Express Yourself Contest 2022 Submission Journal (closed)
2 years ago
IT FALLS ON YOU TO READ THE RULES BEFORE POSTING, FOLKS. SONGS WHICH DO NOT FOLLOW THE RULES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED ONCE WE MOVE TO THE FIRST ROUND WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE SUBMITTER.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE 31ST OF JANUARY, 2022
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Hello folks! Puppy here and you know what time it is, right?!. This year we've changed the rules slightly, so make sure you read everything below before submitting! Everything you need to know can be found below!
WHAT IS THE EXPRESS YOURSELF CONTEST? WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
The contest is, well, to express yourself through a minute long (or less) musical piece. The first round is a Public Submission Round, meaning anyone can submit a song and so long as it abides to the rules, be considered.
The contest then undergoes a private voting round, where the songs from the Public Submission Round are placed on a rating criteria (see below) and at least fifteen are selected to move on. A few, the (5) that were rated the lowest of the top (15) but still show a lot of potential, will enter the Wildcard Round. The remaining, those that scored the highest on our rating criteria (again, see below) will be moved directly into the Semifinal Round. (2) of the songs in the Wildcard Round will move on to complete the Semifinal Round, making the Semifinal Round the top (12).
Both the Wildcard Round and the Semifinal Round will be publicly voted on by you, the community.
After the Semifinal Round, a Final Round consisting of 5 submissions will occur to pick this year's winning 3. This is also a public voting round. As an outcome to this round, the top 3 submissions will be chosen and prizes given (see Prizes below)!
THE RULES
Of course, this contest has rules. Failure to follow any of these rules could lead to your song being removed from the contest, or, in extreme cases, yourself to be disqualified.
Rule 1) Submit all songs for this contest to this journal, and in DIRECT response to the comment below.
Rule 2) Your song must be one minute or less and every second past one minute will deduct points. Note: five seconds of reverb/fade after the minute mark is acceptable.
Rule 3) Your song must have been submitted to FA after this journal was posted.
Rule 4) Your song must be PG.
Rule 5) You may submit up to two songs for the contest. Submit them below, under the designated comment.
Rule 6) All genres are welcome and covers are accepted so long as they diverge significantly from the original.
Rule 7) Your submission must be submitted to FA. FA must be the only place where this submission is found.
Rule 8) You cannot modify your submission in any way after it is submitted to the contest. If you would like to remaster or tweak a song, ask me and I'll fill it in like it's your 2nd song slot.
Rule 9) The top 3 musicians from the most recent Express Yourself (2021) cannot participate.
Rule 10) No remixes!
THE RATING CRITERIA
Our panel of judges and I have determined this to be how we will rate your submission and select them for the Semi-Final and Wildcard Rounds.
Technicality: /30
Mixing and mastering: /15
Cohesiveness: /15
Interpretation*
Musicality: /70
Originality: /35
Time Management: /35
Motivation**
Time Constraint
For every second over, points are deducted. A five second fade/reverb is permitted after the 1 minute mark if no new notes are played.
*Applies only to covers and replaces cohesiveness
**Results in a bonus point. Those submitting are encouraged to explain how their submission(s) express themselves in the description of their submission.
Details...
Mixing and Mastering pertains to…
Audio levels and frequency/pitch issues
Does it sound right? Does anything stand out awkwardly? Are the notes clean and identifiable (within the genre's consideration)?
Cohesiveness pertains to…
If using loops, are they integrated well with one another?
Is there an over reliance on loops with little modifications?
Originality pertains to…
Does the artist demonstrate concise decision making and a clear focus while creating/composing/mixing their expression piece?
Does it challenge the artist or the genre using ingenuity, genre-blending, genre twisting, and/or clear instrument and sound choices?
Time management pertains to...
Does the artist present a complete song within the time limit (lead in, lead out, diverse/identifiable sections)?
Does the artist go over the one minute mark?
PRIZES AND A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
There's prizes! Not a musician? We would love to work out a way to promote you.
Here's the fun part, ya? Too bad it's still a work in progress. See below for what's already set in stone.
+ 1st Place: A song of yours, of your choosing, will be promoted as our featured submission for an entire year! You will receive a prepaid commission of your fursona from orcaowl. You will also receive True North Audio's full 2020-2022 product catalog, which includes high quality samples, sample instruments, and synthesizer presets. You will also receive an opportunity to sign on with the ever-awesome Fuzznet World, which specialize in getting your tunes out there!
+ 2nd Place: You will receive True North Audio's full 2020-2022 product catalog. You will also receive...
+ 3rd Place: You will receive True North Audio's full 2020-2022 product catalog. You will also receive an animated icon from Kludge. You will also receive...
As you can see, there's a lot of opportunity here for the non-musical members of our community. If you are interested in having your very own placement prize promoted like this, you can send Furry Musicians a note or DIRECTLY reply to the designated comment below. Yes, you will be paid.
https://captaincronus.weebly.com/
[1] Detailed
[2] Standard
[3] Basic
In case you're interested, I'll break things down further in a note, but here's the overview of my prices for now: https://kludges.art/commission/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44950468/
Flat art: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/42860719/
Digital painting: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/43176175/
Sketchy digital painting: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/43534212/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44712406
( Well if I'm worthy enough :,3 )
This is how I draw : https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45129857/
My example works:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/42935188/ - full
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44694222/ - half
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/42902374/ - head
Here's an example of my animations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ubuNj9QgU
That's an old animation from 2020 though, and I'm using it as an example because my main channel is under heavy construction and I don't have too much else to use as an example.
Here are some examples I haven't posted on YouTube yet.
https://turbowarp.org/621723356
https://turbowarp.org/606631425
https://turbowarp.org/594240472
However, I would rather not be paid for this. It's more of a passion and promotion thing.
Headshots
Headshot Example 1
Headshot Example 2
Icon Examples (Winner can pick style)
Icon Example 1
Icon Example 2
Full Body Examples (These are a bit old)
Full Body Example1
Full Body Example 2
Full Body Example 3
I have way more examples on my Instagram
but I'm slowly uploading more to this account. I figured the winner could also choose if they want sketchy lines or lineless if it's alright to offer.
You can check my gallery for some of my works :).
https://www.instagram.com/leayalsha/
Have a great day ^-^!
1 - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45753297/
dsjgfbigbr
my first submission :D
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45352408/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45013277/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45358207/
Here is my submission
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45358727/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45359185/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45359531/
I appreciate you guys, best of luck everyone!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45360412/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45360593/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45360617/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45360657/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45364044/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/38616015/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/38081367/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45365023
First submission - RAVE BATTLE: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45367013/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45355237/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44804502/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45367993/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45369888/
Second: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45370871/
And third song: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45370907/
These are my entries. Good luck everyone else! :)
https://soundcloud.com/zxaraamador/.....nment-mastered
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45249726/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45373717/
my first entry
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45380305/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45384426/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45386152/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45389304/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45393693/
I've really been enjoying listening to everyone's tracks!
Wishing fellow musicians the best in this contest ^^
my second submission :D
Submission 1/2:
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45399111/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45399167/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45404762/
From Russia with love.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45404884
It's been a while since I last participated! Have fun everyone! ^^
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45405179/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45405603/
My motivation was to try and create the sound of an immersive, spacey environment with fast energy. The loops were made using an RC-505 Loop Station, with a KORG Krome EX Music Workstation keyboard generating the instruments.
My motivation for this piece was to explore long, droning tones at a low BPM on an electric bass instrument/tubes and contrast them with a deep, piano and high guitar-picking melody. SoundTrap was the software I used for this project. Enjoy!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45407930/
I wanted to make a sort of climactic piece to reflect on the end of 2021 for me. I finally started producing music more consistently and taking steps to improve, and this piece is meant to be a celebration of that and many of my musical influences!
www.furaffinity.net/view/45409758/
I intend on submitting another entry in the near future.
This shall be my entry on the contest. I think this might be a nice contrast to the actually posted entrys xD
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45415363/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45415949/
#1 - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45416779/
#2 - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45416847/
Good luck to everyone else!
Entry: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45.....oad-successful
This shall be my second entry. I recorded this when I newly received my first 7-string guitar. I just tapped in a ambient track with my blofeld and started playing along. Sometimes I just hit the record button in my DAW and what you can hear was worth being saved.
I like this sort of recordings by chance, as they sometimes bring up gems like this.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45427429/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45437365/
Thought I'd try it out, goodluck to everyone.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45452343/
Tomorrow is Another Day: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45452261/
Taking My Time: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45452355/
My entry!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45458784/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45461038/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45462367/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45462668/
I made for my game that I tuned up for the contest. I'm inspired a lot by Megaman X, so hopefully it's a good bop :).
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45464107/
A Gator boss in my game Breakneck who gets 2nd in the alien Transcend tournament CONSTANTLY. NOT THIS TIME.
(His powers are time control bubbles)
The song is called "Stars" it's my first single made specifically for this contest, was inspired by this contest and expresses me entirely. I really hope you enjoy it! <3
Engineered by the lovely Nuallan
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45477137/
Anyway, here's my two submissions!
- https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45475710/
- https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45475878/
Thanks everyone, and good luck! 💛
Looking forward for the contest! It's in a mix of spanish and english but I added translations :)
Hyped to take part in one of these again!
Good luck and skills everyone~! ^^
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45441352/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45499823/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45499891/
Best of luck! :D
Here's my first submission :)
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45513298/
And here's my second submission :3
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45513274/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/42373915/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/42210698/
Hope you enjoy!!!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45514528/
I am so greatful for all the comments and interactions :D you all are awesome. Again, it has english and spanish but I added translations.
"Infinity" - Piano, Abstract - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45519222/
"Break Free" - 8-Bit, Uplifting - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44884653/
https://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/kornelius1899/
All my musical works is submitted for the contest!!!
Enjoy music and have a nice day!!! Caw!!!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45530224/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45530316/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45530383/
You can see the full version of my works on my page!
Good luck to everyone! ^^
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45534565/
Good luck to y'all
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45538714
here's my entry :P
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45538773/
Also my first upload to this site...
Second Submission - STARDUST: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45543134/
May make a second one, who knows.
Thanks for the opportunity and for spotlighting small artists and musicians <3
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45557036/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45559960/
Here is my submission. Enjoy!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45566159/
Fast Link:
https://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/kornelius1899/
Enjoy my works, music lovers!!! Caw!!!
(1/2) https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45590531/
(2/2) https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45590610/
I just deleted and reuploaded this as a result of not understanding "PG" and panicing a bit about whether it would be accepted. I altered some of the FA categories but the file is the same, but I'm only submitting one thing so I don't mind if you count it as a second submission to be fair.
my tracks are usually 3-4 minutes lmaoooo
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45634403/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45639664/
For this track, I decided to try to squish the style of my weird solo stuff into one minute. I had fun with it.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45639695/
For this track, I decided to do something more subdued and chill, a hint of a lo-fi pop track that could have you bobbing your head.
Also I spilled coffee on myself and wanted to capture the melancholy that the situation had created.
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45645335/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45660576/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45677351/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45685921/
hope y'all like
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45699886/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45711103/
Expressing my playful nature and naiveness. Haveing a conversation with yourself, agree and disagree but at the end just to have fun!
Don't take it always to seriously :). Playful short adventure with different insturmentations and musical colours!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45711246/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45711417/
BIG luck for everyone :) Have a good day!
for anyone browsing 👋 DnB, halftime, loud etc..
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45719640/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45.....oad-successful
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45726769
and heres my second, pick whichever one you find better ig
Submission B: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45736690/
more chill stuff this time x3
There it is! Good luck, folks.
By the way, the genre is Classical EDM and I'm not used in making short songs like these so this is quite the challenge! Thanks!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45738564/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45739214/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45740767/
First one
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45740755
Second one
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45740773
Good luck everyone!!
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45742670/
Let me see your ANIMAL https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45746138/
Entry #1: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45748191/
Entry #2: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45748372/
They are alternate versions of the same song but with different vocalists.
Finished just in time!
Dawn To The Wild: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45751320/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45752452/
my two submissions :)
submission goofy https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45751365/
submission serious-er https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45752577/
This is Finder by Cybprnkz, my own one-man band: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45752803/
1 - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45753297/
2 - https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45753318/
Here's my simple little entry: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45753582/
Hopefully I snuck in before the cut-off time ^^;
~Puppy
Just a reminder tho I'm NB and go by They/Them!
good luck, everyone!
EX: I can post my entries on Deviant Art?
To answer your second question, there is no theme beyond expressing yourself through music. Follow the rules and you will have a valid submission!
~Puppy
How many people are out there actually writing 45 second jingles
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44807071/
Please read rules
Any further responses to instigate or inflame will result in a ban. That includes responding to this comment. This is not the place to instigate members of the musician community. This is not the place to argue with community members over personal belief.
This is how we have run the contest for years, and the majority of the community, including the FA admins, are very happy with how it is in it's present state. I have no plans to change the criteria to allow songs beyond the minute mark.
I will be hiding this whole chain in the next 24 hours.
Thank you for understanding.
-TCK-