The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Eight Beat Measure

Eight Beat Measure began in 1987 as the RIT Men’s Octet. Originally faculty-lead and formed as an extension to the RIT Singers, they quickly expanded their horizons and branched into the world of contemporary a cappella, changing their name to Eight Beat Measure to reflect the new attitude, and expanding from only eight members. The group now sings hip-hop to rock to Irish folk, so there is something for everyone in their repertoire. The boys continue to raise the heat for their audiences at two annual concerts, and now they’re ready to compete on stages all across the country. That heat is in full force on Hollow, the second to last tune on the second Voices Only 2020 album. We sit down with soloist Jarrell Green to talk about this Matt Goldstein arranged powerhouse!

Listen to the song at https://open.spotify.com/track/3dD8EYlNKLMUaPmwbcGEZp?si=Nf9ZPlAGRAGWfAcL9ONSTQ.

Learn more about the group at https://8beat.org.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Maize Mirchi

Founded in 2007, Maize Mirchi was brought together by two students who decided it was time to fuse together two cultures with the power of voice, and bring a new genre of performance to the a cappella stage. Since then, their passion for learning music, their love for beautiful sounds, and their connection to South Asian culture has only grown. Those elements are represented in the gorgeous mash up of Winter Bird and Albela Saja, originally performed by Aurora and Ustad Rashid Khan, respectively. We sit down with arranger Prakash Kumar to talk about this beautiful tune, soloed by Olivia Pak and Swathi Sampath.

Listen to the song at https://open.spotify.com/track/2UsPpQgcKivAGWXXEe5OwG?si=GcCHK8emSBmBExrmkh06Gg.

Learn more about the group at http://www.maizemirchiofficial.com.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Highline Vocal Jazz

Highline is a vocal jazz quintet comprised of five friendly friends who really like singing. The group was founded in December 2017 and has been creating music videos for original, tight 5-part arrangements ever since. Based in NYC, they perform in the tri-state area and beyond, such as headlining N.E. Voices 2020, opening for DCappella on tour, and setting the stage for Kathie Lee Gifford at the 2019 Nashville Pops Holiday Show. We sit down with the group’s arranger, Jared Graveley, to talk about their rendition of the jazz standard, How High The Moon.

Listen to it at https://open.spotify.com/track/5edHUd37KiVPLm5bTfkU4S?si=xrfGFvk-Q8uVPkOO5JTpKQ.

Learn more about the group at https://www.highlinevocaljazz.com.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – POSTYR

The Danish vocal group POSTYR gives vocal music a facelift with their five voices, one computer and catchy melodies. The group has become known worldwide for their characteristic and evocative sound, combining four gripping voices with sampled beats and heartfelt songwriting, also making POSTYR’s live performances unprecedented in the international music landscape. We sit down with the group to talk about their hauntingly beautiful original tune, No Home Without You, arranged by Line Grodt and Tine Freese-Ronsfeld and sung by Lucas Tuan Minh Hoang.

Check out the tune at https://open.spotify.com/track/4zfirdmBYkGbCAdU01cPRu?si=W70eC9nWRX2ZSjUSn2MLjg.

Learn more about the group at http://postyrproject.dk.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Docacappella

Mark Silverberg, aka Docacappella, takes a page right out of musical satirist Weird Al Yankovich, with IT Guy, an original tune written, arranged, and sung by Silverberg and featuring Chris Harrison from ARORA. We sit down with Mark to talk about this tune’s selection for Voices Only 2020!

Listen to the song at https://open.spotify.com/track/16oG0mzUIE2skG7TxLiidW?si=gnsasUi9QmibNTR5WqWBkQ.

Learn more about Docacappella at https://www.docacappella.com.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Business Casual

Vocal band Business Casual combines elements of pop, jazz, and other genres to produce fresh a cappella versions of vintage chart toppers, today’s top 40 hits, and award-winning original songs. Featuring powerful leads, floor thumping bass, and sizzling beats, audiences can’t believe that this group rocks the room using only their voices! Since 2012 the group has performed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, USA, where they are based, as well as at festivals and competitions at home and abroad. We sit down with the group to talk about their funky rendition of Faith, originally performed by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, arranged by Jon Smith, and soloed Roshun Alur.

Listen to it at https://open.spotify.com/track/3C66uGS2x9iCb6F0Ts0Jom?si=vGDwCnrUTtugAej6ZarZOw.

Check out the group at https://www.bcvocals.com.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Distilled Harmony

Originally founded in 2003, Distilled Harmony has grown from humble beginnings into one of Northeastern’s most recognized a cappella groups. The music they perform, which ranges from mainstream pop to indie rock, is just as varied as the interests and academic backgrounds of each of its members. Yet “ohana” still means family for this fun-loving and ever crowd-pleasing group. And this family created an incredible rendition of Breathe, originally performed by RZLZ, arranged by Johnny DelToro, and soloed by Karizma Kishnani. We sit down with Karizma herself to chat about the tune!

Check out the song at https://open.spotify.com/track/360YnNTpaFaFLvNVqXSdw3?si=AgaFqcqcSqeqFx8hT3hu2Q.

Learn more about the group at https://web.northeastern.edu/distilledharmony.

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The Pulse: Voices Only 2020 – Profecy

Profecy A Cappella is an entirely student-led all male A Cappella group at Rowan University. The group’s mission is to both strengthen the presence of A Cappella within the Rowan community, as well as increase Rowan’s presence within the national A Cappella community. The group is well on their way now that their tune Say Amen (Saturday Night), originally performed by Panic! At the Disco has been selected for both BOCA 2020 AND Voices Only 2020! We sit down with music director Tim Catrino to talk about this Matt Goldstein arranged power hitter, soloed by Zack Spencer.

Check out the tune yourself at https://open.spotify.com/track/3asKuPDVT24fVOrZAL6RzW?si=Ak4cFWRGTQ6peg4DdluWVw.

Learn more about the group at https://www.facebook.com/RowanProfecy.

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