Champions Vs Shadows 2016: Sign-Ups

Ok, I know what you're thinking...

Where are the SpinTunes 12 sign-ups?

SpinTunes 12 will start in January, there won't be a summer edition of SpinTunes this year.

Ok, well what the hell is this?

It's what we're doing instead of SpinTunes this summer.  Here's a song from last summer's winner Zoe Gray!

We will be pitting 2 groups of musicians against each other in a new type of contest.  A contest that gives the musicians more say in who wins, and will remain an individual competition while bringing some team elements into play as well.

The first group of musicians will be called the "Champions".  They've earned this name, because everyone on this team has won a SpinTunes contest in the past.

The second group of musicians will be called the "Shadows".  This group is composed of everyone else.  Anyone who has not won a SpinTunes who signs up will be placed in this group.

When sign-ups end, a challenge will be given out to each team.  That's right, each team will face DIFFERENT challenges in round 1.  The standard SpinTunes time frame will be given (about 10 days) for these teams to write, record, produce & turn in a song that meets the challenge.  Like in SpinTunes, the deadline is part of the challenge, so don't be late.

After all the songs are turned in, 2 albums will be uploaded to Bandcamp, and made public for free download after we have a listening party hosted by Tommy G.

A panel of judges (with possible guest judges) will be responsible for reviewing & ranking all the songs from each album.  Scores will be created based on the ranking just like in SpinTunes.  HOWEVER...the judges aren't the only ones that get a say in things this time around.  ALL the people in the Champions group will be allowed to turn in rankings of the Shadows.  And ALL the people in the Shadows group will be allowed to turn in rankings of the Champions.  Each person who turns in a set of rankings will be counted like a regular judge.  There will be no popular vote this time around, and if a tie happens Spin will break the tie. (I'm not thrilled about this.)

After all the scores are compiled, the top 2 scorers from each group will move on to the final round.  (Yep, this is only a 2 round contest.)  In this final round both groups will face the same challenge.  The actual challenge will be kept secret of course, but I will say that this round will REQUIRE some collaboration between teammates.

When the songs are all turned in, they will be uploaded to Bandcamp, and made public after another listening party hosted by Tommy G.

The judges will once again be required to review & rank the songs, but are only used as a tie breaker.  The people who decide the winner are, as usual, the people who write the songs.  I will be the 2nd tie breaker if needed.

After all the scores are compiled, whoever scores the highest wins.  The prize for winning is a t-shirt & bragging rights.  If a "Shadow" wins, part of their prize is becoming a "Champion" in future contests.  This contest, like SpinTunes, is about having fun, creating & getting feedback.  If you make music to win fancy prizes...you're in the wrong place.

Judges:
Here's a list of the people that will be making the challenges, reviewing your work & of course voting on the songs:

1.  Jailhouse Payback - SpinTunes 11 Champions!
2.  Ted Kiper - SpinTunes veteran.
3.  Emperor Gum - SpinTunes veteran.
4.  T.C. Elliott - SpinTunes veteran.

A link to the projected schedule has been posted.

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I will need everyone who wants to participate to copy & paste the following text into their e-mail. Fill in the needed info, and then e-mail it to me at the address I provided below. Make sure you put "Spintown Contest" as the subject of the e-mail so I don't think it's spam. Also use an e-mail that I can reach you at if need be. Don't panic if you don't get a confirmation e-mail immediately after signing up. I'll message you back within 24 hours of getting your e-mail.

 
I _____________ give Travis Langworthy permission to upload any music I submit into his contest onto his blog (Spintown) & bandcamp. I realize it will become part of an album consisting of numerous other artists, and that it will be available for anyone to download for free. I also promise to give my very best effort in each round to complete the challenges. Providing NEW songs that have not been released before in any form. I also agree that anything that goes wrong during this competition is Heather's fault.
Name: (The name you or your group wants to be referred to during the competition.)
Bio: (Give a brief description of your group/music/history in 500 CHARACTERS or less. I know it's brief, but it's more than Twitter allows. :p Besides, links to your sites will be provided if people want to learn more about you. No URL’s or links will be allowed in the bio section.)
Twitter: (If you got one & want to share. *optional* If there's multiple accounts for multiple band members that's fine.)
YouTube: (If you got one & want to share. *optional*)
Band Website: (If it's different than either of the above. *optional*)
Pictures: (I need a band picture or logo. The image should be 100x100, and if it's not I'll do my best to make it so. Don't forget to actually attach the picture.)