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Hockey Night in Canada - theme contest entry

B

BlackLake

Feb 1, 2008
1,233
15
Northern Ontario
#1
As most of you fellow Canucks know, CBC TV turned down the offer for the use of the HNiC theme song that's been running since the '40s. So they decided to hold a contest.

Prize is $100k and 50% airplay/use royalties.

I am entering, and would greatly appreciate any critiques of the rough draft.

I have still a lot of work to do on it...some of the current tracks are there as ghosts. Dry monitor mix, drums are basic at this point (no fills). Bass line has the sound I want, but planning to redo it.

I've heard lots of the entries, and let's just say there is some stiff competition...and some are pure crap. The way I look at it is, I have nothing to lose by entering.

So here goes nothin'
Link Removed
Copyright 2008

1:10 long...ignore the kik at the end.
 
#2
Actually, that is a lot better than most of the stuff I've heard! A simple yet memorable melody.

My guess is that they might pick something more aggressive sounding, so maybe make the guitars a little heavier and upfront. The drums would benefit from being a real drum track and help the overall feel.

When is the deadline?
 
#3
Smallmouth_Bass said:
Actually, that is a lot better than most of the stuff I've heard! A simple yet memorable melody.

My guess is that they might pick something more aggressive sounding, so maybe make the guitars a little heavier and upfront. The drums would benefit from being a real drum track and help the overall feel.

When is the deadline?
Click to expand...

Thanks a million...I agree it needs to be a bit more aggressive (working on that)...and the Gtr's will be brought up in the final mix.

I plan on a real drum track this weekend, I myself suck at drums, so I am bringing in a ringer.

Deadline is Aug 31st. and I have a Producer booked for next Wed night to do the mixdown/mastering.

I really appreciate your input, thanks bud.
 
#4
There is also the possibility of making an alternate recording of the song with a lead guitar(s) sound as the melody. I'm sure that they will pick the best song and then the arrangement will be finalized later.

All speculation, but I think they will try to distance themselves from the sound and instrumentation of the original theme.

Good luck!
 
#5
Smallmouth_Bass said:
Actually, that is a lot better than most of the stuff I've heard! A simple yet memorable melody.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely with you on that one. I think the approach taken for the anthem is the right idea, something simple and hummable and something that steers clear of current trends in music (i.e. something that could potentially stick for over 10 years).

The only thing negative I can really say is that it sounds familiar, but that may not be a bad thing. :confused:

Best of luck!!
 
#6
Smallmouth_Bass said:
There is also the possibility of making an alternate recording of the song with a lead guitar(s) sound as the melody. I'm sure that they will pick the best song and then the arrangement will be finalized later.

All speculation, but I think they will try to distance themselves from the sound and instrumentation of the original theme.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Great idea...there is lead gtrs in the second half (one high one low)....but I kinda buried them in the mix...you can here the high one slide down at the end of the second melody line before the ending. I will mention to the Producer to maybe bring down the brass, and up the gtr's in the second part.

I will also try an all gtr lead version (this weekend) and post.

Thanks again!

BTW, you have the best avatar EVER!!!!
 
#7
I gave it a listen and can picture the hockey footage rolling with it - couple of guys gooning it up, that type of thing. I agree with a real drum track, but I'm not sure that the guitars need to be much more aggressive; the old Hockey Night in Canada didn't have aggressive guitars. I'd vote for yours.
 
#11
I think it's great has that timeless feeling of having been around by that I mean it's not too now and won't go out of style within a week. I think you could do variations on it and I agree about the guitars first thing I thought of. It seems HNIC has targeted a younger audience using Nickelbacks' cover of Saturday Nights Allright... etc. Maybe pick up the pace just a bit? I also agree about the footage comment. I'm a film and television producer and have worked with a bunch of composers and when you are writing music for a visual medium it is critical to keep the "pictures" in mind. You have captured that for sure. Good luck I will be pulling for you but having worked with CBC in the past anything can happen as the so called brains there seem to lack them at times.
 
#12
progrockbass said:
I think it's great has that timeless feeling of having been around by that I mean it's not too now and won't go out of style within a week. I think you could do variations on it and I agree about the guitars first thing I thought of. It seems HNIC has targeted a younger audience using Nickelbacks' cover of Saturday Nights Allright... etc. Maybe pick up the pace just a bit? I also agree about the footage comment. I'm a film and television producer and have worked with a bunch of composers and when you are writing music for a visual medium it is critical to keep the "pictures" in mind. You have captured that for sure. Good luck I will be pulling for you but having worked with CBC in the past anything can happen as the so called brains there seem to lack them at times.
Click to expand...


Wow...thanks.

I was thinking the other day I should increase the tempo just a bit. Looks like I have a busy weekend ahead of me...thank goodness for home studios - hahaha

And you're totally right, I have worked with CBC in the past, and I always thought... "the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing"
 

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