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.