SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC013 September 2018 - Winners announced

[Mister Fox]

Hello and welcome to the Songwriting Competition 13 - September 2018


This is the introduction post, where we directly link to the challenge corresponding files (theme, submission information, sponsors) and start of the voting process. There will be no Round 2



Please take note of the following

• IMPORTANT: please use the following naming convention for your productions: SWC000_-_ArtistName_-_TrackName.wav/mp3

Also please take note of the following

• If you have an idea for future Songwriting Competition themes and/or genres, please post them here (new).
• Social Media accounts can be found via the handles @MixChallenge (Twitter) and MixChallenge (Facebook). Please spread the word!
• if you like what the Mix Challenge (community) has been doing in recent months, please consider supporting us.

This post will be updated with the corresponding links as we progress, and of course the suitable thread headlines. So please watch this spot:


Submission Period: General Information and Sponsors
Cheat Sheet (new): A couple of examples / audio demos for this month's challenge (not available if genre is "Free to Select")
Voting: Summarized entries and start of voting process
Results of the Songwriting Competition: Results of the Songwriting Competition

[Mister Fox]

CURRENT CHALLENGE - GENERAL INFORMATION

Time Frame: Saturday, 01st September 2018 to Monday, 24th September 2018 (24 days)

Challenge submission will end on 24-09-2018, 11:59pm CEST/GMT+2 (Germany) - until further notice.

Want to find out if you're still within the deadline, please consult the following options:
The Global Countdown on it's dedicated page or the countdown on the home page. You can also consult the World Clock at the top of the forum or alternatively the following tool - in this case please select "Berlin (Germany)" as location 1, and your location as location 2: Time and Date - World Clock Meeting Planner. We do post reminders via our Twitter account and Facebook page.



SONGWRITING THEME: Dark Corners of the Mind

GENRE: free to select


Image Source: Pixabay, photo by StockSnap, released under Creative Commons CC0


A few word about this month's theme: (Mental Health Awareness Month)

This month, we'll be diving a bit into the strong stuff. Please bear with me.


You've probably seen this topic all over the internet at this point. Famous people talking more and more about having to take care of your mental health and strength. Why it feels more omnipresent now, I really can't tell. But I think it is important to keep up the conversation.

We live in a fast paced world where you're not allowed to fail. And if you do, you're branded for eternity as somebody that doesn't (want to) fit in, as somebody that doesn't belong, that is broken, a failure. You have to be "on call", functional and reachable pretty much 24/7. We're constantly connected to something - a smartphone, mails, the internet. Even if we go outside, we're distracted in some shape or form. We're also already conditioned in school to function like a clockwork, to be prepared for the "real world", have a family, be successful and then share your achievements for the whole world to see.

But there is only so much a human mind can take, so much to endure. The world isn't perfect - and it will never be.


Each year, hundreds of people commit suicide due to underlying problems in life. May it be due due to burnout, may it be due to suffering from fears, anxiety, PTSD, split personality, crass outside influences like bullying, etc (the list is long). Even loss of a beloved one, and not being able to cope with this situation can count to that. Not being able to process with what is happening around somebody.

Depression (hypernym) is something that is still being stigmatized, more often than not even completely ignored. Those suffering from it, are treated as if it's "nothing", that you can "grow out of this" (the infamous "time heals all wounds"), to "just suck it up" and "get better". Or worse, mocked even. Mental health problems are not seldom just brushed aside as not serious enough or "here, this pill will help you". Until it is too late, and then people in close circle of this person ask themselves "why didn't we see this sooner?!".

This is the wrong approach IMO, a bit of a skewed way of thinking.

Depression is a cruel thing. To those suffering from mental health issues (any form, but most notably depression itself), It feels like being taken over by a dark being that is too overwhelming to fight back, and get rid of. You're a prisoner of/in your own mind, stuck in your thoughts and sorrows. Unable to see the light of day (over ever so slightly before being drawn back in), escape and being allowed recover. No matter how long it will take. On the outside, you might be the most happiest and creative person. But on the inside, you're literally burning up - or lost in a very, very dark place. Yet you were taught and told to never talk about this, ask for help. So you're stuck in a constant downward spiral. You "have to function" as human being in this busy world after all.


This month is dedicated to these "dark thoughts", the loneliness and helplessness. Your own inner demons.

The 10th of September is declared as "World Suicide Prevention Day", the 10th of October as "World Mental Health Day". And I do want to spread awareness about this topic - as I'm not a flawless human being either. We do need to get rid of the stigma that you shouldn't speak up and ask for help. To pretend that everything is all right, even if it isn't. Spreading some positivity in the process (as Sean McLoughlin, better known to the world as "Jackscepticeye", would put it: Positive Mental Attitude).


A lot of people simply cope with art. May it be artwork of any kind, writing poems, humor, or in our case... creating music. Everything of that, is telling a bigger tale. And this is what I'd like to evoke this month: telling a story.

The genre doesn't matter.

It can be a piano tune, it can be an ambient soundtrack, it can be EDM with distorted vocals, it can be a hard rock production. Just... tell a story. A story about yourself, about somebody you know, about somebody you lost. Process your emotions, channel it into art, and let it speak for itself.


This month is about spreading awareness of mental health

Feel free to share the word via social media with the hashtags:
#MentalHealth and #PositiveMentalAttitude




Important Footnote:

If you know of somebody that is suffering from depression, showing signs of self harm or having suicidal thoughts - don't look away, do not lock this person out. Reach out, offer help - and may it only be an ear that listens to a story. If you know of somebody that is suffering anxiety or is showing signs of severe introversion, don't pressure this person, give him/her space, be mindful and understanding.

Never ever treat this person with disrespect or shrug away a subliminal cry for help. It is hard to judge how a person's mind works, sometimes the person you try to help is locking you out or will brush you away. The walls could be thick, they could be paper thin. Every single word can be measured in gold without you knowing. Be patient, be kind, just... be there.

If in doubt, contact local aid agencies that are specialized in this field.

Songwriting Add-On Rules:

• You can use whatever is at your disposal (samples, virtual instruments and/or real instruments)
• creating your own sounds is highly encouraged, but not mandatory
• It is recommended to not go higher than -14LUFS SLk (avg) or K-12v1 (avg) in terms of perceived loudness

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Please take note of the official rules - they can be found at the following thread:
Songwriting Competition - Official Rules and Guidelines

Please address any OT question in the official Gossip thread:
Songwriting Competition - Gossip and Discussion

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SPONSORS (Prizes):

Prizes for Songwriting Challenge participants:

Note: All licenses are NFR (Not-For-Resale), except where noted.
Changes to available prices on short notice may be possible and will be announced separately.



kv331 audio is kind enough give away a bundle of either SynthMaster 1+2 Bundle, or a freely selectable set of 3 SynthMaster Expansions (donations until Spring 2018)
License will not turn into NFR, you need to have a kv311 audio user account in order to pick up Expansions
More info on kv331 audio: https://www.kv331audio.com



Luftrum is kind enough give away either a license of Lunaris, or any 2 sound sets of winner's choice (exception: Bundles and Nano Electronics)
License will turn into NFR
More info on Luftrum: http://www.luftrum.com



Rekkerd Sounds is kind enough give away 1 sound set of winners choice (exception: Krezie EDM and Neurofunk Vol. 1)
License will turn into NFR
More info on Rekkerd Sounds: http://sounds.rekkerd.org/



Bjulin Waves is kind enough to donate 1 sound set of winners choice and one "Inspire Me" sound set of choice for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
License will turn into NFR
More info on Bjulin Waves: http://bjulin.de/



Ghostwave Audio (Vincent Bastiat) is kind enough to donate any 2 sound sets to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on Ghostwave Audio: http://ghostwaveaudio.com



Hollow Sun is kind to donate one license of "Music Laboratory Machines - The Suite I" to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on Hollow Sun: http://www.hollowsun.com



Hornet Plugins is kind enough give away one license from the depicted tools (see image) to the winner
License will turn into NFR
More info on Hornet Plugins: http://www.hornetplugins.com



Sound / Graphic Designer, and honorary Mix Challenge staff satYatunes is donating one commercial product of winner's choice (until further notice)
More info on satYatune's page: http://www.satyatunes.com/





THANKS FOR THE DONATIONS!
And also a thank you to all former contributors as well.

If you want to sponsor content (please have a focus on instruments, samples and sound sets), please get in touch with the Mix Challenge staff.

Please spread the word of the challenge on social media.
For example with our dedicated Twitter Account or Facebook Page

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Good luck to all participants.
And most importantly, have fun!

[Mister Fox]

Here is a selection of songs to get an idea of what this challenge might be about.

BE WARNED - this is very, very strong material that can (and will be) mentally debilitating!

Most of the extended descriptions are from the page SongFacts, actual commentary by the songwriters through Wiki's, or what I (as host) gathered from both the lyrics and song composition.



1960s
The Rolling Stones - Paint it Black (1966)
Jimi Hendrix - Manic Depression (Hendrix sings of despair and confusion, and wonders just what kind of world this is anyway. His protective haven from the chaos is "music, sweet music.", 1967)


1970s
Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (the whole Album "The Wall" deals about neglect, loss, drug abuse and the resulting depression by building up "a wall" and cutting off all social interaction, 1979)


1980s
ABBA - The Visitors (generally deals with discontent, depression and loss. It was the last album of the band and written during the breakup of both couples forming the band itself, which is reflected in their lyrics, 1981)
The Police - King of Pain (according to Songfacts, not being able to cope with a divorce and not getting along with band members, 1983)
Tears for Fears - Mad World (depression, 1983)


1990s
Pearl Jam - Jeremy (bullying, which ultimately lead into suicide, 1991)
REM - Everybody Hurts (song about not hurting yourself / prevent suicide, 1992)
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train (1992)
Nine Inch Nails - Hurt (song about self-loathing, 1994)
The Offspring - Gone Away (dealing with loss, the cover version by "Five Finger Death Punch" twists the narrative to also coping with PTSD through experiences in a battlefield, 1997)
Stabbing Westward - Save Yourself (1998)
Natalie Merchant - My Skin (singing about coping with cancer, being rejected by a loved one and falling into depression, 1998)


2000s
Maffay & Roh - Rette mich (from Peter Maffay's collaboration album "X", a couple of songs deal with coping and intolerance. "Rette mich"/Rescue Me and "Freier Fall"/Free Fall are such a songs, 2000)
Rammstein - Mutter (coping with a parent that was never there, and therefore saying "I might as well be created via a test tube", 2001)
P.O.D. - Youth of the Nation (singing about early cases of school shootings, which is rooted in bullying and depression, 2001)
Staind - For you (anxiety in teenagers and parents not understanding, depression, 2001 - the whole album "Break the Cycle" can be interpreted to be about mental issues)
Audioslave - Cochise (self harm, 2002)
Evanescence - Hello (singing about the death of a child/sibling and coping with it, 2003)
Kelly Clarkson - Because of You (dealing with a parents divorce at young age, child neglect and resulting depression, fear of loving somebody and doing the same mistakes, 2004)
Evanescence - Lithium (the song is about losing the comfort of sorrow, 2006)
Machinae Supremacy - Through the Looking Glass (moving on from something, starting new, 2006)
S.J. Tucker - Valkyrie Daughter (singing about a father coping with the loss of his daughter, 2006)
Maximum the Hormone - Buiikikaesu!! (translation, moving on and celebrating life, 2007)
Slipknot - Dead Memories (Coping with oneself, 2008)
Slipknot - Snuff (2008)


2010s
X Japan - Born to Be Free (according to songwriter Yoshiki, listeners should interpret the song as a reflection of ones own personal journey, the video itself however hints at Yoshiki Hayashi dealing with his own depression and loss of band members - debuted in 2010 during live concerts, officially released in 2015)
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive (embracing change, 2012)
Lindsey Stirling feat. Lzzy Hale - Shatter Me (covers various types of mental disorders, Lindsey Stirling herself was suffering from eating disorder during the time she wrote this song. 2014)
Boyinaband - Spectrum ft. Cryaotic & Minx (bullying because of being different / for coming out, 2015)
Iron Maiden - Tears of a Clown (singing about hidden depression of an otherwise happy person, in this case Robin Williams who took his life due to mental health issues, 2015)
Evanescence - Imperfection (2017)
Dan Bull - I hurt myself (Look what you made me do!) (singing about self harm, 2018)
Jaiden & Boyinaband - Empty (Anorexia, 2018)

[donkey tugger]

Great theme- I'm sure a lot of us will have stories to tell. I certainly have... Strangely, fits nicely lyrically with something I'm just working on at the moment.

[MOA22]

Ok could maybe do something. The summer is far now !
Come on guys !!!

[ollyaudio]

Heavenly Ocean
This music is based on the motif of the song of Gregory Storm - Iskra. go to the sky.

The song speaks of those who have gone and drowned in the sky. Their sparks burned and died out.

All sound is created in the virtual synthesizer Sektor from Initial Audio.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cveitgbwbq9lc ... n.wav?dl=0

[Mister Fox]

Thread update:
I added a (long) list of songs to the third post of this thread for possible inspiration / research as to what other musicians had as creative output while talking about these topics.


BE WARNED - some of this is really strong stuff.

Please also do not feel limited by the genres shown above. I would still love to see a variety of genres from plain piano to pop, rock, hip hop to hard hitting IBM/industrial or even Drum and Bass. Whatever fits the mood of the story you're going to tell

[Mister Fox]

A friendly reminder:
Including today, 14 days left to submit your production

[MOA22]

So,
once again, I'll post a song of mine that is not in a different genre.
It is just about the ability or the impossibility to keep the smiley face, even if you have to deal
with some huge problems and fight against the inside man looking for a nice but
short and violent moment of madness. But you have to stay good
Recorded in Logic, all in the box, Telecaster/Tokai Love Rock/cheap bass, the same drums sound, the same strings as usual.
I rarely play solos, it had to be subtle and a bit jazzy.
Good luck !
Stay Good

[Nige]

So,
once again, I'll post a song of mine that is not in a different genre.
It is just about the ability or the impossibility to keep the smiley face, even if you have to deal
with some huge problems and fight against the inside man looking for a nice but
short and violent moment of madness. But you have to stay good
Recorded in Logic, all in the box, Telecaster/Tokai Love Rock/cheap bass, the same drums sound, the same strings as usual.
I rarely play solos, it had to be subtle and a bit jazzy.
Good luck !
Stay Good

Such a beautiful song man, those vocal melodies really remind me of Chris Cornell. My biggest gripe would be that I wish you had sung it in French so it flowed a little more, the English translation feels out of place in a few spots. I love it all the same, 10/10.