Project 6: The Leftovers

Let’s start 2021 by taking a look back at the radical playlists from last year and give some of those great tunes another chance to be covered.

  1. Pick a song or songs to cover from the playlists submitted for any project in 2020 that hasn’t already been covered.

  2. Record your version of that song or songs.

  3. Share it with Neil via email or upload it to Dropbox along with a brief write-up and picture.

  4. All covers for Project 6 are due by January 24, 2021.

Barrett covers “Close to Me” by the Cure
Leftover from Neil’s project 4 playlist

I set out to make a more ambient version of Close to Me but the poppy hooks of this track kept fighting their way back in. This version utilizes several pianos by Felt Instruments that have a warm, beautiful and eerie tone.

-Barrett


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Noah covers “Kiss Me Son of God” by They Might Be Giants
Leftover from Neil’s project 1 playlist

I really wanted to do this song as Billie Holiday, but the key I chose didn’t work with my Billie Holiday impression and it just sounded awful. Then I accidentally shifted all of the elements off tempo and the whole thing had to get reconstructed. I think Billie messed up my project on purpose. Anyway, here it is. I had to sing it over my bathroom sink, because it’s the only place in my house with adequate light at the moment.

-Noah


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Jeff Kearns covers “You Better Run” by Pat Benatar
Leftover from Randy’s

project 3 playlist

Nice to collaborate with my buddy Fritz. His drinking water had that coming of age in 81 vibe.

-Jeff K.


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Andrew covers “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” by Bauhaus
Leftover from Jeff Kearns’ project 4 playlist

I thought it’d be interesting to try to do a cover of Bela Lugosi’s Dead and, when I started, had no clue how it would end up. It’s one of those sacred songs and I quickly realized how impossible it would be to even try to attempt to record any type of vocals a fraction as good as Peter Murphy. The end result is a sketch I created in Reason.

-Andrew


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Randy covers “Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil


Leftover from Neil’s project 4 playlist

It took me a long time to settle on a song this time. The original was WAY too upbeat so I had to do something about that. 

Used two instruments: Elektron Digitakt and Sequential Prophet Rev2.

-Dtron


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Chris Danforth covers “Love -> Building on Fire” by Talking Heads


Leftover from Neil’s project 5 playlist


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Tom S. covers “Angel of the Morning” by Merilee Rush


Leftover from Dave’s project 2 playlist

We were going to try this song the first time around but we thought it would be too hard to sing. We were right. Like every song since Christmas, the kids new ukulele is featured prominently. 

-Tom Stromsodt


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Neil and Tom cover “Night Falls Like a Grand Piano” by the 6ths
Leftover from Danforth’s project 2 playlist

Since a few folks asked for a little more time, I figured we could sneak in one more. I’d intended to cover this one but only got as far as the basic chord progression and vocals. I send those basic tracks to Tom late last night, and he made it something special.

-Neil


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Neil covers “Dropout” by Urge Overkill

Leftover from Randy’s project 2 playlist

Eddie “King” Roser, bass player for Urge Overkill, was a legend in rural central Minnesota. He grew up in the small town of Litchfield, which was less than 30 miles from my hometown of Paynesville. In the early 90s, Urge Overkill signed to a major label. Before long they were popping up on MTV and touring with popular famous bands of the time, like Pearl Jam. The youth of Litchfield started bands like crazy, inspired by Eddie’s success. This was super cool for me and my friends in Paynesville, because we had our own high school band but nobody with whom we could play shows. Thanks to the Eddie Roser inspired Litchfield high school band explosion, we suddenly weren’t alone.

So when Randy posted an Urge Overkill song on his project 2 playlist, I was instantly interested. I felt an obligation to pay homage to the King. Also, the lyrics of Dropout are fairly relatable to anyone who’s done time in a small town or small city. In my mind this could be a song about Fargo or Paynesville or any place with young, disenfranchised people.

As I am prone to do, I started with Tom Stromsodt and asked for some beats. The programmed beat in the original song is really the backbone of the tune, so I thought it would be essential to have something different percussively but equally solid. I texted this idea to Stroms (Tom Stromsodt) and within a few hours four beats were on my phone. That man is a fucking machine. With a sold foundation in place, I played around with my usual tools (accordion, baritone ukulele, bass, singing…) and then got a mix that felt pretty good. Tom took my mix, added some additional magic, and it got the vibe I was looking to capture.

-Neil

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Neil covers “I Miss You” by Bjork

Leftover from Danforth’s project 2 playlist

I love Bjork, but I typically would never consider attempting to cover one of her songs, primarily because her vocals are often too insane for mortal people such as myself. But as I was reviewing the leftover songs from last year, this one lured me in. It felt like something I could simplify sufficiently and surface a different vibe from the original.

-Neil

2020 Projects and Playlists

It all started with Tom, Neil, and Brian exchanging playlists.

It all started with Tom, Neil, and Brian exchanging playlists.

Project 1

Neil’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Better Days by Graham Nash

  2. Push Th’ Little Daisies by Ween

  3. She’s An Angel by They Might Be Giants

  4. Papa Hobo by Paul Simon

  5. Eid Ma Clack Shaw by Bill Callahan

  6. Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen

  7. (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville by REM covered by Tom S.

  8. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone by Neutral Milk Hotel

  9. Quicksand by David Bowie

  10. Clay Pigeons by Blaze Foley

  11. Vienna by Billy Joel

  12. How’s It Gonna End by Tom Waits

Brian’s Playlist (link here)

  1. From The Nursery by Wire

  2. Cathy’s Clown by the Everly Brothers

  3. Seconds by U2

  4. Planet Claire by the B52’s

  5. In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry covered by Tom S.

  6. Get Up by REM covered by Neil

  7. Dead Finks Don’t Talk by Brian Eno

  8. Radar Love by Golden Earrings

  9. Long Distance Runaround by Yes

  10. Metal by Gary Numan covers by Tom S.

Tom’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Lucky Star by Madonna

  2. Still Loving You by the Scorpions

  3. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? by CCR

  4. Sister Golden Hair by America

  5. 30 Century Man by Scott Walker covered by Neil

  6. Freeway of Love by Aretha Franklin

  7. I Want You by KISS

  8. She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals covered by Neil

  9. I Got You by Split Endz

  10. Sonic Reducer by Dead Boys

  11. Hot Burrito #1 by the Flying Burrito Brothers

  12. You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt covered by Tom as a bonus track later on

  13. Johnny by Jim Sullivan


More great musician friends joined up in the Fall.

More great musician friends joined up in the Fall.

Project 4: Fall Covers

Jeff Kearns’ Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Look Through my Window by the Mamas and the Papas

  2. The Windows of the World by Dionne Warwick

  3. Box of Rain by the Grateful Dead

  4. Bela Lugosi’s Dead by Bauhaus

  5. Roll With It by Oasis

TV On The Radio,Noah’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. I dig Pain by Pain (CHiPs) 

  2. Forever by Jesse & The Rippers (Full House) covered by Tom 

  3. Just You by James-Donna-Maddy (Twin Peaks) covered by Czahr

  4. Pathetic Little Fat Man by David Bowie (HBO’s Extras)

  5. Zou Bisou Bisou by Megan Draper (Mad Men) 

Karl Qualey’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. L’éléphant by Henri Texier

  2. Life Goes On by the Damned

  3. Der Kommissar by After the Fire

  4. Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille covered by Tom S.

  5. Land of My Dreams by Anna Domino covered by Jeff Esterby

Tom Stromsodt’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Free by Cat Power

  2. SOS by Abba

  3. High Risk by Jan Terri

  4. Turtles Have Short Legs by CAN

  5. Needle’s in the Camel’s Eye by Brian Eno covered by Karl

Barrett’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Moon Over Marin by Dead Kennedys covered by Tom S.

  2. Telephone Line by Electric Light Orchestra

  3. Bikeage by the Descendents

  4. I Can Change by LCD Soundsystem

  5. Orion by Metallica partially covered by Neil

Neil’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil

  2. Hollow Log by Beck

  3. Close to Me by the Cure

  4. Androgynous by the Replacements

  5. Rock n’ Roll Suicide by David Bowie

Jeff Esterby’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Pearl of the Quarter by Steely Dan

  2. I Know There’s Something Going On by Frida

  3. Stormtrooper in Drag by Paul Gardiner and Gary Numan

  4. Slave to Love by Bryan Ferry

  5. Love T.K.O by Teddy Pendergrass

Randy’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey covered by Noah

  2. Under the Milky Way by The Church

  3. Mama by Genesis

  4. I'd Love to Change the World by Alvin Lee and 10 Years After

  5. Love is Like Oxygen by Sweet

Eric “Czahr” Scott’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Frogs by the Handsome Family

  2. I’m Sad the Goat Just Died Today by the Frogs

  3. Unicorn Tolerance by The Mountain Goats

  4. Ghost Mountain by the Unicorns

  5. Animals by the GOASTT (The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger)

Brian’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Life in a Northern Town by Dream Academy by Barrett

  2. In A Big Country by Big Country

  3. Radio Free Europe by R.E.M.

  4. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats

  5. Overkill by Men at Work

    BONUS TRACK: Holiday by The Bee Gees

Chris Danforth’s Project 4: Fall Covers Playlist (link)

  1. Dirty Water by the Standells

  2. Walking on a Thin Line by Huey Lewis & The News covered by Neil

  3. Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean

  4. My Tennessee Mountain Home by Dolly Parton

  5. Sisters of Mercy by Leonard Cohen

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Then we opened it up and 9 or 10 new friends joined the gang.

Project 2: The 5 Song Playlist Challenge

Neil’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Sometimes a Fantasy by Billy Joel

  2. Breakdown by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers covered by Noah

  3. Kiss Me, Son of God (Alternate Version) by They Might Be Giants

  4. I’m On Fire by Bruce Springsteen covered by Michael Grey

  5. Coward of The County by Kenny Rogers covered by Tom S.

Czahr’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Alcohol by the Kinks

  2. Deep In A Dream by Frank Sinatra

  3. Uncloudy Day by The Staple Singers

  4. Dirt In The Ground by Tom Waits

  5. I’m Going To Go Back There Someday by Gonzo covered by Neil

Tom S.’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Just What I Needed by the Cars covered by Matt R.

  2. You Can’t Put Your Arms Round a Memory by Johnny Thunders

  3. Children of the Grave by Black Sabbath covered by Czahr

  4. Southern Nights by Glen Campbell

  5. Johnny by Jim Sullivan

Michael Grey’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Clean by Taylor Swift covered by Czahr

  2. Long Division by Fugazi covered by Neil

  3. Dangerous by Depeche Mode

  4. Love Sick by Bob Dylan

  5. Sweet Life by Frank Ocean

Chris Danforth’s Playlist (link here)

  1. When I Go Deaf by Low

  2. I Miss You by Bjork

  3. Here Comes the Rain Again by Eurythmics

  4. Night Falls Like a Grand Piano by the 6ths

  5. Everything’s Alright from Jesus Christ Superstar

Matt Rahaim’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Stay High - Brittany Howard 

  2. I am Pentagon - The Make Up

  3. Don't Need It - Badbrains

  4. The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apartment - Father John Misty 

  5. Goodbye California - Jolie Holland

Barrett Haroldson’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Nobody But Me by the Human Beinz covered by Randy

  2. Some Things Last A Long Time by Daniel Johnston covered by Chris Danforth

  3. Can’t Seem To Make You Mine by The Seeds

  4. Darkness At The Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen

  5. Theme From “A Summer Place” by Max Steiner, Percy Faith, and His Orchestra covered by Noah

Elliot Jackson’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Proof by SOHN

  2. Song Of A Sinner by Top Drawer

  3. One Unit by Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

  4. Sister by Caribou

  5. Dusty Blue by Charles Bradley

Noah Warren’s Playlist (link here)

“KARENS GONE WILD”

  1. Karen by The Surfaris

  2. Karen by The National

  3. Superstar by Sonic Youth covered by Randy

  4. Karen by Young Gravy

  5. Maps (acoustic version) by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs covered by Barrett

Eric Kjer’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Waterfall by Samite of Uganda ‘Abaana Bakesa’

  2. Woncha Come Home by Joan Armatrading

  3. B.George by Juniper Douglas

  4. Go (feat Q-Tip) by The Chemical Brothers

  5. Satan Said Dance by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Randy Dever’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Gray skies by Turquoise Days

  2. Chuck E’s in Love by Rickie Lee Jones

  3. Dropout- Urge Overkill

  4. Tired of Waiting for You by The Kinks covered by Chris Danforth

  5. Turbo Lover by Judas Priest

Brian Eveslage’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Air by Talking Heads

  2. Blue Moon of Kentucky by Elvis

  3. Radar Love by Golden Earring

  4. Planet Claire by the B-52s

  5. Nirvana by The Cult

Dave Schroeder Playlist (link here)

  1. Angel of the Morning by Merilee Rush

  2. More than This by Roxy Music

  3. Cruel Summer by Bananarama covered by Tom S.

  4. Santa Fe by Beirut

  5. Jumpers (Live in Paris) by Sleater Kinney

  6. * BONUS TRACK: Nest by Young Fathers


Winter descended upon us, but we kept cranking out tunes.

Winter descended upon us, but we kept cranking out tunes.

Project 5: Winter Songs

Jeff Kearns’ Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Some Other Time by X

  2. Here I Go Again by Whitesnake

  3. Perfect Example by Hüsker Dü

  4. Walking Dead by Alex Chilton

  5. Like A Daydream by Ride

Jeff Esterby’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Time (Clock of the Heart) by Culture Club

  2. Loverboy by Billy Ocean

  3. Coming Around Again by Carly Simon covered by Randy

  4. You Can Do Magic by America

  5. 5a.m. by the Millennium

Noah’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Down in Mexico- The Coasters (Death Proof)

  2. Hip to Be Square- Huey Lewis (American Psycho)

  3. Somebody to Love- Jefferson Airplane (Cable Guy)

  4. Just Dropped in- Kenny Rogers (Big Lebowski)

  5. Life Day Song- Carrie Fisher (Star Wars Holiday Special)

Randy’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Kiss Me Deadly by Lita Ford covered by Tom

  2. Bad Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce

  3. Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell covered by Dale

  4. There is a Mountain by Donovan

  5. Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper

Neil’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Hey by the Pixies

  2. Oh! Darling by the Beatles

  3. Thursday by Morphine

  4. You’re Crazy by Guns n’ Roses

  5. Love > Building on Fire by Talking Heads

Andrew Charon’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Sister Morphine by The Rolling Stones

  2. I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry

  3. The Nile Song by Pink Floyd covered by Randy

  4. Halloween by Mudhoney

  5. (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth by Metallica covered by Andrew and partially by Neil

Barrett’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Another Girl, Another Planet by the Only Ones

  2. Sometimes Always by the Jesus and Mary Chain

  3. Do Nothing by the Specials

  4. Where Did Our Love Go? by Soft Cell

  5. Feel Flows by the Beach Boys

    BONUS TRACK: Stonehenge by Spinal Tap

Dale Flattum’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Life in the Gladhouse by Modern English

  2. Revolution #9 by The Beatles

  3. Department of Youth by Alice Cooper

  4. One Dyin’ and a Buryin’ by Roger Miller covered by Tom

  5. Albatross by PIL

Danforth’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Dreaming by Blondie covered by Barrett

  2. You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac

  3. Let’s Save Tony Orlando’s House by Yo La Tango

  4. Apple Scruffs by George Harrison

  5. Hope She’ll Be Happier by Bill Withers covered by Neil

Tom Stromstodt’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Dear Angie by Badfinger

  2. Opus 40 by Mercury Rev

  3. I’ll Wait by Van Halen covered by Andrew Charon and Jeff Kearns

  4. Shake Some Action by Flaming Groovies

  5. Charlie Don’t Surf by the Clash

Brian’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Intruder by Peter Gabriel

  2. Everybody Wants Some by Van Halen

  3. Like the Weather by 10,000 Maniacs

  4. Scooter and Jinx by Sonic Youth covered by Danforth

  5. Volunteers by Jefferson Airplane

Eric “Czahr” Scott’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. On and On by Trixter

  2. Don’t Close Your Eyes by Kix

  3. Love of a Lifetime by Firehouse

  4. Love is on the Way by Saigon Kick

  5. House of Pain by Faster Pussycat

Elliott Jackson’s Project 5 Playlist (link)

  1. Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra with Count Basie covered by Noah

  2. Black River Killer by Blitzen Trapper

  3. Tenement Song by the Pixies

  4. Swnerve by Cid Rim, Petite Noir

  5. Let It Go By by Fiora, Robot Koch

And then, people really took it to the next level.

And then, people really took it to the next level.

Project 3

Randy Dever’s Playlist (link here)

1.Ocean Man by Ween covered by Neil

2. Sex and Candy by Marcy Playground covered by both Noah and Randy

3. So Alive by Love and Rockets covered by Danforth

4. You Better Run by Pat Benatar

5. Beauty School Dropout by Frankie Avalon

Noah’s Playlist “One Hat Wonders” (link here)

  1. You Can Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker

  2. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat by Bob Dylan

  3. Hovering Sombrero by They Might Be Giants

  4. Raspberry Beret by Prince & The Revolution

  5. Wear My Hat by Phil Collins

Chris Danforth’s Playlist “The Same Stale Shoes” (link here)

  1. After Images by Moor Mother

  2. French Guy by Rocket From the Crypt

  3. River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner

  4. It’s All Over Now Baby Blue by Them

  5. Jack-Ass by Beck covered by Barrett and Czahr


Barrett’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Ceremony by New Order

  2. I’m Not in Love by 10cc

  3. So Goes Love by Carole King covered by Tom

  4. As We Go Up, We Go Down by Guided By Voices

  5. Pieces of What by MGMT

Eric “Czahr” Scott’s Summer Playlist (link here)

  1. Summertime by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

  2. Summer Wine by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood

  3. It’s Summertime by The Flaming Lips

  4. Summertime Rolls by Janes Addiction covered by Neil

  5. Summer’s End by John Prine

Jeff Esterby’s Playlist (link here)

  1. I’ve Got A Secret (Didn’t We Shake Sugaree) by Fred Neil

  2. Crybaby by Ariel Pink

  3. Still I Dream of It by Brian Wilson

  4. Into the Night by Benny Mardones covered by Randy

  5. Love Ballad by L.T.D.

Neil’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Soul and Fire by Sebadoh

  2. Box Elder by Pavement covered by Danforth

  3. Eid Ma Clack Shaw by Bill Callahan

  4. Pretty Good by John Prine

  5. Clay Pigeons by Blaze Foley covered by Noah

Tom Stromsodt’s Playlist (link here)

  1. Xanadu by Oliva Newton-John & ELO covered by Jeff Esterby

  2. Mystify by INXS

  3. Wolves by Selena Gomez & Marshmello

  4. When the Morning Comes by Daryl Hall & John Oates

  5. 11th Street Kids by Hanoi Rocks

Brian’s Playlist (link here)

  1. I Saw the Light by Todd Rundgren   

  2. Let ‘em In by Wings covered by Randy

  3. Some Kinda Love by Velvet Underground

  4. Holding Back the Years by Simply Red

  5. Iris by The Breeders

 
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Project 7: Do it yourself

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Project 5: Winter Songs