Man, it's been awhile since I've announced a song. The game isn't dead, it just ended up having a 2-month song for the Gangsta Rap songs. You can expect those on November 1st. Anyways! I think I've made a decision that should be a lot of fun for the November songs.
TRIBAL
Think African, or Aboriginal music to get my meaning. You could even just take a slight influence from tribal music, a la some Paul Simon. The big focus for your song should be the rhythm. In many cases, the song could just be drums and vocals if you wanted it to be. Don't think that you need specialized instruments for this challenge, but it would be a good excuse to make a Didgeridoo (for about $10)
Wow, this is late! Anyways, after all the voting, Danny Imig came out as the most favored Arena Rock song for August! Congratulations, Danny!
Danny Imig - Short Ride Home
Danny, please don't think that I am trying to take away from your win. It's just been a very busy September for me, and I lost track of time.
Because of my terrible time management, I've decided to push back the songs for September. The new deadline for the Gangsta Rap songs is the end of October. Sorry about any confusion about this!
Recently I heard a highschool cover band do a really terrible version of "The Final Countdown" and it got me thinking about that song a bit. What makes a song like this particularly good to be played at sporting events to get the crowd all pumped up? Is it the thundering drums, the cheesy keyboard? I wanted to mess around a bit with writing a song like that and I knew there had to be a sub-genre of rock music to fit what I was trying to accomplish. That sub-genre is Arena Rock. Have a listen to the songs and vote for your favorite below!
Danny Imig - Short Ride Home
My comments - This song has a definite Led Zeppelin vibe to it, through the guitars, vocals and lyrics. While how well it rocks works for the arena rock theme, the simple but good chorus is what makes it. I can see a stadium of people rocking out, pumping fists and yelling "Short Ride Home" along with the song.
Brian Salapek - The Champion
My comments - I wanted to make a song that would be played during a sports event to get the crowd excited. So I wrote sports themed lyrics, added some cheesy keyboard riffs and a few break downs with clapping and everything! The song is missing any traditional chorus that could be anthemic for people to sing along to, but I almost feel like the whole song is a chorus.
Rene Zansman - Thunder Across the Planet
My comments - Holy Crap. Rene has always been best with his choruses and this one is amazing. This song has a huge 80's feel to it and I love it. The "Whoa-Ooh" breakdown at about 2:30 is just perfect for the arena rock theme.
I feel like there are a handful of genres that keep getting thrown out there for the song writing game. It's inevitable that overtime we will run out and have to start doing them over. But for September there is one that hasn't been officially done yet. Oh, I just squirm at the thought of it. It's...
GANGSTA RAP
That's right, Gangsta Rap! What makes it "Gangsta" anyways? Usually that comes from the subject matter which is usually controversial. With the subject matter being integral to the genre, there is no assigned subject. For more specifics, read here.
This....should be interesting. Good luck everyone. And don't forget about the songs for August!
With our first time submission from Egypt Hollow, we had a pretty good surge in voting and viewing of the blog. Of course they were the winners, bringing in over 80% of the votes! Congratulations to Kenny, Ciara, Addison and Ian! Hopefully you will turn in songs again in the future as a group or individually! Did you like the song? Go 'like' their Facebook page here.
This is the third July for the Song Writing Game and again we are doing cover songs. Generally it works out better since it's a busy month. Have a listen to the songs below and vote for your favorite!
Egypt Hollow - Pumped up Kicks (Foster the People cover)
The Original
My comments: This is the first (of hopefully many) songs turned in by the local band Egypt Hollow. I work with Ciara, the female vocalist and talked to her into submitting a song. I think the song lends itself really well to the folk-style that the band has. I really enjoy having multiple singers in the song. It's a great song from the first timers!
Danny Imig - Mr. Motto (The Bel-Airs cover)
The Original
My comments: This is a live recording of Danny's band, The Elektra Kings, featuring Gavin Paterniti on bass and Jim Sturdevant on drums, from last New Years' Eve. It's a really cool cover of a surf rock classic by The Bel-Airs. I especially appreciate that it is a live track knowing how many takes I generally have for my studio recordings. Very well done Danny, Gavin and Jim!
Brian Salapek - Lowrider (War cover)
The Original
My comments: I used to be half of a kazoo based band in high school called Cock-A-Doodle Kazoo and Lowrider was the only song we did. Toby Anderson sang and interestingly enough is not using that as part of his platform as he is currently running for public office. We played in front of people, sometimes a lot of people. It was a lot of fun in a riduculous way and I wanted to tribute those days with this song. There is no kazoo but I still had fun making the song.
Rene Zansman - I'm Not the One (Teen Idols cover)
The Original
My comments: Rene did what he does best and did a pop punk song, this time from the (very cool) band Teen Idols. He spiced up the song with some harmonica and I thought it worked really well. It had some sloppy moments but by the time it ended, he had really hit his stride and it was great; I had to listen to it again!
It's a little later than expected so I'll keep things short and sweet. The genre for August's songs is...
ARENA ROCK!
Yes, arena/stadium rock! The kind of (generally) hard rock song that is triumphant in it's rocking and rolling and would get a crowd at a sporting event into the game. I want you to summon your inner Gary Glitter!
