Wednesday, December 26, 2012

January 2013's Song Announcement!

As per request by Mr. Jack Eggleston and Mr. Kayce Kelly, the specifics for January's song have been decided.

Genre: Electro-Pop
(Optional) Subject: "Your Mom"



Jack asked for Electro-Pop to be the style because it is one that he can compose completely on his phone while on break at work.  Kayce asked for "Your Mom" because he's Kayce and "Your Mom" jokes never get old to Kayce.

Okay, so let's specify some things here:

What is Electo-Pop?  It's basically what it sounds like, Electronic Pop Music.  Traditionally a synthesizer is the predominant instrument.  Call it Synth Pop, Electro Pop,  Techno Pop, whatever, it's all the same.  A lot of 80's music falls into this category but it isn't limited to that.  There are many modern bands that are considered electo-pop as well.  Think along the lines of The Postal Service or The Killers.

What do you mean "Your Mom"?  If you're not aware of "Your Mom" jokes then click here.

Simple enough!  Also, send in your songs for December, there is a little less than a week left!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

November's Winning Sea Shanty!

With such great songs for November, I had a hard time deciding which one I liked the best.  I think other people did too since the voting was pretty close.  In the end, the winner was Kayce Kelly with his song Keelhaul'n!  Good Job, Kayce!  Have a listen to each version of his song below!


And of course, all of our winners get an AMAZING PRIZE!  To keep with the sea theme, Kayce wins a flock of Sea Gulls!  Here is a picture of him enjoying the nice breeze they give when flying around your head!  And there was only one glob of bird shit that landed on him.  Not too bad, all things considered!

I hope everyone is doing well with their December songs.  It should be a very diverse month!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

November's Sea Shanties!

November is a wonderful month to sing a sea shanty, don't you agree?  Maybe not.  It doesn't matter.  I am just filling up text here to make it look like there is a meaningful heading and introduction to these songs.  Anyways!  There are songs!  Want to hear them?  Okay!








Esban - Bound Offshore
My comments: Esban did a great job capturing the calm, melancholy feel a lot of traditional shanties have.  Add that to his lyrics about, well, being bound offshore, makes this the most fitting to the style this month.  Great job, Esban!

Kayce Kelly - Keelhaul'n
My comments:  Kayce sent in two versions of his song and we decided to use the "gruff" vocals (Click here to hear the clean version)  This song may be very simple in structure, but it is very fitting and a good example of how a song doesn't need to be complex to be good.

Brian Salapek - The Goonies
My comments:  When I was a kid, I watched The Goonies every weekend!  It was my favorite movie and with it's great pirate theme, it was fitting to write a shanty about.  This song was a great nostalgic experience for me!  I also want to thank my friends Greg and Evie for singing backup vocals for me!

Rene Zansman - Left Home for the Sea
My comments:  I think this is the best song Rene has done for the song writing game.  Although it doesn't fit the style, I still think it is awesome.  I love how poppy and catchy all his songs are.  This one is no different.  And throw in song lyrics about the sea and true love, it makes for a great song!




And don't forget that for December, you CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!  WOOHOO!

Friday, November 23, 2012

December Song Announcement!

November is a week from being over so it's time to announce what the songs for December will be.  Last December was the first month of the Song Writing Game.  With it being the one year anniversary, as well as the month of Christmas, I've decided to make the song be...

ANYTHING YOU WANT!

That's right!  Do whatever you want.  I don't care what it is.  You can do a cover.  You can write that noise-pop anthem dedicated to Mitt Romney.  I don't care.  To reflect "doing whatever you want," I've decided to draw whatever I want.  A scene from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood!

Things will hopefully be interesting.  I know that I've got a really great(ish) song planned!

Also, send in those Sea Shanties when you finish them.  I will be posting them a week from tomorrow!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

October's Winner!

October was an awesome month for the song writing game.  There were more submissions than any other month so far (6 total), the blog post had the second most number of hits of any of the other months (the number one post was March for the Punk Rock Lebowski Songs), and the total number of hits on the blog has exceeded 2,000!  Quite a bit of awesome happened!

And to top it off, the winner for October is probably one of the best songs submitted for ANY month so far!  It was Josh Nieto with his song Losin' Da Faith!

Like any month, there is a prize, and here is a picture of Josh enjoying it!
That's right!  The prize was a trophy with a motorcycle on top and flames shooting out of the sides!  That's just how awesome his song was!  Good job, Josh!

I hope everyone is doing well with the Sea Shanties for November.  Mine is coming along nicely.  I will soon post the details for December's song, too!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

October's Reggae Songs, Mon!

LORD-A-MERCY!

BOYEEEEEEEEEE!

RIGHT NEAR DA BEACH!


Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, it's time to post the Reggae songs from October!  As you may remember, there was an optional subject of Cthulhu, H.P. Lovecraft's malevolent tentacle faced elder God.  The majority of the songs do take on this subject, which I really appreciated.  Also, reggae must have been a huge draw because I have more songs this month than any other month!

Bridge Under Water - Rule Your World
My comments: Bridge Under Water consists of Krissy Kelly and Jon Baker, who have worked together on a song before.  They did one of the few songs that didn't take on the subject, but instead decided to write some uplifting and redemptive lyrics.  Freakin' hippies...  Anyways, I think they did a great job!

Esban - Please Go Away
My comments: This was an unexpected submission from first-timer, Esban.  What a pleasant surprise it was to get this song in my e-mail this morning.  I love the lyrics, especially the spoken breakdown toward the end. "Forgotten about that...dragon face... God, I'm sick of that creature, man."

Kayce Kelly - Cthulhu Who?
My comments: Kayce did the best Jamaican voice of all the songs, I thought.  His guitar work doesn't scream reggae but the way he sang more than make up for it.  It's a great example of how a good song can be really simple.  He does lose points for calling H.P. Lovecraft's writings crap.  Bad, Kayce!  BAD!

Josh Nieto - Losin' Da Faith
My comments: Normally I get a mass of songs sent in at the last minute.  Josh sent in his song before October even started!  That's some dedication!  Even though he avoided the subject of tentacles and looming terror, Josh did a great job with his song.  This is a song that I could hear on an actual album and not question it being there.

Brian Salapek - I Can See Forever (When I look in your eyes)
My comments: After a couple months of auto-tune and pitch shifting, I went back to my normal vocals.  Well, I added a reverb.  Anyways, I had fun writing such a ridiculous song.  I referenced The Call of Cthulhu and At The Mountains of Madness with the Shoggoth and Tekeli-li! lyrics.

Rene Zansman - Cthulhu is a Wimp
My comments: Rene always gets me with a super catchy chorus in his songs, and this one is no different.  The song itself has pretty bad rhythm but in a weird charming way.  I think this is one of his best songs, next to the Sucklin' Pigs song from back in May.




The Poll Ends November 15th!

Also, don't forget about November's SEA SHANTY songs!  I would LOVE to get as many submissions again!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

November Song Announcement!

I had asked for suggestions of what kind of song to do next.  There were a lot of genres thrown out that I would really enjoy, but I doubt I could get many people into writing a Gansta Rap (sorry, Eric).  But in those ideas, I found one that I think will be a lot of fun.

Genre: Sea Shanty!
Subject(s): The Sea, or Drinking!

Traditionally, Sea Shanties are maritime work songs, sung with no musical accompaniment.  It would be cool to have some a capella songs, but I am definitely not going to go in that direction.  I think this genre really strives in simplicity, and an acoustic guitar is enough to make a great sounding song.  A few other instruments to consider, a fiddle, mandolin or accordion.  With the instruments, it is really more of a "Sea Song" but that doesn't sound as cool.  WE'RE CALLING THEN SHANTIES!  The lyrics are what really shines here.  You could think of your song as a story, or a simple "call and response" song full of nonsense.  Just make sure it has to do with drinking or the sea, or drinking the sea or whatever.

This picture is definitely a Pirate Jug Band, but you get the idea.  

Here are a few resources for the style of music and some traditional examples.

With the subjects being as broad as "the sea" or "drinking" it leaves a lot of room for creativity.  I definitely expect at least one person to write a song about being swallowed by a whale, though.

Monday, October 15, 2012

September's Metalest Song!

When it all comes down to it for September's voting, I kinda feel like it was rigged.  Jon Baker really had the best song, but wasn't able to be in the voting.  Kayce's song was pretty kick ass, but I think the lack of vocals really turned against him.  And my song, being a sequel to a very famous song from college, got the attention of a lot of people who otherwise probably wouldn't have listened to the songs or voted.  Oh well, it's not like winning this really matter to anyone, does it?  Maybe.  Hmmm...

ANYWAYS!  The winning song was Stumblin' Nate, Part TWO!
What's the prize?  In memory of college, and when Nate used to stumble, the prize is a delicious can of OLD GERMAN BEER!  The world knows no finer!  It says so on the can, so it must be true, right?  Right?


Is there a part three on the horizon?  Probably.  It will surely come out when I cant think of anything else to write a song about.  In fact, I already have one verse to a Stumblin' Nate rap written.  The world knows no finer.





Just a reminder that the songs for October are REGGAE with an optional subject of CTHULHU!  I already have one submission (it was turned in before the end of September, actually) and I am really excited for the songs this month!


Also, whenever I figure it out, we will have an announcement for the November song!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

September METAL songs!



It seemed like a lot of people were into the genre of metal for September, but at the end of the month I still only ended up with two songs.  Actually there was a third, but it was a cover so I am going to have to not include it in the voting.  It's a pretty cool cover, too!

Anyways, here are the songs!  Vote for your favorite below!





Jon Baker - Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin Cover)
My comments: I think Jon did a pretty awesome cover here, but I can only accept covers when the month dictates it. I still wanted to post the song though, he did a good job!  This is one of my favorite Zeppelin songs and if it was covers this month, I think he would do really well.  But alas, I cannot include it in the voting...

Kayce Kelly - Metal Up Your Ass, Parts 1 & 2
My comments: Kayce did this song entirely with GarageBand on his iPhone.  Even though I don't like the use of samples, I think he did a good job piecing it all together, making a rocking metal song.  Actually, my favorite part is the lead that I know he did by himself.  I only wish there were vocals, since I think Kayce sings really well.

Brian Salapek - Stumbling Nate, Part 2
My comments: Probably about ten years ago I wrote the original song so I felt a sequel was in order.  I always end up doing something like this with songs about Nate.  Part of the lyrics are based in reality while the rest make Nate out to be some sort of mythical being.  He kind of is, though.  Also, I cannot figure out what I (unconsciously) stole the main guitar riff from.  Does anyone recognize it?


Vote for your favorite Song!


Also, don't forget that October will feature Reggae Songs!  I already have one submission, in case you're not feeling lazy.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

October Song Announcement!

October should be an exciting month for the song writing game.  Jon Baker has come up with the great suggestion of REGGAE MUSIC!  I was not sure where to go with it, when he gave me this awesome suggestion.  We will definitely have some interesting results!

I recently took away the subject from the song writing game but actually had a complaint about it so there will now be an optional subject.  Just to make things interesting, and because it's what I felt like drawing, the subject is Cthulhu.  Cthul...who?  Click here for more information.

To quote H.P. Lovecraft:
"Those aren't dreadlocks, they're tentacles!  AHHHH!"

Okay, that's not really a quote or anything, but whatever.  ALRIGHT, you've got the assignment.  Make it a good one!

Genre: Reggae
Optional Subject: Cthulhu



Also, the METAL SONGS will be posted in about a week!

Friday, September 21, 2012

August's Winning Song!

Disco it was not, but a winner is was.  August's winning song was "We've Got Snacks" by Brian Salapek!


In fact, the song has taken on a life of its' own and is being referenced quite a bit by my wife.  I asked what we would have for dinner.  Her response, "How 'bout some snacks, baby?"  There is even a dance!  I am waiting to receive the video of said dance and will post it ASAP.  The dance sort of looks like this:

That's right!  It involves strange movements and amused looks from people like Kayce!

So, let's leave it at that.  But before I finish this, don't forget about the METAL SONGS for September!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

August and its' (not really) Disco Songs!

I think disco was a really alienating genre.  Without horns or a string section, it's hard to capture the sound, you just end up with some weird hybrid dance song.  I researched it a bit, trying to pick out the nuances between disco and funk.  The best answer I received was "Disco is to Nickleback as Funk is to Nirvana."  Disco is written for the radio and for hit singles.  How do you translate that into a song you're writing for a blog that no one reads?  Good question.

Well, we ended up with two songs and neither is disco.  That's what happens sometimes though.  Here are the songs.  Have a listen!

Brian Salapek - We've Got Snacks
My comments: I think my song is really terrible but awesome at the same time.  I think the picture of me with spilled beer on my shirt is a good cover photo for it.  Terrible and awesome at the same time.  That's me.  Oh, and I did a spoken part and used autotune!  Yay!

Rene Zansman - Crushed Teeth Late Night Boogie
Rene's comments:  I tried finishing up a song today even though most of our electricity is down, the result is awful!

My comments: I think this song is more disco than mine with the high vocals but not really.  I admire Rene's dedication to the game even if it comes down to writing a song on the spot in the dark.

Vote for your favorite terrible song!

Monday, August 27, 2012

September Song Announcement!

With only a few days left in August, it's time to announce the genre for September...

METAL!

That's right, ladies and gents!  We will be going HEAVY METAL this time around!  Floating skulls, flames and devil horns will be all around!  Best BELIEVE!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

July Song TIE!

For the first time in the Song Writing Game, there has been a tie!  Each racking up 6 votes, Leslie Fleming and Rene Zansman have BOTH won for the best song(s) of July.  I guess that makes me the only loser but hey, that's okay!  Who the hell voted for me anyways?  Wesley Willis fans, that's who!

As a prize, Leslie and Rene were both given a vacation to NIAGARA FALLS!  Here they are congratulating each other with a HIGH FIVE!

I've got a future in photoshop, baby!

ANYWAYS!  Who's doing a Disco Song for August?  The month is winding down.  Hopefully we will have a few!

Also, the song for September will be announced soon.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Songs in the key of July

To make things a little easier for July, we did cover songs.  That way you could focus on the recording and music rather than the writing process.  July is always a really busy month, for me at least, and this made things not only easy but fun.  There are three songs.  Below each one, I have posted the original song so you can compare and contrast.  Listen to them and vote for your favorite at the bottom of the page!


Leslie Fleming ft. MC Slappy Pack - Tainted Love
(Soft Cell Cover)
My comments: First timer, Leslie Fleming, talked to me about doing this song.  I did all the music and am featured in the song as well, while she did the main vocals.  This song is a lot of fun and has something I have wanted to do for a long time: A RAP BATTLE!  It was great to work with Leslie and hopefully for future songs she will participate!

Here is the original version of Tainted Love by Soft Cell, in case you're weird and have never heard it.


Brian Salapek - Rock and Roll McDonalds
(Wesley Willis Cover)
My comments: Wesley Willis was one of God's own prototypes.  Too weird to live and too rare to die.  But he did die several years back.  We were big "fans" in college and this is my tribute to him.  I could have just put my keyboard on the demo like he did for all of his songs, but I felt like the song would be great acoustic.  I tuned up the 12 string and here it is.

Here is the original song:

Rene Zansman - High Fives and Landlocked
(Dear Landlord Mashup)
My comments: Rene took his song in a great direction and mashed up too songs by the (great) pop punk band Dear Landlord.  Something about them being on acoustic guitar brings out a sadness in the melody I hadn't heard in the original, it's pretty interesting.  It feels like Rene was the most comfortable with this song out of all of them.  I think he did a great job.

Here are the two original songs:

Vote for your favorite song!


Also, don't forget about the August song!  Break out that bass and let's hear some funky ass DISCO!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

August 2012 Song Announcement!

With a week left in July, it's time to announce the next song.  In order to try and expand interest, the subject is going to be dropped and there will only be a specific genre each month.  Hopefully, having it more open ended will attract more people.  So, anyways, the song for August will be...
DISCO!
Disco!  You're goddamn right!  This genre may completely contradict my original aim to try and attract more people but whatever.  To help motivate you, here is a drawing of a disco ostrich.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

June's Winning Song!

With there being only two songs, the voting was pretty close.  When it was all said and done, I won by only one vote.  The prize this month is nothing special or fancy.  I'm pretty modest and am going to treat myself to a delicious hot dog with sauerkraut and extra mustard as the prize.  Yum!

I wasn't very hungry so I decided to share the hot dog with my good friend Leslie!  Sharing is great!  Yay!

Okay, that was kinda dumb.  I just wanted an excuse to upload pictures of a hot dog being eaten from Halloween a few years ago.

ANYWAYS!  July is winding down and I really hope to get a few more songs this month.  The song for July is a cover song with a significant change made to it.  If you have any questions or concerns, you can post them as a comment here or on the Facebook page.  I am planning on submitting two songs, working with friends.  Leslie, shown above, will be working on one song with me.  Be sure to send in your songs via e-mail or through a Facebook message to me whenever you finish them!

Also, the song for August will be announced soon.  I will probably post about it when there is about a week left in July.

Monday, July 2, 2012

June Songs fo' yo' mamma jamma!

Like I had said in the announcement for July's song, summer time makes it hard to get anything done.  This month, there were only two songs.  I hope that we can pick things up soon and get back on track with a few more each month.  As a reminder, the songs were in the genre of Children's Music and on the subject of Horror.  Have a listen and vote for your favorite below!

Brian Salapek - Captain Howdy's Our Friend
My comments: My song was based on the movie The Exorcist.  Early in the film, Regan talks to the demon through a Ouija board and refers to it as Captain Howdy.  That name is just so damn cute that I knew I had something that fit with the horror as well as the children's theme.  The song isn't screaming "children's song" but as a simple, catchy pop song, it's about as close as I could do.


René Zansman - Monsterbear
My comments: This time, Rene really nailed the genre with his song.  The cutesy piano and the vocal melody following it is absolutely perfect for a children's song.  The horror of his song is a teddy bear that is a whole slew of monsters.  Rene had said that this song may be his weirdest yet.  I have to agree, but I like weird.  The horrible conclusion of the song reveals the teddy bear's true motive: to cut off his toes.



Vote for your favorite song!

Monday, June 25, 2012

July 2012 Song Announcement!

Summer can be a very busy time for everyone, and July seems to be the worst month for getting anything done.  I'd hate to skip a month with the Song Writing Game though, so I am going to make it a little easier for everyone this time around.  This month, we will be doing cover songs!  The only stipulation is that you must make a significant change to the song.  What exactly does that entail?  You could do a change of genre, or you could take two songs that are similar and do a mash up.  It's all up to you!  I hope this gets a few more people participating.  Good luck everyone!


Also, I may be posting the original song along side each cover so that they can be judged with the changes you have made in mind.

I usually draw a picture for each song announcement, but without the subject and genre being set, I will just settle with uploading this picture I drew of my friend Nate who once said:
"Oh my gosh, I have vivid memories of grape big league chew as a kid. If you put too much of it in your mouth at one time, the flavor was so intense it made you whole face scrunch up."



Monday, June 18, 2012

May's Winning Song!

There were a lot of great songs for May and after two weeks of voting, Jack Eggleston came out on top with his song, Sheriff John!  Good job, Jack, you win the most fabulous prize yet!  It's a whole set of jewelry including GOLD RIMMED GLASSES, a matching GREEN LANTERN RING AND NOSE RING SET and a new GOLD GRILL WITH "GET MONEY" ENGRAVED!  Wow!  Look how great Jack looks with his prize!


And don't forget about your songs for June.  Send them in when you finish them up!

Friday, June 1, 2012

May's Songs are IN!

May is over and we have some great songs to show for it.  As you'll remember, the subject was Suckling Piglets and the genre was Country Western Swing.  Western Swing is a different style of music than Country Western, and everyone went more in the Country Western direction.  Take a listen to the songs and remember to vote for your favorite below!

Dem Dirty Dags - Little Piggy Titty Song
My comments: Dem Dirty Dags is Kayce and Jon (who won last month) joined by Kayce's wife Krissy.  I think they did a good job with this simple country diddy.  I especially like that the pig noises end up sounding like Satan at points.  Did I mention there are bonus points for Satan/pig hybrids this month?  Well, there are. I also like the fact that most of this song was written on my porch under the influence of beer I made.

Jack Eggleston - Sheriff John
My comments: This month Jack blew me away with his song.  The style is spot on and it sounds fantastic.  My only complaint is not understanding the lyrics very well, but that's pretty minor.  I could pick out that he does say Suckling Pig in the song and that's all that really matters.  To clarify the happenings of the song, here is a comment from Jack himself:
"The sheriff is the suckling pig.  I was afraid it would be hard to understand, I did it all on my iPhone and it seems to mix down really weird.  Anyway, I wanted to do something kind of Folsom Prisonesque.  The idea being that this is a father talking from prison about the cop he killed for framing his son for killing the kid's mom...ish.  I also love to be covered in wieners as seen in the YouTube video for this song.  Covered.  In.  Wieners."
That's an actual quote.  I did not add to it at all.  Anyways, if Jack keeps this caliber song up, we'll all have to step up our game!

Brian Salapek - Dem Suckling Pigs'll Ruin Me
My comments: My original theme for this song was the pigs driving the farmer crazy and he kills them but decided to go a little more light hearted.  I had written the song and then one day realized why the lyrical rhythm flowed so well in the writing, I unconsciously ripped off Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues.  Oops, after realizing it, I wrote the last verse as a tribute to the fact.

Rene Zansman - I know a Suckling Piglet
My comments: I feel that Rene did a great job on his song even if it doesn't fit to the style very well.  It's a cool, weird and fun little song that is based around pop punk with a catchy chorus.  The keyboard effects for the fiddle and banjo are pretty bad but in a great way.  The drum part is sparse enough to sound like it was recorded by popping a bag of popcorn.  Like I said, this song is weird, but I like weird and this song did it for me.


I had a hard time picking my favorite this month because I like them all.  I know it sounds cheesy and cliche but I honestly do.  When it comes down to it, my vote goes to Sheriff John by Jack Eggleston.  Good job, Jack!

Vote for your favorite song!

Also, don't forget to start working on your songs for June!  With summer here, the month will go by pretty fast, I imagine!

Friday, May 18, 2012

June Song Announcement!

The song for June 2012 will be...
Genre: Children's Music 
Subject: Horror 
I think this will create a nice juxtaposition in the songs.  Think along the lines of nursery rhymes and anthing horror related.  You could write about any monsters or ghosts or whatever.  I hope this creates as cool of songs as I think it will!  Good luck everyone!

Here is a drawing of my teddy bear nightmare creature!

Monday, May 14, 2012

April's winner!

The voting has finished for April's song and, of course, the winners were Jon Baker and Kayce Kelly!  Great job guys!  Since Jon already won back in January for this Space Ninja Dance song, the prize goes to Kayce.  For anyone who knows Kayce, there is only one way to reward him: with a giant chunk of meat.  Good job, Kayce and Jon.  Here is Kayce and his chunk of meat!

In the next week or so, the genre and subject for June will be announced and be sure to send in your songs for May as soon as you finish them up!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

April's Songs are in, Yo!

The subject for April's song was Buddy Christ and the genre was Blues.  Have a listen to the songs and vote for your favorite below!

Jon Baker and Kayce Kelly - Call Me Buddy
My comments:  Jon and Kayce went with a raunchy blues style.  Kayce's vocals work great with Jon's guitar.  I think they did an excellent job!

Brian Salapek - I've Got a Buddy
My comments: I finished my song at the complete last minute, and despite running into issues with my recording software and being very frustrated, I am happy with the result.

René Zansman - Until I found Buddy Christ
My comments: This is the first time René has written a song for the game, and I am happy to have a new musician.  A tale of redemption, I think this song is very funny, albeit a little long.

Also, don't forget about May's song!

Vote for your favorite song!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

May 2012 Song Announcement

In order to give everyone enough time for next month's song, I am announcing it now!
Subject: Suckling Piglets
Genre: Country Western Swing
Thanks to Kayce Kelly for the suggestion!  Also, keep working on the songs for this month (Buddy Christ Blues Tunes), I can't wait to start hearing them when you send them in!

Monday, April 16, 2012

March Winner!

Thanks to everyone to took the time to go listen to and vote on March's songs.  This month, the winner was none other than Mr. Matt McCray!  Good Job, Matt, your prize is a trophy filled with money.  I hope you enjoy it!
Also, I hope everyone is coming along with their songs for April.  Just as a reminder, the subject is Buddy Christ and the genre is Blues.  And you can expect an announcement for May's song here in the next week or so.

Monday, April 2, 2012

March 2012 Songs!

March is said and done and the songs are in for your review.  As you will remember, the songs were on the subject of The Big Lebowski and in the style of Punk Rock.  All three songs took focus on the movies best character, Walter Sobchak, two of which feature his name as a title.  Here are the songs, give them a listen and don't forget to vote on your favorite below.

Jack Eggleston - Walter
My comments: I think Jack did a great job with his song.  It's got a great ska punk feel to it and I love the (potentially unintended) low-fi nature of the song.  His crying son in the background was a nice touch!

Matt McCray - Walter Sobchak
My comments: Like Jack, Matt did a great job.  The vocals took some time to grow on me, but I like them. I think this time, Matt really nailed the genre.

Brian Salapek - (It Really) Tied the Room Together
My comments:  I was really happy with how my song came out.  The vocals were my biggest problem, as always, but I think I did a great job on the music and lyrics front.

Also, don't forget about this months song!  The subject is Buddy Christ and the genre is Blues.  I hope to have a few more entries this month. *hint hint*


Vote for your favorite song!

Friday, March 16, 2012

February Winner and April Announcement!

March is a little over half way done and I hope everyone is making progress on their songs.  I'm getting some ideas for mine and will start writing and recording soon.  Hopefully we will have a few more this month!

The voting for your favorite February song finished up the other day and I am the winner.  I hate to rub it in but this months' prize is a MSPaint golden crown with rubies.  It's very nice and I enjoy it very much as you can see.

I promised that future song announcements would be made in better time, so I am going to also give you the subject and genre for April.
Subject: Buddy Christ
Genre: Blues

You all know Buddy Christ, right?  He's from the movie Dogma.  I guess we are having a movie theme lately.  Thanks to Jack Eggleston for the suggestion.  I took it because it's what I felt like drawing in MSPaint.  Anyways, here is the opportunity for all of you to write that blues song about Buddy Christ you've been thinking about for your entire lives!  Good luck!


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

March Subject and Genre!

I know it's late but an announcement was already made on the Facebook Page.  Hey, did I mention there's a Facebook page?  Go like it here!  From now on, all updates and announcements will be made on both the blog and Facebook page.  Have you gone to like it yet?

Sooo...here is what we will be doing for March!
Subject: The Big Lebowski
Genre: Punk Rock

I am sure most of you have seen The Big Lebowski.  For those of you who haven't, I recommend it.  The movie has a lot going on so there are many directions your song can take.  Feel free to take anything from the movie and run with it.  Just make it punk rock and you'll be good!

I didn't have a lot of time so here is a half finished drawing!

Good Luck Everyone!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February 2012 Songs!

Unfortunately, February was a busy month and we didn't get as many songs as before.  Fear not though, for the Song Writing Game is strong and will live on for many months to come!

As a reminder, the songs were in the style of Drug Fueled Lounge Music and the subject was The Square Encompasses the Circle (or was it the Circle encompasses the Square?  It doesn't matter).  What does all of this mean?  It means trippy, cool songs, that's what!  Now have a listen to the two entries below and vote on your favorite!

Brian Salapek - Talk to Me (In Geometry)
My comments: I had a hard time with both the style and the content of this months' song.  Inspiration came from Tom Waits and it will be obvious for anyone who is a fan of his.  It is a pretty short song full of nonsense but part of it is inspired by true events!

Joel Forsgren and Jonathan Baxter - When Squares Roam in Circles (Tripping Hazard)
My comments: Joel and Jonathan (Burrito) did a great job.  Their song is very cool and well done.  It features most, if not all, of the article that inspired this subject.  I felt it was only appropriate to have the video portion of it feature Burrito's floating head.



Vote for your favorite song!