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Hack-A-Song Fall \'25 Registration & Semester Recap!

Johnny Gallick - Wednesday, November 19, 2025
 Events 
Register for Hack-A-Song!

Register for Hack-A-Song Fall '25!
 

Register through the link HERE before Friday (11/21) at 5:00 PM to participate in Hack-A-Song Fall '25! Whether it's your full band, you going solo, or something in between, we strongly encourage you to sign up - IMO can also pair or group you with other musicians if you don't have a band but would like to songwrite with one!
 
What is Hack-A-Song?
 
In the same spirit of a traditional hack-a-thon, Hack-A-Song is IMO's semesterly 48-hour songwriting competition, open to musicians of all levels of songwriting experience! You'll have from Friday, November 21st at 7PM to Sunday, November 23rd at 7PM to write or produce a completely new and original song; you can use as many or as few of those hours as you wish!
 
We'll then gather in McConomy from 7-9PM on Sunday, November 23rd for our final showcase, where each act will either perform or present a recording of their song to their peers as well as our panel of esteemed judges!
 
What do I get if I win?
 
There are 3 different award categories in this semester's Hack-A-Song:

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD: All contestants are eligible; decided by popular vote! Winners will receive a performance slot on WRCT!

LIVE MUSIC AWARD: Eligible acts are those performing live; decided by the judges. Winners will receive reimbursement of up to $20 per member (up to $100 per band) for purchases at Guitar Center!

MUSIC PRODUCTION AWARD: Eligible acts are those presenting recorded music; decided by the judges. Winners will also receive Guitar Center purchase reimbursement!

Anything else?
 
This year, we're trying to incorporate the component of songwriting prompts to inspire your songwriting - if you'd like to submit prompts for the competition, do so through the form linked HERE.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the event, please reach out to Johnny (Email: johngall@andrew.cmu.edu or Discord: johnny_lad) or Chris (Email: ziangb@andrew.cmu.edu or Discord: prodefecto).
 
We hope to see you at Hack-A-Song Fall '25!
 
Keep on rockin' in the free world,
 
Johnny Gallick
IMO Co Prez
Halloween at HAVEN.

Halloween at HAVEN

It was absolutely incredible spending November 2nd with you all  for our Halloween Show at HAVEN (401 Atwood Street). It couldn’t have happened without all of you—y’all packed the house!

Thank you to all the bands—Mila Moon + Gibson Musisko (performing as The Pixies), Whisper (performing as Red Hot Chili Peppers), Obscure Spirits (performing as The Strokes), Lingo, Nullspace, Arthur & Friends, and Mist Isle—for absolutely tearing the house down!

Ufuk Kılınç performing at HAVEN.

IMO Office Hours + Weekly Jam

Because of Hack-A-Song, instead of our typical weekly jam, we will be using the time slot as a peer songwriting critique and feedback session! Come to the IMO Jam Room from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m to recieve feedback on your songs! 

We will also not host a jam on November 29th due to Thanksgiving Break!

Office Hours are still from 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m! Come by if you want space access or if you want to pitch a show for next semester! Key card access training can still be done by appointment as well - reach out to any exec member!
Ottoman Empire Performing at Scotty Saturday.

Scotty Saturday

Scotty Saturday on October 4th was a blast! Thank you yo everyone who came out to Legacy Plaza and Merson Courtyard for IMO's two afternoon sets!

Thank you to Lingo, Ottoman Empire, Whisper, Double Treble, Obscure Spirits and Half Past 7 for putting on incredible performances (huge shout out to Lingo for playing two sets)!

Check out @cmuimo on Instagram for more photos from the event!

Johnny Gallick performing at HAVEN.
Nullspace performing at HAVEN.
Hack-A-Song Fall '25 Judges!

Introducing our Hack-A-Song Fall '25 Judges! (from right to left):

Frank Mileto, multi-instrumentalist, bassist for 9FiftySeven (@9fiftyseven) 

Izy Feraca, IMO exec and singer-songwriter for Mila Moon (@milamoonxx)

Gibson Musisko, singer-songwriter for PosterChild (@posterchildpgh)

Felix Gabriel, singer-songwriter, sound designer and composer (@felixgabrielofficial)

Nick Piñon, Music Production Club exec and producer


We are incredibly lucky to have these musicians on our judges panel this semester!

Halloween '25 Pics!

Check out these incredible photos taken by our IMO photographer Zane Aqra (@412zane.does)!

Lingo performing at HAVEN.
Mila Moon w/ Gibson Musisko performing at HAVEN.
Gibson Musisko performing at HAVEN.
Lingo performing at HAVEN.
Whisper performing at HAVEN.
HAVEN, 401 Atwood Street.
Arthur & Friends performing at HAVEN.
Mist Isle Performing at HAVEN.

Jam Room Access During Hack-A-Song

Hack-A-Song officially begins on Nov 21st at 7PM. During the 48 hours, you will be able to book the IMO room (first come first serve!) at only 1 hour time intervals, and is specifically intended for usage by Hack-A-Song participants only. If you're unable to use the IMO room, there are other music rooms available for you to book (i.e. the 5C music rooms, HoA, CFA, etc.)

If this is at all an issue or you have any concerns about needing to access the jam room, please reach out to our Space Manager Deon (dkouatch@andrew.cmu.edu or kachow70 on Discord).