Mouth Off

Around the Horn A cappella Boot Camp is almost full! Six13 wishes you a “Good Shabbos.” The CU Buffoons have a new record out! On the Rocks sings on on Sing On re: The Sing-Off. VoCAL Nation launches website, lineup for event in July. Cluster, Afro Blue, and a horde of the smartest a cappella people you ever heard of. July 13-15 2012. Be there. The Cheezies of Miami University release Front and Center. Never Level seminar by Tat Tong, James Cannon and David Longo in lovely Rochester, NY. Afro Blue pays tribute to Trayvon Martin with their version of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Corey Slutsky is putting together a (not so secret) crowdsourced a cappella track to be released on Memorial Day, with 100 percent of net proceeds being donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Great Deke blog: “Same as it ever was” — so damn true. Peter Hollens and Lindsey Sterling are taking off. The Seattle SoundBYTES have released their first single: “Desert Rose/Satrangi Re.” VG is the best. Spit Loud You really, really need to hear PASH, one half of Mad Twinz, a Russian beatboxing duo.  Watch this vid. [Click here for more info about AcappellaPsych] Loop D Loop Julia Easterlin is blowing minds with her stunning voice and layered harmonies. Album Review Opposing(?) views about Fhainkost, the newest album from German quintet Musix.

A Cappella Records Playlist Our good friends at A Cappella Records have a mission to bring a cappella music to the digital mainstream.  Oh, and they do all the licensing.  And they have friends in high places. Chris Crawford and the gang were kind enough to send us some of ACR‘s latest and greatest.  So kick back, relax, and enjoy some of today’s hottest a cappella tracks. Shalamonti Fel7al” Alaa Wardi Shalamonti Fel7al – Single “Jump For My Love” Oxford Out of the Blue RUSH “Animal” Bathtub Dogs Yao Lissen “Live Your Life” On The Rocks Sing On – EP “Shake It Out” Loreleis A Kick & A Wallop “I’m Yours / Tere Bina” Taal Tadka I’m Yours / Tere Bina – Single “Imma Be Rockin’ That Body” Beelzebubs Imma Be Rockin’ That Body – Single “Little White Church” Note-oriety I’ll Never Say “Dynamite” Forte 2 the Wire “Somebody That I Used To Know” Peter Hollens feat. Evynne Hollens Somebody That I Used To Know – Single “Safe & Sound” Acquire A Cappella Safe & Sound – Single “The Clock” Octopodes Code Blue “Waiting for the End” The Cheezies Front & Center “All Night Long” Suade GET VOCAL “Uprising” Juxtaposition Young At Eight

In the Studio with… Dhamakapella. After a great weekend at the SingStrong a cappella festival, Dave shares some favorite memories, plus a personal interview with the members of Case Western University’s fusion group Dhamakapella, including a private performance for a very special 9-year-old guest, and clips from the group’s recent album Pehli Nazar.

We are often asked what segments we most enjoy doing, or which ones are our favorites.  Since Dave is off preparing for SingStrong, and Christopher is rehearsing for an a cappella dream trip to Hong Kong, we figured this would be a good time to let our past selves do the talking. From July 11, 2010: Behind the Music How the heck did Northwestern Purple Haze make those cool sounds on their version of “The Process”?  Christopher gets on the phone with producer Ben Lieberman, who explains The Process step by step by step. From January 31, 2010: Names You Should Know Bobby McFerrin. The voice. For a great peek inside McFerrin’s brain, click here to watch him at the World Science Festival. From May 23, 2010: Did You Know? Catherine Lewis is back with another behind-the-scenes look at a famous song. Today’s story involves U2‘s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” Casey Casem, and sample band Negativland.  Christopher is intrigued by Negativland’s unique style, and Dave just wants to keep talking about copyright and trademark law. From January 16, 2011: Album Review After becoming addicted to their latest album Tarinoita, Christopher declares that Finnish group Rajaton is the best group in the world.  Dave implores you to buy it today (in Euros).

Listener Episode Music from the Future Jim Diego’s The Whitney Project is in our earbuds. acaTube Christopher shares some great videos from the interwebz, sent in by folks like YOU. -NYU N’Harmonics: “Disturbia” -Berklee Pitch Slapped: “Breakeven” -Jared Allen: “It’s Hard to Be Humble” -Postyr Project: “A Wave” Loop D Loop Dave is intrigued by former Swingle and current live looper Kineret Erez. -”American Boy” video -Watch the Swingles’ gorgeous video of Kineret’s brilliant arrangement of “Libertango” -Buy “Libertango” on mp3 Album Review The boys offer their thoughts on the boys of Wake Forest University’s Plead the Fifth, and their first major studio album Standing Room Only. -Standing Room Only on iTunes -A Cappella Records: About Plead the Fifth

Around the Horn ICCA Semifinals around the corner, ICHSA marches on, Harmony Sweeps season is underway, Euphonism has a new album Stuck In A Memory, Incredibox as a learning tool, Down 4 The Count new track, Who’s Your Daddy? has a new album Paternity Suit, World Choir Games coming up in Cincinnati, Danish jazz group Touché has a new EP out (with free downloads today!), Erato performs at Swedish Grammys, the AcaBelles Kickstarter, Centerville High School Forte Kickstarter, Eldred Key Elements Kickstarter, Memes and Pentatonix have collided, VoCAL Nation call for instructors, and Montreacappella. Girl Power The ladies of Maxx Factor are pioneering a public face for all-female singing ensembles.  They’re sure to be a hit at SingStrongDC in March! LOL Paul Peglar and Ben McLain will make you laugh as… Dakaboom. Album Review Chapter 6′s latest record Color By Number has Christopher smiling and Dave grinning ear to ear.

Happy President’s Day! Get your spring cleaning started with this awesome clean-your-closet playlist! “Listen To The Music” University of Oregon On the Rocks A Fifth “The Beat” Tufts University sQ! Windows Down “In The Waiting Line” University of Oregon Divisi Roots “Sweet Georgia Brown” Take 6 The Standard “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” Club For Five You’re The Voice “Hold On” Brigham Young University Noteworthy Defined “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” The Magnets Gobsmacked “RunRunRun” Postyr Project Postyr Project “Ganz Ganz Oben” The Musix Fhainkost “Hero” Riltons Vanner Japanmix “Lost?” Wake Forest University Plead the Fifth Standing Room Only

High School Focus Christopher shares the story of a new high school group that is quickly making waves for its maturity, commitment, and originality.  Centerville High School’s Forte is worth watching.  Check out their Kickstarter for their new all-originals project. 5 Minutes With… Calabasas High School Unstrumental, who recently took second place at the Los Angeles A cappella Festival scholastic competition. Album Review Stanford University’s Mixed Company’s new album, The Rush, has some great appeal, but at times feels a bit rushed.

Around the Horn You can still watch the UStream archive of the LA/AF concert, Boots and Cats video, Edge Effect definitely “Come Together,” nerdiest music tale ever, Varsity Vocals competition is in full swing (watch the results here), Deke Sharon dishes out some tough advice, some great original content from the ACappellaBlog, CARA nominations have been announced! 5 Minutes With… CASA President and CARA Co-Director Julia Hoffman. Sexypella Christopher is feeling mighty fine about songs from the Cornell Chordials, Sonos, Postyr Project, and an unreleased collaborative track from SoJam. Album Review The Washington University Stereotypes entertain with their new release, Tongue Tied.

My New Girlfriend Dave is crushing on the voice of Ilana Schwartz and her lead on Ingrid Michaelson’s “Die Alone” from Page 9 by the WashU Mosaic Whispers. Head2Head It’s a DISTURBIA FIGHT as Christopher pits the New York University N’Harmonics against Berklee College of Music Pitch Slapped in a battle for best cover of this ultra popular Rihanna song. Praisappella The Belmont University Beltones from Nashville, Tennessee, show great musical depth on their self-titled debut EP with a thoughtful arrangement of “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Album Review The James Madison University BluesTones’ latest release Black and Blue is their best yet, and sparks some interesting opinions and discussion.

It’s an EP-sode! In Your Earbuds Christopher is loving the latest EPs from USC Trojan Men, UNC Cadence, and NCSU Acappology. Around the World London-based French musician June Caravel recorded her first solo a cappella record before ever learning about the a cappella community.  Welcome June! Listener Mailbag Lots of chatter about LA/AF, the Bubs tour to Argentina, Vocal Forte’s new track list makes waves, Coldplay love for the Georgetown Phantoms, Postyr Project live streaming concert, m-pact bass man Trist Curless shares their new studio recording of the much-loved “My Funny Valentine,” and a fan from Philadelphia belts about the Broadway belt-off challenge. Album Review Mo5aic’s EP 5 is sonic bliss. Christopher and Dave both love it, and wonder what’s next for this superquintet. Album Review The self-titled debut EP from London-based all-female pro group the boxettes is promising, if surprisingly organic.

Around the Horn Soup2Nuts 2012 just wrapped up, London A Cappella Festival is next weekend, Nate Altimari and Rob Dietz have new websites and deep discounts, LAAF is selling out so get your tickets (!!!), Kickstarter was as big a success for Jim Diego as it was for Sonos, CARA nominating is almost over, Harmony Sweepstakes dates have been announced, Eric Whitacre is launching Virtual Choir 3, and BoyzIIMen are honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Music From The Future The brand new pro compilation Voices Only: Forte comes out next week, and Dave has got a scoop on the WHOLE compilation. Listen up and see if you can figure out who’s who! 5 Minutes With…Avi and Kevin from Pentatonix Christopher spends some quality time with the ‘meat and potatoes’ of Pentatonix, Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola. They laugh, they cry, they sing. It’s a good time. Album Review Club For Five‘s newest, Ihmiset, is as gorgeous, surprising, challenging and  compelling as expected, but maybe isn’t for everyone.  

Third Annual Mouth Off Awards! The 2011 Mouthys conclude with Part 3.  Best What Is Happeniiinnggg Moment, Best Sign for a Bright New Year, and predictions for 2012 from community leaders Robert Dietz, Julia Hoffman, and Florian Städtler. What an amazing year it was for a cappella.  Here’s to you in 2012.  

Third Annual Mouth Off Awards! The Mouthys continue.  In Part 2, we pass out awards for the biggest movers and shakers in the a cappella community, including best unsung hero of the community, best use of social media, best mainstream moment, and the coveted a cappella fan of the year. Part 3 coming soon…

Third Annual Mouth Off Awards! It’s time for the Mouthys, friends.  In Part 1, we review our top picks for the Music created or featured in 2011, including Video of the Year, Coolest Chord, Best Track, and more.  Part 2 coming soon…