Mouth Off

2nd Anniversary Episode! Around the Horn Loads of news from around the a cappella universe! 30 Segments in 30 Minutes! 1. Musical Mouthful: BU Dear Abbeys –  ”Where The Streets Have No Name” 2. Music From The Future: Cluster and Erik Bosio 3. Girl Power: UNC Loreleis – “Did Ya Think” 4. acaTube: Tuukka from Club For Five with Bobby McFerrin 5.  Names You Should Know: Amy Englehardt 6. This Is Not An Instrument: Overboard’s “She’s Leaving Home” 7. 5 Seconds With…Peter Hollens 8. Song Suggestion: “Diamond Dave” by Bird & The Bee 9. Don’t Quit Your (Night) Job: Who’s Your Daddy? 10. Spit Loud: Roxorloops 11. Music From The Future: UGA Accidentals - A Gentleman’s Game 12.  acaTube: Postyr Project’s “Go! Don’t Stop!” 13.  Young & Original: Yale Duke’s Men – “The Quickest Road” 14. Cool Chord Of The Week: 4 Voices – “No No Nora” 15. Music From The Future: Sonos – “Motherless Child” 16. Sexypella: Sonos – “Wicked Game” Live In Memphis 17.  The Good Ol’ Days: The Bobs – “Helter Skelter” 18. Arrangement Spotlight: UNC Clef Hangers – “Feelin’ Good” 19. AcaTube: FSU All-Night Yahtzee – “Chariot” 20. Head2Head: Sam Sparr0′s “Black & Gold”- Cornell Chordials vs. Duke Pitchforks 21. Praisapella: Binghamton Kaskeset‘s Life Is A Highway 22.  I Just Gotta Say: Gonna miss you Riltons Vänner 23.  Classical Corner: Vanderbilt Melodores – “Sleep” 24.  High School Focus: XIV Hours from Durham Academy 25.  Listener Mailbag: Ilan Grossman and Columbia Nonsequitur 26. Around the World: Nota’s new “My Girl (Remix)” from Puerto Rico 27. LOL: BYU Vocal Point‘s “Telephone Opera” 28.  Listener Mailbag: A call from Plaid Productions 29. Better Than The Original: Mosaic‘s “Vecchia Zimarra” 30. My New Girlfriend: Amber Sembly on Duke RnB‘s “Run” It’s been an awesome 2 years! Thank you all for your constant love and support- here’s to many more years of silliness and a cappella! Love, Dave and Christopher

Listener Episode! Around the Horn Loads of news from around the a cappella universe! Around the World Christopher shares a couple emails from our friends abroad. LOL A cappella veteran John McMahon puts a smile on Dave’s face with his take on The Price Is Right theme song. Arrangement Spotlight Jazz aficionado Amanda Wansa writes in to explain the “why” behind the cool, crunchy jazz chords. Album Review Dave & Christopher have mostly glowing things to say about Group Therapy, the debut record from the University of Florida’s co-ed group No Southern Accent.

Songwriting: A Group Sport Today’s special episode features a live recording of Dave & Christopher teaching songwriting with esteemed guests and fellow instructors, DUWENDE, recorded live at VoCAL Nation 2011 in New York City.  Christopher shares his songwriting process (complete with unreleased clips!).  Duwende shares rarely heard stories about their songwriting process for their award-winning, all-original album Collective, and then they improv a song live right on the spot! Special thanks to Duwende for their time, their insider tips, and their general awesomeness.  Their new (first ever all-covers) album, Remember: The Music of Michael Jackson, releases May 24.  More info about the release here, and of course stay up-to-date on the group’s latest news at duwende.com. Thanks also to the Contemporary A cappella Society and CAL group Treble, who planned and executed a spectacular inaugural event in VoCAL Nation 2011.

2011 ICCA Finals (Part 2) The 2011 Finals of the International Championship of Collegiate A cappella were amazing, as always.  In this special 2-part episode, Jim Diego, Lo Barreiro, and Jonathan Minkoff join Dave and Christopher for a discussion of the best (and the not-so-best) from this weekend’s competition.  Plus loads of tips for competitors, philosophy, perspective, thoughts, laughs, and more. Part 2 of 2

2011 ICCA Finals (Part 1) The 2011 Finals of the International Championship of Collegiate A cappella were amazing, as always.  In this special 2-part episode, Jim Diego, Lo Barreiro, and Jonathan Minkoff join Dave and Christopher for a discussion of the best (and the not-so-best) from this weekend’s competition.  Plus loads of tips for competitors, philosophy, perspective, thoughts, laughs, and more. Part 1 of 2

Jazz Episode!! Song Suggestion Christopher hopes a group with a jazzy spirit will tackle Madeleine Peyroux‘s cover of Elliott Smith’s hauntingly gorgeous “Between The Bars“. York U Wibi, he’s talking to you. Cool Chord of the Week Dave’s real life hero and fellow BYU Vocal Point alum Jimmy Dunn recommends some absolutely delicious chords from Kurt Elling’s The Messenger. acaTube They sing about revolution, chlorine and giant super bananas, so why not jazz? Christopher is in love Riltons Vänner and Rigmor Gustaffson’s smooth take on “Black Coffee”. Album Review D & C are really digging the thoughtful and chic vibe of the multi CARA-nominated debut album Swept Away from Canada’s Six Vocal Ensemble, but wish they’d gotten a little bit more perspective in post production.

Around the Horn Deke Sharon and Dylan Bell writing a cappella arranging book, Peter Hollens (and Terry Thomas and Courtney Jensen) video “Pray” for Japan relief, T-Mobile Welcome Back spot wins British ad of the year, SpringSing coming… next year, VocalBlog posts about Boxettes and “Hong Kong: The Sleeping A Cappella Giant,” ICHSA/ICCA Finals just two weeks away, AcaBelles “Road to ICCA” vid, LoLo’s NoNo’s, A cappella Boot Camp filling up fast, Sonos Kickstarter album fundraiser going strong, aca people in Stadium of Fire video contest, Liz Lemon interviews for The Sing-Off, Cheap Flights vid is hilarz, in transit nominated for 4 Lortel Awards! Editor’s note: We mention that Bill Hare mixed “Pray”, when in fact it was Ed Boyer. We apologize for the slip-up! 2011 CARA Winners Dave and Christopher break down the results of the 2011 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards.  The winners, the losers, the jen’s and the jo’s, we’ve got all you need to know and hear for this season’s CARAs.

SpinSpinSpin 2011 Back by popular demand!  Grab your water bottle and crank up the resistance, it’s time for SpinSpinSpin. “Gotta Get You Into My Life” Firedrill …Sings Without Music Vol. 2 “Canned Heat” Out of the Blue University of Oxford Sing IV: Good Medicine “Days of Desire” The House Jacks Level “U B Thee 1″ Scott Leonard Tokyo Robots “768″ Naturally 7 Vocal Play “Rebel Yell” The Beelzebubs Tufts University Play the Game “Let It Rock” The Clef Hangers University of North Carolina Twist “Ramalama (Bang Bang)” The Chordials Cornell University Shake the Poet “Mindburn (Remix)” Ascending Height Turn It Up “Bang” Rockapella Bang “Born This Way” Peter Hollens Born This Way (Single) “Love Train” The Hyannis Sound Sing 3: melange a trois “Here (In Your Arms)” The Hangovers Cornell University Three Sheets To the Wind “Goodbye” The Sweet Signatures Elon University Love Affair

In Your Earbuds Dave & Christopher share their latest favorites: Esperanza Spalding, Adele, James Blunt, Cake, DeadMau5, Grizzly Bear & co. “kenya” for charity, James Blake, old Gaga, and new bad music from James Cannon. This Is Not An Instrument Christopher says Manhattan jazzers West Side Five might have the best vocal brass you’ve ever heard. Monster Mash As Dave prepares for his a cappella birthday party, a.k.a. VoCAL Nation, he’s loving the Swingle Singers‘ mashup of Beatles classics, “Blackbird” and “I Will.” Album Review Christopher & Dave agree that the Pitchforks from Duke University’s latest record All In shows the same A+ talent that the community has come to expect from them, if perhaps not the same focus of vision.

Around the Horn VoCALnation is only two weeks away and theworkshopsaregoingtobeamazing, BYU Vocal Point has a new album, the Warblers (ahem, Bubs) are getting their own album, new album from LA/AF faves Simply Put, Alex Green and Alexander Koutzoukis go Plaid, AOL announces a cappella March Madness competition, CASA posts short list of top 10 collegiate albums in each category, CARA winners announced April 1, Berklee Pitch Slapped debut EP available for preorder, French beatboxer EKLIPS recaps history of hip-hop in 4 minutes, Shane Stever covers Bruno Mars’ “Grenade,” Peter Hollens pwns Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” Freddie Feldman Vocomotion Kickstarter project a big success, A Cappella Boot Camp is happening again!, SMACC happening April 1-3 at Syracuse University, and The Sing-Off has gone Dutch! Around the World Israel’s newest young group Quinta & A Half has a jazzy little groove. Arrangement Spotlight Seasoned arranger Robert Dietz makes a guest appearance, as an email from a fan prompts a discussion about interpretive arranging.  (View Robert’s articles here and here). Album Review Scott Leonard’s solo a cappella project Tokyo Robots is an impressive (if sometimes scattered), inspiring danceable, blast of an album. (lots of A segments today for some reason)

In The Studio with Bill Hare After nearly 30 years playing, recording, and producing some of the best music around, Bill Hare is just as proud of the a cappella community as he is of his shiny new Grammy award.  Dave & Christopher sat down with Bill for a chat about his career, his adventures around the globe, and his predictions for the future of the community.

Around The Horn Nominations are still open for the ACAs, SingStrong is NEXT WEEKEND!, VoCALnation is coming up March 25-26, Voices Only accepting submissions starting March 1 and offers new consulting service, Swingle Singers are looking for a new alto, Pete Hollens has a new vid out, Witloof Bay adds Roxorloops and reps for Belgium in Eurovision Song Contest, Tat Tong and Russell Kemp are bringing a new aca-contest, ICCA/ICHSA results are pouring in, New Yorker organizing Spring Sings around city, Mutual of Omaha airs a commercial featuring barbershop, Rob Dietz has an engaging article on creative arranging on CASA.org and Rockapella has tracks on Rock Band! Head2Head Christopher compares two jumpin’ covers of Ne-Yo’s “Closer” as he pits Duke University’s Rhythm & Blue against Ithaca’s Ithacappella. Five Minutes With… Kate Austin Dave spends some time with Kate Austin, former music director of Elon University’s all-female Sweet Signatures, and vocal assistant on season 2 of NBC’s The Sing Off. Album Review The Elon Sweet Signatures‘s newest CARA-nominated album Love Affair is full of songs we want to hear by girls we want to know.

Listener Episode! In the Basement An email from Mouth Off fan Alex Swango touts the 5-octave range from bass man Paul Kennamer, Jr., from southern gospel group Valor. Names You Should Know Dave is refreshed by He Said, She Said, a collection of duets by Angie Doctor of Clockwork fame and Dan Schumacher of The Bobs, arranged and produced by Richard “Bob” Greene. New segment! On Broadwayyyy Listener Jonathan Ng suggests USC Reverse Osmosis’ cover of Jason Robert Brown’s “Someone To Fall Back On” as a perfect first clip for Christopher’s favorite new segment. Album Review The boys review the Electrify, the newest album from high school a cappella trendsetters and The Sing-Off competitors Eleventh Hour, out of Kettering-Fairmont High School in Ohio.

Around the Horn ACA nominations aaaare haappeniiiing; Boxettes are auditioning, singing “Free”, and touring the universe; “Changes Are Afoot” at CASA; Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town are heading on tour; Harvard Opportunes grad Molly Swenson voted through to Hollywood on American Idol; Sonos goes to five; AcappellaBlog predicts certain death for aca groups in hypothetical killer zombie attack; ICHSA and ICCA seasons are heating up; West Virginia group is (not has) VD; SingStrong is only three weeks away; Courtney Jensen How-To Beatbox DVD available for presale; VoCAL Nation will be hosted by the Child of Charleston. acaTube Christopher is getting sweaty watching a music video (yes, that’s still a thing) by the Swingle Singers with their steamy “Libertango”. Music from the Future Dave spots a diamond in the rough in the nascent jazz group Simply Put, based out of southern California. Album Review The boys review the beautiful, broken-down Beauty in the Breakdown, by Danish a cappella choir(?), Vocal Line.

LA/AF 2011 Report Dave shares all the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles from his trip there for the Los Angeles A cappella Festival last weekend, including audio from UCLA Bruin Harmony, The Backbeats, Jake Moulton (and guests!), and not-a-boy-band Mosaic. 5 Minutes With… Tekay. Christopher spends at least five minutes with a cappella community pioneer Thomas “TeKay” King, whose group DeltaCappella is currently providing the vocal orchestra for Opera Memphis’s a cappella production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 2011 CARA Nominees The boys review the list of nominees for the 2011 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards, complete with clips and predictions for winners.