PRF Tributes 2021
Jan. 7, 2021
By Ashley Altadonna
For the last several years I have participated in a monthly covers contest amongst an international group of independent musicians collectively known as the PRF. The group’s Bandcamp page describes the contest this way, “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. Good times and killer recordings since 2014!”
Personally speaking, recording these covers has been a real source of creative inspiration and learning. It has allowed me to dissect other artists’ work and explore the elements that make up some of my favorite songs. The PRF Monthly Tribute series has also been a great way to discover amazing artists or albums that I might have otherwise not pursued. For instance, I still can’t believe I hadn’t listened to Kate Bush for example, before trying to learn her song “Army Dreamers”.
As Covid essentially brought touring, playing shows, or just practicing to a halt, having the tribute contest has been a way to stay musically active. In the past 2 years I have increased my knowledge of home recording techniques and even picked up some better equipment. But the best part of the Monthly Tribute series has undoubtedly been getting to be part of an online community with such incredibly talented musicians and awesomely supportive folks. I’ve gotten to collaborate on several songs with people whom I count as friends, even though we’ve never met face to face.
As this new year begins, I’ve collected my best submissions to the PRF Monthly Tribute contest from 2021. I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed making them.
PRF Tributes 2021 Track List:
ELO - From The End Of The World
Radiohead - I Promise
Gary Numan - Film
Sloan - I Am The Cancer
Yazoo - Situation
Roxette - Surrender
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
Jimmy Webb - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Stereolab - Peng 33
Tubeway Army - Down In The Park
Joni Mitchell - Sex Kills
Sloan - I Hate My Generation
They Might Be Giants - Everything Is Catching On Fire
Big Star - O My Soul
Beastie Boys - I Don’t Know
Radiohead - You And Whose Army?
