The Challenge April 2013

Renesongs

"With a Bullet"
The challenge this month is to write a song or piece of music specifically to be commercially successful: i.e. something poppy and catchy, but otherwise in any popular style. Up to three minutes long.

Please remember to include skill category (B, I or A - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) and your forum username in the filename, so we can vote easily.

Entries to be PM'd to Rene by 23:59, 30 April 2013

For more info see the standard Competition rules

evolucian

Interesting. First time I've seen one of these here. This will be interesting to see what people think is catchy or poppy. I'll go with Warrant as the challenge never specified a year it was supposed to be a hit ?

... unless of course someone objects and gives 2moro's date ☹

FruitarGeek

Looks good 8)

V8

evolucian wrote: This will be interesting to see what people think is catchy or poppy.

+1 - Similarly open to interpretation like last months topic. I like.

What's the feeling on covering non pop tunes reinterpreted in a pop style?

AlanRatcliffe

I hit on this idea for the comp because it's all too easy to dismiss "pop" music, when it can be quite difficult to come up with something catchy - and doubly so for something both catchy and musically interesting.

V8 wrote: What's the feeling on covering non pop tunes reinterpreted in a pop style?

Cool idea, but we generally try to stay away from any covers in comps as, strictly speaking, you need the copyright holder's permission to re-record a copyrighted work...

evolucian

Does this mean I have to tune to a radio station this week? Suggestions pls?

Hammeron

evolucian wrote: Does this mean I have to tune to a radio station this week? Suggestions pls?

Don't tune in to Jacaranda, all that will do is turn your brains into mashed rice.

DonovanB

Stay away from MTV as well. *ptui*

chrisbark

Hammeron wrote:
evolucian wrote: Does this mean I have to tune to a radio station this week? Suggestions pls?
Don't tune in to Jacaranda, all that will do is turn your brains into mashed rice.

I think my brain already resembles risotto ... When I drive my girlfriend's car I find myself choosing Jacaranda over the rest of them. Sometimes they play oldies tunes that I actually like and hearing Barney Simon reminds me of the good old days when late night radio rocked ?

Donovan Banks wrote: Stay away from MTV as well. *ptui*

What do pregnant teenagers and dating shows have to do with pop music ?
AFAIK MTV stopped playing pop music vids years ago, now its just another reality TV channel.

chris77

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I hit on this idea for the comp because it's all too easy to dismiss "pop" music, when it can be quite difficult to come up with something catchy - and doubly so for something both catchy and musically interesting.

O you evil evil man. Looks easy enough until you read the fine print.... ?

G-Man

I'll enter, if just for the sake of keeping the numbers up.

FruitarGeek

Just so I can be certain Alan, you want radio pop? Also, must "with a bullet" feature in the lyrics or something

AlanRatcliffe

Adrian Rogowski wrote: Just so I can be certain Alan, you want radio pop?

Yes. Take one of your own songs/tunes and try make it radio friendly. If you need a definition: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus structure; Bold, simple melody; a solid, danceable rhythm; any vocals should be simple, catchy and probably repetitive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_music

Pop is actually a surprisingly diverse range of music and can have all kinds of influences: rock 'n roll, country, Latin, Reggae, rock, RnB, disco, dance, electronica, even jazz and classical. So you can go nuts and have a ball. For the more seasoned producer I would imagine the hardest thing will be narrowing down all the choices you have available.

Also, must "with a bullet" feature in the lyrics or something

No - that's just me trying to be clever. That just refers to a practice Billboard Magazine's used to have, where they would put a bullet image in front of chart entries that was moving up the charts quickly. So it basically refers to a hit single.

It's also a Zappa reference for the Zappaphiles. The Flo and Eddie version of the Mothers used it as a vocal cue for the music: There were often long, spoken comedy scenes with the band comping quietly behind the vocals. Whenever anyone of the singers/actors would say "With a bullet!", the band would have to throw in a musical stab wherever they were in the music. Best illustrated by the CD Fillmore East - June 1971.

21Fretter

Lols, I just finished tabbing a song of mine called 'radiopop'. I know the track is meant to be recorded but would a midi export from GuitarPro be valid? I'd like to enter but I don't have the time to record the track with varsity.

AlanRatcliffe

I think I'm gonna say no - a MIDI track won't work for this.

Chocklit_Thunda

Noob question:
What's the best way to record on a budget? I have a vocal mic, amp, a mac with garage band and instruments for daaaays.... I can get a mixer and stuff too but how would I connect these to the computer to record?

I may be interested in entering if I can record

FruitarGeek

Get this (http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i4) and you sorted! They inexpensive, considering you will be using it for a loooooooong time. I suggest you go for that brand, as it is the best of the lot, and has the best preamps for your mic. Also, the 2i4 instead of the 2i2, as the 2i4 as Midi in/outputs so you can plug your midi instruments in and record effortlessly. You wont regret this purchase. Try find one second hand.

In terms of connecting, these devices have a USB port, and you simply just plug that to your mac, and presto. Ready to record

Chocklit_Thunda

Adrian Rogowski wrote: Get this (http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i4) and you sorted! They inexpensive, considering you will be using it for a loooooooong time. I suggest you go for that brand, as it is the best of the lot, and has the best preamps for your mic. Also, the 2i4 instead of the 2i2, as the 2i4 as Midi in/outputs so you can plug your midi instruments in and record effortlessly. You wont regret this purchase. Try find one second hand.

In terms of connecting, these devices have a USB port, and you simply just plug that to your mac, and presto. Ready to record

Oh snap that thing looks sick! Will definitely be looking out for one of those! how much do they retail for approximately?

FruitarGeek

Retail, I'd say in the R2400 bracket (Im not too sure), but as a said, second hand you can get for much cheaper.

evolucian

Will have to bow out gracefully. My friend doesn't wanna do the vocal as he thinks it'll make him gay. Sooo, good luck guys... I'll go find some new friends in the meantime.