against the Branch Dividians at Waco. If he has to describe his music by genre (and refer to himself in third person) Travis calls it “alternative/shoegazer with a liberal dose of Midwestern rock”.
I suppose I am what you could call a “Multi-Instrumentalist”. That is a nice way of saying “Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-none”. I began playing drums as a teenager and spent a great deal of energy during my 20’s trying to “make it” in the music biz. As a drummer, I have had the opportunity to play with some pretty incredible musicians, garnering literally DOZENS of fans over the years. In 2004 I joined the band Celestial Static, and spent several years melting some face with good friends Jeremy and Julie Elzerman. Once that ran its course, I decided to spend more time locked away in my studio, writing my own songs and learning to play guitar, bass and sing. It doesn’t pay the bills, but I have a good time doing it.
Edric is a returning veteran of the Masters of Song Fu competition. He has been writing music (off and on) since the early nineties. 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. Also – feel free to check out (and add to!) the “Happiness Board” on his web pages!
I’m “BucketHat” Bobby Matheson. I used to make cartoons for the internet, and sometimes still do, but mostly focus on my music right now. I write and record my songs solo, in my little make-shift studio, and when I play live, I often get some help from friends. Some of my music is funny, and some isn’t. More often than not, the humour is unintentional. My Influences range from Klezmer to folk, to punk and back again, which ends up sounding more like Zydeco than anything else (who’d have guessed?). I’ve been described as a “Cajun Buddy Holly” and an “Optimistic Elvis Costello”. It’s been said that I sound like “That guy from the Barenaked Ladies” and a “Nasaly Bob Dylan”. One of these days, I hope to have a description that is accurate.
Tyler Massey is an uncomplicated person. He likes to sip Cristal and polish his yacht collection. He enjoys the simple things in life, like stepping on snails barefoot and nude origami. He wishes that he had a proper Hobo Name, and is open to suggestions.
Legends foretell of a mighty duo, born in the frozen North. Two neighbors and friends will unite to form “Godz Poodlz” and battle the Mazters or Song Fu for glory and bragging rights! Godz Poodlz are Rüss Rogers and Rod Durre. Russ Rogers was once a member of “Kit and Kaboodle” (still available on iTunes) and currently performs in “Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree!” Rhod Durre was in the Goth Rock Band, “Sear!” Beware the Godz Poodlz Ear Worm! Godz Poodlz songs are bright, funny and tenaciously catchy. Come join Godz Poodlz Legionz of Fanz!
Bram Tant is a Belgian coputer science student with a distinct love for music. Ever since going to music school as a kid, he’s enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, and has been writing songs for some years now. While he’s still learning to play the guitar, sing and write songs better, he improves with each attempt, and he makes up for it (and the lack of proper recording equipment) with his passion and enthusiasm. He would like to become a professional musician someday, but for now he’s satisfied with writing and performing for friends, family, and strangers on the internet.
Hi, my name is Steve Chatterton, the quintessential one-man-band singer/songwriter net-based recording project. Mom always said I marched to the sound of a different drummer, but she never mentioned which one. Dad had a fondness for bagpipes. Fortunately, neither of them have any direct influence on my music. Specializing in quirky little guitar-oriented pop songs about bugs, the Scooby gang, pirates, palindromes, superheroes, old movies, infectious diseases, imaginary friends and sideshow freaks, I guess you could say I pretty much write love songs. I’m a cheesy bastard at heart. I’m a stay-at-home dad who’s looking to find more time in the studio when my youngest starts school in September. I have an ever-expanding back catalog (at least 3 albums worth & counting) I’m dying to share with the world one download at a time.
Manitcess are Susanne Wolff (Lupa) on vocals and Johannes Schult (Jutze) on guitar. The duo plays melodic song somewhere between pop, folk and rock. Melodies are more important than trends. The band has already played various gigs in Germany and Switzerland and is eager to entertain – or better to enchant their audience with their musical tales.
Although he has no formal training, Jarrett is an accomplished pianist who has been composing music for nearly twenty years. A relative newcomer to the world of online amateur competitive songwriting, he burst onto the scene earlier this year when he filled out an entry form just before the deadline. While earning his living as a graphic artist and website developer, Jarrett secretly dreams of leaving behind the glamor and prestige of internet publishing so he can focus on composing music for songwriting contests full-time.
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.
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.
Hi, my name is Timothy. I like me. I like my school, I like my friends. I like to play the music. I very much enjoy the peoples. Thank you.
They are not some traveling country hillbilly act. They are celebrating the year of Jubilee in the form of ukulele based indie pop. They are Akiva Misto and Eliana Bartimeus and they are prepared to rock your yarmulkes!
Gorbzilla is a musician/band teacher in Mid-Michigan. He has been in a few bands over the years, most notably as the bass player/vocalist for the band “Satin Jones” and the guitarist/vocalist for the band “Jimmy Likes Pie”. The proud father of two future rock maniacs, Gorbzilla has been writing music for the past twenty years, and is currently working on his first musical Beer – Finally a Musical for Men based on the Haiku by Patrick “Horkmeister” Sweet entitled, “I Think I Threw Up”. He has been happily married for eight years, and is looking forward to this competition.
Peter is a person of sorts. Since his birth he has consistently occupied himself with a variety of time consuming and completely un-noteworthy activities. Despite this breadth of experience he remains untalented in the ways of writing all encompassing 600 word essays. He does, however, greatly enjoy the rare treat that is writing about oneself in the third person, especially when such a gift should be presented to him at the wonderful time of 4AM. Peter now supposes that since this a musical competition he is entering, he might want to include something about that in his bio. At the way too old age of 18, Peter first attempted to play music. His guitar teacher warned him that he was much to old to begin training, and that he would probably be an emotionally unstable musician that would eventually turn to the dark side. Peter took no heed to this warning, and indeed dropped out of guitar lessons fairly quickly, realizing that he enjoyed learning much more when done alone. In the year and a half since then, Peter has been on a steady rise and will no doubt be taking the musical world by storm in the coming year. Perhaps his greatest musical moment came in December of 2008, when his Christmas caroling band, The Sizzle, took his small hick town by storm with a door to door tour through the suburbs, melting the figurative face of listeners with a funk/rap cover of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. In 2009 Peter has become active in the youtube community, known not for his music but for his notorious use of stop-motion eating scenes and a DIY laugh track. Hoping to hone his barely existing musical skills through the pressure of competition, Peter joins Round 5 of Song Fu. He sincerely hopes that rewriting this bio at a later date will be an option. The Peter Is Competing.
At the ripe age of 19, this strapping young lad has been song writing for two years now. With his mates Meredith and Cornelius (guitar and ukulele, respectively), Craig Richie is prepared to join the ranks of the Song Fu warriors. Finding strong influences from former masters JoCo and Molly Lewis, as well as pinches of Kimya Dawson and Elvis Costello, this boy’s got a perspective on the world to share.
Josh was born in Canada, which probably explains more about him than anything else he could put in a bio. He plays the accordion, is self-taught on the piano, and highly enjoys playing and writing for both – though he rarely finishes anything without a deadline. With this grueling contest, he hopes to push himself to unleash the best Fu he possibly can… and hell, maybe even some he impossibly can. YARRR!
Many folks say that Aaron Z is a pretty cool guy. He plays too many instruments, but mostly piano & guitar. He wastes too much of his free time writing and performing music, which has been known to make people laugh, tough men cry, and ladies melt in his arms. His current projects include Orange Box: The Musical! and A Tribute to the Letter E. He likes food cooked with mushrooms and his favorite ice-creams are vanilla-based, not chocolate-based. Check out his music, including his previously-weekly but now faux-weekly music project on his website, plus his other cool music.
Spencer is trying to do things. Music is one of those things. It is painfully obvious to him, if not others, that he has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. In the past he has been musically inclined with a guitar and occasionally with a piano. He is trying to be musically active once again, but this time he is attempting to do so while on the Internets. Creating music is a large part of his 40×40 list and he thinks this competition seems like “a Super Mega Happy Fun way” to rekindle his musical desires.
I’m Joe Covenant. I’m Scottish. And never have enough time to do everything I wanna! Been singing and perfoming for over 40 years… (yes, I am 46.)… and I’ve nearly learned a 6th chord! Everything I do. I do for Song Fu. (If not for this ‘contest’ I would have never met and collaborated with so many talented people.)
Lex Vader was born to a single mother who worked as silicon tycoon’s personal assistant. When she died of poor hygiene, Lex was sent to an orphanage where he showed interest in organizing races and laser fencing. After being recruited into a religious order, he spent the next few years between several of their private schools. In his final year, Lex lost his hand in an argument with a professor over Kryptochlorians. Despite this, Lex was able to achieve a successful business career and even a knighthood. Tragedy struck, however, when a former classmate’s arctic home caught fire during a business lunch, scarring half of Lex’s face. At this point, Lex’s behavior became erratic. When he managed to buy SithCo, the cult that schooled him, he was shunned by the corporate world. No longer taken seriously, Lex started an evil empire and now moonlights with his evil emotronic alternapop band.
Caleb became a software engineer instead of a musician because the type of music he likes best went out of style at the end of the 18th century. Self-taught in music theory, he is more comfortable writing a four-part instrumental fugue than he is writing a verse-chorus-bridge song. After discovering the likes of Weird Al, Dr. Horrible, and especially Jonathan Coulton, he realized that “modern music” can be fun too. Now he is on a quest to update, expand, and diversify his musical knowledge and experience. In addition to singing, he plays a whole family of recorders, baroque flute, ukulele, melodica, pretends to play keyboard, and most recently, guitar. He also uses virtual MIDI instruments because a real orchestra costs too much.
Ian Johnson was born atop Mount Everest, was attacked by a troop of ninjas on his way out of the womb, then rode a grizzly bear down the mountain and punched Hitler’s ghost on the way down. Then he ate some mashed peas. Seriously though. Ian played piano for about six years before taking a break in music. Then he decided to play guitar, because as we all know, piano don’t get chicks. He started playing guitar about a year and a half ago. His music has been described (by himself) as garage-punk ska-esque acoustic altern-rock with just a little ukulele thrown in for good measure.
Sometimes two people get together who are destined to make history. Sometimes they are born into the same family. zer0guy is the musical/life-partnership of Jon and Dan Kelly, long time musicians looking forward to placing notes in your head.
My current project is writing A Song a Day (Rock Cookie Bottom), and my former projects include The Last Nympho Leprechaun, a rock opera, The Mario Opera, a rock opera, GameJew, a web show, and The Mushroom Singdom, singing old school video game reviews.
Sara Parsons is a twenty-year-old music composition student from northern California. She participated in Masters of Song Fu #4 and had a blast and met a ton of great people. She hopes she’s better at writing songs than she is at writing her own biography.
Chas Lilly is a man that needs introduction. He is geeky but hopefully without being boring. He has been known to write songs about Pluto, Tim Allen, funerals, and everything in between. People often describe his music as “music”.
My name is Kylie, and I’m your everyday 17-year-old girl with a passion for music. I’ve been writing my own songs since I was ten years old, and nothing is more fun for me than to sit down with my guitar and unwind. I’d like to use Masters of Song Fu to really challenge myself, and hopefully grow as a musical artist.
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.
I am a young musician who plays trombone, guitar, ukulele, piano, melodica, and a little bit of harmonica. I play everything from rock songs with distortion pedals on ukulele, to rap medleys on piano, to sappy love songs and songs about the internet crashing on guitar. This is my first time in Song Fu.
I’m just a kid with a guitar. Sometimes I even play it.
Bob Westfall (guitar, mandolin, vocals, songwriting) has studied and worked with some of the top acoustic players in the country – Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, John Hartford, and Alex DeGrassi. But, while these influences are certainly evident, Westfall’s songwriting and lyrics are uniquely his own. An award-winning mandolinist, Bob grew up in Texas and Minnesota, and his style incorporates the best elements of composing with a hybrid jazz/pop/worldbeat/bluegrass feel.
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to mix Ravishing Rick Rude and the Beatles together? Me too. Man that would be awesome. Justin Vega is a songwriter/sort of singer from Las Vegas, NV. Justin Vega thinks writing in third person is awesome.
Simmbiosis – three part band. Defies the usual type or brand. A combo bred, in this strange head. The obscene voice the unseen hand. Terpsichore and muse imbued. Perverse perhaps a little rude. Music composed, a life exposed. Giving you all I can exude. Studio C where I compose. Club Bed where I take my repose. Iniquity, safe haven for me. The rest you’ll just have to suppose. To be among this crowd, auspicious. An honor bordering on delicious. Thanks to View Askew, I’ll whip out my Song Fu. And work not to be repetitious, repetitious, repetitious.
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November 19th, 2009 at 5:46 am
I would like to offer a suggestion to increase the fairness of this contest. In the first round I submitted my song on Friday, had it acknowledged on Sunday, found it excluded on Tuesday and found myself on the bottom of a very long list when I was reintroduced into the competition later that day.
As this is a competition, would it not also add to the parity and challenge to display the contestants in the order their song is received?
It seems that Song Fu is all about speed and agility (just like its pathetic Asian knock-off Kung Fu) so this would also motivate us to work more efficiently as Fu followers. And, as we all know, mastery can only exist through efficiency and commitment.
I thank you.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:01 am
We addressed your accidental omission via e-mail, Simmbiosis. As I had to add the bio back in and add you to the voting template, it had to be placed at the bottom. No harm intended. And, at the end of the day, Song Fu is about the songs – not the speed or the placement in a layout.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I will see to it my song
Isn’t too fast or too long
Place me where you choose
There’s no win or lose
If my Song Fu mastery is strong
November 19th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
All right, gang. Let’s show What’s-Her-Name Spears how this is done.
(My favorite song already fitting this challenge: Seven by Sunny Day Real Estate)
November 19th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Looks like Harry Nilsson is the de facto Example Artist for Song Fu. I think he’d be proud.
I’m excited to hear how many songs about 42 there will be.
Good luck, everyone!
November 19th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Please no 7 ate 9 jokes!
It’s been done to death.
November 20th, 2009 at 4:56 am
damnit berg…way to ruin my idea…
November 20th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Harry is a fine example
With numbers our choices ample
Let us pursue
Our best Song Fu
As upon our digits we trample
November 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
(Does “867-5309” count as a number?)
😉
November 20th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
I’m sure the standards will be covered: 7, 69, 666, Pi, 37(this is Quick Stop Entertainment after all), and 1.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:08 am
Sorry, but They Might Be Giants did the crap out of that joke ,Ian.
Nothing personal…voted for you last time, and hopefully again this time round!
November 21st, 2009 at 2:14 am
Oh wait, its was Barenaked Ladies not TMBG.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:08 am
If we could just do a cover of “867-5309/Jenny”, I’d be happy to oblige, love that song… Hmm… Difficult challenge, as usual. :/
November 24th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
so, hey folks… what’s the policy on “shadow” entries? i’ve written a song for this challenge. any way for it to be posted here?
November 24th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
if it’s a matter of hosting it somewhere else and linking here, could someone tell me what tags i need to link it?
November 24th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
@Riddle: The easiest way is to put the link in the ‘Website’ part of your comment posting. People can just click on your name to go to the link!
November 25th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Mail it to songfu @ quickstopentertainment.com (but take out the spaces). Ken said he’d post shadow entries!
🙂
Edric
November 26th, 2009 at 2:11 am
So I realized that my idea and my lyrics and my melody and my chord progressions were all pretty much lame… then I caught a cold or flu or something that prevents me from singing anyways. My entry will probably only be an instrumental. “But how can instruments convey a number?” I hear you ask. You’ll have to stay tuned as I figure that one out, but I do have a plan.
November 27th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Inspiration for this round should be simple…just go watch some old Sesame Street videos. 😀
November 28th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
@Eggzie Don’t forget 420.
November 28th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Greetings!
This one is not for the squeamish, but as John Cleese said, “There are some people one would want to offend…” This challenge was to write a song about a number and the number that first came to me was 7 as in George Carlin’s 7 Dirty Words. As the great Mr. Carlin has recently left those of us above ground I felt a tribute was in order, so this one is for George.
It seemed too easy to do a song about the 7 dirty words, so I decided to up my challenge quotient. From the start all music is done in sequences of seven, every drum beat every guitar note, every mallet – at the end I had numerous left over 7s so I plugged them in. The song plays at 7 minutes (though mp3 seems to squeeze it a bit), took 7 days to produce (about 77 hours) and all the lyrics are in reference to 7s (I combined the 7 Dirty Words and & deadly sins in the first verse) and are either 7 words or seven syllables long.
I hope you enjoy it!
The lyrics are on my MicePace page
MySpace.com/simmbiosis
November 29th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Argh. I like my lyrics, but as I am sick, I just produced one of the sloppiest recordings of a song that I’ve ever done.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I got mine turned in, by the way. Don’t feel bad – anyone who had the remotest amount of trouble. I wrote mine the day it was due. It was my fifth go. I have about three more good ideas near a completion. If there’s no other close ones I might do them. After the mole. This is becomming typical. I also have several other mole songs. I turn into a Woody Allen-esque creature as far as Fu is concerned. My husband takes it in good stride.
As always and as usual, there’s the typical problems with the mastering. I have figured out how to get the fades and the song the *length* I want, but I’m afraid that the Engineering Fairies hate me. I laid down a piano track and said “you will accept this last one, or die.” I thought I’d try my hand at some reverbs and vocal editing and stuff too, and it got out of hand. I have started having a good time doing it though, and I sure do think I’m a badass anyway. I’m getting ever closer to getting the ‘Hellya’ in my head to “Oh yeah, it’s Out There.” So that’s all a good thing. I think ‘Anna … Gerbil …’ was the closest I’ve come so far in Fu.
Happy Fu, folks 🙂
November 30th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I tried to make a nice positive comment here about being back and “hey here’s my song.” I guess it looks like spam to the website. Ack.