Mouth Off

Girl Power Hour! Some of the best and brightest in the all-female a cappella world shine in this Girl Power Hour of non-stop music.

Out to Lunch with Christopher Diaz On a recent trip to L.A. to watch a taping of The Sing-Off, Dave caught up with Christopher, who dishes about his experience working on the show.

In the Studio with… Dave Sperandio Dave spends the hour with producer, musician, and community builder Dave Sperandio.  Dave and Dave chat about his studio Diovoce, the VocalSource producer network, the AACI, CASA, SoJam, and more.  Later in the episode, Dio makes a major announcement about a brand new CASA festival, coming this spring 2012.

Cool Chord of the Week Dave loves the dirty jazz chords of m-pact’s “Have a Talk with God” from their album m-pact (and sing iii: melange a trois). Head2Head Christopher pits the Tufts Amalgamates against UPenn Off the Beat in Matt Emery’s favorite Foo Fighters song “The Pretender.” Listener Mailbag Our Boston train friend Robyn writes in to share a favorite artist and friend, Emily Peal, and her new album Tunneling.  Another listener Becca has some choice words for Nick Lachey.  Meanwhile, Hildy writes in with a songwriting dilemma. Album Review Dave and Christopher love the University of Denver Idosingcrasies, whose inexperience sometimes bears out on their album DUly Noted.

This week Mouth Off welcomes guest host TOM ANDERSON! Around the Horn Loads of news from around the a cappella universe. AcaTube Dave is pumped about the new YouTube beatboxing channel by all-VP group Mouth Beats. Arrangement Spotlight Guest host Tom Anderson shows the mastery of Dylan Bell’s arrangement of Cadence‘s renowned “The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines.” Album Review UConn Extreme Measures‘ latest release Generation Ex shows the group’s heart and spirit, if also some amateur mistakes.  Dave and Tom see a promising future for this young group.

College–>Pro Special! In today’s special episode, Christopher and Dave review some of the greatest success stories in the road from college to pro a cappella singing. Good Ol’ Days Dave says every a cappella fan ought to know about Jonathan Minkoff and the boys of Blind Man’s Bluff. Arrangement Spotlight Christopher loves the use of arpeggiation and vocal “huh” sounds in Eclipse’s arrangement of the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Names You Should Know Dave thinks everyone should know the name of ICCA champion and Harmony Sweepstakes champion Chapter 6, originally from Millikin University. Do Quit Your Day Job Christopher tells the proud tale of internet (college turned pro) superstars Straight No Chaser. Album “Review”  There is no greater college to pro story than Take 6.  Their debut album Take 6 is still the gold standard for vocal gospel/jazz music.

Voices Only, continued… By popular demand, Dave and Christopher revisit last week’s Voices Only 2011 announcement, offering additional insights along the way. Music from the Future Dave predicts great things from Rutgers University Casual Harmony and their new album, due out this fall.  Click here to check out the album teaser. Hippity Hop Christopher is relieved to see some legit hip-hop in Overboard’s version of Ludcaris’s “How Low.” Album Review The boys are delighted at the refreshing, vocal approach and sense of identity on British sextet The Magnets’ new album, Gobsmacked.

Voices Only 2011 Track List Around the Horn Loads of news from around the a cappella universe. Disc One Dave announces the track lineup for Disc 1 of Voices Only 2011. New segment! Loop D Loop Christopher is more than intrigued by looper artist Bernhoft. Musical Mouthful A little morsel from Jamie Cullum’s “All At Sea” by the University of Chicago group Voices In Your Head has Dave pondering waves and layers and more.  Plus, versions by the University of Richmond Octaves and Brandeis Voicemale. Disc Two Christopher announces the track lineup for Disc 2 of Voices Only 2011.

Beach BBQ Playlist Whether you’re celebrating Independence Day weekend at the beach or at a barbecue, today’s playlist should help provide a soundtrack for the festivities. “I’d Like To” from I Used to Live Alone by Voices In Your Head at the University of Chicago “Fireflies” from All In by The Pitchforks at Duke University “Everything is Everything” from Balls to the Wall by the N’Harmonics at New York University “Come Together” from Help! by Overboard “What a Fool Believes” from …Sings Without Music, Vol. II by firedrill! “Summer Sunday” from Four by Fourshadow “Rock With You” from Remember: The Music of Michael Jackson by Duwende “Over My Head” from Ain’t Done Overnight by Voicemale at Brandeis University “Love On the Rocks” from Secret Handshake by sQ! at Tufts University “I’m Yours” from Back in Blue by Vocal Point at Brigham Young University “Who Are You” from Play the Game by the Beelzebubs at Tufts University “Dog Days” from Strugglebus by Mind the Gap at the University of Oregon “Under the Bridge” from You’re the Voice by Club for Five

Girl Power Dave has many good things to say about the ladies of Musae.  Facebook vids here.  Kickstarter link here. Song Suggestion Christopher thinks Oh Land’s “Son Of A Gun” would be fun to cover. Listener Mailbag Listeners write in with vocal trumpets, tough questions, and mashup praise. Album Review Despite a killer mix, UCLA Bruin Harmony‘s long-awaited debut album No More Bets yields a mixed review.

Around the Horn Voices Only 2011 announcement delayed because of rabid submissions, Perez Hilton loves the Red States’ take on Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep,” Peter and Evynne Hollens tear up “Seasons of Love,” Sing-Off casting decisions are in motion, Committed has a new single out called “Break Free,” Nick Lachey to host NBC broadcast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, CASA seeking High School Outreach Program Manager, Clare blogs about Aarhus, Matt Caruso says a cappella singers have their own language, Ben Stevens’s poem “Getful of Apples” has been set to music by Kari Frances, composer of Jordin Sparks’ “I Am Woman” thinks Musae is dope, Jeeves Murphy set up new FB fan page for Maryland/DC/NoVA a cappella scene, CAL Directors’ Retreat happening in Washington July 8-10, new CAL group auditioning in Philly/South Jersey/Delaware area, Perpetuum Jazille now on tour through US, Amarcord announces winners for their arranging contest, Jeston Lewis seeking participants for “Words” collaboration, and congratulations to the Hoffmans and Newmans on the arrival of their new aca-babies! In Your Earbuds Dave is loving this video of Fredo Austin’s appearance on The Daily Show, the Red States’ “Rolling In the Deep” vid, this mini Warbler working out “Teenage Dream,” Duwende’s MJ Tribute album Remember, Karsh Kale’s Indian-American influence on Bollywood soundtracks, and Coldplay’s newest single “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall.” 5 Minutes With… Clare Wheeler.  Find Clare’s latest blog here, and learn more about the Swingle Singers here. Album Review Christopher and Dave praise the focus of vision, if not the exact execution, on I Used To Live Alone, the newest record from the University of Chicago’s Voices In Your Head.

While Dave and Christopher take a summer vacation, please enjoy the world premiere of Maroon 5′s “Misery,” arranged by Christopher Diaz.  This track was performed, tracked, and edited by the students of A cappella Boot Camp Summer 2011, and mixed by Freddie Feldman at Vocomotion Studios.

Cool Chord of the Week Christopher gets shivers from a passing chord in Chris Juengel’s version of Elliott Smith’s “Say Yes.”  Download it FREE here. Song Suggestion Lea DeLaria’s jazz take on the epic “Black Hole Sun” inspires Dave to suggest that a cappella groups cover the popular Soundgarden song.  Paul Anka, the Vitamin String Quartet, the Tufts Amalgamates, N.A.M.B., and Alice pave the way for dramatic reinterpretations of the song. Music from the Future Christopher has a premonition that UO Mind the Gap might maybe release a new album that he calls a “pop music dream,” with lively takes on the Neon Trees’ “Animal,” Sara Bareilles’s “King of Anything,” and Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream.” Album Review Even if it’s a bit scattered in focus, the still-new Danish quintet Postyr’s debut release Postyr Project fascinates both Dave and Christopher, and spurs some pondering questions about avantgarde pop, the capabilities of the voice, and the future of a cappella.

Around the Horn #VerysomuchnewsXXL.  And Duwende funks up MJ. My New Girlfriend Dave praises the sensitivity and control of Northwestern Undertones’ Evelyn Jacoby on Regina Spektor’s “Eet.” Listener Mailbag Anne accepts Christopher’s invitation, Dave’s boyhood aca-hero writes in for advice, and Mike Boxer issues a challenge to fellow Mouth Off fans. Album Review Christopher and Dave agree that the UGA Accidentals have really hit their stride with their latest release A Gentleman’s Game.

EP Episode! Arrangement Spotlight A quick recap of this week’s Glee/Divisi mini-controversy that has the acappellaverse all a’twitter. Spit Loud You’ll have to accept our sincerest apologies for never having profiled the mega-genius beatbox pioneer Andrew Chaikin, aka Kid Beyond, on the show before. This Is Not An Instrument Christopher loves the Bobs take on Gershwin’s classic masterpiece “Rhapsody In Blue”. Album Review Christopher thinks the Cornell Touchtones‘ Fire My Imagination is a pleasant album, but isn’t very fiery or imaginative. Album Review Dave praises the high quality of Berklee Pitch Slapped‘s eponymous debut EP, and hopes for more groundbreaking creativity and identity on their next release.