We here at FRED are true lovers of music, in all its forms. We’re also quite keen on the spirit of competition, and of spurring creativity through said competition.
To that end, we launched a unique form of creative combat.
In this age of manufactured and painfully earnest talent contests, we’ve decided to instead shine a light on the quirky, quixotic underworld of musicians that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.
Ah, but I did mention that there was a competition involved…
Like a songwriting version of Iron Chef, the competitors will be presented with a very specific songwriting challenge. They’ll be given one week to complete their songs – however they see fit, within the parameters set forth – after which time the entries will be uploaded to FRED to be voted on by you, the audience.
At the end of the 3rd Challenge, the two Challengers with the most votes will face off, mano a mano for the title of…
MASTER OF SONG FU
However, there may yet be one final challenge for this newly crowned Master – for they very well might (if the stars align and schedules permit) face off against one of the LEGENDARY MASTERS – artists like Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, Neil Innes, Doc Hammer, & The RiffTones. Think of them as the iron chefs of Song Fu – one of which may or may not be revealed as your ultimate challenge. Only the wheel of uncertainty can predict (and even then, not).
So what was the first Challenge?
ROUND 1 CHALLENGE
Write a song that is about (or at least has key to the central narrative) RAIN (the meteorological phenomena). At some point (or throughout) the song, you must utilize an instrument (or vocals) that represent the rain. You are free to write your song in any style that you choose.
That’s it. The only other directive is that your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 30 seconds.
And then our Challengers were given their Round 2 Challenge…
ROUND 2 CHALLENGE
Write a song that does not rhyme.
CLARIFICATION: Your song can be in any style, but must not contain any rhymes of 2 dissimilar words within a traditional verse structure. Exact repetition of a phrase or word is permitted. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 30 seconds..
If you want some inspiration, here’s a number song from The Muppets…
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/rhymingsong.mp3]
And then came the Round 3 Challenge…
ROUND 3 CHALLENGE
Write a song that involves a recipe for something.
This recipe can be for anything – not just food. Your song must run no shorter than 1 minute 30 seconds..
If you want some inspiration, here’s a recipe song by Queen Ida…
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/queen_ida-zydeco_taco.mp3]
You’ll find the Round 3 songs (as well as those from Round 1 and Round 2) from each of our Challengers below, followed immediately by the Round 3 Voting Form! After voting ends on this round, the votes from all 3 Rounds will be tabulated and the TOP 2 VOTE-GETTERS will then go head-to-head in Round 4.
THE CHALLENGERS
MIKE LOMBARDO
Mike Lombardo is a piano-playing geek-pop-rock singer-songwriter who likes to use hyphens when describing his occupation. He has been known to write songs about just about anything, including rocks and SAW 4. When not banging on a piano, Mike spends most of his time playing way too many video games or teaching small children how to bang on pianos. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Mike is currently finishing up his second album with his piano rock band, the Mike Lombardo Trio.
Official Website: www.mikelombardomusic.com
Twitter: twitter.com/mikelombardo
ROUND 1 SONG: “Sit And Watch The Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/mike_lombardo-sit_and_watch_the_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “I Found You”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/mike_lombardo-i_found_you.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “We Don’t Have Any Eggs (from Man In Kitchen – The Musical)”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/mike_lombardo-we_dont_have_any_eggs.mp3]
EDRIC HALEEN
Edric is a returning veteran of the Masters of Song Fu competition. He has been writing music (off and on) since the early nineties. He wrote and directed a musical, The Pushcart War, based on Jean Merrill’s wonderful novel. He has written and/or arranged a number of songs for various friends – some commissioned, some as surprises. He loves acting in community theatre, and is inspired by the music of Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Also – feel free to check out (and add to!) the “Happiness Board” on his web pages!
Official Website: happinessboard.com/Edric_Haleen.html
ROUND 1 SONG: “In The Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/edric_haleen-in_the_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “This Song Doesn’t Rhyme”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/edric_haleen-this_song_doesnt_rhyme.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Robot Monkey 7.2”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/edric_haleen-robot_monkey_7_2.mp3]
GODZ POODLZ
Legends foretell of a mighty duo, born in the frozen North. Two neighbors and friends will unite to form “Godz Poodlz” and battle the Mazters or Song Fu for glory and bragging rights! Godz Poodlz are Rüss Rogers and Rod Durre. Russ Rogers was once a member of “Kit and Kaboodle” (still available on iTunes) and currently performs in “Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree!” Rhod Durre was in the Goth Rock Band, “Sear!” Beware the Godz Poodlz Ear Worm! Godz Poodlz songs are bright, funny and tenaciously catchy. Come join Godz Poodlz Legionz of Fanz!
Official Website: godzpoodlz.bandcamp.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Rain Is Pouring Down”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/godz_poodlz-rain_is_pouring_down.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Blue Sky Thinking”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/godz_poodlz-blue_sky_thinking.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Godz Poodlz Jamz”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/godz_poodlz-godz_poodlz_jamz.mp3]
SPENCER SOKOL
Spencer is trying to do things. Music is one of those things. It is painfully obvious to him, if not others, that he has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. In the past he has been musically inclined with a guitar and occasionally with a piano. He is trying to be musically active once again, but this time he is attempting to do so while on the Internets. Creating music is a large part of his 40×40 list and he thinks this competition seems like “a Super Mega Happy Fun way” to rekindle his musical desires.
Official Website: www.spencersokol.com
Twitter: twitter.com/spencersokol
ROUND 1 SONG: “Reservations”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/spencer_sokol-reservations.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Minus”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/spencer_sokol-minus.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Wicked One”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/spencer_sokol-wicked_one.mp3]
KYLIE PETTO
My name is Kylie, and I’m your everyday 17-year-old girl with a passion for music. I’ve been writing my own songs since I was ten years old, and nothing is more fun for me than to sit down with my guitar and unwind. Now I thankfully have a violin to add to my arsenal, and I’m armed and ready for my second go at song fu!
Official Website: NONE
Twitter: twitter.com/KyliePettoROUND 1 SONG: “Robby”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/kylie_petto-robby.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “All These Knives”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/kylie_petto-all_these_knives.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Recipe For Disaster”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/kylie_petto-recipe_for_disaster.mp3]
CALEB HINES
Caleb is a software engineer who pretends to be a musician on the internet. Self-taught in music theory, he is more comfortable writing a four-part instrumental fugue than he is writing a verse-chorus-bridge song. His favorite style of music went out of style at the end of the 18th century, but after discovering the likes of Weird Al, Dr. Horrible, and especially Jonathan Coulton, he realized that “omodern music” can be fun too. Now he is on a quest to update, expand, and diversify his musical knowledge and experience. In addition to singing, he plays a whole family of recorders, baroque flute, ukulele, melodica, pretends to play keyboard and guitar, and most recently, bass. He also uses virtual instruments because a real orchestra costs too much.
Official Website: refactoringmybrain.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/calebhinesROUND 1 SONG: “Water Cycle”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/caleb_hines-water_cycle.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliaphobia”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/caleb_hines-hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliaphobia.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Secret Recipe Ninja”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/caleb_hines-secret_recipe_ninja.mp3]
BOFFO YUX DUDES
The Boffo Yux Dudes began in the 80’s and 90’s doing radio comedy, and promptly fell asleep for the next 15 years. Tom Giarrosso and Allan Morgan (Pop Machine) continue the tradition of trying to recreate their lost youth with exceedingly torturous music, instead of spending the money on therapy like normal people having a midlife crisis. Tom blames Mike Lombardo for showing him the Fu way of doing things, and now he has to listen to the voices and write songs instead of doing his actual day job.
Official Website: www.boffoyux.com
Twitter: twitter.com/boffoyuxdudes
ROUND 1 SONG: “Reign of the King”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/boffo_yux_dudes-reign_of_the_king.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Al’s Blues”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/boffo_yux_dudes-als_blues.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “A Recipe For Love”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/boffo_yux_dudes-a_recipe_for_love.mp3]
DENISE HUDSON
Denise Hudson is a musician of non-determined hair-color from Austin, Texas who is married to an musicaphile Australian. She hopes that she typed up her bio correctly (alas, she cannot spell!); and additionally hopes she amuses you, but she is done apologizing now. 🙂 If she happens to make you slightly uncomfortable, she supposes there’s nothing to be done for it…
Official Website: denisehudson.bandcamp.comTwitter: twitter.com/RangerDenni
ROUND 1 SONG: “Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/denise_hudson-rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Something Very Horrible (Bluebeard’s Lament)”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/denise_hudson-something_very_horrible_bluebeards_lament.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Duality Cupcake (‘Why’)”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/denise_hudson-duality_cupcake_why.mp3]
“BUCKETHAT” BOBBY MATHESON
I’m “BucketHat” Bobby Matheson. I used to make cartoons for the internet, and sometimes still do, but mostly focus on my music right now. I write and record my songs solo, in my little make-shift studio, and when I play live, I often get some help from friends. Some of my music is funny, and some isn’t. More often than not, the humour is unintentional. My Influences range from Klezmer to folk, to punk and back again, which ends up sounding more like Zydeco than anything else (who’d have guessed?). I’ve been described as a “Cajun Buddy Holly” and an “Optimistic Elvis Costello”. It’s been said that I sound like “That guy from the Barenaked Ladies” and a “Nasaly Bob Dylan”. One of these days, I hope to have a description that is accurate.
Official Website: www.buckethatbobby.randomsociety.com
Twitter: twitter.com/BucketHatBobby
ROUND 1 SONG: “Forget About The Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/buckethat_bobby_matheson-forget_about_the_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “I’m Fine (Could Be Worse)”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/buckethat_bobby_matheson-im_fine_could_be_worse.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “White Russian”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/buckethat_bobby_matheson-white_russian.mp3]
IAN “TWO SHADES” JOHNSON
Ian is a guitarist/singer/pianist/other-stuff-ist. He was a participant of Song-Fu #5, and is a member of Too Much Awesome. His songs have been described (by himself) as “probably not as funny as I think they are.”
Official Website: ianjohnson.bandcamp.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Downpour”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/ian_two_shades_johnson-downpour.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Two Words”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/ian_two_shades_johnson-two_words.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Friday Night”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/ian_two_shades_johnson-friday_night.mp3]
GORBZILLA
Gorbzilla is a musician/band teacher in Mid-Michigan. He has been in a few bands over the years, most notably as the bass player/vocalist for the band “Satin Jones” and the guitarist/vocalist for the band “Jimmy Likes Pie”. The proud father of two future rock maniacs, Gorbzilla has been writing music for the past twenty years, and is currently working on his first musical Beer – Finally a Musical for Men based on the Haiku by Patrick “Horkmeister” Sweet entitled, “I Think I Threw Up”. He has been happily married for eight years, and is looking forward to this competition.
Official Website: gorbzilla.blogspot.com
ROUND 1 SONG: “Freezing Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/gorbzilla-freezing_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “A Song About This Song”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/gorbzilla-a_song_about_this_song.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “My American Dream”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/gorbzilla-my_american_dream.mp3]
GOVERNING DYNAMICS
Governing Dynamics is the name of Travis Norris’s eternal sideproject, where all the stuff written by him goes when his current band (whatever it may be) refuses to play it. The music has been favorably compared to such bands as Eels, Radiohead, The White Stripes, and other bands that cool people like. It has been unfavorably compared to the tactics used by the FBI against the Branch Dividians at Waco. If he has to describe his music by genre (and refer to himself in third person) Travis calls it “alternative/shoegazer with a liberal dose of Midwestern rock”.
Official Website: governingdynamics.bandcamp.com
Twitter: twitter.com/travisnorris
ROUND 1 SONG: “Rain in Chicago”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/governing_dynamics-rain_in_chicago.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Restrictions”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/governing_dynamics-restrictions.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Broken Boy”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/governing_dynamics-broken_boy.mp3]
ZER0GUY
Two brothers from the midwest return to Song Fu with their brand of eclectic musical ideas. They don’t like to stick to a genre, and sometimes they suffer from swarms of bees.
Official Website: www.myspace.com/zer0guyband
ROUND 1 SONG: “Thundercade”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/zer0guy-thundercade.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Guitar Tonite”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/zer0guy-guitar_tonite.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Recipe For a Bad Man”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/zer0guy-recipe_four_a_bad_man.mp3]
JUTZE SCHULT
Johannes “Jutze” Schult (from Germany) likes to live in a dream world where there has been no Grunge and where he is a talented singer. Sometimes his little folky pop songs find their way into the real world. Here they suffer from his hoarse voice and the do-it-yourself home recording production, struggling to appeal off and on beaten musical paths.
Official Website: www.jutze.com
Twitter: twitter.com/schult
ROUND 1 SONG: “Kingdom Of Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/jutze_schult-kingdom_of_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Communication Removal”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/jutze_schult-communication_removal.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Schnitzel Soup and Vodka”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/jutze_schult-schnitzel_soup_and_vodka.mp3]
LEIGH & HOOVER
Dave & William have been writing songs together for decades, yet have still managed to avoid finding a clever name for themselves. William writes the words; Dave the music… which is good because it doesn’t really work the other way ’round.
Official Website: www.cratchit.org/music
ROUND 1 SONG: “Summer Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/leigh_and_hoover-summer_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “We Do What We Do”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/leigh_and_hoover-we_do_what_we_do.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Primordial Soup (Traditional Recipe)”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/leigh_and_hoover-primordial_soup.mp3]
COMMON LISP
Common Lisp is the name for the music projects of yours truly, Paul R. Potts, and any collaborators I may be able to drag into participating. I am a middle-aged software engineer with four children, some home recording gear, and too many guitars. I have never written an original song. It’s about time, don’t you think?
Official Website: commonlisp.bandcamp.com
Twitter: twitter.com/paulrpotts
ROUND 1 SONG: “Polly Loves the Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/common_lisp-polly_loves_the_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “War Criminal”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/common_lisp-war_criminal.mp3]
GLEN RAPHAEL
Glen Raphael is a Manhattan-based software geek, circus performer, and guitarist/singer/songwriter who counts Jonathan Coulton and Paul & Storm as influences. He has recently written songs that featured killer robots, exploding pants, and the Statue of Liberty having a mid-life crisis. Though not all at once. Yet.
Official Website: youtube.com/glenra
ROUND 1 SONG: “Can’t See The Sky”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/glen_raphael-cant_see_the_sky.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Song That Doesn’t Rhyme”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/glen_raphael-song_that_doesnt_rhyme.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Big In Japan”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/glen_raphael-big_in_japan.mp3]
INVERSE T. CLOWN
Inverse T. Clown is a jack of many entertainment trades, songwriting being one of his favorites. He has an album half-ready to be recorded, and is looking forward to garnering the patience to sit down and do it. Even more so, he’s looking forward to Song Fu 6. There is an ongoing series of internet covers of Inverse’s song “Today’s The Day” – and he loves them all – but it would nice to get some steam behind the endless REST of his genius, and Song Fu seems just the place to start it up. He’s funny, he’s clever, his music is synthetic, and he’s champing at the bit to throw everything he’s got to his clamoring fans. Stick around, and see why Salemites everywhere call this musical genius “The Future of Greatness”.
Official Website: toomuchawesome.ning.com/profile/InverseTClown
ROUND 1 SONG: “Sexy In The Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/inverse_t_clown-sexy_in_the_rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “An Angry Rant”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/inverse_t_clown-an_angry_rant.mp3]
ROUND 3 SONG: “Devastator”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/inverse_t_clown-devastator.mp3]
JEFF MacDOUGALL
Coming in at twice Mike Lombardo’s age, Jeff MacDougall is back and ready to throw some Fu! When asked about the competition, he had this to say: “Yeah. That’s right. I’m back. *coughs* *mumbles*” This will be a Song Fu for the ages!
Official Website: www.jeffmacdougall.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jeffmacdougall
ROUND 1 SONG: “Beautiful Day”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/jeff_macdougall-beautiful_day.mp3]
ROUND 2 SONG: “Ken Plume Is To Blame”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/jeff_macdougall-ken_plume_is_to_blame.mp3]
TARYN MILLER
Taryn Miller is an 18-year-old, gluten-intolerant, crazy-hat-wearing guitarist (and other stuff too, but she’s played guitar longest). She hails from Winfield, Kansas – Home of Bluegrass.
Official Website: myspace.com/chellenesuperstar
ROUND 1 SONG: “Crowded And Clouded”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/taryn_miller-crowded_and_clouded.mp3]
To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 3 songs, CLICK HERE.
To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 2 songs, CLICK HERE.
To download a ZIP FILE containing all of the ROUND 1 songs, CLICK HERE.
ROUND 3 VOTING
And now, it’s time for the voting. For this round, you can choose your TOP 5 FAVORITE Challenger songs. Be sure to choose carefully. VOTING CLOSES AT 11:59pm EST on SATURDAY, MARCH 13th.
THE ROUND 4 CHALLENGERS AND CHALLENGE WILL BE REVEALED ON MONDAY, MARCH 15th.
If you are having trouble voting, CLEAR YOUR BROWSER’S CACHE and try again. PLEASE NOTE: This voting system bases voting eligibility on your IP Address. If there are other computers on a home or business network that share the same IP address through a router, it may say you’ve already voted. Unfortunately, there is no way around this, and still be able to prevent ballot stuffing. It’s just the nature of the online voting beast.
ROUND 3 VOTING – THE CHALLENGERS
Which Song Fu Challengers brought the most fu to Round 3? (CHOOSE 5)
- Denise Hudson - "Duality Cupcake ('Why')" (12%, 106 Votes)
- Mike Lombardo - "We Don't Have Any Eggs (from Man In Kitchen - The Musical)" (11%, 104 Votes)
- Leigh & Hoover - "Primordial Soup (Traditional Recipe)" (11%, 104 Votes)
- Gorbzilla - "My American Dream" (7%, 65 Votes)
- Edric Haleen - "Robot Monkey 7.2" (7%, 61 Votes)
- Godz Poodlz - "Godz Poodlz Jamz" (6%, 58 Votes)
- Inverse T. Clown - "Devastator" (5%, 49 Votes)
- Kylie Petto - "Recipe For Disaster" (5%, 48 Votes)
- Glen Raphael - "Big In Japan" (5%, 47 Votes)
- Boffo Yux Dudes - "A Recipe For Love" (5%, 46 Votes)
- Governing Dynamics - "Broken Boy" (5%, 43 Votes)
- Caleb Hines - "Secret Recipe Ninja" (4%, 40 Votes)
- Jutze Schult - "Schnitzel Soup and Vodka" (4%, 38 Votes)
- Buckethat Bobby Matheson - "White Russian" (3%, 30 Votes)
- Zer0guy - "Recipe For a Bad Man" (3%, 27 Votes)
- Spencer Sokol - "Wicked One" (3%, 23 Votes)
- Ian "Two Shades" Johnson - "Friday Night" (2%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 399
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ROUND 2 VOTING RESULTS
Which Song Fu Challengers brought the most fu to Round 2? (CHOOSE 5)
- Mike Lombardo - "I Found You" (14%, 155 Votes)
- Leigh & Hoover - "We Do What We Do" (9%, 98 Votes)
- Denise Hudson - "Something Very Horrible (Bluebeard's Lament)" (9%, 96 Votes)
- Caleb Hines - "Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliaphobia" (8%, 92 Votes)
- Gorbzilla - "A Song About This Song" (8%, 85 Votes)
- Jeff MacDougall - "Ken Plume Is To Blame" (7%, 75 Votes)
- Edric Haleen - "This Song Doesn't Rhyme" (7%, 73 Votes)
- Kylie Petto - "All These Knives" (5%, 57 Votes)
- Inverse T. Clown - "An Angry Rant" (5%, 56 Votes)
- Godz Poodlz - "Blue Sky Thinking" (4%, 46 Votes)
- Glen Raphael - "Song That Doesn't Rhyme" (4%, 45 Votes)
- Governing Dynamics - "Restrictions" (4%, 39 Votes)
- Zer0guy - "Guitar Tonite" (3%, 33 Votes)
- Buckethat Bobby Matheson - "I'm Fine (Could Be Worse)" (3%, 32 Votes)
- Common Lisp - "War Criminal" (3%, 29 Votes)
- Boffo Yux Dudes - "Al's Blues" (3%, 28 Votes)
- Ian "Two Shades" Johnson - "Two Words" (3%, 28 Votes)
- Jutze Schult - "Communication Removal" (2%, 23 Votes)
- Spencer Sokol - "Minus" (2%, 21 Votes)
Total Voters: 461
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ROUND 1 VOTING RESULTS
Which Song Fu Challengers brought the most fu to Round 1? (CHOOSE 5)
- Mike Lombardo - "Sit And Watch The Rain" (14%, 185 Votes)
- Leigh & Hoover - "Summer Rain" (7%, 99 Votes)
- Edric Haleen - "In The Rain" (7%, 94 Votes)
- Godz Poodlz - "Rain Is Pouring Down" (6%, 86 Votes)
- Taryn Miller - "Crowded And Clouded" (6%, 84 Votes)
- Jeff MacDougall - "Beautiful Day" (6%, 76 Votes)
- Denise Hudson - "Rain" (5%, 74 Votes)
- Common Lisp - "Polly Loves the Rain" (5%, 74 Votes)
- Gorbzilla - "Freezing Rain" (5%, 73 Votes)
- Buckethat Bobby Matheson - "Forget About The Rain" (5%, 70 Votes)
- Ian "Two Shades" Johnson - "Downpour" (5%, 70 Votes)
- Inverse T. Clown - "Sexy In The Rain" (5%, 65 Votes)
- Kylie Petto - "Robby" (4%, 61 Votes)
- Caleb Hines - "Water Cycle" (4%, 55 Votes)
- Governing Dynamics - "Rain in Chicago" (4%, 53 Votes)
- Glen Raphael - "Can't See The Sky" (3%, 39 Votes)
- Zer0guy - "Thundercade" (3%, 38 Votes)
- Jutze Schult - "Kingdom Of Rain" (2%, 32 Votes)
- Spencer Sokol - "Reservations" (2%, 32 Votes)
- Boffo Yux Dudes - "Reign of the King" (1%, 14 Votes)
Total Voters: 540
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SHADOW ENTRIES
JOE “COVENANT” LAMB
I’m Joe Covenant. I’m Scottish. And never have enough time to do everything I wanna! Been singing and perfoming for over 40 years… (yes, I am 46.)… and I’ve nearly learned a 6th chord! Everything I do. I do for Song Fu. (If not for this ‘contest’ I would have never met and collaborated with so many talented people.)
Official Website: joecovenant.bandcamp.com
Twitter: twitter.com/JoeCovenantROUND 1 SHADOW SONG: “Rain”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song1/shadow_song-joe_covenant_lamb-rain.mp3]
ROUND 2 SHADOW SONG: “The “Jay Is Awesome” Polka”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song2/shadow_song-joe_covenant_lamb-the_jay_is_awesome_polka.mp3]
ROUND 3 SHADOW SONG: “Devil’s Fu Cake”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/shadow_song-joe_covenant_lamb-devils_fu_cake.mp3]
BRAM TANT
Bram Tant is a Belgian coputer science student with a distinct love for music. Ever since going to music school as a kid, he’s enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, and has been writing songs for some years now. While he’s still learning to play the guitar, sing and write songs better, he improves with each attempt, and he makes up for it (and the lack of proper recording equipment) with his passion and enthusiasm. He would like to become a professional musician someday, but for now he’s satisfied with writing and performing for friends, family, and strangers on the internet.
Official Website: studwww.ugent.be/~btant/
Twitter: twitter.com/dantesxxROUND 3 SHADOW SONG: “If You Take”
[audio:http://asitecalledfred.com/songfu/06song3/shadow_entry-bram_tant-if_you_take.mp3]
If you triumph, not only will you win remarkable (and potentially off-putting) bragging rights and a clutch of fantastic mystery prizes, you will also become the proud owner of the magnificent, one-of-a-kind MASTER OF SONG FU TROPHY.
Good luck, and bring on the Fu.
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Comments: 26 Comments
26 Responses to “Masters Of Song Fu #6: Round 3 Voting Begins”Leave a Reply |
March 8th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
My song “Big in Japan” has a music video on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PALF607vPA
Lyrics:
You gotta be little
Gotta be little and cute – cute is key!
That’s in the recipe
To make it big in Japan
You’ve gotta have color
You need some color – bright! – bright is key
That’s in the recipe
For big in Japan
So we all like cute
We don’t know what for
And it’s all around
You can see at the store that some like it more
You gotta have style
You need some style – flash! – flash is key
It’s in the recipe
For big in Japan
Gotta have rhythm
You need some rhythm – beat! – beat is key
Beat’s in the recipe
For big in Japan
March 8th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
LYRICISMS!
“broken boy”
you take a look at him across the room
when just the right song is playing
then speak some words to your friend
just to make him wonder what you’re saying
he could probably use a drink or two
but that’s not really an absolute
the post-modern man can destory himself
with little more than time
add a smile like you know a secret
to send him out of his mind
add in: desired time of give and take
some sincerity (if you can’t fake)
these are just instructions–
no need worry anybody’ll judge
twist into a shape you like
depending on how much use you got from the original
don’t need to worry
he’ll always thank you when you’re done
he’ll be shaking like a junkie
and saying you’re the only one
maybe it’s something that must be done
but not something you should enjoy:
you put this all together
you’ve got yourself a broken boy
you put this all together
you’ve got yourself a broken boy
you put this all together
you’ve got yourself a broken boy
March 8th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I first stumbled across Masters of Song Fu in June of 2008, through Jonathan Coulton’s website — right when JoCo and P&S had been pitted against each other in the “write a song
in the style of your opponent” challenge. At the time, I had seriously considered writing a “shadow song” in the style of JoCo.
Never did.
Fast forward to the present. This is the thirteenth song I’ve submitted for Masters of Song Fu. I thought I’d take this opportunity to go back, actually write up that idea (with a recipe thrown in for good measure), and pay tribute to the man who brought me here in the first place…
For lyrics and more of the back story, you can visit my web pages, here: http://happinessboard.com/Robot_Monkey_7.2.html
🙂
Edric
March 8th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Figured I’d play the lyrics game:
Devastator
by
Inverse T. Clown
They are the Master Builders
You can’t deny the skill
They make such grand creation
But they won’t hesitate to kill
They have everything they need
‘Cause they take anything they want
(You don’t often have to ask
When you’re a member of the ‘Cons)
Each one, alone, is baleful
Each one can yellow up your spine
But that terror can’t compare to
The fright they build when they combine
When they merge and work as one
Now the monster is reborn
You can witness for yourself
How your fear can be transformed
They add the Excavator
To the Bulldozer
To the Dump Truck, the Crane, The Cement Truck
And the Payloader
It’s a recipe for death
It’s a blueprint for demise
They add Bonecrusher
To Mixmaster
To Scavenger, Long Haul, Hook
And Scrapper
When the Devastator forms
That’s when everybody dies
He’s got a killer instinct
He doesn’t take the time to feel
There’s not an ounce of mercy
Just 90 tons of rage and steel
He’s not one to think things thru
He’s just anger with a fist
He’s a hundred feet of doom
And he hates that you exist
He won’t have satisfaction
Until his enemies are crushed
He’s their extermination
They’d best prepare to bite the dust
There simply is no fighting hope
Against his adamant assault
The best approach would be to run
From this unstoppable Gestalt
They add the Excavator
To the Bulldozer
To the Dump Truck, the Crane, The Cement Truck
And the Payloader
It’s a recipe for death
It’s a blueprint for demise
They add Bonecrusher
To Mixmaster
To Scavenger, Long Haul, Hook
And Scrapper
When the Devastator comes
That’s when everybody dies
Oregon to Cybertron
All his foes have hell to pay
I, for one, keep holding strong
That he stomps on Michael Bay
They add the Excavator
To the Bulldozer
To the Dump Truck, the Crane, The Cement Truck
And the Payloader
It’s a recipe for death
It’s a blueprint for demise
They add Bonecrusher
To Mixmaster
To Scavenger, Long Haul, Hook
And Scrapper
Where the Devastator stands
That’s where everybody dies
[Scrapper:
The Constructicons form Devastator,
The most powerful robot;
WE should rule!]
March 8th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Lyrics for Primordial Soup:
PRIMORDIAL SOUP
================
From wherever we have come
We may never know the truth
Of what has taken place
In a billion years
(Of what has taken place – in a billion years)
There must be some recipe
To explain the mind of Man
And not some accident
Born from fallen rain
(Not some accident – born from fallen rain)
Separate the Chaos
Into Day and Night
Where once was only darkness
Add a cup of morning light
(Where there’s darkness – add some morning light)
Raise a firmament above
The dry land now below
Call it Heaven
(Call it Heaven)
Raise a firmament above
The dry land now below
Call it Heaven
(Call it Heaven)
Gather waters of the deep
Fill the cauldron, let it steep
Stir it ’round and ’round
Watch the world go ’round
(Stir it ’round and ’round – watch the world go ’round)
Light a spark within the broth
Mull it gently, give it Breath
Let it grow —
Let it grow –
[choral voices repeat on fade out]
March 9th, 2010 at 1:12 am
No one seems to have picked up on the egregious plot hole in my song. This is good news.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:25 am
Lyrics for “Recipe For a Bad Man”
————————————-
One big bag of severed thumbs,
A collection of empty eye sockets,
Fifteen tons of dirty guns
And whatever’s in your pockets.
Cleanin’ out your pockets makes me feel like a dangerous Dan.
I’m a bad man.
You may find that you’ll wind up all alone.
(Recipe for a bad man x2)
Cuz a bad man never calls you on the phone.
A pound of pity, and a pint of shame,
Mix with an old discarded love note.
Heat it over an old flame.
Heat until your heart explodes.
When your heart exploded I started livin’ in my van.
I’m a bad man.
You may find that you’ll miss me later on.
(Recipe for a bad man x2)
But girl, you’re out of luck, cuz when a bad man’s gone he’s gone.
(Vanilla rap)
I’m a bad man.
I spit rhymes like a mad man.
Don’t confuse me with Bruce Wayne or the Batman.
When I walk around and my neighbors say “hi,”
I don’t even look. I just walk right by.
I don’t get high, but I’ll shoot you in the eye.
Got my rubber-band gun all pumped and primed.
And if you ever say you wanna take it outside,
I’m gonna call the police and probably hide.
You’re an Avon salesman come to call?
I slam the door shut before I even look at y’all.
I got balls. Gonna spray paint on your walls this fall
At the mall kickin’ doors off the stalls.
On the bad scale, one to ten, I’m like an eight.
Sometimes I fast-forward tapes and take ’em back late.
But if you ever spurn me girl, I’m gonna cry.
Wait for you in your house and shoot you in the eye.
You may find that I come back as meek as a mouse.
(Recipe for a bad man x2)
I’m still a bad man, but all my stuff is in your house.
ooh!
————————————
So this song ended up being sort of a tribute to Michael Jackson. I know that may seem trite now, but it wasn’t intentional. We miss you Mike!
March 9th, 2010 at 2:34 am
Mike, whether you’re talking about the fact of a guy who can’t make toast taking the day off to bake a cake with a recipe for chocolate-chip cookies; or the fact that you switch topics in the middle to sing about the challenge rather than the eggs… I for one am of the opinion that the song is catchy and cool and the facts can go hang themselves.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
[…] Download and vote over at FRED Here is a secret that I’m going to share with you The perfect meal to eat before you’re getting drunk This recipe comes straight from the heart of Mother Russia It keeps any hangover away You need some schnitzel soup and 17 potatoes The soup is easy – just get a lot of meat Then put it in a pot and add a little water Boil it for a while until it’s through When it’s Vodka, vodka – early in the evening Vodka, vodka – early in the night Vodka, vodka – early in the evening Vodka, vodka – early in the night If you like it sweet you add some apfelstrudel And if you’re hungry you should a chunk of cheese And when the soup is boiling you add a few more items Paprika, tomatoes, sauerkraut and beans You have to eat a lot for the soup to be effective Five full plates at least When it’s Vodka, vodka – early in the evening Vodka, vodka – early in the night Vodka, vodka – early in the evening Vodka, vodka – drinking all day and night Vodka! Vodka, vodka – early in the evening Vodka, vodka – early in the night Vodka, vodka – early in the morning Vodka, vodka – drinking all day and night(words and music by Johannes Schult) Category: Music | Comment (RSS) | Trackback Tags: humppa, jutze, polka, recipe, schnitzel, solo song, song fu, soup, vodka […]
March 9th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
In case you couldn’t tell, the recipe for love at hand is employed by one Dr. Frankenstein, who’s putting together his ideal woman…literally. And yes, the style is Boy Band, which lead us to refer to the song informally as “FrankNsync.†– Tom, Allan and Scott
“A Recipe for Loveâ€
by Boffo Yux Dudes
How can I make you understand?
Our love follows a master plan
From stories told by girl and beau
In days of romance long ago
To find you I looked near and far
In cemeteries and graveyards
My shovel worked from coast to coast
Cause you’re the girl I dig the most
Then I brought you to my lab
Where I put you on the slab
You came around at 12 o’clock
It must have come as quite
A piece from here, a part from there
A little bit from who knows where
A little power from above
That’s my recipe for love
A romance just like ours, my dear
Cannot start ‘til I holler “Clearâ€!
I don’t mean to give you jolts
But here comes 50,000 volts
When I first saw you I took your hand
And legs, spleen, and pineal gland
I stitched them up with a cross hatch
Until you had no strings attached
You’ve got a heart that’s never blue
And fantastic kidneys too
Is it divine insripration?
Or just superior circulation?
A piece from here….
I don’t want to be facetious
While I watch you go to pieces
I know darling you’ll be mine
Or my name isn’t…(Frankenstein)
[RAP]
Your veins I see coursing with life
And know that you must be my wife
So walk with me into the light
And never ever leave my sight
I hope you’re equally as smitten
If love bites, I know I’ve been bitten
The final chapter of our story
In our underground laboratory
[BREAKDOWN (Nervous)]
A piece from here…
How can I make you understand?…
March 9th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Lyrics for Godz Poodlz Jamz
written by Rhod Durre and Russ Rogers
Boil 6 cups of Poodlz Juiz in a medium saucepan
Stir in some Funky B3 Organ and bring it to a boil again
Let it simmer and sizzle to the tempo you desire
Pop it! Whip it! Beat it! Then jump into the fire! (Oh yeah, oh yeah!)
Drop in some doggy drippings, straight from the canz
We’re cookin’ up a little bit of Godz Poodlz Jamz!
(Godz Pooldz Jamz, all right!)
Take 4 tablespoonz of moxi, add a dash of self effacement (Oh yeah)
Slather on some Autotune from the computer in the basement (Oh yeah)
A truck load of groupies caramelized with tabloid rumor
Shredded guitar cooked under pressure with some humor (Oh yeah, oh yeah)
Stew in savory suggestionz from our legionz of fanz
We’re cookin’ up a little bit of Godz Poodlz Jamz
Godz Poodlz Jamz, Godz Poodlz Jamz
Hey Mr. DJ, spread this jelly on the dance floor!
(That’s right, spread it all around. Yeah.)
[Break Down]
(That’s right, I agree with him)
You know you’re going to want to join our legionz of fanz
We’re cookin’ up a little bit of Godz Poodlz Jamz
You know you’re going to want to join our legionz of fanz (all right!)
We’re cookin’ up a little bit of Godz Poodlz Jamz
We’re cookin’ up a little bit of Godz Poodlz Jamz
We’re cookin’ up a little bit of Godz Poodlz Jamz
You can get Godz Poodlz Tunez at http://godzpoodlz.bandcamp.com
And you know you’re going to want to join our legionz of fanz! (all right!)
On twitter: http://twitter.com/GodzPoodlz
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/godzpoodlz
Where we get many savory suggestions!
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Godz-Poodlz/151736822018
March 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Mike L-You are really a younger clone of Edric, aren’t you. This made me laugh; the last bit of it with 2 voices I couldn’t quite make out the words.
Edric- Channel JoCo much? Boxes of limbs, lol, another mad scientist in love- this fits so well with Skullcrusher and Live, it would make the perfect third to the Spiff vids about the Skullcrusher doc. <3 this song- marry me! Wait, I’m already married…oh well.
Spencer- very nice, good levels of expressed emotion without turning emo bleh, I liked it.
Kylie- great multi part layering of voice and instruments, looks like you have been polishing your mixing skills
Caleb- love your woodwind playing, back up singer(s) add a nice layer to the whole. I think I will avoid midnight snacks for a while though.
Boffo dudes- love the 3 part harmonies and you being the second person/group to channel JoCo :o), “till I holler clear” had me laugh aloud.
Denise- good piano- anyone ever tell you that you sound a lot like the girl who sings “I want to go ow-ooot tonight” from Rent?
Jutze- we need more drunken russian polkas around here, yay!
Leigh & co- wonderful. Nuff said.
Glen- I liked it enough to vote for, dunno what in particular, just plain liked it. Was that a real koto I heard at one point? Maybe it is my love of Japanese culture and art and anime.
March 11th, 2010 at 12:31 am
There are a lot of great songs this round, but one I just wanted to single out: Johannes, I just wanted to say that your song this time is absolutely hilarious and I love it! It reminds me of the polka music my Polish stepfather used to play when I was growing up — polkas about schnapps and things like that.
March 11th, 2010 at 2:41 am
I posted my “review” over on my blog. Good round, and I voted for 2 people I know I’ve never voted for in the past. Almost made it 3 people I’d never voted for…
http://spintown79.blogspot.com/2010/03/song-fu-6-round-3-review.html
March 11th, 2010 at 4:58 am
‘Duality Cupcake (“Why”)’
My week has not been fine
There’s no rules for how to write me life
Stick to facts, go back to practice
… still all this distraction;
lies in wait to glaze me-make me crazy
although no mistakes are made –
so who’s to say?
It’s morning / it’s nighttime
-a cup of do-or-die
-flask of hello/goodbye
-a tablespoon of
why shouldn’t I?
As for him and I –
we’re fine
and I think we might be tied up tight enough to get by …
but who’s complaining – what’s underneath my frosting’s not really what’s advertized
Why shouldn’t I
add the spice / a cup of do-or-die
a dash of hello-goodbye
Why-not-why
… shouldn’t I?
Why shouldn’t I
add some spice
a cup of do-or-die
just tell me why
-try to make something from a recipe
out of this thing
Why shouldn’t I?
-mixed up like marmalade inside
while I try to hide myself in plain sight
it’s sticky in my mind
the complictations: clinging singing circles and I close my eyes
and it stays…
my duality
March 11th, 2010 at 5:01 am
NOTE: in my first stanza, it’s “write MY life” and not “write ME life.” Sheesh. Spelling in the middle of the night. Alas …
(you know … since it’s not a pirate who is singing the song. We’ve already got cookie stealing ninjas in this round, Caleb 😉 yay!)
March 11th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Well we had a lot of fun with Song-Fu this time around, but i don’t think we’ll be in the next one. I know, “yay!” right? I just wanted to say that we were never in this to win anything. We were in it for the challenge and the fun. Maybe we’ll join TMA and get some actual votes next time ;^). Thanks to everyone! Great job people!
March 11th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I enjoyed your work guys. A lot a lot 🙂
March 12th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
I must say, I do not understand why Zer0Guy is so under-represented in the voting.
Their songs are weird, yeah.
But they can play in time, which gives them a leg up on a lot of folks.
They have a great deal of range in their style of music as well.
Overall, I find their music to be creative and interesting.
I believe they are excellent musicians, who I expect will develop into fully-fledged musical ass-kickers in a few more years.
So yeah.
I think that’s the only time I have had much to say about anyone in SongFu.
March 12th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Zer0guy –
I liked the way ‘Recipe for a Bad Man’ came out. I wouldn’t get frustrated. It’s all a process. The voting, while a fun distraction, misses the point for at least my reason for being in the Fu. It helps give Al and I structure to actually finish some product, instead of tinkering with things forever. It also has allowed me to meet several dozen new friends can colleagues who know what it’s like to create and produce songs. That’s pretty cool. It would be disappointing if you stop participating because of a lack of votes.
Bottom line. There are now 5 songs out there that would not exist that we created as a direct result of Song Fu. Now, the quality of them can be up for debate, but I’m pretty happy with the final product. I still want to tweak each one, but I’m learning to let it go and move on to the next project.
This one was a tough Fu to vote – lots of great candidates. I’m on my 3rd cycle through listening, and have some favorites, but there’s a good 10 that could get a vote. I’ll give it another listen and have to pick tonight…
Tom
March 13th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Wow. What a response!
I know I shouldn’t focus on the voting, but last time Jon focused on the voting and got discouraged, so it was my (Dan’s) turn to be discouraged. I appreciate the support, Denise, Jason and Dudes inclusive. It made me feel a little better about our standing. We’ve been writing and recording for years now, but the Fu has really gotten us to seriously knuckle down.
We still probably won’t be in the next iteration, but that’s more because we wanna finish the three albums we’ve been working on and Song-Fu kinda gets in the way. I’m sure we’ll be back though! Keep on a-rockin’
March 13th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I liked ‘Secret Recipe Ninja’ (among others) but I was a little disappointed by the chicken legs… for some reason I was expecting it to be:
He might take all your sugar.
Maybe he will steal your eggs.
He’ll get in your freezer
and remove your severed heads.
Of course, ‘remove your chicken legs’ actually rhymes and makes sense, so I can certainly understand why it’s there instead of severed heads. It just surprised me the first time I listened.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Godspeed, Zer0guy.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Zer0Guy – Just wanted to say I very much enjoyed your work during SF5, even if I gave you some s on the Spintown blog about Thundercade’s lack of lyrics (which was funny because “Guitar Tonite” might as well have been an Artist’s Response to that criticism). When people leave SF because they’re frustrated, that’s bad. When people leave because they have other musical projects that need their time and focus I think that’s great…. So I’m gonna believe you’re taking off mostly to finish albums, if that’s all right. 🙂
March 13th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
SF6, that is. Man, I’m tired.
March 14th, 2010 at 9:22 am
@Zer0guy: I don’t think any body has given you more crap then me. Since you’ve put lyrics in your last 2 entries I’ve started to look forward to your songs. Enjoyed the last one a lot…except for that effect mentioned on the blog.
I’ve voted for a few people that I’ve never voted for in this Fu. You were well on your way to possibly getting votes from me.
PS: Joining TMA is a good idea…not for votes…but because it rocks.