Submissions no longer almost due; deadline extension because Lying underestimated the importance of time!
Send me a private message on MLR or drop me an email with a link to a lossless audio file of your submission, along with the artist name you want to be credited as, and the track title! If you're not going to have a track ready by the deadline but still want to submit, please get in touch!
So I'm guessing most of you have heard of what's been going on in Ferguson. If not, feel free to look it up. Dunno about anyone else but I wanted to do something to help, and thought it might be interesting to try making a benefit album to go to one of the fundraising efforts that's trying to help people out there. My thinking is that it might motivate some people to donate who otherwise wouldn't. I've messaged a few people and had some positive responses, so hopefully there'll be at least a handful of submissions. But we need you! So, to answer some questions:
Where are the donations gonna go?
There's a couple of options, but most likely the Michael Brown Memorial Fund.
When are submissions due?
1st January, so in a couple of months! If you're not going to have a track ready by then but still want to submit, please get in touch!
How do I submit?
Send me an email or a private message on here with a link to your audio file -- lossless formats, please. If you could also provide track information (artist name you want to be credited as, plus track title) that would be ace.
But Lying! That's a... wait what happened to the deadline?
The 1st October deadline would've been great, but considering only one person managed to get a track done in time (massive props to Technickel Pony) it would've been less of a benefit album and more of a benefit single. Which only really raises money if you're Live Aid.
Will my track definitely get in?
It's not guaranteed - there'll definitely be a judging process. But it's not going to be a stringent super-high-standard deal either.
What style and tone of music can I submit?
Submissions will be judged mostly on musicianship/mixing/overall how good they are, rather than specific genres. That said, the overall tone of the album is hopefully going to be uplifting and positive, so I'd advise against anything too angry or depressing. Sad and melancholy, defiant but upbeat, anything like that is fine (as are generally positive/uplifting tracks), but like... don't submit something that sounds like Clipping or Napalm Death or whatever. If you're not sure whether your song is gonna work, feel free to send me a WIP and I'll let you know.
How about track length?
I'd advise keeping your track between 1:30 and 7:00 in length but that isn't a hard and fast rule. Tracks longer than 12 minutes won't be accepted.
How many tracks can I submit?
No hard limit but I'd recommend no more than 2 or 3.
Horse?
Not compulsory, but if you feel like writing a horse song go ahead!
Are remixes, covers or sampled content allowed?
Covers and remixes of fandom songs should be fine. Covers or remixes of non-fandom songs won't be accepted, just as a precautionary measure (it'd absolutely suck to raise money for such a good cause and then not be able to donate it because of lawyers or somesuch).
Samples should be okay, but don't go overboard using stuff you know has a good chance of getting the album in trouble (so, like, no Prince/Metallica mashups). Use your own discretion on this one.
Collabs? Vocals?
Collabs are totally fine! Vocals are fine too. I don't think this album is the place to be soapboxing though, so I'd ask that any lyrics you write are kept abstract rather than dealing directly with the events in Ferguson.
What's the album going to be called?
...haven't decided this yet, so still open to suggestions!
I disagree with this album!
Ok. You can message me about it if you want to, but I doubt I'll respond because I'm lazy. I'd rather you didn't start a huge debate about it on the thread itself though.
Anything else I can do to help besides submitting a track?
Here's a Buzzfeed list of things to do to help people in Ferguson. Also, spreading the word and talking to people about what's happening is probably a cool thing to do.
As for helping with the album:
- Album title suggestions would be appreciated!
- Anyone who knows anyone who'd be up for making some SWEET ALBUM ART, get pressganging!
- Anyone who knows any musicians who might be willing to participate (non-fandom musicians included!), let them know!
- Let me know if you want to help with judging!
- Spread the word however you can once the album drops!
Is there a Skype group?
Add me on Skype (lyingpink) and there can be!
This sounds like a large-scale project. Don't you think you lack the skills and experience necessary to deliver on this?
The past two months would suggest that I probably do lack some of those skills and experience, yes. But hey - we'll put it down to teething problems and hope for the best.
You used too many exclamation marks in this post and now you remind me of my aunt on Facebook.
That's not a question.
I have another question!
Go ahead and ask
