This is an open call for song submissions for a companion CD to the Manhater movie. We are producing a 10-15 song, multi-artist CD to be released in tandem with the movie and the soundtrack CD. These three products will support each other in the market--cross-promotion that will increase audience interest and help generate sales that none of them might reach on their own.

The song that is deemed of highest commercial potential (both in standing alone and cross-promoting the movie) will be placed on both CD's, thus doubling the royalty. If possible, a music video will also be produced for this song.


What should the songs be about?

Manhater is about a woman who has endured a series of terrible relationships and thrown in the towel on men. Circumstances turn the tables and her ex-boyfriends start being killed--an unusual story of revenge and redemption. However for the CD this theme will be placed in a real-world context--songs not literally about killing off your ex-lover (though there may be a metaphorical extrapolation) but of a woman learning to take control, overcome her relationship woes in self-determining ways, becoming strong in the process.

There are two ways to go with these songs--full story or "snapshot."

1. A full story song should loosely follow this broad Manhater plot, if only in metaphor. The main character should arc from being weak and downtrodden to powerful and free.

2. A partial story or snapshot should tell just one piece of this, focusing on the emotion of one moment or one event--depression, anger, hopelessness, revenge, triumph, inner peace--there are many choices here.

A single word to describe these songs is emotional but I'm also looking for few songs with some serious attitude. This will not be a fluff CD but one that takes the listener from pitiful lows to fighting anger and ultimately triumphant highs. Individual songs may be sad but the overall CD will not be depressing. The Manhater theme is to empower and overcome.

The lead song should be aimed at an 18-30 female audience, though it may gather some male audience if the emotions are justified. Think of Alanis Morrisette's "You Oughta Know" or "Uninvited." Note that in those songs the villain is one man, not all men. There are good men out there, just not yet found in many cases.


What kind of song?

The genre is somewhat open but look at the playlist on KROQ.com for stylistic inspiration--Green Day, etc--rock or alt rock is preferred. The lyrics should be clearly heard so stay away from shouting styles such as punk. I'm not completely ruling out other genres--folk, pop, hip hop, rap--but they'd better be great; ultimately the quality of the song and talent of the artist will be the deciding factors. Sorry, not interested in R&B, jazz or country for this album.

New:  Please listen to the Song Samples link at the top of this page!

The song chosen for the video will need to succeed with multiple factors--song quality (music & lyrics), voice talent, sound production quality, the look, the moves, the magic...

If we can make a video it will be edited into two versions--one to include scenes from the Manhater movie and one to stand on its own.


Who is allowed to submit?

The artist should be female or a female singer in a band, currently unsigned to a record label. There is no hard restriction on the number of songs to be included from one artist, though two or three is a practical maximum.


The Business

All songs (music and lyrics) must be original and previously unreleased except for your own direct sales via your own website or indie sites such as CDBaby.com. In other words, no prior commitments to record companies. If you have a previous commitment/agreement with a producer they will also need to an agreement with Canyon Falls, to these terms. Of course you must not be under an exclusive contract to any record company or publisher.

For sales of this CD or sales of any individual track derived from the compilation (such as one or more songs from an iTunes-like service) you will receive artist royalties as writers/performers using BMI standards. Any payments due to your producers or recording companies is your responsibility; payments shall be made to them from your income according to your own prior agreements.

We will be contracting for nonexclusive rights, worldwide for this project. Good for us since we will be able to sell the CD (or tracks) without restriction; good for you since you will continue to be free to sell your song otherwise, sign with any record label, market your song for other producers/projects, etc.

You will retain other publishing rights to your recording.

Music and lyrics may be written by different people but we will contract both together under the same agreement.

We do not currently have the ability to produce new songs so that's your task, though if you are creating a new song for this project, please ask for our feedback (taking it or not!).

And of course, you must be 18 years of age or older, legally able to make such an agreement.


And finally, my little pep talk:

Making music or movies is a difficult task but if you're like me you're driven by an instinctual need. You need to create your art; it's a flame that never dies. Still, we want an audience. We want to share our creations for both personal and financial reasons. But there are many rules in these creative businesses, many obstacles to those who think they can never break through or become overwhelmed by the competition. Ignore it. Just tune it out. It's beyond your control. Truth is, we sometimes put up walls because it's easier (and less painful) to fail than to work to succeed.

Talent and quality will find its audience, so keep your standards high. Believe--it's the strongest tool you have.

Phil Calderone, Canyon Falls Productions

Please submit mp3's by email to: mail@canyonfallsproductions.com

or CD's by mail to:
Canyon Falls Productions,  713 W. Duarte Road, #G507,  Arcadia, CA  91007-7564