Call to Action: Music (brainstorming)

[TimtheEnchanter]

First thing's first, I'm not asking nor expecting anyone to sing or play.

Now that you've breathed a sign of relief, here's the second thing: I think we need music.

This topic came back up during a brief sequence of parody that sprung up in AP33 last night, starting with the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and ending with REM's "The End of the World as We Know It." (More about those in a later post) It's not the first time I've seen people playing around with songs as a way of dealing with the shutdown situation, and I'm sure it won't be the last. And here's the thing, somehow this needs to be taken to the next level, actual recording.

The way I see it, music is a critical element to any "revolution." Whether it be a whole band of musicians doing an angsty tune about a military occupation, or drummers at a solidarity march, music has typically been perceived as a weapon for creating awareness, and its one that we're not currently using. Not only that, but it would also serve as a tool to reach more people who are as yet unaware of our plight, and provide campaigners with another source of motivation. Without it, the "AT balance of our Task Force" is askew; it's a weak point in our offense. And it's not that people haven't been thinking about it either. I've seen a couple of threads on the topic, but they haven't gotten much response and/or have fallen flat (no pun intended). But this angle of attack needs serious consideration.

Some examples that already exist:

parody of "Life's a Lemon (And I want my money back) by Meatloaf http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,4943.0.html

Suggestion of bringing a Filk artist on board http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,5295.msg52988.html#msg52988

Selection of most appropriate tunes from a group of Songs for CoH that were already in development (early drafts)
http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index.php/topic,5310.msg53476.html#msg53476

I don't know the current state of these projects, but the threads didn't get many responses. I get the feeling that a lot of people are shying away from the idea, and I don't think that's necessary. One way or another, this should happen at least once.

A couple things to keep in mind:

1. An entirely original song isn't absolutely necessary. Parody can help remove a lot of the work of making a new song, leaving us to worry about only the lyrics, and finding someone to sing to a karaoke track. While to most, parody usually implies comedy, it's deceptive. The spirit of parody is the use of pop-culture to draw attention to a social or political issue. Parody does NOT have to be like South Park, Monty Python, or Mel Brooks.

2. Any performers approached with this topic need not be fans of CoH, or even gaming. Particularly in the underground/indie scene, musicians are likely to recognize CoH as a unique medium for self-expression, and therefore may be just as miffed as we are at the idea of it being destroyed.

I created this thread to develop the ideas further, and hopefully form a plan of action.

Do you know someone who is a skilled singer or a bandmember?

Do you have a musical superpower (talent)?

And what of those who have or are already trying to get a musical project off the ground? I'm sure help and encouragement would be appreciated.

[Dusk Shine]

I am intrigued.

[Patribot]

"I Want My City Back" should be in its final Studio Mixing Session tomorrow, with Special thanks to our musician contact Connor. Hoping to be able to release it early this week.

Tim, you're right, there wasn't much initial response and even less carry through. The Paragon City Choir on backing vocals and battle cries consisted of three people. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to the people that stepped-up and helped, but I sure would have loved some more.

I do have some things that I would like to address with anyone interested in the subject:

1) Is there anyone who could host the MP3 of "I Want My City Back" so that, in addition to sending the actual file to potential venues (Podcasts, Internet Radio Show, etc.), those shows can also post a link to the song?

2) Is there any Machinima Artists who might be interested in doing a Music Video for "I want My City Back" so that we could expand our potential audience in places like YouTube and other streaming video sites?

3) Doing this song was a blast and if I come-up with another idea in the near future I'm more than willing to give it another go.

[eabrace]

1) Is there anyone who could host the MP3 of "I Want My City Back" so that, in addition to sending the actual file to potential venues (Podcasts, Internet Radio Show, etc.), those shows can also post a link to the song?

If nothing else, I do believe that http://ouroportal.com can store MP3s.

[Quinch]

I contacted Eben Brooks a little while ago, and it seems he might be working on something as well.

[Patribot]

If nothing else, I do believe that http://ouroportal.com can store MP3s.

OK, I'll check it out when I have the final product. I had a note from Tony about it, but he seemed under the impression that the Wiki (And I assumed the Ouroportal as well since it is the same basic type of site.) would only host .ogg files. (For those not in the know, that are the format the the CoH sound effects and music are are within the game.)

Any tips for starting an "Article" to allow for hosting there would be appreciated since I've never put anything up over there.

[ukaserex]

I'm not sure if this is what you want - but I saw this on You Tube earlier today and thought it was appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7ofrdBdJRM

[Dusk Shine]

I like the music angle, especially if we can made a video of some kind. Anyone heart of "United Breaks Guitars"? It was written by a man whose guitar was damaged on a United Airlines flight during a layover in O'Hare. Long story short, the song was a PR disaster for United and is now part of mandatory training at United.

[Dusk Shine]

Hey, Tim, whatever happened to what we created last night?

[TimtheEnchanter]

Hey, Tim, whatever happened to what we created last night?

Heheh, OK here's the transcript.

The inspiration to start this thread.

Parody of "I've Got a Theory" from the "Once More With Feeling" episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (if you've never heard the song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibk0LA3Unfk&feature=fvst)

I've got a theory, that it's Nemesis. A Nemisis plot, no no, something isn't right there.

I've got a theory, NC is schemin' and we're all just stuck inside their wacky profit nightmare.

I've got a theory we should work this out. It's getting eerie, what's this sudden shutdown all about?

It could be Blizzard! Someone from Blizzard! Which is ridiculous cause Blizzard already owns the world and WoW and have Pandaria and wouldn't care and I'll be over here.

I've got a theory it could be AION. *cricket chirp*

Aion is the reason that NC's misbehavin' They think that stupid game is actually worth savin'! And what's with all the page ads? What makes that game so great anyway?! Aion! Aion! It must be AIONNNNNN!

... or maybe Guild Wars?

I've got a theory we should work this fast. The petition's needs more signatures really faaaaaast.

I've got a theory it doesn't matter. What can't we face if we're together? What can they do that we can't weather? The Rikti Wars. We've all been there. The same Ghost Ship, why should we care?

What can't we do if we get in it? We'll save the game in just a minute. We're going to try. We'll pay the price. It's do or die. Hey we've all died twice.

There's nothing we can't face, except for Aion.

Not recommending it be recorded or anything, cuz I think it's a too obscure a reference for the general populous, but it was pretty funny when it happened.

Tim, you're right, there wasn't much initial response and even less carry through. The Paragon City Choir on backing vocals and battle cries consisted of three people. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to the people that stepped-up and helped, but I sure would have loved some more.

Drew, did you find more people outside the forums to fill the Choir? Does it sound too thin? I could try to do something, but while I have experience with voice acting, I'm completely untrained as a singer.

[Dusk Shine]

Very cool. Tim, I hope you finish that REM filk too :D

[Sekoia]

OK, I'll check it out when I have the final product. I had a note from Tony about it, but he seemed under the impression that the Wiki (And I assumed the Ouroportal as well since it is the same basic type of site.) would only host .ogg files. (For those not in the know, that are the format the the CoH sound effects and music are are within the game.)

Any tips for starting an "Article" to allow for hosting there would be appreciated since I've never put anything up over there.

You can upload files through this page (you'll need to log in first):
http://ouroportal.com/wiki/Special:Upload

It looks like mp3 files are on the list of acceptable file types for upload. If you encounter issues uploading, drop me a PM and I'll investigate.

OuroPortal doesn't have any media players installed in it so files can only be downloaded (or played natively in the browser if it supports it). But it doesn't sound like that's an issue here.

[downix]

"I Want My City Back" should be in its final Studio Mixing Session tomorrow, with Special thanks to our musician contact Connor. Hoping to be able to release it early this week.

Tim, you're right, there wasn't much initial response and even less carry through. The Paragon City Choir on backing vocals and battle cries consisted of three people. Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful to the people that stepped-up and helped, but I sure would have loved some more.

I do have some things that I would like to address with anyone interested in the subject:

1) Is there anyone who could host the MP3 of "I Want My City Back" so that, in addition to sending the actual file to potential venues (Podcasts, Internet Radio Show, etc.), those shows can also post a link to the song?

2) Is there any Machinima Artists who might be interested in doing a Music Video for "I want My City Back" so that we could expand our potential audience in places like YouTube and other streaming video sites?

3) Doing this song was a blast and if I come-up with another idea in the near future I'm more than willing to give it another go.

I can host if you still need someone.

I wish I'd known of this sooner, I know several background singers in the area I could have asked.

[Doveslight]

In no way am I the person to even try singing this.  After hearing a few bars of 'Bonny Portmore' this morning, I found CoX related lyrics fitting into the tune:

Bonny Port Oaks

O, Paragon City, you shine where you stand
And the more I think on you the more I think long.
If I had all time as I had once before.
Every power I would play through, live again deathless lore.

O, Bonny Port Oaks, I am sorry to see
Such a woeful destruction of your community.
For we've stood on your steps for many's the short day
Till the long guns of business came to blow you away.

NCSoft dearest masters, we know its your game
you'll do as you must, to leave is no shame.
But leave us our City, our home, our escape.
In the hands of another who will rent us a cape.

O, Cap Au Diable, St. Martial, Bloody Bay,
Laggy Grandville, Ouroboros, never-ending Skyway.
We have hunted your shores for many's the short day
Till the long guns of business came to blow you away.

All the mages in the forest and the trolls on the streets
cry out Where shall we shelter, where shall we sleep?
For we've stood on these spawns for many's the short day.
Never Hero could end us, now we just... go away?

O, Port Independence, Atlas Park, Mercy Isle
You will live on in mem'ry, your dream and your style.
For we've stood on your shores for many's the short day.
Till the long guns of business came to take you away.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niS4Emp64q8

a shorter version w/out lyrics AND men in kilts!  ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eom9ryUYDqc

[Quinch]

-listening to Loreena McKennitt while browsing the threads-

-hits this post-

-all of my WTFtiming?-

[SithRose]

Might I suggest "Light One Candle" by Peter, Paul, and Mary?

It's got a very struggling against injustice, fighting for right feel to it. (It can be filked slightly in the first verse - yes, it was originally a Hannukah song.)

Light one candle for the Maccabee children
With thanks their light didn't die;
Light one candle for the pain they endured
When their right to exist was denied;
Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice
Justice and freedom demand;
And light one candle for the wisdom to know
That the peacemaker's time is at hand!

Chorus:
Don't let the light go out,
It's lasted for so many years!
Don't let the light go out!
Let it shine through our love and our tears!

Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe;
Light one candle for those who are suff'ring
A pain they learned so long ago;
Light one candle for all we believe in,
That anger not tear us apart;
And light one candle to bind us together
With peace as the song in our heart!

(chorus)

What is the memory that's valued so highly
That we keep it alive in that flame?
What's the commitment to those who have died?
We cry out "they've not died in vain,"
We have come this far, always believing
That justice will somehow prevail;
This is the burden, This is the promise,
This is why we will not fail!

(chorus)

Don't let the light go out!
Don't let the light go out!
Don't let the light go out!

[downix]

I have been working on one based on 'Someone that I used to know" by Gotye. I have the musical track reproduced and down, it's lyrics I'm not as good with. I'm a screenwriter, not a songwriter!

For the refrain so far I've gotten this:

You didn't have to shut it off
Make out like it never happened and that we weren't playing
And I don't even understand
But you are acting like a jerk now and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to lie to us
Claim that noone had come forth and offer to buy it from you
I should have seen it though
Now you're just the killer of City of Heroes

[SithRose]

I'm going to get smacked for this one.

"Hi, I'm NCSoft, and this is crazy...I killed your heroes, porn game maybe?"

[QuantumHero]

I'm going to get smacked for this one.

"Hi, I'm NCSoft, and this is crazy...I killed your heroes, porn game maybe?"

ROFLOL...um if you write the lyrics and get the track...willing to provide vocals if we don't have someone better.  Listen to "we are heroes" for vocal sample :) (recorded on a phone with no background music)

[SithRose]

ROFLOL...um if you write the lyrics and get the track...willing to provide vocals if we don't have someone better.  Listen to "we are heroes" for vocal sample :) (recorded on a phone with no background music)

I haven't even heard the original of that song yet. ;)

Anyhow, I don't do filks...my husband does filks, and he's busy with another writing project right now. Like "can't drag him away from the computer" busy.

Silly World of Darkness.