MetaFilter Music Charitable Project?
May 21, 2010 9:11 AM
MuFi fundraiser album?
So this whole sex trafficking thing has got me thinking. I want to do something to support organizations hat combat sex trafficking -- which, as I research it, turns out to be massive and international and terrifying. Of course, I have limited resources, so what to do?
I got to thinking that if anybody is interested, we might put together a digital-only release of songs specifically written and recorded for the collection, which we could sell to MeFites (and, I suppose, whoever else is interested) and donate the proceedings to an appropriate charitable cause.
Anybody interested in such a project?
posted by Astro Zombie (91 comments total)
11 users marked this as a favorite
So this whole sex trafficking thing has got me thinking. I want to do something to support organizations hat combat sex trafficking -- which, as I research it, turns out to be massive and international and terrifying. Of course, I have limited resources, so what to do?
I got to thinking that if anybody is interested, we might put together a digital-only release of songs specifically written and recorded for the collection, which we could sell to MeFites (and, I suppose, whoever else is interested) and donate the proceedings to an appropriate charitable cause.
Anybody interested in such a project?
I need time -- short on that -- but I might have the wherewithal to contribute something useful. Will ponder. If nothing else, I have DAW & can mix or overdub bass parts for contributors lacking good bass playing.
Timeframe?
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:48 AM on May 21, 2010
Timeframe?
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:48 AM on May 21, 2010
What's good for people? I'm thinking a month to assemble the songs?
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:12 AM on May 21, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:12 AM on May 21, 2010
Are you looking for songs about sex trafficking? Or just a compilation of songs on a CD with proceeds going to a charitable organization?
posted by abc123xyzinfinity at 11:09 AM on May 21, 2010
posted by abc123xyzinfinity at 11:09 AM on May 21, 2010
Well, it seems to me that songs about sex trafficking might be depressing and a bit too literal, although I wouldn't discourage anybody from trying it as a topic. But, really, I'm thinking a compilation of songs that we could sell with the proceeds going to charity, as you said. Although I am not opposed to linking it with a theme.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:21 AM on May 21, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:21 AM on May 21, 2010
I'd like to contribute to the collection, if that's alright.
posted by Pecinpah at 2:42 PM on May 21, 2010
posted by Pecinpah at 2:42 PM on May 21, 2010
If you want to catch people's attention - and therefore sell more copies of the record - I think a theme is essential. A random bunch of tracks will be.....just that, and might misfire. I've no idea off the top of my head what kind of theme would be appropriate, although I agree with Astro's view that a literal take on the subject wouldn't work at all. Something perhaps around freedom from oppression - and maybe it doesn't have to be any more specific than that - might be the way to go? This could cover other equally appalling areas like child labour, the suppression of free speech, military dictatorship (highly topical) and the like. Anyway - if a unifying theme can be agreed, I'd be delighted to contribute solo or collaborate with other MeFiMoos on a track.
posted by MajorDundee at 4:50 PM on May 21, 2010
posted by MajorDundee at 4:50 PM on May 21, 2010
I'm wondering who will host the file(s), take the money, give it to a charity, etc. Also, which charity? How much of the money will be used to pay for hosting costs? Who will set up the system for downloads? Is this a mefi-specific release as far as who knows about it or will there be some sort of publicity push (sent to blogs, etc)?
I'd be up for doing a song if I have the time and this is a great idea, but I'm a little worried about specifics. Maybe mathowie could get involved? Have you contacted him with the idea?
posted by sleepy pete at 5:11 PM on May 21, 2010
I'd be up for doing a song if I have the time and this is a great idea, but I'm a little worried about specifics. Maybe mathowie could get involved? Have you contacted him with the idea?
posted by sleepy pete at 5:11 PM on May 21, 2010
I think this is a great idea (I will buy it). Also I'd recommend Band Camp for hosting the release and processing the sales if there are no better options. I believe they are still completely free and don't take a cut of the money. Someone would just need to run it and make sure that the money from the sales goes to whatever charity or charities this is for. Otherwise maybe we could do it through the existing MetaFilter store.
Also as far as a theme goes, it could be covers of female-positive songs that were written/performed by female artists. Most of the people who post on Music are male so it would be somewhat of a novelty, and covers in general tend to get more buzz online (for example Pomplamoose has a lot of great original songs but the most popular ones are covers).
posted by burnmp3s at 5:14 PM on May 21, 2010
Also as far as a theme goes, it could be covers of female-positive songs that were written/performed by female artists. Most of the people who post on Music are male so it would be somewhat of a novelty, and covers in general tend to get more buzz online (for example Pomplamoose has a lot of great original songs but the most popular ones are covers).
posted by burnmp3s at 5:14 PM on May 21, 2010
Cover songs would cost money. I believe it's $75/song in the US.
posted by sleepy pete at 5:21 PM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by sleepy pete at 5:21 PM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Cover songs would cost money. I believe it's $75/song in the US.
Good point, I hadn't considered that. Most of the online covers I was thinking of were given away for free, rather than sold as a charity thing. According to Harry Fox, these are the statutory royalty rates in the US:
Permanent Digital Downloads: 9.1¢ for recordings five minutes or less; for
recordings over 5 minutes, 1.75¢ for each minute, rounded up.
posted by burnmp3s at 5:44 PM on May 21, 2010
Good point, I hadn't considered that. Most of the online covers I was thinking of were given away for free, rather than sold as a charity thing. According to Harry Fox, these are the statutory royalty rates in the US:
Permanent Digital Downloads: 9.1¢ for recordings five minutes or less; for
recordings over 5 minutes, 1.75¢ for each minute, rounded up.
posted by burnmp3s at 5:44 PM on May 21, 2010
Yeah, I think we should steer clear of covers. As to the other details -- who will house this, how will the money be taken care of, well, I just thought of this this morning and am research how it might be done. If anybody has suggestions, they would be appreciated.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:24 PM on May 21, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:24 PM on May 21, 2010
I'd certainly be down for contributing a track.
I find myself in agreement with Major Dundee's point about a completely random collection of tracks (with no discernible theme) being somehow unsatisfactory. I also understand, however, that any theme idea that's too specific would be impractical and probably not desirable. It's a conundrum...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:50 PM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
I find myself in agreement with Major Dundee's point about a completely random collection of tracks (with no discernible theme) being somehow unsatisfactory. I also understand, however, that any theme idea that's too specific would be impractical and probably not desirable. It's a conundrum...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:50 PM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
My S.O. is a professional percussionist and music producer and would lend some SKILLZ (does anyone still write that?) to someone who needs a hand.
posted by houseofdanie at 10:12 PM on May 21, 2010
posted by houseofdanie at 10:12 PM on May 21, 2010
Also, since I care for the success of the project, I will volunteer to not sing anything.
posted by houseofdanie at 10:13 PM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by houseofdanie at 10:13 PM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Another thought on this, and if we could bring it off it would be ultracool imho. And would also be a profile booster for MeFi. We "officially" release a cd. We cost out the project (mastering, manufacturing, distribution, artwork - recording costs are zero because contributors will handle that), and then ask MeFites for a small donation - via PayPal or something - to fund that. And those helping to fund the project can also nominate a charity of their choice - the one(s) with most nominations get the cash. Working title: "Now That's What I Call Metafilter". This way we get round the theme problem and the issue of MeFites buying the tracks - they don't have to, they're part of the project. It's the record-buying public that make the major financial donation to charity through buying the record. Just a thought.
posted by MajorDundee at 1:43 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by MajorDundee at 1:43 AM on May 22, 2010
count me in.
I think the major's idea is a cracker - a physical CD will differentiate it from one of the many "digital only" releases and boost PR. The CD run can be short and backed up by digital downloads (to avoid having inventory hanging around). If it is 100% for charity I reckon that we would find companied prepared to reduce their fees.
Iin the UK short run silver CDs with full colour artwork on body and 16 page colour booklet, plus jewel case come in at under £1 [$1.40] each. Cheapo.
Another though, and this is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H - how about a concept LP (ducks) - hear me out - where all of the songs tell a story. Set up a mefi project/meta talk thread/etc. to produce a loose story outline and identify 12-16 bits for songs, then the artists can do whatever they want with the song.
I have a stack of other ideas but will hang onto them for the time being incase I am way off target. And no, I don't like Rush or Budgie, et. al., but I LOVE Jeff Wayne's War of the World. Who'd have thought taht in the final days of the 20th century.......
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 4:33 AM on May 22, 2010
I think the major's idea is a cracker - a physical CD will differentiate it from one of the many "digital only" releases and boost PR. The CD run can be short and backed up by digital downloads (to avoid having inventory hanging around). If it is 100% for charity I reckon that we would find companied prepared to reduce their fees.
Iin the UK short run silver CDs with full colour artwork on body and 16 page colour booklet, plus jewel case come in at under £1 [$1.40] each. Cheapo.
Another though, and this is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H - how about a concept LP (ducks) - hear me out - where all of the songs tell a story. Set up a mefi project/meta talk thread/etc. to produce a loose story outline and identify 12-16 bits for songs, then the artists can do whatever they want with the song.
I have a stack of other ideas but will hang onto them for the time being incase I am way off target. And no, I don't like Rush or Budgie, et. al., but I LOVE Jeff Wayne's War of the World. Who'd have thought taht in the final days of the 20th century.......
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 4:33 AM on May 22, 2010
Like t-v-h-c I'm a little shy of going OTT with ideas, but it did strike me after posting the one above that we could broaden the cd idea out just a little - it could, for instance have a couple of videos in it (Flapjax's brilliant one for All Shook Up is a must) and perhaps even the output from the fiction-writing thing that's going on over on the Blue. A total MeFi multimedia package, I guess. Probably over-ambitious but hey if you aim for the stars you might get the moon.......
Oh and I thought too re the music cd that there are enough experienced MeFiMusos to handle mastering an album and surely someone on MeFi (perhaps edlundart??) could do the artwork - so the real cost would I think just be manufacturing. We might get a nice friendly record label to distribute for free - hang on a minute..... nice?..... friendly?? What am I on????
posted by MajorDundee at 6:21 AM on May 22, 2010
Oh and I thought too re the music cd that there are enough experienced MeFiMusos to handle mastering an album and surely someone on MeFi (perhaps edlundart??) could do the artwork - so the real cost would I think just be manufacturing. We might get a nice friendly record label to distribute for free - hang on a minute..... nice?..... friendly?? What am I on????
posted by MajorDundee at 6:21 AM on May 22, 2010
Doing a physical CD is manageable but it's a fair amount of work; a few years ago we did the Metafilter Compilation Album which was a decent little adventure and ended up paying for itself and then some to the point where we pulled in about $1700 over cost to donate to a charity. This all got started a bit before Music actually launched.
And so anyway the whole thing was extremely DIY and collaborative to keep costs minimal—all the art was mefite-generated by a few different folks, the layout work done by another mefite, another offered legal services to get the rights paperwork in place, another did the mastering, and I did all of the money wrangling and set up fabrication with the duplication folks and did all the mailing out once the CDs were delivered. It worked, and we shipped something like 250 copies altogether, but there was a whole lot of brainstorming and effort involved.
My takeaway from that is that doing it again that way would be possible, but could probably use some up-front process refinement. If it makes economic sense to move some of that stuff into the hands of a service like Bandcamp (about whom I know nothing), that's not a terrible idea—final delivery of the product to folks who ordered was one of the biggest pains/tediums for me personally in the project, so having someone else handle fulfillment if we're looking at a physical disc strikes me as worth thinking about. Or someone else can choose to get on board with that.
There's a question of whether the goal is to sell a lot of these in a lump up front, or to sell them in an ongoing fashion. My honest takeaway from the Meficomp project is that if we had decided out of the gate to just sell over a short period of time—like, take pre-orders, announce, and sell only for the following week or two—we'd have sold 90% as many as we did over two years and have about two years less of orders-dribbling-in pain to deal with. Getting it up on a label, figuring out long-term distribution, and so on may be overthinking this if the main goal is just to put together a nice album, get it into interested folks hands, and getting some money to charity, all on the shorter term.
But that's a very Meficomp-centric take on it, and I realize folks may have reasons to be more optimistic or more ambitious about the idea of getting this out to more than just folks in the mefisphere. I think having a realistic plan for how that would be achieved (who is doing the marketing/promotion, to whom, how, and why, and what costs are associated with that that might (a) cut into the getting-cash-to-charity angle and/or (b) might recur or escalate over time) is an important step one if that's the direction folks want to go.
posted by cortex at 9:18 AM on May 22, 2010
And so anyway the whole thing was extremely DIY and collaborative to keep costs minimal—all the art was mefite-generated by a few different folks, the layout work done by another mefite, another offered legal services to get the rights paperwork in place, another did the mastering, and I did all of the money wrangling and set up fabrication with the duplication folks and did all the mailing out once the CDs were delivered. It worked, and we shipped something like 250 copies altogether, but there was a whole lot of brainstorming and effort involved.
My takeaway from that is that doing it again that way would be possible, but could probably use some up-front process refinement. If it makes economic sense to move some of that stuff into the hands of a service like Bandcamp (about whom I know nothing), that's not a terrible idea—final delivery of the product to folks who ordered was one of the biggest pains/tediums for me personally in the project, so having someone else handle fulfillment if we're looking at a physical disc strikes me as worth thinking about. Or someone else can choose to get on board with that.
There's a question of whether the goal is to sell a lot of these in a lump up front, or to sell them in an ongoing fashion. My honest takeaway from the Meficomp project is that if we had decided out of the gate to just sell over a short period of time—like, take pre-orders, announce, and sell only for the following week or two—we'd have sold 90% as many as we did over two years and have about two years less of orders-dribbling-in pain to deal with. Getting it up on a label, figuring out long-term distribution, and so on may be overthinking this if the main goal is just to put together a nice album, get it into interested folks hands, and getting some money to charity, all on the shorter term.
But that's a very Meficomp-centric take on it, and I realize folks may have reasons to be more optimistic or more ambitious about the idea of getting this out to more than just folks in the mefisphere. I think having a realistic plan for how that would be achieved (who is doing the marketing/promotion, to whom, how, and why, and what costs are associated with that that might (a) cut into the getting-cash-to-charity angle and/or (b) might recur or escalate over time) is an important step one if that's the direction folks want to go.
posted by cortex at 9:18 AM on May 22, 2010
As far as funding Meficomp, we did pre-orders once we had a reasonably solid idea that it was going to happen, on the notion that there was enough vocal support that we'd come at least close in the worst case scenario to paying for the project; I think easily half our sales were pre-orders, some well in advance of the release. It seems like a smart way to size out interest in the project and guarantee that we're not biting off more than we can chew.
On which: we did a 1000-disc run based on the notion that it was a good bit better of a deal on a per-unit basis than a 500-disc run; at the time at least getting a fab run of actual duped discs rather than CD-r meant a 500 disc order at minimum.
If I could change one thing about the project, I'd have ordered the 500-disc run instead. Lower cost per unit only matters if you ship enough units to have that margin come into play, and we didn't. We never got close to moving 500, and the few hundred bucks the extra 500 we're never selling either could have gone to charity instead of to a collection of boxes that live in my office closet now (and for a long while lived in sleepy pete's basement because I was in a one bedroom apartment with no room for 'em).
posted by cortex at 9:26 AM on May 22, 2010
On which: we did a 1000-disc run based on the notion that it was a good bit better of a deal on a per-unit basis than a 500-disc run; at the time at least getting a fab run of actual duped discs rather than CD-r meant a 500 disc order at minimum.
If I could change one thing about the project, I'd have ordered the 500-disc run instead. Lower cost per unit only matters if you ship enough units to have that margin come into play, and we didn't. We never got close to moving 500, and the few hundred bucks the extra 500 we're never selling either could have gone to charity instead of to a collection of boxes that live in my office closet now (and for a long while lived in sleepy pete's basement because I was in a one bedroom apartment with no room for 'em).
posted by cortex at 9:26 AM on May 22, 2010
And one other thought: doing this as a mixed physical/digital release might be a good way to have a best-of-both-worlds thing going on.
- Offer the physical disc only as a limited-time thing, pre-orders open well in advance and then sales for maybe a week or two and that's it; if you order a disc, great, if not, you missed out. Limits the amount of physical wrangling involved post-release, limits the scope of any distribution work that'd need doing to the very short term, adds to the "this is a special thing" appeal of ordering a disc.
- Offer a digital download in perpetuity, either via some distribution service provider or as a dirt-simple honor system "here are the files" approach with a "pay what you want" field so folks who want to throw money at charity can do so and folks who are just interested in the music can do so as well. No physical component to this channel of distribution, basically just needs monitoring of fundraising account to get payments off to charity on a regular basis.
posted by cortex at 9:34 AM on May 22, 2010
- Offer the physical disc only as a limited-time thing, pre-orders open well in advance and then sales for maybe a week or two and that's it; if you order a disc, great, if not, you missed out. Limits the amount of physical wrangling involved post-release, limits the scope of any distribution work that'd need doing to the very short term, adds to the "this is a special thing" appeal of ordering a disc.
- Offer a digital download in perpetuity, either via some distribution service provider or as a dirt-simple honor system "here are the files" approach with a "pay what you want" field so folks who want to throw money at charity can do so and folks who are just interested in the music can do so as well. No physical component to this channel of distribution, basically just needs monitoring of fundraising account to get payments off to charity on a regular basis.
posted by cortex at 9:34 AM on May 22, 2010
These are great suggestions, Cortex. In terms of offering a CD as an ongoing digital download, I have had very good experiences with CDBaby on my band's recent release. They take a bit of the profit, but the services they provide (including bar code, stocking, shipping, housing digital files, and making the release available on iTunes and other online distributions) makes the small cost very worthwhile.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:31 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:31 AM on May 22, 2010
Very useful experiential perspective cortex. I agree re the modest, time-limited run of the cd and the perpetuity digital version. You never know the cd might end up as a collector's item - especially if we release it as one of those "numbered limited edition with extra tracks" jobs. I'd guess that there's quite a few of us have got boxes of records in the attic that are the legacy of that dread mix of inexperience and overenthusiasm (I know I have - 7" singles - must recycle them.....).
I think it's important though, whilst having a healthy regard for reality, to not put this in the "too difficult to do" basket straight away.....at least before it's been evaluated as a serious proposition. I'd say the first thing is to call for MeFites to take on the various roles incumbent in delivering the project. The most difficult bit I think is the distribution and money collection element - with modern technology everything else is, as we say this side of the pond, "a piece of piss". Obviously if there are no volunteers we're fucked before we start! How was it handled last time cortex - in terms of the involvement of MeFites (or was it done by the MeFI administrators)?
The default position on this is the digital-only release.....but where's the challenge in that? Frankly, I'd favour being willfully obtuse and releasing it as vinyl-only. Including a very limited run of say 50 on coloured vinyl - blue would be apt...... I'm kidding btw - just in case anyone thinks.....
posted by MajorDundee at 10:32 AM on May 22, 2010
I think it's important though, whilst having a healthy regard for reality, to not put this in the "too difficult to do" basket straight away.....at least before it's been evaluated as a serious proposition. I'd say the first thing is to call for MeFites to take on the various roles incumbent in delivering the project. The most difficult bit I think is the distribution and money collection element - with modern technology everything else is, as we say this side of the pond, "a piece of piss". Obviously if there are no volunteers we're fucked before we start! How was it handled last time cortex - in terms of the involvement of MeFites (or was it done by the MeFI administrators)?
The default position on this is the digital-only release.....but where's the challenge in that? Frankly, I'd favour being willfully obtuse and releasing it as vinyl-only. Including a very limited run of say 50 on coloured vinyl - blue would be apt...... I'm kidding btw - just in case anyone thinks.....
posted by MajorDundee at 10:32 AM on May 22, 2010
Also, I'd like to propose a theme: Consent.
I am, of course, open to other suggestions, but this strikes me as one of the defining features of sexual trafficking, and of sexually abusive situations in general: the elimination of meaningful consent.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:33 AM on May 22, 2010
I am, of course, open to other suggestions, but this strikes me as one of the defining features of sexual trafficking, and of sexually abusive situations in general: the elimination of meaningful consent.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:33 AM on May 22, 2010
Hey Astro - I've just been reading The Guardian (Brit national daily) and there's a TV programme on Channel 4 tomorrow night called "Dispatches: The Lost Girls Of Africa". Here's part of what the review says "This brilliant, wretchedly depressing film examines the endemic rape problem of the World Cup hosts - specifically the rape of children". The (soccer) World Cup starts next month. The timing of your project could not, in my view, be more propitious.
posted by MajorDundee at 10:42 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by MajorDundee at 10:42 AM on May 22, 2010
The most difficult bit I think is the distribution and money collection element - with modern technology everything else is, as we say this side of the pond, "a piece of piss". Obviously if there are no volunteers we're fucked before we start! How was it handled last time cortex - in terms of the involvement of MeFites (or was it done by the MeFI administrators)?
Volunteers for various things will probably not be a problem; we had lots of folks keen to help out last time in a variety of capacities, many of whom were also game for Volume II once the first one was done.
What happened last time was the idea for a comp came first, and after a metatalk thread brainstorming ideas we started to sort of get things pinned down in terms of (a) what we want to do and (b) who was going to do it. I ended up running the thing mostly out of sheer enthusiasm at the time; for money I just had folks make payments to my paypal account and did the accounting that way as best I could and used those payment records as the source for mailing addresses to create labels, print 'em out, affix, and apply postage manually.
Which worked but was kind of a subpar approach in a lot of ways, some of which we could probably improve while staying pure DIY about this, some of which would probably only be solvable by either involving a mefite who is really experienced and has the toolchain to do a more competent orders/distribution thing or by getting some service involved. Whether its something that could work well with the Mefi Store or not is a good question on that front, and one that's more for Matt to answer than anything. I'll toss him a heads up.
I think it's eminently doable, for what it's worth. My caveats upthread are more in terms of scope and planning than anything; if I could pull it off four years ago, honestly just about anybody could, and hindsight is a big ally here for doing it better this time.
posted by cortex at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Volunteers for various things will probably not be a problem; we had lots of folks keen to help out last time in a variety of capacities, many of whom were also game for Volume II once the first one was done.
What happened last time was the idea for a comp came first, and after a metatalk thread brainstorming ideas we started to sort of get things pinned down in terms of (a) what we want to do and (b) who was going to do it. I ended up running the thing mostly out of sheer enthusiasm at the time; for money I just had folks make payments to my paypal account and did the accounting that way as best I could and used those payment records as the source for mailing addresses to create labels, print 'em out, affix, and apply postage manually.
Which worked but was kind of a subpar approach in a lot of ways, some of which we could probably improve while staying pure DIY about this, some of which would probably only be solvable by either involving a mefite who is really experienced and has the toolchain to do a more competent orders/distribution thing or by getting some service involved. Whether its something that could work well with the Mefi Store or not is a good question on that front, and one that's more for Matt to answer than anything. I'll toss him a heads up.
I think it's eminently doable, for what it's worth. My caveats upthread are more in terms of scope and planning than anything; if I could pull it off four years ago, honestly just about anybody could, and hindsight is a big ally here for doing it better this time.
posted by cortex at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2010
I'm interested in contributing whatever I'm able, dependent on things. (Writing and recording a serious song about a serious subject given limited time, for instance, is way beyond my capabilities, but I'd be happy to contribute music to anyone else's track, as well as some gruntworks as needed.)
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 1:50 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 1:50 PM on May 22, 2010
Your screen name cracks me up every time, ORthey.
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:46 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:46 PM on May 22, 2010
Well, I'm in for just about whatever. I don't do particularly well at writing serious songs, but I'll play a part, or arrange, or mix, or what have you.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:46 AM on May 23, 2010
posted by uncleozzy at 6:46 AM on May 23, 2010
I have a fair amount of unreleased material that could be worked into something useful. This, for example, is a track I give to people who donated to the You Are Not Dead project:
posted by fake at 9:31 AM on May 23, 2010
posted by fake at 9:31 AM on May 23, 2010
I don't think there is any requirement the songs be serious.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:21 AM on May 23, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:21 AM on May 23, 2010
This is a great idea, AZ, and considering the backstory, this might do even better than the original MeFi Comp.
I'm having a tough time imagining what kinds of songs would be cool for this. It's a little more difficult than say Farm Aid or Feed the Children or something. Still, it's a fantastic idea and I'll be thinking about it.
posted by snsranch at 4:47 PM on May 23, 2010
I'm having a tough time imagining what kinds of songs would be cool for this. It's a little more difficult than say Farm Aid or Feed the Children or something. Still, it's a fantastic idea and I'll be thinking about it.
posted by snsranch at 4:47 PM on May 23, 2010
This sounds really interesting. I'm completely new here, but I'd be happy to contribute. I might even have an appropriate song or lyric lying around somewhere... I'll have to do some poking through my hard-drives.
posted by MaiaMadness at 4:47 AM on May 24, 2010
posted by MaiaMadness at 4:47 AM on May 24, 2010
All right, it sounds like there is enough interest to go ahead with it. Let's go ahead and set a date for submissions of materials, and start researching there where's and howtos and whatfors and whatnots. Let's say a month from today? June 24? For submissions?
And if people make demos of the songs they are thinking of submitting, feel free to post the to MeMu; it might help generate interest.
And unless anybody objects, lets go with consent as the theme. Feel free to interpret that as broadly or narrowly as you like. The songs do not need to be about sex trafficking, nor do they need to be grim or depressing or unfunny.
I'll figure out a way to assemble the submitted tracks -- probably just via email or YouSendIt, and it would probably be best as an AIFF. Anybody who has suggestions of wants to volunteer time or experience, your contribution is welcome. The more we can do without having to pay for it (mastering the final tracks, for example), the more money will go to whatever charity we choose.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:37 AM on May 24, 2010
And if people make demos of the songs they are thinking of submitting, feel free to post the to MeMu; it might help generate interest.
And unless anybody objects, lets go with consent as the theme. Feel free to interpret that as broadly or narrowly as you like. The songs do not need to be about sex trafficking, nor do they need to be grim or depressing or unfunny.
I'll figure out a way to assemble the submitted tracks -- probably just via email or YouSendIt, and it would probably be best as an AIFF. Anybody who has suggestions of wants to volunteer time or experience, your contribution is welcome. The more we can do without having to pay for it (mastering the final tracks, for example), the more money will go to whatever charity we choose.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:37 AM on May 24, 2010
I don't think there is any requirement the songs be serious.
Great. Then you tell us what works & what doesn't after tracks start showing up. I'm going to try like heck to put something together.
Neat idea, AZ.
posted by mintcake! at 1:12 PM on May 24, 2010
Great. Then you tell us what works & what doesn't after tracks start showing up. I'm going to try like heck to put something together.
Neat idea, AZ.
posted by mintcake! at 1:12 PM on May 24, 2010
Regarding Cortex's comments: what if we offered it as digital-only downloads, but if the total amount of money raised surpassed $X, we'd send out physical CDs with artwork, or on a case-by-case basis people could elect to donate a fixed extra cost in return for which they'd get a hand-created physical CD, complete with hand-made artwork and whatnot, by one of the artists who had contributed to the CD...
posted by davejay at 4:25 PM on May 24, 2010
posted by davejay at 4:25 PM on May 24, 2010
what if we offered it as digital-only downloads, but if the total amount of money raised surpassed $X, we'd send out physical CDs with artwork
I think it'd be better to decide to do or not do a physical CD run up front, fix the approximate cost of that, and open up pre-orders/orders with the understanding that that's essentially a sunk cost. Otherwise, the fundraising goes like this: "if we raise ~$500, $500 goes to charity; if we raise ~$1,000, we can afford to print 500 CDs and mail them and send $200 to charity!"
Which is sort of a weird shape for the whole thing economically, with that sort of trigger point still up in the air. I'd frankly rather just personally underwrite the cost of the print run if it looks like we'd reasonably expect to turn a profit on the physical orders and eat that cost if we don't make it and have a sort of pre-arranged understanding of the cost of that thing to share with interested folks from the start.
or on a case-by-case basis people could elect to donate a fixed extra cost in return for which they'd get a hand-created physical CD, complete with hand-made artwork and whatnot, by one of the artists who had contributed to the CD...
I like the idea of that, it's pretty neat, but it might scale really badly by volume if it turns out that's a lot of people. Also, hand-created physical CD = CD-r = not really as good as a product in terms of physical media as a proper duplication run, though whether that's something people care about or not given the context and the increasingly common straight-to-mp3-ripper workflow for the average CD purchase is an open question.
Again, though: this is me thinking out loud, not me trying to hold forth per se.
posted by cortex at 4:56 PM on May 24, 2010
I think it'd be better to decide to do or not do a physical CD run up front, fix the approximate cost of that, and open up pre-orders/orders with the understanding that that's essentially a sunk cost. Otherwise, the fundraising goes like this: "if we raise ~$500, $500 goes to charity; if we raise ~$1,000, we can afford to print 500 CDs and mail them and send $200 to charity!"
Which is sort of a weird shape for the whole thing economically, with that sort of trigger point still up in the air. I'd frankly rather just personally underwrite the cost of the print run if it looks like we'd reasonably expect to turn a profit on the physical orders and eat that cost if we don't make it and have a sort of pre-arranged understanding of the cost of that thing to share with interested folks from the start.
or on a case-by-case basis people could elect to donate a fixed extra cost in return for which they'd get a hand-created physical CD, complete with hand-made artwork and whatnot, by one of the artists who had contributed to the CD...
I like the idea of that, it's pretty neat, but it might scale really badly by volume if it turns out that's a lot of people. Also, hand-created physical CD = CD-r = not really as good as a product in terms of physical media as a proper duplication run, though whether that's something people care about or not given the context and the increasingly common straight-to-mp3-ripper workflow for the average CD purchase is an open question.
Again, though: this is me thinking out loud, not me trying to hold forth per se.
posted by cortex at 4:56 PM on May 24, 2010
Unrelated, not to get all elephant-in-the-room on this but one thing that needs to happen for a physical disc release is track selection, which assuming we get more than 74 minutes or so worth of submissions will involve some actual selection. Dirty job, someone's got to etc.
posted by cortex at 4:56 PM on May 24, 2010
posted by cortex at 4:56 PM on May 24, 2010
I agree with cortex's points above, in response to davejay's suggestions.
And, good point about the "Dirty job, someone's got to etc." That'll be a tough one...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:03 PM on May 24, 2010
And, good point about the "Dirty job, someone's got to etc." That'll be a tough one...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:03 PM on May 24, 2010
I'd frankly rather just personally underwrite the cost of the print run...
I'm up for that, too, actually.
posted by davejay at 6:07 PM on May 24, 2010
I'm up for that, too, actually.
posted by davejay at 6:07 PM on May 24, 2010
...one thing that needs to happen for a physical disc release is track selection, which assuming we get more than 74 minutes or so worth of submissions will involve some actual selection. Dirty job, someone's got to etc.
Quoted once again for truth, and emphasis. This is going to be a key point. I suggest we nominate cortex for the position of Ultimate Arbiter of What Stays and What Goes, and that we all agree to man up (or woman up, as the case may be) and accept his final decisions.
I'd also like to offer mastering and sequencing services for the CD. I have a fair amount of mastering experience, with my own releases as well as with this 4-CD set, which was a compilation of wildly differing tracks, all recorded live under various conditions over a period of several years. And I think I have a pretty good sense for sequencing a record.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:39 PM on May 24, 2010
Quoted once again for truth, and emphasis. This is going to be a key point. I suggest we nominate cortex for the position of Ultimate Arbiter of What Stays and What Goes, and that we all agree to man up (or woman up, as the case may be) and accept his final decisions.
I'd also like to offer mastering and sequencing services for the CD. I have a fair amount of mastering experience, with my own releases as well as with this 4-CD set, which was a compilation of wildly differing tracks, all recorded live under various conditions over a period of several years. And I think I have a pretty good sense for sequencing a record.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:39 PM on May 24, 2010
If this thing gets rolling, I don't think I'd have time to contribute an entire song, but I would really love to contribute some bass playing. So if one, or several, of you who put songs together aren't "native" bass players, I can overdub tracks to your song. This is one of the few things in life I actually excel at, and I'd love to contribute, so keep me in mind if space can be made. I can take your idea for a bass part & run with it, or create from scratch, and go crazy, or anything in between. Fretted or fretless, most styles, except classical & traditional jazz. (no upright acoustic in the stable) Math-rock may take longer than pop. Stable of basses includes '63 Thunderbird, '66 Jazz fretless, 76 P-bass fretless, '80 Rickenbacker 4001, Guild acoustic bass guitar, etc. (My daily player's a '89 Mexi-Jazz, Believe it or not) Good (average) recording gear.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:59 PM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:59 PM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
I suggest we nominate cortex for the position of Ultimate Arbiter of What Stays and What Goes, and that we all agree to man up (or woman up, as the case may be) and accept his final decisions.
Or Astro Zombie, as the originator?
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 9:55 PM on May 24, 2010
Or Astro Zombie, as the originator?
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 9:55 PM on May 24, 2010
Well, cortex, AZ, whadda y'all think? Who will assume the herculean task?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:57 AM on May 25, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:57 AM on May 25, 2010
I'm available but would happily defer to AZ if he feels like taking on the job. As long as there is a trusted lap in which it can fall, we're good.
posted by cortex at 7:06 AM on May 25, 2010
posted by cortex at 7:06 AM on May 25, 2010
I would very much like to be involved in this also. I will try a lot to have a track by June 24th.
Maybe we could have some kind of sidebar or even just a sticky at the top of this thread with the concrete particulars, à la:
DUE DATE | FORMAT | THEME | DELIVERY INFO?
posted by chococat at 7:46 AM on May 25, 2010
Maybe we could have some kind of sidebar or even just a sticky at the top of this thread with the concrete particulars, à la:
DUE DATE | FORMAT | THEME | DELIVERY INFO?
posted by chococat at 7:46 AM on May 25, 2010
I just wrote the song for this. It's quite specifically about the subject. I could probably post a recording of it here within a few days. But... should we do that? Or should we save them for (potential) inclusion on the release, and not post them to MeFiMu? Thoughts, anyone?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:37 AM on May 25, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:37 AM on May 25, 2010
If the idea is to make something special out of it, it'd probably be good to hold off on posting stuff to Music until after the release, yeah.
posted by cortex at 8:45 AM on May 25, 2010
posted by cortex at 8:45 AM on May 25, 2010
Cool, cortex, I pretty much thought so too.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:49 AM on May 25, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:49 AM on May 25, 2010
I'm available but would happily defer to AZ if he feels like taking on the job. As long as there is a trusted lap in which it can fall, we're good.
Why don't we both do it? It will be good to have a second opinion, as in medicine.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:05 PM on May 25, 2010
Why don't we both do it? It will be good to have a second opinion, as in medicine.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:05 PM on May 25, 2010
Yeah, I'd be fine with that. We've never really had an opportunity to get in a fist fight before, so.
posted by cortex at 2:04 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by cortex at 2:04 PM on May 25, 2010
Is it way too soon to talk about cover art? If this project is going to have a theme, it might be nice to toss around visual ideas to help figure out what kinds of songs work best under that thematic umbrella.
Just a thought.
posted by snsranch at 3:48 PM on May 25, 2010
Just a thought.
posted by snsranch at 3:48 PM on May 25, 2010
1. Should contributions be only those created specifically for this project, or will extant songs be considered?
2. Will the artists retain the right to use the song in other ways (e.g., future releases of their own) as well?
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 5:10 PM on May 25, 2010
2. Will the artists retain the right to use the song in other ways (e.g., future releases of their own) as well?
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 5:10 PM on May 25, 2010
For (1) I'd vote that extant is fine if you think it's a strong contribution and appropriate to the theme; new stuff made just for this would be most awesome, but on a short time frame that may be unreasonable. Stuff previously posted to Music or prominently distributed elsewhere would be least ideal as far as that goes, I feel like.
For (2), what we did last time was have every contributor appearing on the final release sign some paperwork a mefite lawyer drew up granting the organizer/distributor (which I think for practical purposes was just me, or me and Jess and Matt with them signing off but having nothing to do with the actual wrangling per se) a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the recordings for the sale and promotion of the specific release itself. So all rights remain with the artist, and legally the person acting as a sort of one-off label can't go and sell or transfer their licensed rights to some third party.
Given the low stakes, that seems like a pretty good fit. Puts the basics down on paper, and given the lack of profit motive here there's not really any room for someone to get greedy and pull something nasty.
posted by cortex at 5:30 PM on May 25, 2010
For (2), what we did last time was have every contributor appearing on the final release sign some paperwork a mefite lawyer drew up granting the organizer/distributor (which I think for practical purposes was just me, or me and Jess and Matt with them signing off but having nothing to do with the actual wrangling per se) a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the recordings for the sale and promotion of the specific release itself. So all rights remain with the artist, and legally the person acting as a sort of one-off label can't go and sell or transfer their licensed rights to some third party.
Given the low stakes, that seems like a pretty good fit. Puts the basics down on paper, and given the lack of profit motive here there's not really any room for someone to get greedy and pull something nasty.
posted by cortex at 5:30 PM on May 25, 2010
So, who does the song go to then? I guess that's the next question. AZ? Should it go to the e-mail in the profile?
posted by sleepy pete at 9:37 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by sleepy pete at 9:37 PM on May 25, 2010
1. Should contributions be only those created specifically for this project, or will extant songs be considered?
2. Will the artists retain the right to use the song in other ways (e.g., future releases of their own) as well?
Extant song will be considered, and the creator will retain all rights to the song, except regarding the specific use of this song for this specific release.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:49 PM on May 25, 2010
2. Will the artists retain the right to use the song in other ways (e.g., future releases of their own) as well?
Extant song will be considered, and the creator will retain all rights to the song, except regarding the specific use of this song for this specific release.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:49 PM on May 25, 2010
To AZ via email in mp3 format would probably be simplest, yeah, with the clear proviso that that's just for vetting submissions and putting together a track list; in the long run, an uncompressed master track for each submission is important, and we'll worry about moving those files around when we get there.
So that raises an important point of clarification about extant tracks—you need to at least have an uncompressed master, if not the actual session files themselves. I threw out a couple of otherwise great tracks back during meficomp because the mixes on them were really beyond making work and there was nothing but not-great mp3s of 'em available.
We should nail down the submission stuff in the next few days and get it posted somewhere clear, along with other details, yeah. Probably a banner at the top of Music and a sidebarring on the front page as things get into shape as far as having something clear to point folks to.
posted by cortex at 10:26 PM on May 25, 2010
So that raises an important point of clarification about extant tracks—you need to at least have an uncompressed master, if not the actual session files themselves. I threw out a couple of otherwise great tracks back during meficomp because the mixes on them were really beyond making work and there was nothing but not-great mp3s of 'em available.
We should nail down the submission stuff in the next few days and get it posted somewhere clear, along with other details, yeah. Probably a banner at the top of Music and a sidebarring on the front page as things get into shape as far as having something clear to point folks to.
posted by cortex at 10:26 PM on May 25, 2010
Another question: since there's a theme, what about instrumentals? Should those be on a send and see basis? Yes, probably, but wanted to make sure and ask.
Again, great idea AZ.
posted by sleepy pete at 10:46 PM on May 25, 2010
Again, great idea AZ.
posted by sleepy pete at 10:46 PM on May 25, 2010
suggest we nominate cortex for the position of Ultimate Arbiter of What Stays and What Goes, and that we all agree to man up (or woman up, as the case may be) and accept his final decisions.
I can see the practicality of this Flapjax but I'm a little uncomfortable with judgement being down to one person's musical taste - absolutely no reflection on cortex or astro, as it's immaterial who the individual is and is a matter of principle. Personally I'd favour a small panel of judges - say three people - so that there's a more balanced approach. And, of course, less pressure on that one individual. It would also help to avoid any "bad blood" arising. Perfectly do-able in my view. The tracks that make it would simply be the ones that got more than one vote. Say a maximum of 15 tracks per judge. If we still have too many then, we go round again with a reduced number of votes.
Given I've suggested this, I'd be happy to act as one of the judges. Can't judge your own material - obviously!
posted by MajorDundee at 1:47 AM on May 26, 2010
I can see the practicality of this Flapjax but I'm a little uncomfortable with judgement being down to one person's musical taste - absolutely no reflection on cortex or astro, as it's immaterial who the individual is and is a matter of principle. Personally I'd favour a small panel of judges - say three people - so that there's a more balanced approach. And, of course, less pressure on that one individual. It would also help to avoid any "bad blood" arising. Perfectly do-able in my view. The tracks that make it would simply be the ones that got more than one vote. Say a maximum of 15 tracks per judge. If we still have too many then, we go round again with a reduced number of votes.
Given I've suggested this, I'd be happy to act as one of the judges. Can't judge your own material - obviously!
posted by MajorDundee at 1:47 AM on May 26, 2010
Another question: since there's a theme, what about instrumentals? Should those be on a send and see basis? Yes, probably, but wanted to make sure and ask.
I love instrumentals, and will not only not discourage them, but actively encourage them.
I am certainly open to more judges. If you'd like to take a listen to the tracks, MajorDundee, I have no complaints.
Yes, go ahead and email MP3s to my email address, maxsparber@gmail.com; I'll start rounding them up and create some sort of Google doc for the judges where they can cast their votes for the MP3s. And what Cortex said about uncompressed master tracks is important -- if it's material that had already been recorded, please make certain you can provide the uncompressed master track.
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:19 AM on May 26, 2010
I love instrumentals, and will not only not discourage them, but actively encourage them.
I am certainly open to more judges. If you'd like to take a listen to the tracks, MajorDundee, I have no complaints.
Yes, go ahead and email MP3s to my email address, maxsparber@gmail.com; I'll start rounding them up and create some sort of Google doc for the judges where they can cast their votes for the MP3s. And what Cortex said about uncompressed master tracks is important -- if it's material that had already been recorded, please make certain you can provide the uncompressed master track.
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:19 AM on May 26, 2010
I'm cool with judging or not judging - anything that helps the project move along. Actually, I didn't think I'd come up with anything for this so thought a backseat role would be my contribution. But......amazingly.....I have come up with something......so maybe the judging role isn't such a great idea now. I'd be cutting my own legs off....
A note of grateful thanks to AZ for "unblocking" me through suggesting this project. The thing I've done went from fuck-all to finished in less than four hours - very unusual for me and quite exhilerating.
Question: what I've done is a really stripped, raw thing. I like it as it is, but I'm tempted to do a fuller "band" version of the same track. So.......can we submit for consideration alternative versions of the same song? I'm aware as I write this that might result in unfeasible complexity - I guess I have to just make my mind up. Hey, I just answered my own question! Now, shut the fuck up Dundee.....
posted by MajorDundee at 2:04 AM on May 27, 2010
A note of grateful thanks to AZ for "unblocking" me through suggesting this project. The thing I've done went from fuck-all to finished in less than four hours - very unusual for me and quite exhilerating.
Question: what I've done is a really stripped, raw thing. I like it as it is, but I'm tempted to do a fuller "band" version of the same track. So.......can we submit for consideration alternative versions of the same song? I'm aware as I write this that might result in unfeasible complexity - I guess I have to just make my mind up. Hey, I just answered my own question! Now, shut the fuck up Dundee.....
posted by MajorDundee at 2:04 AM on May 27, 2010
what I've done is a really stripped, raw thing.
I'd love to hear that, man, seeing as how most of what you've posted to MeFiMu so far has been pretty polished and produced, usually with lots of overdubs. It'd be interesting to hear you in another mode.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:42 AM on May 27, 2010
I'd love to hear that, man, seeing as how most of what you've posted to MeFiMu so far has been pretty polished and produced, usually with lots of overdubs. It'd be interesting to hear you in another mode.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:42 AM on May 27, 2010
I don't see any problem with tossing a couple versions of something in the ring, no. Or a couple different songs if you've feel like you've got a couple different solid contributions. I found it sort of a relief during Meficomp to have a bit more to choose from; it lends some extra flexibility to trying to put together a coherent tracklist.
As long as it's a couple things and not a half dozen things, I think it's fine.
The extra-judges thing sounds fine to me, but I'll be honest that I think keeping the concept of "judging" as informal as possible is a good idea. This isn't a game show or a courtroom, we're mostly just aiming to put together a strong track list for a CD, so the process of picking the stuff out doesn't need to be either particularly visible or overly structured. Just something to get some census on what to stick on the disc. (There's no reason we can't include "bonus material" on a digital release, so we could also consider being a lot more inclusive in that format.)
With the AZ-and-me formulation, I imagined each of us would listen to all the contributions and sort of put together our personal In Order Of Bestness type crib sheets and then compare and try to find where we agree and where not so much and build a tracklist out from that. With extra hands in the till, I think doing the same thing with more heads would probably still work fine. Keeping the total number of people officially throwing in on that to a small handful is probably best just for simplicity's sake, though; reconciling three or four lists/opinions is pretty doable, beyond that it starts to scale sort of badly and turns into a committee.
posted by cortex at 7:15 AM on May 27, 2010
As long as it's a couple things and not a half dozen things, I think it's fine.
The extra-judges thing sounds fine to me, but I'll be honest that I think keeping the concept of "judging" as informal as possible is a good idea. This isn't a game show or a courtroom, we're mostly just aiming to put together a strong track list for a CD, so the process of picking the stuff out doesn't need to be either particularly visible or overly structured. Just something to get some census on what to stick on the disc. (There's no reason we can't include "bonus material" on a digital release, so we could also consider being a lot more inclusive in that format.)
With the AZ-and-me formulation, I imagined each of us would listen to all the contributions and sort of put together our personal In Order Of Bestness type crib sheets and then compare and try to find where we agree and where not so much and build a tracklist out from that. With extra hands in the till, I think doing the same thing with more heads would probably still work fine. Keeping the total number of people officially throwing in on that to a small handful is probably best just for simplicity's sake, though; reconciling three or four lists/opinions is pretty doable, beyond that it starts to scale sort of badly and turns into a committee.
posted by cortex at 7:15 AM on May 27, 2010
...and turns into a committee.
Comrade, it has been brought to the Party's attention that your song does not exhibit correct revolutionary zeal, and is entirely lacking in empathy for the working class. You've also used far too much compression on the bass. You will be sent to Music Reeducation Camp #17, where it is hoped that you will see the error of your ways, and also learn not to pan the kick drum to five o'clock.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:39 AM on May 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
Comrade, it has been brought to the Party's attention that your song does not exhibit correct revolutionary zeal, and is entirely lacking in empathy for the working class. You've also used far too much compression on the bass. You will be sent to Music Reeducation Camp #17, where it is hoped that you will see the error of your ways, and also learn not to pan the kick drum to five o'clock.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:39 AM on May 27, 2010 [4 favorites]
It's Camp for you!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:57 AM on May 27, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:57 AM on May 27, 2010
YOU SCALE BADLY!
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:11 AM on May 27, 2010
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:11 AM on May 27, 2010
Comrade, it has been brought to the Party's attention etc
Now you're talking brother Flapjax. A MeFiMu works committee is just what we need. I mean we could go on strike and stuff. Haven't been on strike for donkey's years - loads of fun yelling at people breaching the picket line (sighs in misty-eyed remembrance). Up the workers!!!
I'll take your advice re my contribution btw - I'll resist tarting it up. That way if it doesn't make it onto the CD I can blame you...! (I'm kidding, I'm kidding).
cortex/AZ - is a double cd out of the question? The manufacturing costs of that would not necessarily be precisely twice that of a single given economies of scale etc. Could be wrong though.
This is an unforgivably dim question I suspect, but where "uncompressed" is cited above I take it that refers purely to compressed files rather than using audio compression during the recording and mixing process?
posted by MajorDundee at 9:38 AM on May 27, 2010
Now you're talking brother Flapjax. A MeFiMu works committee is just what we need. I mean we could go on strike and stuff. Haven't been on strike for donkey's years - loads of fun yelling at people breaching the picket line (sighs in misty-eyed remembrance). Up the workers!!!
I'll take your advice re my contribution btw - I'll resist tarting it up. That way if it doesn't make it onto the CD I can blame you...! (I'm kidding, I'm kidding).
cortex/AZ - is a double cd out of the question? The manufacturing costs of that would not necessarily be precisely twice that of a single given economies of scale etc. Could be wrong though.
This is an unforgivably dim question I suspect, but where "uncompressed" is cited above I take it that refers purely to compressed files rather than using audio compression during the recording and mixing process?
posted by MajorDundee at 9:38 AM on May 27, 2010
is a double cd out of the question? The manufacturing costs of that would not necessarily be precisely twice that of a single given economies of scale etc.
You're right, it probably wouldn't be quite twice, I'd imagine it'd be something like another fifty cents on the dollar or thereabouts.
On the other hand, it's still more money per unit which means more sunk cost for any given run and hence less money going to charity with all other things being equal. And means spreading contributions more thinly to fill up two discs. My vote would be to just keep it simple and doing a single disc, personally, but if we have a huge response in terms of contributions and the costs are okay and people fundamentally prefer a double disc, it could be doable.
Probably the first thing to do is cost out 500-disc runs, look at other costs that'd be involved in the duping (packaging and printing, case type, booklet variables) and sort of see how that looks, so that we can realistically say "it will cost x amount to do it this way, y amount to do it that way" and have that to look at going in to help in any decision making.
I think it'd be a good idea to try and do some of this initial cost analysis stuff, and to pin down the contribution stuff firmly, in the next few days. If we can have the basic "this is what we're going to do and this is how you can participate" stuff worked out ASAP, we can more reasonably sort of launch the idea to the larger mefi public not reading this thread knowing folks can start thinking about contributing with a fair idea of what they're getting into.
posted by cortex at 10:24 AM on May 27, 2010
You're right, it probably wouldn't be quite twice, I'd imagine it'd be something like another fifty cents on the dollar or thereabouts.
On the other hand, it's still more money per unit which means more sunk cost for any given run and hence less money going to charity with all other things being equal. And means spreading contributions more thinly to fill up two discs. My vote would be to just keep it simple and doing a single disc, personally, but if we have a huge response in terms of contributions and the costs are okay and people fundamentally prefer a double disc, it could be doable.
Probably the first thing to do is cost out 500-disc runs, look at other costs that'd be involved in the duping (packaging and printing, case type, booklet variables) and sort of see how that looks, so that we can realistically say "it will cost x amount to do it this way, y amount to do it that way" and have that to look at going in to help in any decision making.
I think it'd be a good idea to try and do some of this initial cost analysis stuff, and to pin down the contribution stuff firmly, in the next few days. If we can have the basic "this is what we're going to do and this is how you can participate" stuff worked out ASAP, we can more reasonably sort of launch the idea to the larger mefi public not reading this thread knowing folks can start thinking about contributing with a fair idea of what they're getting into.
posted by cortex at 10:24 AM on May 27, 2010
This is an unforgivably dim question I suspect, but where "uncompressed" is cited above I take it that refers purely to compressed files rather than using audio compression during the recording and mixing process?
Heh, no worries, you're not the first person to ask that.
So, yeah, by "we need uncompressed tracks" we are referring to file compression, not audio production effects stuff. We'll need an uncompressed .wav or .aiff file so that the disc can be built out of nice sparkly 16- or 24-bit audio free from the mpeg artifacts of an .mp3 or AAC or whatever lossy compression format.
Submissions for consideration can, nay should, be mp3s to keep file management reasonable in the preliminary stages, but you really really need to have an uncompressed version around as well for if the track ends up going on The List. We can collect those master versions later on when we need 'em, but be sure they exist for anything you submit.
posted by cortex at 10:27 AM on May 27, 2010
Heh, no worries, you're not the first person to ask that.
So, yeah, by "we need uncompressed tracks" we are referring to file compression, not audio production effects stuff. We'll need an uncompressed .wav or .aiff file so that the disc can be built out of nice sparkly 16- or 24-bit audio free from the mpeg artifacts of an .mp3 or AAC or whatever lossy compression format.
Submissions for consideration can, nay should, be mp3s to keep file management reasonable in the preliminary stages, but you really really need to have an uncompressed version around as well for if the track ends up going on The List. We can collect those master versions later on when we need 'em, but be sure they exist for anything you submit.
posted by cortex at 10:27 AM on May 27, 2010
I have a question about attribution- when we did the Mefi Comp, the songs were listed by username. Totally understandable given the nature of the project, but it was kind of disappointing for the other members of the band. Part of the fun of contributing a track to a compilation is seeing your name listed on the CD, and they didn’t really get that.
We’re playing a show this weekend with some friends of ours in a hip hop band, and I thought it might be cool to extend this song and have their vocalist Stacey rap some appropriate verses over it. I think the theme of the song is a good fit for this project, and adding that additional element would make it a unique track that isn’t available anywhere else.
But before I start setting this up, I’d like to know how we’re going to handle the issue this time. Maybe have the song title and band/artist name in large type, with “Contributed by username” in smaller type below?
posted by InfidelZombie at 1:19 PM on May 27, 2010
We’re playing a show this weekend with some friends of ours in a hip hop band, and I thought it might be cool to extend this song and have their vocalist Stacey rap some appropriate verses over it. I think the theme of the song is a good fit for this project, and adding that additional element would make it a unique track that isn’t available anywhere else.
But before I start setting this up, I’d like to know how we’re going to handle the issue this time. Maybe have the song title and band/artist name in large type, with “Contributed by username” in smaller type below?
posted by InfidelZombie at 1:19 PM on May 27, 2010
Yeah, the username thing we did last time feels a little awkward in retrospect, even if it sort of made sense for the Mefi! Mefi! Mefi! nature of that project—I think it'd be good to include username in the liners, but for folks who would like to be credited primarily by real name or band name on the big track list (and to have band members' names included in the liners, etc), I think that'd be reasonable to do this time around.
posted by cortex at 1:52 PM on May 27, 2010
posted by cortex at 1:52 PM on May 27, 2010
I got an idea for a simple vocal arrangement of a song I haven't been able to record yet. These are the lyrics. I'm wondering if it's too loose an interpretation of the theme? This has more to do with, I suppose, emotional abuse... Which is why I'm asking for opinions, so, what do you guys think?
posted by MaiaMadness at 2:37 PM on May 27, 2010
posted by MaiaMadness at 2:37 PM on May 27, 2010
MaiaMadness - see AZ's post upthread where he suggested the theme of "consent". That admits of a fairly wide interpretation - mostly, I'd suggest, around the "lack of" consent. Your lyric seems very personal/experiential and I can't offer a view on whether it fits with the theme or not - that's your call ("consent is in the eye of the beholder" as it were). I suppose the team picking the tracks for the CD will be the final arbiters though....
posted by MajorDundee at 3:08 PM on May 27, 2010
posted by MajorDundee at 3:08 PM on May 27, 2010
Thanks, MajorDundee; I'll just get started on a demo, then, and see what happens. If it's not deemed appropriate for the CD, I can still post it on my website and MySpace. :)
posted by MaiaMadness at 8:54 AM on May 28, 2010
posted by MaiaMadness at 8:54 AM on May 28, 2010
I just came across CreateSpace, which claims to be completely free (I'm assuming aside from material costs; I don't really have time to read the site properly right now) and lets you publish CDs, and it's affiliated with Amazon.Com. Anyway, just thought I'd share, in case it might come in useful.
posted by MaiaMadness at 5:31 AM on May 29, 2010
posted by MaiaMadness at 5:31 AM on May 29, 2010
Is this thing still going down?
So there's 10 days or so until the deadline?
It'd be great if there was a sidebar or something, as this seems to have scrolled into oblivion a bit. Or if it's not happening that's cool too.
posted by chococat at 10:50 PM on June 11, 2010
So there's 10 days or so until the deadline?
It'd be great if there was a sidebar or something, as this seems to have scrolled into oblivion a bit. Or if it's not happening that's cool too.
posted by chococat at 10:50 PM on June 11, 2010
I expect it to still go down, but was out of town for a week without reliable time/internet to really discuss details with AZ.
Assuming it goes down, one thing that hasn't been really said explicitly but needs to: that deadline should be thrown out. I guarantee you the fastest way to make this fizzle and or turn it into a nightmare is to rush it.
So: we need to have a clear statement of the plan for this in place, as a new thread with a metatalk announcement, so that folks other than the small handful reading this particular thread on this particular backwater of the site can get involved. My plan was to huddle with AZ at some point soon to try and incorporate the thoughts in this thread into a draft of that; bring that back here with another "hey how does this look thread"; let that cook for a day or two to make sure we haven't really misfired in taking the temperature over here as far as how folks want this to go; and then with an all-clear there take it over to Metatalk.
I think once we have that announcement good to go, with a sidebar for folks on the blue to see, we start the clock. Give folks a month or so to get something in. We can start doing a lot of the prep work at the same time armed with a general consensus or set of decisions on how it's all going down, and then once the submission deadline expires we can start moving the rest of the project along—settle on a track list, get our design folks working with that content, get our mastering going, and generally get material ready for whoever we're using for duplication. And a dozen other things.
This can be done relatively quickly, but I want to just kind of reality-check that with a decent interval for folks to get submissions in plus the realistic amount of time it'll take to get duplication started and CDs delivered and mailed off, "relatively quickly" is something like two months on the short side. Threeish may be more realistic if there are delays or things otherwise aren't totally clockwork.
So, that's where I am on this. Thoughts?
posted by cortex at 8:24 AM on June 12, 2010
Assuming it goes down, one thing that hasn't been really said explicitly but needs to: that deadline should be thrown out. I guarantee you the fastest way to make this fizzle and or turn it into a nightmare is to rush it.
So: we need to have a clear statement of the plan for this in place, as a new thread with a metatalk announcement, so that folks other than the small handful reading this particular thread on this particular backwater of the site can get involved. My plan was to huddle with AZ at some point soon to try and incorporate the thoughts in this thread into a draft of that; bring that back here with another "hey how does this look thread"; let that cook for a day or two to make sure we haven't really misfired in taking the temperature over here as far as how folks want this to go; and then with an all-clear there take it over to Metatalk.
I think once we have that announcement good to go, with a sidebar for folks on the blue to see, we start the clock. Give folks a month or so to get something in. We can start doing a lot of the prep work at the same time armed with a general consensus or set of decisions on how it's all going down, and then once the submission deadline expires we can start moving the rest of the project along—settle on a track list, get our design folks working with that content, get our mastering going, and generally get material ready for whoever we're using for duplication. And a dozen other things.
This can be done relatively quickly, but I want to just kind of reality-check that with a decent interval for folks to get submissions in plus the realistic amount of time it'll take to get duplication started and CDs delivered and mailed off, "relatively quickly" is something like two months on the short side. Threeish may be more realistic if there are delays or things otherwise aren't totally clockwork.
So, that's where I am on this. Thoughts?
posted by cortex at 8:24 AM on June 12, 2010
Just got back from a gig (it's just after midnight here) and am glad to see this comment, cortex. I fully agree with everything you've said.
I'm totally down for submitting a track, and certainly plan to do so. I have a song written especially for it, though it's not recorded yet. And my earlier offer to master the final collection still stands.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:40 AM on June 12, 2010
I'm totally down for submitting a track, and certainly plan to do so. I have a song written especially for it, though it's not recorded yet. And my earlier offer to master the final collection still stands.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:40 AM on June 12, 2010
I'm still in if this happens. Have just about started working on my submission. :)
posted by MaiaMadness at 1:47 PM on June 13, 2010
posted by MaiaMadness at 1:47 PM on June 13, 2010
I was wondering what was happening too. Working to the deadline upthread I've already submitted something, but I've no idea whether it's been received or not. Anyway - I echo Flapjax in agreeing that the process sounds right and offering help in whatever capacity I can (World Cup permitting - obviously!). I'd just comment in passing that my day job involves a lot of project management and, as a colleague of mine would wail, if we don't have firm milestones/specific dates for delivery of each phase we're "dooooooomed!!".
posted by MajorDundee at 2:13 PM on June 13, 2010
posted by MajorDundee at 2:13 PM on June 13, 2010
Yeah, I've got a really stupid little 2-minute punk song all ready to go, but it's kind of adolescent and brutal. So yeah, maybe I'll manage to work out something nicer if we set some deadlines. But maybe not.
And I'm still willing to rock up some mixes, if anybody needs it.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:32 AM on June 14, 2010
And I'm still willing to rock up some mixes, if anybody needs it.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:32 AM on June 14, 2010
I have got a song written and demoed but need to record it properly. It's kind of anthemic in and I was wondering about soliciting some guest vocals -- Maia and Flapjax in particular. Would you guys be into that? If so, I wonder what the best way of doing it would be?
posted by unSane at 11:08 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by unSane at 11:08 AM on June 14, 2010
unsane, I'm flattered that you thought of me. My particular vocal style doesn't suit every melody, though, so I'd like to say that I'm interested in hearing what you've got, and then I'll determine whether or not I can do it any justice. Sending you my email via Memail, so you can send me any mp3 demo you may have.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:06 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:06 PM on June 14, 2010
Oooh, I might get to sing a duet with flapjax! That would be fun. :)
posted by MaiaMadness at 5:16 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by MaiaMadness at 5:16 AM on June 15, 2010
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posted by azarbayejani at 9:39 AM on May 21, 2010