Sara's Cover Contest

Hey all cover-ers,
In the midst of my Coffeehouse work, the magnificent Ms. Sara Bareilles posted an awesome opportunity, and I thought I'd share (and possibly participate? mid-June is indeed coming up fast...)

Through TopBlip, which is a launching board for Internet cover artists to get heard, Sara is holding a contest, with some pretty exciting prizes, for someone to do a cover off her new "Once Upon Another Time" EP. Any one of the half-dozen songs is free game, and the winner will be decided via popular vote. The condition is that an entry can't be a recording over a montage of stills, etc. -- they want video of you performing. Doesn't matter if it's a solo performer or a band. I've linked to the contest page below so you can read up...

Sara's a hell of a tough act to follow, but it's sublime material to work with, so if you think you got it, do something with it :)

I'm inclining towards "Lie to Me". I started demoing it yesterday afternoon, and E minor is indeed the sweet spot. Plus, without fail, strings parts are cool to convert to piano.

Get your fill of "Lie to Me" here, and link to the contest page here.

Good luck cover-ers.
xox -MuseTest

Song Listing: "The Coffeehouse Covers"

Finally! I wouldn't admit it if the archiving didn't make it plain as day, but it's officially been four months since MuseTest has posted. I've had my coffee, folks, and I'm back on here with you.

I've spent said four months (excepting the mad rush of Holidays 2011 of course): arranging good songs, arranging even more good songs, and transposing like my life depends on it, which it does, because males like to sing in keys that I can't match.

If you're just joining my blog, the project at hand is a release of cover songs that I've arranged in an "unplugged" style, broken down into an intimate coffeehouse feel. I'm going to share them legally (i.e. this won't be for profit), and I hope you like what you hear.

As promised! Here's the full 'Testing the Muse' lineup of songs. Some cuts were made, including the "Rabbit Heart" cover I was discussing in the previous post (though that may eventually see the sun, another Florence cover won out). And the covers will be:

1. Helena Beat - Foster the People (with samples from Owl City's 'Cave In')
2. Noticed - Mute Math
3. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall/Charlie Brown - Coldplay
4. Cosmic Love - Florence and the Machine
5. Satellite - Dave Matthews Band
6. Must Be Dreaming - Frou Frou
7. The Great Divide - Emmy Rossum
8. I Caught Myself - Paramore
9. When in Rome - Nickel Creek
10. Wrapped Around Your Finger - The Police
11. Take Care - Drake ft. Rihanna
12. This is the Countdown - Mae
13. Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
14. Mars - Natalie Walker (with samples from Mute Math's 'You Are Mine')

I am planning on factoring in 4 extra releases (which will remain nameless for now!)

These covers are primarily acoustic piano and voice. On a few I will be recording my own harmonies and possibly looking to collaborate on vocals. I'm also considering throwing in a few accompanying instruments, to round out the sound on some of the songs, either electronically or in studio with fellow musicians who would like to lend some fun. The idea is to maintain an acoustic heart -- these are intended to be able to be played out live. Stay tuned for shout-outs to collaborate!

Hope this update has been snazzy, and I will now be blogging regularly (and holding myself to that!) as recording sessions progress, and as it's ready for everyone's ears. Check back here for previews of the songs, and...

...You can follow me on Twitter @emerisle104
With love -MuseTest