Is Coney Island best captured in a salsa rhythm or waltz time? Is the seaside resort a little bit country or a lot rock and roll?
That is what a couple dozen Brooklyn musicians have been trying to figure out with their entries to the Brooklyn Brewery’s Brooklyn, Sweden song contest.
This is the second year that the brewery has hosted the contest as a teaser for their borough-themed food, art, and music festival in Stockholm. Last year, the song prompt was the G train. This year, the company directed songsters’ attention to the People’s Playground.
“With Hurricane Sandy and the Mermaid Parade almost not happening, we thought it would be good to pay tribute to Coney Island,” said Brooklyn Brewery spokeswoman Maia Raposo.
Out of the nearly 40 songs submitted, there are 10 finalists. The winner gets a free trip to the Aug. 22 shindig in Stockholm. Here is a look at who is in the running.
Editor’s Pick: “Dreamland” by Ross Brunnetti — This weird synth pop gem chronicles the short life and fiery demise of the Coney Island amusement park Dreamland. It includes the line, rapped through Auto-Tune, “Senator Reynolds and some elegant gentlemen made a backroom deal to buy some land and develop it.”
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“Coney Island Eyes” by Ray Dafrico and the Shanghai Gesture — This Atlanta tunesmith offers up some sunny throwback pop rock about Sodom by the Sea, but he is from Georgia. What does he know about Brooklyn beach music?
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Abby & Chris – You Can Do It At Coney Island from Abby Kirschner on Vimeo.
“You Can Do it At Coney Island” by Abby and Chris — The Velvet Underground meets the Tratchenburg Family Slideshow Players. Together they make a hard-to-watch stop-motion video.
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“Coney Island Boy” by Noni Culotta and Massimo Sammi — This twee piano ballad channels Regina Spector and takes 1920s evening fashion for a walk on the beach. The duo will likely score points for their Brooklyn Lager product placement and, whether it is a function of expert internet marketing or grassroots interest, their YouTube view count is head and shoulders above the competition.
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“Freaks and Mermaids” by Sister Anne — This female-fronted garage rock band charms with full-throated vocals, punk guitars, and DIY camerawork. And it looks like they had a lot of fun making this. (WARNING: This video includes adult language.)
For the full list of finalist songs, check out the Brooklyn Brewery’s website. The triumphant troubador(s) will be announced this weekend.
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.