TheSpotlight

While in the Boston area earlier in 2020, we were delighted to spend some time with Voices of Soul from Brandeis University. In 2019, they launched a new event bringing together collegiate groups from around Boston, and we talked about where that might go in the future, along with how they had been taking advantage of a low-turnover year. We also lament the death of their "King Of Getting Things Done," Andrew. Then we find out he's not dead.

Led by Christopher Diaz, the Ars Nova from Dayton, Ohio's Miami Valley School hasn't been around all that long - but in only a handful of years, they've developed a sound that's impressive. The school (Pre-K through 12th grade) has only about 500 students, and we talk with the group about arts programs in such a small school. We discuss the decisions they're making around their first album, and lots more - and hear them sing in our mobile studio!

In late January of 2020, we sat down with Distilled Harmony to talk about how they balance the group between pressures of competition and the desire to have fun and be chill once in a while, how they experienced the recording process when creating their latest album, and more - and they sang for us live in the mobile studio!

Argyle High School's Remedy has only been around a few years, but is already sounding strong. They've been dramatically increasing their rehearsal time and productivity - and thus, their quality - since they got started. We brought them into the mobile studio to sing for us, and to talk about the secrets to their group's rapid evolution.

It was a fun time when we brought Bostonality into the mobile studio! We explored the role of creepiness in the group (they're not creepy - I promise!), discussed how to be serious about the music but not ourselves, and talked about when it's time to record. Along the way, they sang some great live tunes!

We brought the Scaliwags from Indiana's Charlestown High School into the mobile studio to hear more about their story and their music. We talked about the importance of bowling in their group development, and the value of growing a reputation in recruiting new members. They also sang some of their songs for us live!

In a 2020 visit to Boston, we were so happy to bring The Eight Tracks back into the studio for another session. With almost 100% turnover since we talked to them last, that was a big focus of conversation, along with their Harmony Sweepstakes experience (and what they might do differently next time). Plus, might there be more recording ahead from the group? Tune in and hear about it! (They also sounded great on some live tunes...)

While at the 2019 SING! Texas festival, we invited Overly Chromatic from the University of Texas San Antonio into the mobile studio. We wanted to find out about how the early years of the group are going, what it's like to start the first a cappella group on campus, and how they're raising their profile on campus and beyond. While together, we heard them sing some of their current rep for us as well!

The seven members of UMass group Doo Wop Shop put out a sound and blend that's impressive. While together, they shared that with us, singing several live tunes. We also sat down and talked about recording, and what kinds of recording products make sense these days - and they shared just how far they've come from their humble beginnings! Recorded in 2020.

We always enjoy spending time with the members of Crimson and Slate. It has been a little bit since we'd seen them, so we had lots to catch up on, including performing in Hawaii, the role (or not) of competitions vs. festivals, and more - plus, they sounded great singing some tunes for us live! Recorded in 2019.

The Toccatatones from High Point University began their time with us by sharing their significant origin story and how their name came about, then discussed the key roles of energy and positivity within the group. Also, after a year of significant turnover in the group, they discussed the kinds of building and growth in store this year. Plus, they sang for us!

Duly Noted is one of multiple groups from Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. While together, we dive into how they approach choreo (with the help of FaceTime), how they manage the stress of competition, and much more. They also share some of their current songs with us!

It was a delight to spend some time with the guys of Rockapella in the mobile studio. We talk about how they got started, the highlights along the way, and how the group is continuing to thrive these days as well. The group was generous enough to sing us some songs as well.

Special Edition comes to us from North Olmsted High School just outside Cleveland, Ohio. While together, we learn about the backstory of the group, the pros and cons of a smaller a cappella group, and why they shy away from competition in favor of festivals. We also hear them perform some of their current music for us.

Room 100 is one of several impressive ensembles at Peters Township High School, and in this episode, we talk about the whole scene and where Room 100 fits in. While in the mobile studio, they also sang some of their current repertoire.

While at a festival in Texas, we sat down with Madison Avenue, a group from James Madison High School in San Antonio. We talk about the role of competition in the group, making friends in a cappella, and creating "little gem" moments in performance. Plus, they sang for us in the mobile studio! Recorded in 2019.

As the last of the founders of the group have begun to leave, we talk with VOLT about how to keep the best of those traditions alive while deciding which others need to change. VOLT talks about preparing for competitions vs. festivals, and how they're using the power of theme this year in building their rep. Plus, they sing some of their current music! Recorded at SoJam 2019.

Recently, the Pitchforks celebrated their 40th anniversary as a group, so we took the opportunity to talk about grappling with the legacy of a long-time successful group - and dish about how the alumni sounded four decades later. We learned about their regular Hamptons show, and heard them sing their current rep!

While in North Carolina, we sat down with the UNC Walk-Ons about their evolution as a group, both musically and in terms of process. They sounded great as they sang some tunes live for us, and we had some laughs as they shared some stories.

Gestalt made a big splash when they were founded in 2016 - and haven't looked back since. In this episode, we bring Gestalt into the mobile studio to talk about how they're charting their path today, sing some of their current repertoire, and look ahead. Recorded in November 2019.

The Tarpeggios (or Tarps) are one of the newest groups on the UNC Chapel Hill campus, but in their relatively young tenure, they've covered a lot of bases - from recording to competing and more. We talk about it all, hear them sing some live tunes, and look to the future.

It's a rare day when our East Coast and our West Coast team members are all together - so when we were in the same room recently, we recorded this special podcast-only episode of #TheSpotlight, to commemorate the 300th show. Take a listen behind the scenes and enjoy some stories and laughs with the group!

While at SoJam in early November 2019, we brought No Southern Accent into the mobile studio to hear them sing, catch up on what's new with them, and talk about their brand-new album, Permanent Address.

The members of Rutgers' Kol Halayla were kind enough to come into New York while we were there in early October 2019, joining us in the mobile studio to sing some songs and share their evolution as well as some of their special concerts and competition work.

While in NYC in early October, guest-host Rachael had a chance to catch up with Aperture, a very new group based in Los Angeles. They talk about all of their preparations for entering into (then successfully competing in) the AcaOpen, as well as preview some fun things on their horizon. They also sing for us!

In only two years (more or less), Reverb has launched itself as a presence in the NYC a cappella scene. We talk about the joys and challenges of the startup phase, from defining the group through managing personnel changes in the early years. They share stories and songs in this episode, recorded in early October 2019.

Concrete is a post-collegiate sextet based in New York City, and while we were in NYC in early October 2019, we sat down with them. They talked about how the group has evolved through size and personnel changes, how they are feeling about their rep and sound these days, and more - and they sang some tunes in our mobile studio.

Gotta Sing! is a quartet borne from a Sweet Adelines chorus in Santa Monica, California, and just in the year they've been together, they've already achieved a lot! We talk about the ramp-up of a new quartet, the relationship between quartets and choruses, and how to get more quartets started. Just hours before they took the Harmony Sweepstakes finals stage, we also heard them sing!

Every time we bring Halfway to Midnight into our mobile studio, we have a good time. This time around, the Bay Area post-collegiate group talks about recording, and what kinds of trade-offs and decisions are involved; we talk about becoming a sub in the group one month before a national Finals competition, and about perfecting the art of slow-but-steady. The group also sings some of their current rep for us!

We had a great discussion with the Westminster Choir College Deaftones when they joined us in the mobile studio - they talked about re-engaging with competition after a rough time, about how they pick tunes, and about why they're excited to bring contemporary a cappella into their music classrooms after they graduate and start teaching. They also sounded great singing for us, too!

In 2019, just before the Baudboys took the stage at the National Harmony Sweepstakes Finals (and placed in the top three!), they came into our mobile studio to talk about everything from their early days to a performance that could have gotten them fired from their day jobs. We discuss their new approach to recording, their experiences at the Sweeps over the years, and much more. Plus, they sounded great on some live tunes!

Furmata joined us in the mobile studio while at the 2019 Annual Northwest A Cappella Festival, and in addition to singing some tunes for us live, they shared their background and how they've been focusing on significant musical improvement in recent years. They discussed the value of an "off year," and what they're looking forward to in the year to come.

Forecast has been together for several years, through some personnel changes, and has emerged as a harmonic force, competing well in both the Barbershop Harmony Society circles and at the Harmony Sweepstakes. Hear about their experiences, and their songs that got them 2nd place in the country!

The Pace University FREQUENCY has only been together as a group for two years, and in that time has advanced to the ICCA semifinals twice, all while figuring out their routines, processes, rituals, and vibe. We talk about it all on this episode - and catch some of their tunes live!

Vocal quartet RESOLVE hasn't been together all that long, but in that time, they've already started building an impressive reputation with their music. On the afternoon of the National Harmony Sweepstakes Finals (which they won!), we talked with them about their journey and how they're developing their sound. Plus, in our mobile studio, they share their buttery, smooth sound on some music!

In late April 2019, we spent time with the Mixtapes of NYU again - it had been a few years, and it was great to catch up again. This time, they talked about how their sound is evolving, and how they're making plans for a new year with very little turnover. Plus, they sing some songs in our mobile studio!

While at the Harmony Sweepstakes finals, we spent time with the gentlemen of Drive, a barbershop quartet that covers all kinds of music. We talk about replacing a member of an existing quartet, the differences between competing in a barbershop contest vs. the Sweeps, and how they're changing they way they record their music. Plus, some tunes!

While at the Annual Northwest A Cappella Festival, we spent an hour with Willamette University's Headband. In our interview, they talked about charting a new course for the group and re-entering the competitive a cappella world. They also sang some tunes in our mobile studio - and revealed which collegiate group is their role model!

Final Melody, a post-collegiate group from the Chicago area, spent time with Rachael late in 2018, talking about their experiences with America's Got Talent, the Harmony Sweepstakes, and growing a group after college. They also share some tunes. (Note that there were some audio issues with the recording of this session; we cleaned them up a bit, but you'll still notice. We apologize!)

Blue Light Special is one of fairly few community/junior college a cappella groups in the US. In this session of #TheSpotlight, we talk with them about developing their reputation across the region, setting up new structures and policies, and growing a group on a community college campus. Plus, they sing some tunes!

Recently as a part of the Annual Northwest A Cappella Festival (ANWAF), we sat down once again with the University of Oregon Mind The Gap. It had been a few years, and we caught up about their new membership and sound, what they've got planned for the year ahead, and a failed bake sale. Plus, they sing several tunes in our mobile studio!

After an amazing night of high school a cappella, The Thursdays placed third at the ICHSA finals this year. The next day, they say down with us, singing their set in our mobile studio, talking about their journey this year, and how this year's experience was different than those in the past.

We had a great time talking with HOWL and hearing their new rep. We discussed how their experiences with HOWL evolved as they grew their families, and they revealed an exciting new direction for the group!

While we were in New York for the 2019 ICCA and ICHSA finals, we spent time with Oak Creek HS Knight Club out of Wisconsin. They sang their set, and talked about the role of competition over the last several years, how they've evolved, and what's ahead.

Our mobile studio goes to some odd places - hotel rooms, meeting rooms, classrooms - and, in this case, a very small dressing room. Fortunately, consummate professionals The Real Group took it in stride, and talked with us about their work over the decades. Interspersed are some of the songs from their live performance the night before at BOSS 2019.

In this episode, we talk with New Manchester HS InToneNation about their road back to the ICHSA finals, how they experience festivals and competitions differently, and what they take away from this year's experience. Plus, hear their ICHSA national-award-winning set, performed in our mobile studio!

The Allegrettos have gone through some transitions over the last few years, and talk with us about where they've been and where they're going. We discuss the role of recording and their efforts to get a new project out the door. And they sing some tunes for us!

Impromptu talks with us about the transition from collegiate to post-collegiate a cappella, and charting a course for a new group - in terms of goal-setting, rep choices, and more. Plus, they sing for us in our mobile studio.

In Boston in April 2019, we spent time with the members of University of Florida's No Southern Accent on the heels of their great BOSS competition performance. Hear their tunes as well as what they've been up to recently!

It had been a couple of years since we last talked with Mixed Mode, so it was a great chance to sit down with them again to talk about how the group has evolved and their music has changed. They also sang several songs for us live!

At WeSing 2019, we sat down with members of a group recently formed in Oakland, California to talk about this community collaboration and the music they're making.