Circle of Titles 2021

Discuss the many little competitions/projects that spring up amongst the Song Fight community.
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

About 11 years ago, I had a conversation with Sven Mullet in which we mused it would be fun to have a sidefight where the participants get to provide the titles. We brainstormed a bit, and soon afterwards Circle of Titles was born. I've run it at or near the end of Nur Ein every year (except for the ones where I didn't... sorry). The basic idea is that everyone submits some titles, and everyone gets someone else's titles and records songs for those titles.

Here's how it works:

1.) Everyone who wants in announces their intention to participate. (Or not; if you want to surprise us, that's cool with me)
2.) Each participant thinks up two titles and submits them to me.
2a.) Please do not make your titles purposefully nonsensical or difficult for the recipient.
2b.) If two or more people send me the same title, for the sake of variety and fairness, I will politely ask them each to pick a different one.
3.) I randomize stuff up so that each person gets someone else's titles, and send those back.
4.) Each person records a song for one of the titles they get.
5.) At the end, the songs will be posted, along with the revelation of who submitted what titles.
6.) Titles are then up for grabs for whoever wants extra credit. Also, there will be an opportunity to for others to step up and record songs for the "stiffees."
7.) For the record, I'll be participating, too. Yes, that's a little unfair, but I'm doing it anyway.

This year, I feel up for a twist - does anyone want to submit optional challenges alongside their titles as well?

Here's my thinking on the schedule. Today is Thursday, July 8th. I'll give people a week and a day to mull it over and submit their titles - so go ahead and get those to me by Friday, July 16th, and I'll send out the assignments over the weekend, with a two-week working period, so the songs would be due by Monday, August 2nd.

Anyone interested?
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
owl
Panama
Posts: 974
Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 1:29 pm
Instruments: vox keys uke guitar
Recording Method: REAPER
Submitting as: Vowl Sounds, miscellaneous owl
Pronouns: she/her
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by owl »

I’m in! Love the optional challenge idea.
User avatar
gizo
Push Comes to Shove
Posts: 498
Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 11:42 pm
Instruments: i am mostly playing stringed ones, but I'll have a tilt at most
Recording Method: my method is to throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks. My wall is made of Logic on an old iMac
Submitting as: gizo : rackwagon (with Toshiro) : Late Heavy Bombardment : Stacking Theory
Pronouns: he/him
Location: I wish I was at an ocean beach

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by gizo »

Sounds like tremendous fun and probably too hard for me to achieve - I’m in!
.sig
User avatar
lichenthroat
Mean Street
Posts: 543
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2016 12:54 pm
Recording Method: MuseScore & Ardour or Reaper
Submitting as: Lichen Throat, Dimetrodon, Sparetooth, Dessert Tortoise
Pronouns: he/him
Location: New Mexico

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by lichenthroat »

Sign me up, please.
User avatar
fluffy
Eruption
Posts: 11029
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:56 am
Instruments: sometimes
Recording Method: Logic Pro X
Submitting as: Sockpuppet
Pronouns: she/they
Location: Seattle-ish
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by fluffy »

I'm interested but with my current chronic pain shit I'm not sure I can deliver on a good song. Good thing 'good' isn't a requirement around here.
User avatar
crumpart
Ice Cream Man
Posts: 1123
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:04 am
Instruments: Fuzz
Submitting as: Hot Pink Halo
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Laois, Ireland
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by crumpart »

In with some titles and an optional challenge. :)
Devil’s got me Lindt! Devil’s got me Lindt!
User avatar
MicahSommer
Push Comes to Shove
Posts: 411
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:09 pm
Instruments: Voice, accordion, keyboards, guitar, euphonium
Recording Method: StudioOne Artist / AudioBox USB
Submitting as: Micah Sommersmith, All The Robots
Pronouns: they/them or he/him
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by MicahSommer »

The timing isn't great, but when is it ever?? I'm in!
"you did a skillful job pulling off the sexy" - RangerDenni
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

With eight in so far, this is wonderful!

You folks are responding to the addition of optional challenges much more positively than I expected. Keep 'em coming, everyone!
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
User avatar
vowlvom
Ice Cream Man
Posts: 1091
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 3:29 am
Instruments: guitar, keys, "other"
Recording Method: PC, reaper, ableton
Submitting as: Vowl Sounds, Vom Vorton
Pronouns: he/him
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by vowlvom »

OK, I'm in.
noma
Mean Street
Posts: 520
Joined: Fri May 02, 2014 12:59 am
Instruments: Guitar, programming, various other stuff
Recording Method: Audacity
Submitting as: Nick Soma

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by noma »

I'm in, too :)
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

Hey folks - I said the deadline for titles/challenges was July 16th - That's tomorrow. I've got eight sets of titles so far, and two others who have expressed interest but not submitted titles yet. Please get those in if you wanna play! :geek:
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
j$
Beat It
Posts: 5348
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:33 am
Instruments: Bass, keyboards, singin', guitar
Submitting as: Johnny Cashpoint
Location: London, Engerllaaannnddd
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by j$ »

Somehow missed this til now, I'm in, will get you some titles in the next 24 hours if that's within the timeline (no indication that i can see of a time tomorrow)

j$
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

Thanks, j$!

I've generally not been rigid about deadlines with Circle of Titles. I assume most of us will be late anyway, so attaching a specific hour to the deadline doesn't strike me as useful. :-)
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
User avatar
mholland
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Posts: 170
Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2020 8:18 pm
Instruments: Saxophones and other things
Recording Method: Scarlett 18i20, Logic
Submitting as: Night Sky
Pronouns: he/him
Location: Davis, CA

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by mholland »

In with titles/challenges, looking forward to this!
Night Sky is Sally on lyrics, Steve on drums, and Matt on the other stuff
User avatar
MicahSommer
Push Comes to Shove
Posts: 411
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:09 pm
Instruments: Voice, accordion, keyboards, guitar, euphonium
Recording Method: StudioOne Artist / AudioBox USB
Submitting as: Micah Sommersmith, All The Robots
Pronouns: they/them or he/him
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by MicahSommer »

The less-than-ideal timing is proving even more less-than-idea, so I am rescinding my "in". I didn't send in any titles yet, but sorry if I held up the assignment of titles. Have fun everyone!
"you did a skillful job pulling off the sexy" - RangerDenni
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

MicahSommer wrote:
Sat Jul 17, 2021 8:04 am
The less-than-ideal timing is proving even more less-than-idea, so I am rescinding my "in". I didn't send in any titles yet, but sorry if I held up the assignment of titles. Have fun everyone!
You didn't hold things up nearly as much as my %&*#$ day job did.

Sending them out today... at some point.
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

Hey everyone,

Sorry I was running so late on sending out the assignments. My kid unexpectedly got sick. :-(

Anyway, I've sent all the assignments out as PHPBB private messages.

Everyone was assigned two titles to choose from. This year, nobody's titles matched, and in my opinion, none of the titles were anywhere near violating rule 2a. Most of the participants sent at least one optional challenge. In my assignment email, I made sure to let everyone know whether their title provider specified which challenge goes to which title.

Let me know if you provided titles but have not been given your assignment yet, or if you have any other questions.

I've somewhat arbitrarily set the deadline for 15 days from now - 11:59pm August 3rd. Get the songs to me either by using the message board or by emailing me at my personal email address.
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
User avatar
JonPorobil
Beat It
Posts: 5682
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:45 am
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin, Accordion, Bass, lots of VSTs
Recording Method: Cubase 10.5
Submitting as: Jon Eric, Jon Porobil, others
Pronouns: He/Him
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by JonPorobil »

Some of you guys really impress me with your productivity! I've gotten three songs from two people already.

I've written mine, but not recorded yet. I did perform a solo version of it live at an open mic last night and it was well-received, so I'm hopeful that the person assigning the title also enjoys it!

How are everyone else's Circle of Titles songs coming along?
"Warren Zevon would be proud." -Reve Mosquito

Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
User avatar
gizo
Push Comes to Shove
Posts: 498
Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 11:42 pm
Instruments: i am mostly playing stringed ones, but I'll have a tilt at most
Recording Method: my method is to throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks. My wall is made of Logic on an old iMac
Submitting as: gizo : rackwagon (with Toshiro) : Late Heavy Bombardment : Stacking Theory
Pronouns: he/him
Location: I wish I was at an ocean beach

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by gizo »

Oh man, I have made almost zero progress. Ugh. I feel like I'm chest-deep in sludge. So SLOOOOOOOW
.sig
User avatar
lichenthroat
Mean Street
Posts: 543
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2016 12:54 pm
Recording Method: MuseScore & Ardour or Reaper
Submitting as: Lichen Throat, Dimetrodon, Sparetooth, Dessert Tortoise
Pronouns: he/him
Location: New Mexico

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by lichenthroat »

I have the instrumental in decent shape, but I still need to write the lyrics and record the vocal.
User avatar
vowlvom
Ice Cream Man
Posts: 1091
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 3:29 am
Instruments: guitar, keys, "other"
Recording Method: PC, reaper, ableton
Submitting as: Vowl Sounds, Vom Vorton
Pronouns: he/him
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by vowlvom »

I've got nothing yet. I'm finishing my current job today and starting a new one next week and at present I am stressing out too much about everything to be creative. Hopefully I can get something written this weekend to take my mind off it all.
owl
Panama
Posts: 974
Joined: Mon May 15, 2017 1:29 pm
Instruments: vox keys uke guitar
Recording Method: REAPER
Submitting as: Vowl Sounds, miscellaneous owl
Pronouns: she/her
Location: Madison, WI
Contact:

Re: Circle of Titles 2021

Post by owl »

I’ve thought about it but done nothing yet, so I’m going to be late—sorry!
Post Reply