Frankensong

Frankensong Challenge number one ended spectacularly. I wanted to write my own reactions to each song, which I’ve been putting off for way too long. Well, I finally finished it up! Originally I was going to give out special awards for the “best” entries, but I really don’t want to rank these songs, since I love each of them for completely different reasons. I also like that the challenge turned out to be way more collaborative than competitive between the teams. So I decided to write a little something about each person’s contribution. I also picked out my favorite moments from each track.

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Team 1: Donutworthy

Team 1, Round 1 - Bryce Jensen - Mix - Solo

Bryce’s string arrangement made me think of a team of oarsmen rowing a giant galley out on the high seas. Although real-life strings would have been awesome here, the synths actually sound pretty good, and I think Bryce’s part was a perfect backdrop for the tracks to come.

Favorite moment: 1:12 - I like how the lumbering, dark beat shifts instantly to a more flowing, lighter mood. To beat the ship metaphor over your head again, it’s like the sails suddenly catch wind.

Team 1, Round 2 - Graham Porter - Mix - Solo

Graham’s baseline might not be the flashiest, but it gives the song a solid backbone. I like the shift to the higher-range, repeated eighth notes during the chorus. Helps propel that section even more.

Favorite moment: 0:25 - The little melodic slide up is a nice change of pace from the first bass section.

Team 1, Round 3 - Bram Tant - Mix - Solo

Bram’s electric guitar part adds a rhythm to the song I wasn’t expecting, but it definitely gives the song a lot of life and a little funkiness to it. I’m going to have to listen to some more of Bram’s stuff now.

Favorite moment: 1:55 - Guitar solo!

Team 1, Round 4 - Joe Covenant - Mix - Vox1 - Vox2 - Drums1 - Drums2 - Drums3

Joe took on what I would consider the hardest job of the team. He wrote the lyrics, sang them, and also came up with three great drum parts! Lyrically and vocally it paints a great picture. One critique I might add - I would have liked to hear a little more variety in Joe’s melody. I know from listening to his other songs that he has a good vocal range and an excellent sense of melody. There were a few times (mostly around the choruses) where the song felt like it was hovering around three or four notes, and landing on the tonic note quite a bit. But at the same time, this song gets stuck in my head a lot, so maybe I shouldn’t be saying anything!

Favorite moment: 0:01 - “How can it be that when we all sleep…” - this is definitely the hook of the song. Great melody.

Team 1, Round 5 - Denise Hudson - Mix - Vox1 - Vox2 - Piano1 - Piano2 - Viola

Team captain Denise was great about organizing Donutworthy on Twitter. When it was finally her turn to record, she added one of the most beautiful layers in the Frankensong challenge - backing vocals, piano, viola, and a dreamy synth. Denise’s lovely voice is a nice complement to Joe’s. It’s like they’ve worked together before or something…

Favorite moment: 1:19 - “Never miss the moon” - I love Denise’s voice right here, and it was the perfect spot to echo the lead vocals.

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Team 2: Mighty Marfan’s Power Rangers

Team 2, Round 1 - Ryan Ruff Smith - Mix - Solo

I’m a sucker for fingerstyle guitar, especially if it involves a lot of unique chords, like Ryan’s part. I thought it was also pretty creative that he added background vocals before there were any “real” vocals.

Favorite moment: 2:44 - I love the “whoa-o”s. They meld so well with the reversed cymbal hit in the seed track. Nice touch.

Team 2, Round 2 - Matt Schubbe - Mix - Solo

Matt recorded this part in my “studio” (ahem…closet), and I was hearing some good stuff from outside. Funnily enough, the vocals started in a completely different spot than I expected. I really like the unique phrasing he came up with. Having been in a band with Matt in the past, I have to say that his voice keeps getting better and better every song he does. The piano part is also a nice complement to Ryan’s guitar in the verses.

Favorite moment: 2 “A drop of water in a mountain range, a drop of water will evaporate.” Awesome imagery in Matt’s lyrics. For a little more background on them, he was inspired by this story.

Team 2, Round 3 - Robert Carmichael - Mix - Solo

I was running the dials while Rob recorded his drum part, and it was really awesome hearing it come to life. His inspiration was Radiohead’s “The Reckoner,” where two different percussion parts are panned to each ear. The effect didn’t end up in the final mix, but maybe he’ll try remixing it sometime?

Favorite moment: 1:54 - This transition rocks. I love the way Rob plays off the seed track here.

Team 2, Round 4 - Stripes on Stripes - Mix - Solo

This is one track that you almost don’t realize its awesomeness until you hear it solo. It blends so well as a bassy undercurrent to the song. Jess Scherer also did the team’s final mix, so kudos to her.

Favorite moment: 0:50 - The arrangement during this part is gorgeous. I also like the crescendo to the complete cut-out at the end of this section.

Team 2, Round 5 - Reese Mankenberg - Mix - Solo

I was kind of surprised to only hear two acoustic guitar parts in a group of singer/songwriters! Reese, the team captain over in Japan, added a second acoustic guitar line over Ryan’s. It’s hard to believe these two parts were recorded on opposite sides of the world. Reese’s part blends so well with the rest of it.

Favorite moment: 0:25 - I love Reese’s entrance. Awesome inner melody for the song. And there’s also a really cool effect created by a little reverb on his fret noise.

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Team 3: Atomic Werewolf Space Patrol

Team 3, Round 1 - Chris Cogott - Mix - Solo

I love how everyone in the first round took off in a completely different direction than I expected. And it was also cool to see what kind of rhythms people came up with based on the seed track. Chris’ guitar part gave his team’s track a ton of rhythmic energy from the get-go. The main riff sounds awesome, especially when it comes back at the end.

Favorite moment: 1:02 - I thought this was a  clever and smooth transition, considering the strange rhythm I gave you during this part of the seed track.

Team 3, Round 2 - Gorbzilla (David Gorbe) - Mix - Solo

Just when I thought this track couldn’t get any grungier, David Gorbe added a guitar part that gave Chris’ a run for its money. The ascending guitar riff is cool.

Favorite moment: 2:18 - This was an easy pick for my favorite part. Totally surprised by this guitar entrance. I love this riff.

Team 3, Round 3 - Kevin Savino-Riker - Mix - Solo

I didn’t notice this until after the final track was finished, but it sounds like Kevin pitch-shifted the song down a whole step. Maybe so his bass part would be more doable? Regardless, Kevin added a great bass line. Very melodic. I like how well he plays off of Chris and David’s parts.

Favorite moment: 2:24 - Bass solo! I love the interaction between Kevin’s part and the seed track, then Kevin goes further and melds perfectly with David’s riff at 2:18

Team 3, Round 4 - Jason P. Schumacher - Mix - Solo

To understand the uniqueness of Jason’s track, you have to watch the video these guys put together. Jason’s percussion consists of a wooden spoon, handclaps, a foam pillow, and some sort of soy sauce bottle? It’s kind of hard to hear all of them, but regardless, he clearly had a lot of fun with it.

Favorite moment: 2:30 - Right around this part, Jason starts some whispery scat singing. Pretty subtle, but I like it!

Team 3, Round 5 - The Boffo Yux Dudes - Mix - Solo

The team’s co-captains Tom Giarrosso and Allan Morgan had four rounds to think about the lyrics for their song. I wonder, did they have robosexual innuendo on the mind to begin with? Well anyways, it turned out to be a dirty, mildly disturbing, but hilarious vocal track. And special props to Tom for putting the music video together. What an undertaking!

Favorite moment: 2:19 - Creative sound design from the BYD made this section even better.

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Team 4: The Fuzzy Pink Bunny Slippers of Doom and Despair

Team 4, Round 1 - Edric Haleen - Mix - Solo

Captain Edric started his team off with an epic and horrifying piano part. I think he sensed his team would be willing to create a monster. I like how crafty Edric was about playing with the seed track’s rhythms. Lots of interesting chords. Excellent performance.

Favorite moment: 0:34 - I don’t know if I’ve ever heard so many chords in a row descending by 1/2 step. It’s a really cool downward spiraling effect.

Team 4, Round 2 - JoAnn Abbott - Mix - Solo

I remember when JoAnn first signed up, she mentioned that she was going to toll a big ceramic bowl. I was kind of curious to hear it. But anyways, JoAnn took Edric’s monstrous piano part and added a vocal line Dr. Frankenstein himself would approve of. I love hearing from the perspective of the Bride of Frankenstein, and JoAnn’s vocal performance was perfect for the mood of the song.

Favorite moment: 2:12 - I especially like this second verse. JoAnn ends it really well, too.

Team 4, Round 3 - The Offhand Band (Mark S. Meritt) - Mix - Solo

Mark Meritt did an excellent job of building the song gradually to an epic level. First castanets and tambourine, then an eerie choir of voices, then the drums and bass kick in. It’s all topped off at the end with a creepy version of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” to hint at the lyric “Life is but a…” I can tell Mark put a lot of thought into his part.

Favorite moment: 2:04 - I love the plunky synth bass. It sounds especially awesome when it slides around.

Team 4, Round 4 - Gweebol - Mix - Solo

Since Gweebol resides in the bedroom right next to mine, I kept hearing a bunch of random screams and maniacal laughter. I wasn’t sure what to think, until I heard her final track. Wow, what a clever way she went about the lyrics and vocals! Between the musical sound effects of The Offhand Band and the actual sound effects of Gweebol, this song turned out to be incredibly epic. And also totally in the spirit of the Frankensong. I love it.

Favorite moment: 1:10 - “She…she’s…SHE’S ALIVE!!!” I was really glad this lyric made it into the song, and performed with such gusto!

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Well that about wraps it up. I hope you guys all had an awesome time being a part of this. I’m pumped for the next Frankensong challenge! Can’t say for sure when that will be, but stay tuned. If any of your friends would like to get in on the next Frankensong, have them email me - charlie@charliemccarron.com

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You heard the final Frankensong mixes in the last post. But I’m sure you are all curious to hear how they evolved. So here we go…

Each team started with the same seed track that I recorded. They then added their own tracks one by one.

Donutworthy (Team 1)

1. Bryce Jensen - Mix - Solo
2. Graham Porter - Mix - Solo
3. Bram Tant - Mix - Solo
4. Joe Covenant - Mix - Vox1 - Vox2 - Drums1 - Drums2 - Drums3
5. Denise Hudson - Mix - Vox1 - Vox2 - Piano1 - Piano2 - Viola
6. Final Song - “Sleep”

Mighty Marfan’s Power Rangers (Team 2)

1. Ryan Ruff Smith - Mix - Solo
2. Matt Schubbe - Mix - Solo
3. Robert Carmichael - Mix - Solo
4. Stripes on Stripes - Mix - Solo
5. Reese Mankenberg - Mix - Solo
6. Final Song - “Strange Things”

Atomic Werewolf Space Patrol (Team 3)

1. Chris Cogott - Mix - Solo
2. Gorbzilla - Mix - Solo
3. Kevin Savino-Riker - Mix - Solo
4. Jason P. Schumacher - Mix - Solo
5. The Boffo Yux Dudes - Mix - Solo
6. Final Song - “Evie”
7. Bonus! Final Video

The Fuzzy Pink Bunny Slippers of Doom and Despair (Team 4)

1. Edric Haleen - Mix - Solo
2. JoAnn Abbott - Mix - Solo
3. The Offhand Band - Mix - Solo
4. Gweebol - Mix - Solo
5. Final Song - “Bride of Frankensong”

Just a few blank spots left to fill in, but that pretty much does it! This week I’ll be listening again to each song evolution and posting my two cents on everyone’s contributions.

-Charlie

The Frankensong listening party was a success! In all, four teams finished their collaborative songs, completely through the ol’ www. It was great to hear how different and awesome each of these songs turned out. I will eventually post each generation of these songs, so you can hear how they evolved. But for now, the four final mixes are available on Bandcamp. I will eventually update the track credits with the instrument(s) everyone played. If you notice any typos in the Bandcamp album, let me know.

Donutworthy (Team 1) - “Sleep”

Mighty Marfan’s Power Rangers (Team 2) - “Strange Things”

Atomic Werewolf Space Patrol (Team 3) - “Evie”

The Fuzzy Pink Bunny Slippers of Doom and Despair (Team 4) - “Bride of Frankensong”

It was a blast hearing all of these track. Thanks everybody, and stay tuned! More info about these Frankensongs will be on the way. Also, if you missed out this time and want to join us for the next Frankensong Challenge, send me an email - charlie@charliemccarron.com

-Charlie

I hope all of you are anticipating our listening party as much as I am! Hopefully I will figure out USTREAM before Tuesday…

The listening party will be at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/frankensong this coming Tuesday, February 22nd. More details on the Facebook event. Just a reminder, please get your final mixes to me by tomorrow (Sunday the 20th), 10pm CST.

The Frankensongs are sounding awesome. Can’t wait to share them with you all. There is talk of one, or possibly even two music videos! Can’t wait to see what happens!

-Charlie

If you know me in real life, you know I’m not a hardcore enforcer type. When I wrote the rule of 10pm CST “or they will be disqualified and skipped out of respect for the next person on the team,” I knew I would probably build in some wiggle room. I know things come up, and I (and your teammates I’m sure) would rather have a slightly late entry than no entry at all. I’m all for strict deadlines in a songwriting COMPETITION, but this is a friendlier songwriting challenge. The main reason I made these deadlines is so I don’t have to explain to someone I don’t know very well why their songwriting/recording time has been eaten up by someone else.

I thought I should post this now, since a couple deadline issues came up this round (it isn’t the first round, though!). I hope by revealing my leniency now I’m not being an enabler for procrastination! I originally was planning to strictly enforce the deadline, before I knew we were going to do teams. My hope is that being on a team will inherently hold you accountable if you’re slacking. If it’s getting to be too late, I will have to make the call and say “sorry, thanks for playing,” then send off the Frankensong mix so the next person can start. If you have a beef with me being lenient, we can talk about it for the next Frankensong. But since this is the first time we’re trying this, I feel somewhat entitled to bend the rules as we go.

Anyways, that said, round 3 turned out great. Now that we’ve been through two generations, we seem to be getting into the “refining” phase, with people adding complimentary parts, rather than parts that completely define the song. All instrumental parts this time…maybe we’ll hear some lyricizing in round 4?

-Charlie

These Frankensong tracks keep getting more interesting! So far we have a wide array of instruments, plus two songs with lyrics. I’m getting pretty excited to reveal all these at our listening party (Tuesday, February 22nd at 8:00pm CST here). There’s also talk from two teams of creating music videos for their songs, which would be fantastic!

We also have a few team names to announce:

• Team 1 = Donutworthy
• Team 3 = Atomic Werewolf Space Patrol Society (this is their abbreviated team name)
• Team 4 = The Fuzzy Pink Bunny Slippers Of Doom And Despair

-Charlie

On Sunday night, I had the privilege of listening through the first round of recordings from each team. I was really impressed at what you guys did with our seed track! I was also happily surprised to see how each team shot off in a completely different direction. I almost want to open these tracks to the public as we go, but I think it will still be better to not let the teams influence each other. At the end, I will post all the sound files so we can hear how these tracks evolved.

Anyways, congratulations to our first round songwriters! Looking forward to hearing what gets added to these tracks in round two.

-Charlie

“From that fateful day when stinking bits of slime first crawled from the sea and shouted to the cold stars, ‘I am man,’ our greatest dread has always been the knowledge of our mortality. But tonight, we shall hurl the gauntlet of science into the frightful face of death itself. Tonight, we shall ascend into the heavens. We shall mock the earthquake. We shall command the thunders, and penetrate into the very womb of impervious nature herself.”

I’m happy to announce the beginning of the first ever Frankensong Challenge!

Five teams of 4-5 songwriters have been chosen to collaborate on a song. Meet the teams here.

The complete rules and recording schedule can be found here.

I created our starting “seed” track, which each team will use as a base to add their own layer of music to: http://charliemccarron.com/frankensong/1/frankensong-seed-track.wav

If for some reason you’re very suspicious, thinking I engineered the teams, I’ve recorded two official videos. The first is me randomly picking the order in which the captains got to “draft” their teams. The second is me randomly picking the order in which each team member will record.

Anyways, good luck everyone! I’m really excited to hear what your team comes up with!

-Charlie McCarron