[Bruce N]

Alright, due to popular demand, request and coercion, the ever famous collab contest is now gearing up for another run of tears , fears and jeers and most importantly, the best fun you're likely to have outside of playing with by yourself.

For those of you who are new to The Muse and the regulars who suffer from short term memory loss.

A quick primer:

After a short sign up period, in which participates will indicate by posting on this thread, their desire of either being the "lyric writer" or of being the "musician."

The convener of this contest will then proceed to match up through series of accent and mystical incantations, teams of one musician and one lyricist.

Once the teams have been established, a start date will be announced along with the names of the teams, and the subject and requirements of the song for this contest.

This contest is time sensitive, meaning a set time period (4 to 6 weeks) is announced and a complete song will need to be written, recorded and posted within that set time period.

Role of the lyricist - to write lyrics in accordance to the announced requirements of this contest.

Role of the musician - to write, record, and post the song according to the requirements of this contest.

Additional rules and requirements can and will be announced closer to the contest start date.

Things to consider in this contest:

To ensure your spot in this contest, sign up as early as you can, we often end up with more lyricists then musicians. Sign up is on a first come, first served basis.

Communication and feedback is key in this contest, a good running dialogue with your partner will produce a good song.

While we have many capable lyricist and musicians on this site, we all have our limitations, this contest may not be the best time to put forward your envisioned grand symphonic Opus.

Some of us have time constraints in our lives, please be sure to work out a time table with your partner.

Please be sure you can dedicate your time to this contest, nothing is as bad as pulling out at the last moment or midway through the contest.

And finally be open-minded and have a willingness to take this contest in the spirit that it's meant to be, that is to learn and have fun.


Sign up is now open, and will run for approximately 7 -10 days.

Please indicate in this thread, your participation as either lyricist or musician, or if you would consider either role depending on the number of signed participants in either group.

If you have any questions or concerns, please PM me or ask them in this thread.

Bruce

[Neal K]

I'm in as a musician. My track record in these collaboration contests is perfect. I always come in dead last!!!

Neal

[lyD]

Ooh I've been looking forward to this

I would like to be "the musician" please Bruce.

edit: Alistair's post reminds me to mention that in previous contests I've partnered Alistair, Len and Mr Fitz.

[Len]

Yippee!

Yet again I get to be the lyrical Kryptonite to any musical supermen or women out there. Looking forward to dragging someone down the rankings with me

In as a lyricist.

[FunkDaddy]

I'll brings da ruckus as a musician.

[kimberlyinnc]

I would enjoy collaborating as a lyricist. Thanks!!

[JOEINJAX]

I would welcome the opportunity to participate in such a noble venture.
(If you have an open spot)

1 Beer and 1 shot of Patron please. Lyricist (IMHO)

Joe in Jax.

[graybeard]

Count me in as a lyricist please sir.

Thanks!

[starsinmyeyes]

Hey guys! If there is any room, I would like to take part as a lyricist (I stalled in the starting box last time, but I promise I've had a spell and I'm fresh and ready to race!)

[neuroron]

I'd like in as a musician - Ron

EDIT: Previous C/C partners were SatanInventedBras (X2), WendyD, Jonie, DHess, & Joan

[Alistair S]

I'm in!

Lyricist preferably (but could maybe do musician if the numbers are bad .. let me know if I have to do music Bruce and I'll check whether I can give it the needed time before confirming).

I've been somewhat promiscuous, so will list the previous collabs when I have had time to compile the list!

[jonie]

I would like to be included as a lyricist.

[AMereHobbyist]

Due to an altered work schedule (less of it but for less money ) I may well have both the time and the creative capacity to do one of these - in this case as a musician.

Just some words of warning however:
although I could once sing better than Bob Dylan does now and have a reasonable studio program, I am a musician in theory only and any recording I make will use only cheap VST instruments and "handwritten" MIDI, more than likely assisted by Band-in-a-Box to save time. I probably wouldn't be well paired with a lover of things acoustic and natural-sounding or (being nearly 60 and a stranger to chart music of the last 20 years) with someone who wants their creation to sound no more retro than 1990.

Frank.

[Salley Gardens]

Good to see you back, Frank!

[Simple Simon]

How are the musicians and lyricists to be paired up?

[Countrysong_girl]

Would love to be included as a lyricist.

Thanks,
Rachel

[Bruce N]

Simple Simon, on 22 October 2011 - 10:37 PM, said:

How are the musicians and lyricists to be paired up?

:Basically by not trying to match up participants who were partnered with someone from previous collab contests. Not always easy to do.

:I'll try and match up newbie participants with veteran participants, to hopefully help mentor the newbies through the process.

:Finally, I like to think I have a some what fair idea of what the participants are capable of, in terms of their strengths, and I'll look at how much of a challenge it'll be to their comfort zones with the match up, certainly not an exact science, more of an X factor, with results that are sometimes quite pleasantly surprising.

Either that, or I suppose I could just pull names out of a hat.

Bruce

[Len]

AAnd there was me thinking it was the size of the bribe... :-(

[lyD]

Surely if we're following X Factor rules it should be the quality of the sob story?

[stewart alexander]

I'd happily be a musician


although the music will be basic.. no frilly productions..

[Neal K]

stewart alexander, on 23 October 2011 - 09:54 PM, said:

I'd happily be a musician

Not that it's any of my business, but I'd be interested in hearing another musician's take on your lyrics. One of these days you should enter the collab contest as a lyric writer.

Neal

[stewart alexander]

I'd happily be a lyricist

[Thinman]

I am stood outside myself watching me type this and I am telling myself NOT TO DO IT

but I am not listening to myself

so

Me and The Snowmen will be happy to be musicians for an unlucky lyricist (no happy songs or breaking up songs - PLEASE - they depress me so much !)

Robby

[Len]

"Oh I'm so happy I'm breaking up with youuuuuu"

Looking forward to working with you Robbie!

[m24p]

Len, on 25 October 2011 - 08:22 AM, said:

"Oh I'm so happy I'm breaking up with youuuuuu"

Looking forward to working with you Robbie!

Lol, sounds like you and Robbie'll make a good team.

I'm tempted to do this but I probably won't. Too busy working on collabs with my wife right now.

[stewart alexander]

Too busy working on collabs with my wife right now.



Is that what they call it nowadays

[JOEINJAX]

Stewie,
I have not had that kind of Colab in so long I think they changed the Access Code, and I didn't get the Email

Just kidding....Business is Good.

This contest should be interesting. I am looking forward to it.

Joe

[scubed]

Hello, everyone,

I have NOT fallen off the face of the Earth, just (temporarily) off the Muse due to scheduling constraints beyond my control. Things have eased up now, so if sign-up is still open I'd like to participate - lyricist preferably, musician if necessary. I worked with the incredibly patient Alistair in the last go-round.

[Thinman]

Len, on 25 October 2011 - 02:22 PM, said:

"Oh I'm so happy I'm breaking up with youuuuuu"

Looking forward to working with you Robbie!

"Is so very hard to dooo-ooo-ooo-oooo"


oh yes - we've got this one won already Len !

[jonie]

Wait a minute here! No fair. Unless I missed something, the collab pairs have not yet been announced.

I see no reason why I can't have a shot at Robbie!

I've never written a happy lyric and pretty much kill off all my protagonists.

[Len]

Thinman, on 27 October 2011 - 07:43 PM, said:

Len, on 25 October 2011 - 02:22 PM, said:

"Oh I'm so happy I'm breaking up with youuuuuu"

Looking forward to working with you Robbie!

"Is so very hard to dooo-ooo-ooo-oooo"


oh yes - we've got this one won already Len !

Right, that's the lyric sorted. Just stick a middle 8 and a solo on the end Robbie and the job's a good'un. Time to kick back for a beer!

[Bruce N]

Just a day or two left to get your name entered for this contest. Good to see a lot of the familiar faces back for this one.

Still not sure if you should enter ?

Come on, jump in, the water's fine. Don't know if you can swim too well ? There's a lot of people here who are more then happy to help and show you how.

Entrants so far:

Lyricist -

Len
Kimberlyinnc
Joeinjax
Graybeard
Starsinmyeyes
Jonie
Countrysong_girl

Musician -

Neal K
Lyd
Funkdaddy
Ron
Amearhobbyist
Thinman

Musician or lyricist -

Alistair S
Scubed
Stewart Alexander

Quote

although the music will be basic.. no frilly productions..

Stew, are you talking music or your underwear ?

If I've missed anyone on this list, please notify me asap.

Teams, song requirements, additional rules, and completion date to be announced sometime on Saturday.

Bruce

[Dottie]

OK if it’s not too late for a lyricist to get a spot I’ll jump in. I’ve never done this before because I didn’t want anyone to get stuck with me! Oh and because of the pressure!!!

Dottie

[NigeQ]

Oh, go on then - As a musician

previously paired with kimberlyinnc, billy & secret_squirril

[cindyrella]

This will be fun! I want to do the lyrics please!

Cindy

[stewart alexander]

this is fun everyone


I've been paired with Alistair ..

[Neal K]

I've been paired with Kim and Stars.

Neal

[FunkDaddy]

The person who always jumps to mind as past collab contest partners is jonie because I still owe her a better song than I was able to provide when we were paired up (bad timing).

I've also teamed up with SatanInventedBras, Len, graybeard...a few others but I can't remember them off hand.

[stewart alexander]

Neal K, on 28 October 2011 - 04:20 PM, said:

I've been paired with Kim and Stars.

Neal

sounds like my kinda night

[Bruce N]

Entrants so far:

Lyricist -

Len
Kimberlyinnc
Joeinjax
Graybeard
Starsinmyeyes
Jonie
Countrysong_girl
Dottie
Cindyrella

Musician -

Neal K
Lyd
Funkdaddy
Ron
Stewart Alexander
Amearhobbyist
Thinman
NigeQ


Musician or lyricist -

Alistair S
Scubed

[Bruce N]

Is There a Musician in the house ?

We have an odd number of entrants so far, if I can get one more musician to sign up, then I can have either Alistair or Scubed fill in as a musician and we'd have 10 teams.

Or failing that, as Cindyrella was the last to sign up they would have to be dropped as they were the last to sign up as lyricist, and then either Alistair or Scubed would have to be designated as musician, and then we'd have 9 teams.

I'll give it to the end of today to see if we can get one more musician to sign up.

[FunkDaddy]

If you don't get an extra musician I shall take Cindyrella under my muscular collaborative wing. I don't want anybody left out. I have more than enough time to work with two lyricists on two separate projects.

[Bruce N]

FunkDaddy, on 29 October 2011 - 11:47 AM, said:

If you don't get an extra musician I shall take Cindyrella under my muscular collaborative wing. I don't want anybody left out. I have more than enough time to work with two lyricists on two separate projects.

RedBull gives you wings.

I'll register that as an option Mark, as long as no one objects. I to would not want to see anyone left out of this comp.

I'll still give it a little more time, or see if any one objects.

Bruce

[jonie]

stewart alexander, on 28 October 2011 - 01:27 PM, said:

this is fun everyone


I've been paired with Alistair ..

He speaks of it often.

[Alistair S]

jonie, on 31 October 2011 - 01:29 AM, said:

stewart alexander, on 28 October 2011 - 01:27 PM, said:

this is fun everyone


I've been paired with Alistair ..

He speaks of it often.

My therapist told me that it would help to do so.

I PMed Bruce - I can do the "musician" thing, so I think we are OK in terms of numbers (though my partner may disagree on the "I can do" part!)..

[Scotto]

I'd be willing to jump in as a musician. I'm still a little rough around the edges but if there's still time I'll give it a go. Seems like fun. I'm new and haven't worked with anyone yet...

[Bruce N]

Thanks Scott for stepping up and rounding out the field, sorry for the delay folks, but I hope you can appreciate what it takes to get something like this rolling, as I mentioned before we all have lives going on outside of the muse and that includes me.

I'm Looking at a November 1st (Tuesday) start date and a run of 5 weeks till the closing date of December 5th at which point all songs must be posted.

While I appreciate some teams may be able to knock off a song in a couple weeks, I'm sure there will be some teams that will need the full time period, please be patient.

So Please check back on the 1st. for the set up of teams, the song requierments, and further contest rules.

Sign up is now closed.

The list of Entrants:

Lyricist -

Len
Kimberlyinnc
Joeinjax
Graybeard
Starsinmyeyes
Jonie
Countrysong_girl
Dottie
Cindyrella
Scubed

Musician -

Neal K
Lyd
Funkdaddy
Ron
Stewart Alexander
Amearhobbyist
Thinman
NigeQ
Alistair S
Scotto

You guys rock.
Best.
Bruce

[jonie]

Will check back Tuesday.

[Bruce N]

For What It's Worth - The Protest Song.

"For What It's Worth" one of the most iconic protest songs of the '60s and was written by Stephen Stills and recorded by Buffalo Springfield in 1966 (relished Jan 1967)

Although the song is often associated with protests against the Vietnam war and the Kent State University student shootings, it was originally penned by Stills as a protest against the passage of a strict (10:00 pm) curfew and loitering laws that had been encouraged by annoyed residents and business owners in the Hollywood district to reduce the traffic congestion resulting from crowds of young club patrons.

The lyrics are universal enough that they can be applied to just about any protest, in fact reading them now, they could easily be applied to today's "Occupy Wall Street" protest.

"There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down"


So as you can probably guess by now, the subject matter for this Collaboration contest will be "The Protest Song."

All songs must be in the style of a protest sentiment.

What exactly makes up a protest song ? Good question, rather then take up space here, there's a good definition to be found in Wiki on the subject of "protest Songs"

Link here: http://en.wikipedia....ki/Protest_song

And on this link from Wiki, is a list of noted protest songs in various styles and genres.

Link here: http://en.wikipedia....y:Protest_songs


Song Requirements for this Collaboration Contest

The song is to be quite distinguishable as a Protest Song, and should be associated with the current world wide protest of the "Occupy Wall Street" protest.

Requirements for the Lyricist:

The lyricist is to write lyrics in the form of a protest song dealing with the events of the current O.W.S. protest. The lyrics can be in any style or genre, and may be explicit, subtle, humorous, or ambiguous, but not so ambiguous as for no one, not to understand what they reference.

Requirements for the Musician:

It's Musician's choice for this contest, meaning the musician may choose any style, genre, or instrumentation for this song, no restrictions.
Also for this contest the musician may also use any type of drum loops, any "band in a box" type accompaniment, and any other samples, as long as you have permission's for those samples and loops to do so.

Vocal tracks may be done by either the musician or lyricist, or as a duet.


Contest Time Limit:

Contest will run from today November 1 to December 12 2011

In a couple of weeks I will open a pinned thread in this forum in which the musician can then post their song with a working link to that song, it is the musician's responsibility to make sure the link is working.

I would prefer all songs be linked to the SoundClick hosting site, but if that's not possible, your song hosting site will be acceptable.

Teams for this contest:

Neal K & Dottie

Lyd & Scubed

Funkdaddy & Cinderrella

Neuroron & Countrysonggirl

Stewart Alexander & Kimberlyinnc

Amearhobbyist & Jonie

Thinman & Len

NigeQ & Graybeard

Alistair S & Joeinjax

Scotto & Starsinmyeyes


The contest has now officially started.

Any questions or concerns, please PM me or ask them here in this forum thread.

Good luck everyone

Bruce

This post has been edited by Bruce N: 01 November 2011 - 03:27 PM
Reason for edit: Request to extend deadline

[neuroron]

Bruce - I'd like to request that we set the ending date a couple of days later than Monday DEC 5. I will be in Viet Nam (or on a plane) Thanksgiving Day NOV 24 through Saturday DEC 3. Though we probably won't need it [wishful thinking?], I'd like to have a few days at the end if necessary since I will be pretty much out of touch for those 10 days - If not, no biggie, but I figure it's better to ask now - Thanks - Ron