Oft-Asked Questions
Before you plunder the depths of this FAQ, a great many of your questions might be succintly and charmingly revealed through this informative film on Tiny Anthems.
How does this work?
Using a state-of-the-art questionnaire, those seeking immortality are invited to answer a few simple questions intended to reveal various dimensions of the subject. Due to increased demand, we cannot approve every song request we receive. If your song is approved, we will reach out about due date and begin the intake process.
Why are you doing this?
In addition to just ENJOYING making funny and heartwarming songs, Tiny Anthems is really about telling people's stories. There is historical, cultural, and spiritual precedent for the healing and concretizing power of a well-told story. Having studied bardic storytelling tradition, music composition, mythology, audio engineering, and philosophy, we are basically just excited to have found a point of synthesis for our disparate skillset.
How do I get the song?
Upon completion of the work, we will email you a digital file! For no additional charge, we are happy to make custom art to accompany a CD or Tape. Songs, if given approval by you, can also be made available for free on Spotify and other streaming services. Vinyl pressings are available with original artwork at a cost of $100.
How much does it cost?
Our work is sliding scale to the best of our abilities. Pieces take an average of 20-25 hours, and our fee is based on demand and each person's unique circumstances. Pieces can range from $300-800, which includes the piece, a detailed description of the process, a transcript of the lyrics, and a physical copy. We occasionally accept reduced rate or even free requests on a limited basis.
How long does it take to get my sweet sweet song?
Due to heightened demand, our wait time is considerably longer than in years' past. We suggest allowing two months minimum, but sometimes wait times can get as high as a year. Upon receiving a submission, we'll do our best to accurately estimate a turnaround, but please also understand that this is ART, and at the end of day, there will always be a bit of a mystery in terms of timing.
Are you actually writing original pieces for each person?
Yes. We legitimately never use pre-recorded or pre-written material. Everything we compose is ACTUALLY written only after we read and digest your submission.
What will the song sound like?
We have lots of samples available, but our wheelhouse is quite broad. If your dad is real folksy, we'll incorporate aspects that would appeal to him. If your daughter is REALLY into pokemon, we might use little soundbites from the game to make something she'd flip out about.
Is this as amazing as is it kind of seems like it is?
Yes.
Do you play live?
Yes, sometimes we do events like markets, weddings, etc.
Other Questions? Contact Me!
You can reach Mike at TinyAnthems@gmail.com. Even if you're bored and just want to say hi, he'll probably email you back in a weirdly short amount of time, because he's just like that!
What is Tiny Anthems?
Tiny Anthems is a way of commissioning an artist to compose and record an original piece of music about you or a loved one. The idea is that by contributing information that you find most relevant about yourself or another recipient, you’re participating in a kind of dialogue. The other part of the dialogue is taken up by the artist, where we create an anthem or kind of theme song about the subject based on the information and intuition. Composed works, whether strictly instrumental or with singing are meant to capture something of the essence of the subject.