PRF Monthly Tribute Series

Promise that an official '5 Years' post is right around the corner but wanted to turn your attention to something very cool that I am also a part of too! I just won again!

Oct 03, 2023

Working on a couple of essays coming within the next week but wanted to draw your attention to another project I enjoy contributing to. In addition to being a librarian, a podcaster and a film critic, the first creative outlet I ever pursued was music around the age of 14. Around the age of 21, I started writing and recording my own songs on a 4-track Tascam recorder and even fronted a band. All that’s to say is that I try each month to pick up my guitar or keyboard and press record on Logic Pro X. I now make music under the moniker Garden on a Trampoline which comes from the film All the Real Girls (a future 5 Years pick for sure).

For those who may not know, I'm a part of a fun (and very talented) group of musicians known as The PRF Monthly Tribute Series in Facebook land. Every month they put out a compilation of cover songs from indie musicians. The bands chosen come from the winning musician, with the cover song that's voted as being the best of the batch. The last time I had the pleasure of winning was three years ago for The Magnetic Fields tribute which is appropriate given they are my favorite band! After some ups, downs, not contributing as much, I bounced back within the past year (thank you dad and his love of Gordon Lightfoot) to try to record each month again. I consistently have fun doing this in addition to podcasting and writing. It certainly was something I did more of during lockdown. Sometimes there are far more recordings than others depending on the month (or the chosen artist) - I’ve included a spreadsheet link of previous winners!

Here's the scoop: A band is picked at the start of the month. Musicians have the full month to record songs by that band, or about that band, or in the style of the band - it's real loose! At the end of the month, we vote for our top three recordings. The winning entry selects the next month's band - PRF creator Zach Hench

Well, wow! I just won a second time with a band I knew little about - Saint Etienne - I chose to record an instrumental of theirs which you can hear linked below. Last time I chose to smash some pumpkins after winning. This time I want to see some lips on fire. The Soft Bulletin was a game-changing record for me back in 1999 and there's so much to choose from. October for PRF is The Flaming Lips month! I can't wait to hear what everyone records since again, they're all such talented, supportive musicians. If you're a musician, I encourage joining the group too! Gratitude to everyone who voted for me yesterday! I'm glad I still make time for music as much as film. Here are links to covers I’ve done over the years. Let me know if you listen to any of them by leaving a comment. Really happy with the ones that feature talented collaborators like Gary Gahan, Patrick Ripoll, Meghan Lamb, Audrey Weathers and a couple of great virtual drummers as well!

A List of Previous PRF Winners!

PRF Monthly Tribute Series

Promise that an official '5 Years' post is right around the corner but wanted to turn your attention to something very cool that I am also a part of too! I just won again!

My Cover Contributions (2019-present)

It's Only Time (winning track!)

My Madrigal feat. Meghan Lamb

Chinese Rock feat. Patrick Ripoll

Mental Hell feat. Patrick Ripoll

Outta Hand feat. Audrey Weathers

Velouria feat. Patrick Ripoll

Dreams feat. Audrey Weathers

I Remember It Well (winning track!)

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