Return of the Return of the MeFi Music Challenge May 12, 2008 5:16 PM Subscribe
ANNOUNCING: The reinstatement of the MetaFilter Music Challenge! (*cue applause*) REQUESTING: Your ideas on Challenge categories and structure.
A quick update: the MetaFilter Music Challenge was first proposed and discussed in this thread and was a functioning reality for several months, resulting in the submission of many fine songs. But of late, it had fallen by the wayside. This recent MeTa thread rekindled the discussion, and there emerged (thanks, sleepy pete!) a new idea on how to retool the Challenge. It would go like this:
Suggestions for the monthly Challenge Theme may be made by any and all MeFiers. The gates have been thrown open! Everyone is urged to submit an idea for any given month's Challenge to yours truly, flapjax at midnite, via MeFiMail. From among the submissions I would choose one (or more?) for the month, send it (them?) to jessamyn, and posting to the the Music page would follow.
Now, what I'd like to do at this point is to encourage a bit more discussion on the Challenge itself. Up to now the Challenge has usually consisted of single words like "water" or "spooky". I see no reason to stop doing that, but I wonder if there aren't other ideas that might make for an interesting Challenge. So, I'd like to urge anyone and everyone interested in this (musicians and non-musicians alike) to add your two cents here. Any and all ideas welcomed. One thing I've been thinking: should there be 2 or 3 categories for the Challenge (i.e. word, exact phrase, purely musical guidelines) each month? And does anyone have any brilliant ideas about how to make the MeFi Music Challenge something that will be of greater interest to MeFiers on the whole?
There have been a number of suggestions made in the past that I think are worth consideration, in this thread as well as that first thread.
Your interest and participation will be greatly appreciated.
A quick update: the MetaFilter Music Challenge was first proposed and discussed in this thread and was a functioning reality for several months, resulting in the submission of many fine songs. But of late, it had fallen by the wayside. This recent MeTa thread rekindled the discussion, and there emerged (thanks, sleepy pete!) a new idea on how to retool the Challenge. It would go like this:
Suggestions for the monthly Challenge Theme may be made by any and all MeFiers. The gates have been thrown open! Everyone is urged to submit an idea for any given month's Challenge to yours truly, flapjax at midnite, via MeFiMail. From among the submissions I would choose one (or more?) for the month, send it (them?) to jessamyn, and posting to the the Music page would follow.
Now, what I'd like to do at this point is to encourage a bit more discussion on the Challenge itself. Up to now the Challenge has usually consisted of single words like "water" or "spooky". I see no reason to stop doing that, but I wonder if there aren't other ideas that might make for an interesting Challenge. So, I'd like to urge anyone and everyone interested in this (musicians and non-musicians alike) to add your two cents here. Any and all ideas welcomed. One thing I've been thinking: should there be 2 or 3 categories for the Challenge (i.e. word, exact phrase, purely musical guidelines) each month? And does anyone have any brilliant ideas about how to make the MeFi Music Challenge something that will be of greater interest to MeFiers on the whole?
There have been a number of suggestions made in the past that I think are worth consideration, in this thread as well as that first thread.
Your interest and participation will be greatly appreciated.
An entire song can only be created from one sample.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:12 PM on May 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:12 PM on May 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
I'd definitely like a few categories because there were a few suggestions I'd like to see.
I think having "use this word as your theme," "use this phrase in your song," and "create something with this style/sample" would be nice categories.
I'm shooting off something in the vein of the third right now.
posted by flatluigi at 6:15 PM on May 12, 2008
I think having "use this word as your theme," "use this phrase in your song," and "create something with this style/sample" would be nice categories.
I'm shooting off something in the vein of the third right now.
posted by flatluigi at 6:15 PM on May 12, 2008
Elements of the periodic table.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:30 PM on May 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:30 PM on May 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
Goats.
posted by youarenothere at 6:56 PM on May 12, 2008
posted by youarenothere at 6:56 PM on May 12, 2008
I like the idea of having a few set categories. Maybe have one lyrical Challenge, one musical, and one completely crazy, off the wall Challenge each month. Flapjax could pick the best idea in each category from what peple send in, and people could attempt one or more of the Challenges in their songs as they were inspired to.
posted by InfidelZombie at 7:17 PM on May 12, 2008
posted by InfidelZombie at 7:17 PM on May 12, 2008
Refer a previous Mefi thread (of any colour).
posted by divabat at 7:19 PM on May 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by divabat at 7:19 PM on May 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
A cappella.
posted by brevator at 7:20 PM on May 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by brevator at 7:20 PM on May 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
I always meant to participate in a music challenge. Somebody prod me next time, possibly with something sharp. Unless the category is "covers of Norman Lear sitcom themes you dreamed about and then woke your girlfriend up to tell her how sweet it'll be complete with sound effects and dramatic motions," in which case, I'm already done.
Also, I think musical guidelines are a good idea, at least as an option. I think I never participated because the single-word themes don't particularly inspire me. "A waltz with found isntruments" would be more interesting, to me. (Well, maybe not that exactly, but something more in that vein.)
posted by uncleozzy at 7:21 PM on May 12, 2008
Also, I think musical guidelines are a good idea, at least as an option. I think I never participated because the single-word themes don't particularly inspire me. "A waltz with found isntruments" would be more interesting, to me. (Well, maybe not that exactly, but something more in that vein.)
posted by uncleozzy at 7:21 PM on May 12, 2008
A plethora of eels.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:42 PM on May 12, 2008
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:42 PM on May 12, 2008
2nding A cappella...I had a couple ideas.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:44 PM on May 12, 2008
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:44 PM on May 12, 2008
This comes back at just the right time, where I'm starting to stretch and shake off the musical cobwebs in my brain. And the original challenge never was much of a muse to me.
Ideas, instead of single words, are appealing to me. Something with a clearly stated goal, but leaving open wide possibilities; creative ideas will spawn creative interpretations. "30-second musical advertisement for your favorite food," "song for your gym teacher," etc etc etc, I could think of a billion of them.
Do NOT limit to one style or one genre or make one instrument necessary. As much as I like mash-ups, I don't want to be told to create a mash-up, or a waltz, or that I need to have bells and/or whistles in it.
Thanks, flapjax, and have fun choosing! This ship's in good hands!
posted by not_on_display at 7:46 PM on May 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
Ideas, instead of single words, are appealing to me. Something with a clearly stated goal, but leaving open wide possibilities; creative ideas will spawn creative interpretations. "30-second musical advertisement for your favorite food," "song for your gym teacher," etc etc etc, I could think of a billion of them.
Do NOT limit to one style or one genre or make one instrument necessary. As much as I like mash-ups, I don't want to be told to create a mash-up, or a waltz, or that I need to have bells and/or whistles in it.
Thanks, flapjax, and have fun choosing! This ship's in good hands!
posted by not_on_display at 7:46 PM on May 12, 2008 [2 favorites]
Hey, flapjax, thanks for taking the initiative on this. Lots of us (like me) were all "Yeah! More challenges!" but really didn't do anything beyond throwing in two cents in the MeTa threads; you actually went and got the ball rolling. So, thanks for that. I look forward to being a more regular contributor.
posted by danb at 7:56 PM on May 12, 2008
posted by danb at 7:56 PM on May 12, 2008
Then again, if you do have more than one category per challenge, you can accommodate those who prefer to work in constraints in order to be creative, so maybe one open-ended idea for some to do with as they please ("dream descriptions"), and one restrictive idea ("must have mellotron samples and insects") would be enough.
Something that may make it interesting to other MeFites would be a "collaborative" category, where non-musician mefites can team up somehow with musician mefites? Dunno how that could work or why it is or isn't a good idea, just throwing it up on the ceiling to see if it sticks.
Also, it being sectioned off from the rest of the music section somehow--having its own special home, submissions not being lumped in with free-form MeMu submissions, but sorted by category--would in my eyes be a good thing for this, but I don't know how much of a logistical can of worms (or what flavor of worms) that would be to implement. (see also disclaimer from previous paragraph.)
posted by not_on_display at 7:57 PM on May 12, 2008
Something that may make it interesting to other MeFites would be a "collaborative" category, where non-musician mefites can team up somehow with musician mefites? Dunno how that could work or why it is or isn't a good idea, just throwing it up on the ceiling to see if it sticks.
Also, it being sectioned off from the rest of the music section somehow--having its own special home, submissions not being lumped in with free-form MeMu submissions, but sorted by category--would in my eyes be a good thing for this, but I don't know how much of a logistical can of worms (or what flavor of worms) that would be to implement. (see also disclaimer from previous paragraph.)
posted by not_on_display at 7:57 PM on May 12, 2008
"30-second musical advertisement for your favorite food," "song for your gym teacher,"
Yeah! Perfect.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:04 PM on May 12, 2008
Yeah! Perfect.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:04 PM on May 12, 2008
Elements of Style. (Strunk & White?)
Ha! There's a whole goddam album there. "Omit Needless Chords" would be a medley of famous songs with vastly simplified chordal arrangements; "An Indecent Preposition" would just be a string of famous cliches (or famous song hooks?) rearranged to remove that particular violation; etc.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:12 PM on May 12, 2008
Ha! There's a whole goddam album there. "Omit Needless Chords" would be a medley of famous songs with vastly simplified chordal arrangements; "An Indecent Preposition" would just be a string of famous cliches (or famous song hooks?) rearranged to remove that particular violation; etc.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:12 PM on May 12, 2008
Hooray!!
Suggestions:
Make a song without using things regularly classified as instruments
Weird time signatures
Use this (posted sample\chord progression\etc.) as a central element in your song
Express [emotion\situation\genre?] in 30 seconds
Work on one song for an hour and submit whatever you have at the end of the hour
Some of these are more gimmicky than others, but as long as the goal isn't always to make serious-business music, that should be okay.
posted by !Jim at 8:45 PM on May 12, 2008
Suggestions:
Make a song without using things regularly classified as instruments
Weird time signatures
Use this (posted sample\chord progression\etc.) as a central element in your song
Express [emotion\situation\genre?] in 30 seconds
Work on one song for an hour and submit whatever you have at the end of the hour
Some of these are more gimmicky than others, but as long as the goal isn't always to make serious-business music, that should be okay.
posted by !Jim at 8:45 PM on May 12, 2008
Work on one song for an hour and submit whatever you have at the end of the hour
Yeah, along with the "everybody uses the same sample" thing, there could be a set of elements given, and you have 2 hours (cause some of us are rusty :P ) to make a song.
Lots of good ideas here though, and the gym teacher thing is cool.
posted by cashman at 8:55 PM on May 12, 2008
Yeah, along with the "everybody uses the same sample" thing, there could be a set of elements given, and you have 2 hours (cause some of us are rusty :P ) to make a song.
Lots of good ideas here though, and the gym teacher thing is cool.
posted by cashman at 8:55 PM on May 12, 2008
Remixes of the Team Fortress 2 theme music. PLEASE?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:52 PM on May 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:52 PM on May 12, 2008 [1 favorite]
re: expanding interest in the challenge: perhaps it could be opened up for original art (maybe in album cover form - for others who want to collect the challenge songs, and have a cover for the set) and short fiction/poetry on the theme. Could be fun.
posted by taz at 11:52 PM on May 12, 2008
posted by taz at 11:52 PM on May 12, 2008
I really like the "everyone compose a song around the same sample" concept... Some of the entries might get tedious after a while if the sample is one of the basic elements of the song (like a drum loop or a big guitar riff or something), but even then, it might be cool to hear how many different directions MeFites take from the same starting point.
I'll give it some thought and see if I can come up with any more suggestions.
posted by saulgoodman at 6:21 AM on May 13, 2008
I'll give it some thought and see if I can come up with any more suggestions.
posted by saulgoodman at 6:21 AM on May 13, 2008
The Strunk & White Stripes would be a great name for a covers band. Or pub quiz team.
posted by jack_mo at 6:21 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by jack_mo at 6:21 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
Melancholy songs that ascribe complex emotional states to inanimate objects.
posted by flashboy at 6:40 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by flashboy at 6:40 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
I think a little experimental variety would be good. For instance, take a look at what cortex once considered doing. I think more creative/goofy things like that from time to time would be pretty cool.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 6:42 AM on May 13, 2008
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 6:42 AM on May 13, 2008
Wow, I'd never heard that track by cortex. It is fantastic.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:50 AM on May 13, 2008
posted by uncleozzy at 6:50 AM on May 13, 2008
Two minutes and 42 seconds.
No way - 4 Minutes, 33 Seconds.
You musicians, enjoy yourselves. The rest of us will just listen. If you're going on tour and you have a job available, please post it. If it includes some travel, some people may be interested because they can cook and have some recipes up their sleeve.
posted by tellurian at 7:28 AM on May 13, 2008
No way - 4 Minutes, 33 Seconds.
You musicians, enjoy yourselves. The rest of us will just listen. If you're going on tour and you have a job available, please post it. If it includes some travel, some people may be interested because they can cook and have some recipes up their sleeve.
posted by tellurian at 7:28 AM on May 13, 2008
Anyway! Good night from Mr. Passive Aggressive (not able to play an instrument) Person.
posted by tellurian at 7:44 AM on May 13, 2008
posted by tellurian at 7:44 AM on May 13, 2008
"Passersby were amazed by the unusually large amounts of blood..."
posted by quin at 7:51 AM on May 13, 2008
posted by quin at 7:51 AM on May 13, 2008
Good night from Mr. Passive Aggressive (not able to play an instrument) Person.
Inability to play an instrument isn't really an excuse for not making music any more. Software like Reason, Ableton Live, or Fruity Loops, a handful of samples and a sub-rudimentary grasp of music theory combined with occasional trips to the Chordhouse website makes the process pretty well accessible to everybody.
It might still sound like crap, but when was that ever a reason not to do it? 95% of the recorded output of real musicians sounds like crap to me.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:45 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
Inability to play an instrument isn't really an excuse for not making music any more. Software like Reason, Ableton Live, or Fruity Loops, a handful of samples and a sub-rudimentary grasp of music theory combined with occasional trips to the Chordhouse website makes the process pretty well accessible to everybody.
It might still sound like crap, but when was that ever a reason not to do it? 95% of the recorded output of real musicians sounds like crap to me.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:45 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
Nobody ever said it'd be easy being a CrapCore enthusiast, Peter.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:55 AM on May 13, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:55 AM on May 13, 2008
You musicians, enjoy yourselves. The rest of us will just listen.
Hey, tellurian, wake up and smell the saxophones, man! The whole idea of the new, reinstated Music Challenge is that YOU, Mr. Non-Musician, can send your suggestions for the Challenge to Real Musicians, and if YOUR suggestion is chosen, YOU get to hear (hopefully) some Real Musician's interpretation of YOUR suggestion. Won't that be FUN?
I await your mail.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:04 AM on May 13, 2008
Hey, tellurian, wake up and smell the saxophones, man! The whole idea of the new, reinstated Music Challenge is that YOU, Mr. Non-Musician, can send your suggestions for the Challenge to Real Musicians, and if YOUR suggestion is chosen, YOU get to hear (hopefully) some Real Musician's interpretation of YOUR suggestion. Won't that be FUN?
I await your mail.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:04 AM on May 13, 2008
Nobody ever said it'd be easy being a CrapCore enthusiast, Peter.
Well, I've always thought virtuosity was overrated, personally. Look at all the great records from people who've only learned three chords -- and only mastered two of those. Or a singer like Shane McGowan, who only manages to hit one note in three. Their lack of technical skill doesn't appear to be any obstacle to them effectively expressing themselves musically or emotionally.
So, I'm happy to be a CrapCore enthusiast. I think CrapCore rocks.
An entire song can only be created from one sample.
Didn't someone do this recently? In response to the court case in which someone was found guilty of sampling a three note guitar lick, or something? Creative Commons or somebody?
I can't find any reference to the original competition, but I did find this how-to.
A competition that forced all the participants to use old-skool tracker software would be interesting, I think.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:07 AM on May 13, 2008
Well, I've always thought virtuosity was overrated, personally. Look at all the great records from people who've only learned three chords -- and only mastered two of those. Or a singer like Shane McGowan, who only manages to hit one note in three. Their lack of technical skill doesn't appear to be any obstacle to them effectively expressing themselves musically or emotionally.
So, I'm happy to be a CrapCore enthusiast. I think CrapCore rocks.
An entire song can only be created from one sample.
Didn't someone do this recently? In response to the court case in which someone was found guilty of sampling a three note guitar lick, or something? Creative Commons or somebody?
I can't find any reference to the original competition, but I did find this how-to.
A competition that forced all the participants to use old-skool tracker software would be interesting, I think.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:07 AM on May 13, 2008
An entire song can only be created from one sample.
I propose one second of white noise as the sample.
posted by chillmost at 9:10 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
I propose one second of white noise as the sample.
posted by chillmost at 9:10 AM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
What about finding some little kids' poetry to arrange musically?
A friend of mine once showed me a poem that she wrote when she was eight. It struck me similar to the lyrics to a forgotten pixies b-side, so I wrote a song around it.
posted by umbú at 9:19 AM on May 13, 2008
A friend of mine once showed me a poem that she wrote when she was eight. It struck me similar to the lyrics to a forgotten pixies b-side, so I wrote a song around it.
posted by umbú at 9:19 AM on May 13, 2008
^Mr. Passive Aggressive: Good night from Mr. Passive Aggressive (not able to play an instrument) Person.
flapjax: any brilliant ideas about how to make the MeFi Music Challenge something that will be of greater interest to MeFiers on the whole?
How to attract non-MeMuFites to the black for the challenge: one category should be, "NON MUSICIANS ONLY"
Thank you, I know my way to the door, but I think it's a great idea. MUSIC IS FOR ALL!!
posted by not_on_display at 9:26 AM on May 13, 2008
flapjax: any brilliant ideas about how to make the MeFi Music Challenge something that will be of greater interest to MeFiers on the whole?
How to attract non-MeMuFites to the black for the challenge: one category should be, "NON MUSICIANS ONLY"
Thank you, I know my way to the door, but I think it's a great idea. MUSIC IS FOR ALL!!
posted by not_on_display at 9:26 AM on May 13, 2008
A competition that forced all the participants to use old-skool tracker software would be interesting, I think.
Oh man, I have spent more hours working in Scream Tracker and Impulse Tracker than I can possibly count. I don't think I could remember all the neat tricks I used to know, though.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:35 AM on May 13, 2008
Oh man, I have spent more hours working in Scream Tracker and Impulse Tracker than I can possibly count. I don't think I could remember all the neat tricks I used to know, though.
posted by uncleozzy at 9:35 AM on May 13, 2008
* cover songs - of songs you hate
* 1 minute songs (or less)
* no synth presets allowed, period (though this would be tough to prove)
* piece of some kind made with instruments you have never ever played but must play for the purposes of this challenge (probably not very cost effective, tho)
* all samples used must be made with some part(s) of your body
posted by bitterkitten at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
* 1 minute songs (or less)
* no synth presets allowed, period (though this would be tough to prove)
* piece of some kind made with instruments you have never ever played but must play for the purposes of this challenge (probably not very cost effective, tho)
* all samples used must be made with some part(s) of your body
posted by bitterkitten at 1:19 PM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
I absolutely love the idea of cover songs of songs that you hate. We must do this!
Oh, and why not 30 seconds rather than a minute?
posted by umbú at 1:48 PM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
Oh, and why not 30 seconds rather than a minute?
posted by umbú at 1:48 PM on May 13, 2008 [1 favorite]
I am very much liking these suggestions!!! 30secs is good...GREAT!
posted by snsranch at 2:30 PM on May 13, 2008
posted by snsranch at 2:30 PM on May 13, 2008
* piece of some kind made with instruments you have never ever played but must play for the purposes of this challenge (probably not very cost effective, tho)
I went to a gig/art thing where everyone in the audience had to play, on the condition they only picked up an instrument they'd never played before. An hour later, we were basically playing Krautrock, except for the two-year-old kid there, who was on more of a free jazz tip.
posted by jack_mo at 2:57 PM on May 13, 2008
I went to a gig/art thing where everyone in the audience had to play, on the condition they only picked up an instrument they'd never played before. An hour later, we were basically playing Krautrock, except for the two-year-old kid there, who was on more of a free jazz tip.
posted by jack_mo at 2:57 PM on May 13, 2008
I absolutely love the idea of cover songs of songs that you hate. We must do this!
Oh, and why not 30 seconds rather than a minute?
If these are the criteria, my entry has already been posted.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:53 PM on May 13, 2008
Oh, and why not 30 seconds rather than a minute?
If these are the criteria, my entry has already been posted.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:53 PM on May 13, 2008
Many thanks to all who've contributed to this thread so far, for your ideas and suggestions. And I've gotten about 20 MeMails with suggestions, so this is good, very good!
I'm right in line with this suggestion from flatluigi's comment upthread, where he writes:
I think having "use this word as your theme," "use this phrase in your song," and "create something with this style/sample" would be nice categories.
So, a three-part Challenge every month?
1) single word, like, say, "gravity" or "undulous" or "erasing"
2) phrase, to be worked into the song intact, like, say, "I'm so happy to be an enthusiast", or "I know my way to the door"
3) a set of parameters or guidelines to work within, like, say "a string of famous song hooks", or "a cappella" or "make a song without using things regularly classified as instruments" or "30-second musical advertisement for your favorite food"
And maybe a fourth category added, say, quarterly, which would be "cover a song by _____" might also be a good idea? AND... the occasional wild card, in case anyone comes up with an idea that's really good but doesn't fit into any of these categories?
Also, folks, please keep suggestions coming in, please. We need lots. Lots.
Oh, and anyone else have any thoughts on not_on_display's idea upthread? I think it's quite good. He writes:
"Something that may make it interesting to other MeFites would be a "collaborative" category, where non-musician mefites can team up somehow with musician mefites?"
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 PM on May 13, 2008
I'm right in line with this suggestion from flatluigi's comment upthread, where he writes:
I think having "use this word as your theme," "use this phrase in your song," and "create something with this style/sample" would be nice categories.
So, a three-part Challenge every month?
1) single word, like, say, "gravity" or "undulous" or "erasing"
2) phrase, to be worked into the song intact, like, say, "I'm so happy to be an enthusiast", or "I know my way to the door"
3) a set of parameters or guidelines to work within, like, say "a string of famous song hooks", or "a cappella" or "make a song without using things regularly classified as instruments" or "30-second musical advertisement for your favorite food"
And maybe a fourth category added, say, quarterly, which would be "cover a song by _____" might also be a good idea? AND... the occasional wild card, in case anyone comes up with an idea that's really good but doesn't fit into any of these categories?
Also, folks, please keep suggestions coming in, please. We need lots. Lots.
Oh, and anyone else have any thoughts on not_on_display's idea upthread? I think it's quite good. He writes:
"Something that may make it interesting to other MeFites would be a "collaborative" category, where non-musician mefites can team up somehow with musician mefites?"
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 PM on May 13, 2008
Oh, and anyone else have any thoughts on not_on_display's idea upthread?
As a non-musician, I think it's a great idea.
However, as someone who used to write for a living, there's not much more irritating than all those non-writers who believe they have the perfect book idea, and all it would take is a skilled writer to turn it into a global best seller.
But perhaps it takes less time to whap out a quick three minute song than it does to make somebody's utterly trite and commonplace life story into an unsaleable book?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:19 AM on May 14, 2008
As a non-musician, I think it's a great idea.
However, as someone who used to write for a living, there's not much more irritating than all those non-writers who believe they have the perfect book idea, and all it would take is a skilled writer to turn it into a global best seller.
But perhaps it takes less time to whap out a quick three minute song than it does to make somebody's utterly trite and commonplace life story into an unsaleable book?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:19 AM on May 14, 2008
*lyrics and/or topics restricted to the current month's front page mefi posts.
*non-music (spoken word, noise, etc).
*cover a song that is sung in a language you don't speak.
*must include animal(s) on vocals.
*synchronizes to The Wizard Of Oz (or perhaps a shorter video clip).
*make a theme song for you/someone/your-favorite-tv-show.
maybe i'll even get off my booty and making something for the upcoming challenges. sounds like fun!
posted by p3t3 at 2:38 AM on May 14, 2008
*non-music (spoken word, noise, etc).
*cover a song that is sung in a language you don't speak.
*must include animal(s) on vocals.
*synchronizes to The Wizard Of Oz (or perhaps a shorter video clip).
*make a theme song for you/someone/your-favorite-tv-show.
maybe i'll even get off my booty and making something for the upcoming challenges. sounds like fun!
posted by p3t3 at 2:38 AM on May 14, 2008
*cover a song that is sung in a language you don't speak.
posted by p3t3
That sounds like a really cool idea. I'd also love to see the mefite-covering-another-mefite thing, I'd love to hear versions of some of the songs posted here played by another of the memusicians.
posted by micayetoca at 6:25 AM on May 14, 2008
posted by p3t3
That sounds like a really cool idea. I'd also love to see the mefite-covering-another-mefite thing, I'd love to hear versions of some of the songs posted here played by another of the memusicians.
posted by micayetoca at 6:25 AM on May 14, 2008
I'm already planning my cover of a song I despise, but I can't remember who was on that list of all-time worst bands I wrote so many years ago. The Eagles were firmly at the top, so it'll probably be one of their offensively bland classics.
When the first and second challenges were going on, I'd get super excited every month when the new concept list was posted, thinking this would be the one that would inspire me to track something for the slate grey. Then I'd see that my topic choices were "cupcakes, superheroes, and guffaws" and go away depressed. Sorry kids, but no one will ever write a good song about cupcakes ever never ever and I'd be a fool to try. It'd be great if we could get at least one non-silly challenge option every month.
I really like the "use this phrase in a song" idea.
How about a challenge to write a song in the style of a well-known band? Or mix it up and get everyone to do their best impersonation of Guns and Roses fronted by Neil Tennant or the like.
posted by bunnytricks at 7:42 AM on May 14, 2008
When the first and second challenges were going on, I'd get super excited every month when the new concept list was posted, thinking this would be the one that would inspire me to track something for the slate grey. Then I'd see that my topic choices were "cupcakes, superheroes, and guffaws" and go away depressed. Sorry kids, but no one will ever write a good song about cupcakes ever never ever and I'd be a fool to try. It'd be great if we could get at least one non-silly challenge option every month.
I really like the "use this phrase in a song" idea.
How about a challenge to write a song in the style of a well-known band? Or mix it up and get everyone to do their best impersonation of Guns and Roses fronted by Neil Tennant or the like.
posted by bunnytricks at 7:42 AM on May 14, 2008
How about a challenge to write a song in the style of a well-known band?
I really like this. I think we've all owned a Weird Al album or two and, if nothing else, his style parodies were usually spot-on. It's something I've done from time-to-time, and it's a lot of fun.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:48 AM on May 14, 2008
I really like this. I think we've all owned a Weird Al album or two and, if nothing else, his style parodies were usually spot-on. It's something I've done from time-to-time, and it's a lot of fun.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:48 AM on May 14, 2008
ok
1. It is totally easier to think of an awesome idea - for me - than to turn it into any kind of book whatsoever (nod to Peter).
2. I think great songs with words can be written about anything (nod to bunny). Go listen to a bunch of flapjax' stuff. He has a lot of great stuff with wack lyrical content. If the music and/or hook or timbre of the thing as a whole is great, but the lyrics are total shite, it could still fly. But the best lyrics ever aren't going to save musical content that sucks...
3. cover song in language I don't speak
I have done this before; it is really cool. But sometimes just learning the words takes freaking forever.
posted by bitterkitten at 9:38 AM on May 14, 2008
1. It is totally easier to think of an awesome idea - for me - than to turn it into any kind of book whatsoever (nod to Peter).
2. I think great songs with words can be written about anything (nod to bunny). Go listen to a bunch of flapjax' stuff. He has a lot of great stuff with wack lyrical content. If the music and/or hook or timbre of the thing as a whole is great, but the lyrics are total shite, it could still fly. But the best lyrics ever aren't going to save musical content that sucks...
3. cover song in language I don't speak
I have done this before; it is really cool. But sometimes just learning the words takes freaking forever.
posted by bitterkitten at 9:38 AM on May 14, 2008
For a more free-form theme, how's bout writing a song about a song? That could be anything from taking lyrics or hooks from an existing song, or writing about your reactions to a song, or a story of what happened because of a song, or something like Tenacious D's tribute to the greatest song in the world. Or even something twice-removed.
posted by team lowkey at 10:57 AM on May 14, 2008
posted by team lowkey at 10:57 AM on May 14, 2008
I'd also love to see the mefite-covering-another-mefite thing, I'd love to hear versions of some of the songs posted here played by another of the memusicians.
posted by Corduroy at 11:45 AM on May 14, 2008
posted by Corduroy at 11:45 AM on May 14, 2008
I like both of these last two ideas. In line with team lowkey, I've noticed that there are a lot of songs about rocking, but what about rock about rock about rock? Like "Remember way back when, when we used to rock about rocking?"
And Corduroy, because it gives me permission to work on one of his songs. I was thinking of just adding to his already existent tracks, though.
posted by umbú at 1:14 PM on May 14, 2008
And Corduroy, because it gives me permission to work on one of his songs. I was thinking of just adding to his already existent tracks, though.
posted by umbú at 1:14 PM on May 14, 2008
I've thought before about writing a song about the observation that songs that explicitly talk about how great rock and roll are rarely rock.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:30 PM on May 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:30 PM on May 14, 2008 [1 favorite]
What about AC/DC, though? Every one of their songs is about some combination of booze, broads, and the power of rock, and you'd be hard-pressed (not to mention wrong, and a jerk, to boot) to say that they don't rock.
God, I love AC/DC.
posted by uncleozzy at 1:45 PM on May 14, 2008
God, I love AC/DC.
posted by uncleozzy at 1:45 PM on May 14, 2008
There are exceptions to this rule. "That Old Time Rock and Roll", however, is not however one of them, for example.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:46 PM on May 14, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:46 PM on May 14, 2008
"And Corduroy, because it gives me permission to work on one of his songs."
I would be uproariously flattered! I think I know which song you're talking about, so let me know if you want me to rerecord the vocals, since they're a little weak and I was planning on doing that anyway. Or anything else.
posted by Corduroy at 1:51 PM on May 14, 2008
I would be uproariously flattered! I think I know which song you're talking about, so let me know if you want me to rerecord the vocals, since they're a little weak and I was planning on doing that anyway. Or anything else.
posted by Corduroy at 1:51 PM on May 14, 2008
Riffing on bunnytricks' suggestion, how about a cover of a band you despise in a musical style (or style of a specific band, though obviously not the same one who wrote the song) that you despise? The challenge would be to see if you could craft something good even using elements that you hate and find horrible.
posted by Sangermaine at 4:06 PM on May 14, 2008
posted by Sangermaine at 4:06 PM on May 14, 2008
Oh, and cortex, maybe you're just being blinded by your hatred for that one song. Other songs about rock being great do rock: "Rock Ain't Noise Pollution" - AC/DC, It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)" - Rolling Stones, "Long Live Rock and Roll" - Rainbow, "I Wanna Rock" - Twisted Sister...
I'm not sure what songs you're thinking of, but there are definitely some good ones in that category.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:09 PM on May 14, 2008
I'm not sure what songs you're thinking of, but there are definitely some good ones in that category.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:09 PM on May 14, 2008
There are exceptions to this rule.
Aw, man, I thought you were gonna blow my mind.
But this resuscitation of the Challenge is off to a nice start; there are some great ideas here; and thanks again, flapjax--right person for right job. Motion to close the thread after I sing,
"LAWG LIVE RAWK! Be it dead or alive!" bgneaww, bgneaww [strumming air guitar]
posted by not_on_display at 9:02 PM on May 14, 2008
Aw, man, I thought you were gonna blow my mind.
But this resuscitation of the Challenge is off to a nice start; there are some great ideas here; and thanks again, flapjax--right person for right job. Motion to close the thread after I sing,
"LAWG LIVE RAWK! Be it dead or alive!" bgneaww, bgneaww [strumming air guitar]
posted by not_on_display at 9:02 PM on May 14, 2008
Rock and Roll Dreams'll Come Through: A song about writing the greatest rock song ever.
posted by bunnytricks at 8:05 AM on May 15, 2008
posted by bunnytricks at 8:05 AM on May 15, 2008
God, I love AC/DC.
Quoted for truth, at least pre-1982 or so.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:38 PM on May 15, 2008
Quoted for truth, at least pre-1982 or so.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:38 PM on May 15, 2008
Exquisite Corpse of some kind? Sort of a cliche idea, but fun nevertheless. Most of the other great ideas have been verbalized in some form in this thread.
posted by pedmands at 5:46 PM on May 15, 2008
posted by pedmands at 5:46 PM on May 15, 2008
This thread full of suggestions has already resulted in a submission to MetaFilter Music. Our own umbú was inspired by a cortex comment upthread, and came up with a hilarious little number that y'all should all go listen to!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:58 PM on May 15, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:58 PM on May 15, 2008
Oh, and pedmands, there is an Exquisite Corpse underway at MeFiMu as we speak, courtesy of Karlos the Jackal. Read all about it.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:02 PM on May 15, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:02 PM on May 15, 2008
Just to go back to ideas for non-musos in the Mefi Music Challenge, how about a Mefi Mashup Challenge?
Or you could have a mashup category in some of the other contest themes?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:38 AM on May 16, 2008
Or you could have a mashup category in some of the other contest themes?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:38 AM on May 16, 2008
I'm doing some of these whether they make it as far as official challenges or not.
posted by nthdegx at 4:24 AM on May 16, 2008
posted by nthdegx at 4:24 AM on May 16, 2008
Last night I completed my entry for the as-yet-unannounced Do An A Cappela Cover Of A-Ha's 'Take On Me' On A Dare From Your Wife challenge, so I consider myself ahead of the game.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:53 AM on May 16, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:53 AM on May 16, 2008
Oh, so you just hadda go and give it away, eh? Now we'll have to go with "Write A Song That Uses the Word 'Ankle' 700 times. Must be recorded underwater."
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:20 PM on May 16, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:20 PM on May 16, 2008
I like the idea of a mashup challenge, too, but broadened to sound collages. "Sounds associated with picnics"; "What you don't want to hear in the forest at night"; "All samples must come from animals besides humans"; etc etc etc.
posted by not_on_display at 11:43 PM on May 16, 2008
posted by not_on_display at 11:43 PM on May 16, 2008
I would love to see a longest song possible contest while still maintaining structure and not just 108 minutes of noise..
Space would be an issue though, getting a long song to under 10 megs would be awful quality..
posted by mediocre at 4:28 AM on May 17, 2008
Space would be an issue though, getting a long song to under 10 megs would be awful quality..
posted by mediocre at 4:28 AM on May 17, 2008
Why can't the challenge just be "make a song"?
You guys like making things way overcomplicated.
posted by ZachsMind at 12:46 PM on May 18, 2008
You guys like making things way overcomplicated.
posted by ZachsMind at 12:46 PM on May 18, 2008
*publishes one-page motivational book titled, and only titled, "go do stuff"*
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:50 PM on May 18, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:50 PM on May 18, 2008
You guys like making things way overcomplicated.
Hmm... so howsabout we do a cover of Elvis Costello's "Uncomplicated"?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:01 PM on May 18, 2008
Hmm... so howsabout we do a cover of Elvis Costello's "Uncomplicated"?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:01 PM on May 18, 2008
Hmm... so howsabout we do a cover of Elvis Costello's "Uncomplicated"?
That is one great song.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:00 PM on May 18, 2008
That is one great song.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:00 PM on May 18, 2008
OK, stav, anyone still watching and commenting in this thread (this means you) is hereby informed that he or she is duly obligated to submit at least one (and preferably more than one) specific idea for the MeFi Music Challenge. We are waiting.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:13 PM on May 18, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:13 PM on May 18, 2008
That sounded like an implicit endorsement of "cover 'Uncomplicated'" to me, flapjax.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:19 PM on May 18, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:19 PM on May 18, 2008
I already did! TF2 THEME MUSIC MASHUPPERY!
But my other idea, which kinda comes out of the three (I think) 50's style TF2 themes, is Spy Music. Songs that, you know, could fit in with old-school James Bond movies, or Matt Helm, or whatever. Could be all Goldfingery-RatPacky, or instrumental, or whatever. That would be aces!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:22 PM on May 18, 2008
But my other idea, which kinda comes out of the three (I think) 50's style TF2 themes, is Spy Music. Songs that, you know, could fit in with old-school James Bond movies, or Matt Helm, or whatever. Could be all Goldfingery-RatPacky, or instrumental, or whatever. That would be aces!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:22 PM on May 18, 2008
That sounded like an implicit endorsement of "cover 'Uncomplicated'" to me, flapjax.
I dunno, cortex, we're getting into a gray area here. I mean, if I'm the guy collecting MeFiers' suggestions and deciding on winners every month, maybe I can't actually make my own suggestions as official Challenge themes...
Then again, once the suggestions start drying up, as I fear they might, then I reckon slipping in one or two of my own might happen...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:32 PM on May 18, 2008
I dunno, cortex, we're getting into a gray area here. I mean, if I'm the guy collecting MeFiers' suggestions and deciding on winners every month, maybe I can't actually make my own suggestions as official Challenge themes...
Then again, once the suggestions start drying up, as I fear they might, then I reckon slipping in one or two of my own might happen...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:32 PM on May 18, 2008
No, I was saying that stav's statement sounded like an endorsement and thus your response seemed a bit like the throwing of a gauntlet that had already been well met and, jesus, what was I talking about? It's been warm here.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:32 PM on May 18, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:32 PM on May 18, 2008
Oh, I see. Haha! It's warm here, too.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:08 PM on May 18, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:08 PM on May 18, 2008
You guys are pervs.
No, wait, not you, flapjax and cortex; I mean that's another suggestion for the challenge. Sheesh!
posted by not_on_display at 2:45 PM on May 19, 2008
No, wait, not you, flapjax and cortex; I mean that's another suggestion for the challenge. Sheesh!
posted by not_on_display at 2:45 PM on May 19, 2008
Hmm, I dunno, n_o_d... how 'bout "you pervs are guys"? That might be a better Challenge, no?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:32 AM on May 20, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:32 AM on May 20, 2008
Oh, now I'm right confused. And upthread I got excited - I'm all for acapella because I can't play instruments for sh*t. But now I've read on I'm clueless. So is the challenge to pick any of the suggestions above and have a go? Or will a single *ideal* challenge theme be agreed and posted pronto?
Excitement!
posted by freya_lamb at 8:02 AM on May 20, 2008
Excitement!
posted by freya_lamb at 8:02 AM on May 20, 2008
I think the idea is that many or all of these challenges will be making scheduled appearances when the challenge thing gets going again, but you are welcome to just jump right in without prompting and record and post stuff, so, hey. Harness that excitement and hop to it.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:15 AM on May 20, 2008
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:15 AM on May 20, 2008
Smashing. And so it shall be done :)
posted by freya_lamb at 8:24 AM on May 20, 2008
posted by freya_lamb at 8:24 AM on May 20, 2008
Yeah, freya_lamb, what's happening is that I'll be selecting "winner" suggestions each month for the monthly Challenge, sending them to Jessamyn, and they'll be posted on the Music page. Starting next month. But, of course, like cortex sez, anything and everything is welcome anytime at MeFiMu (well, I dunno, I mean, Aha covers aren't necessarily encouraged), so by all means post away!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:21 PM on May 20, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:21 PM on May 20, 2008
Aha! A stroll over to MeFiMu reveals that you've already posted something there. Well done!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:42 PM on May 20, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:42 PM on May 20, 2008
My suggestions:
Turn your favorite instrument upside-down, or front-to-back, or cross your arms, and play it like that.
Revisit and re-record the first song you ever wrote.
Take a day -- and only one day -- and write and record twenty songs from scratch. Post the best one and the worst one.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:56 AM on May 22, 2008
Turn your favorite instrument upside-down, or front-to-back, or cross your arms, and play it like that.
Revisit and re-record the first song you ever wrote.
Take a day -- and only one day -- and write and record twenty songs from scratch. Post the best one and the worst one.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:56 AM on May 22, 2008
Karlos, those are great.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:36 AM on May 22, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:36 AM on May 22, 2008
Revisit and re-record the first song you ever wrote.
I don't know if it was necessarily the *first* song I wrote, but a couple years ago, my high school band re-recorded a few of our songs, among which was the first song we'd written together. We were, maybe, 14 or 15 when we wrote it. It was called "Buttfuck Satan." I don't think anybody wants to hear that. I may, however, upload "Jism Omelet," which is, wait for it, a song about a jism omelet.
(I do really like those suggestions, though; I'm actually a natural lefty who plays string instruments right-handed, so playing backwards would be pretty interesting.)
posted by uncleozzy at 6:41 AM on May 22, 2008
I don't know if it was necessarily the *first* song I wrote, but a couple years ago, my high school band re-recorded a few of our songs, among which was the first song we'd written together. We were, maybe, 14 or 15 when we wrote it. It was called "Buttfuck Satan." I don't think anybody wants to hear that. I may, however, upload "Jism Omelet," which is, wait for it, a song about a jism omelet.
(I do really like those suggestions, though; I'm actually a natural lefty who plays string instruments right-handed, so playing backwards would be pretty interesting.)
posted by uncleozzy at 6:41 AM on May 22, 2008
20 songs in a day... totally sounds like a They Might Be Giants project (see 'Apollo 18')...
posted by bitterkitten at 9:03 AM on May 28, 2008
posted by bitterkitten at 9:03 AM on May 28, 2008
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posted by snsranch at 5:29 PM on May 12, 2008