Thespotlight

While in Washington, DC, in 2015, we invited The District into the mobile studio to talk about their first few years of existence - and to look ahead to the next several as well. These women sound great and have been doing big things, with competition, recording, and lots of performing all on the docket. We talk about each, and how they all balance things, given their pressured day jobs. We also hear the group sing!

The Johns Hopkins Octopodes (ock-TAH-puh-deez) joined us in the mobile studio to talk about their ambitious (and amazing!) album of all-originals, about their processes for music and everything else, and about what the next few years have in store for the group, along with celebrating their 25th anniversary. They also sing some of their original music for us! Recorded in 2015.

While in New York and about to take the ICHSA national finals stage, the members of Elon, North Carolina's WA Cappella joined us in the mobile studio to discuss their school, their group, and their competition journey. While together, they sang some of their award-winning music for us as well. Recorded in 2015.

We invited the members of Oregon State's Power Chord to talk about the a cappella scene on campus these days and where the group fits in, as well as how they're spending their time these days with performances and competition. We discuss the pros and cons of the ICCA process, and hear some of their current music. Recorded in 2015.

We invited the UMBC Mama's Boys into the mobile studio to talk about what it's like to be in an all-guys group, how they're developing their sound, and what their current repertoire "sweet spot" is these days. We also hear some of that rep as they sing live for us. Recorded in 2015.

It was a pleasure to welcome the women of Divisi into the mobile studio to talk about maintaining their rich legacy on the national a cappella scene while continually developing and growing, their recording and music video experiences, and about how they characterize their sound these days. The group also sings for us live. Recorded in 2015.

While in the mobile studio, the women of the University of Maryland Treblemakers talked about all the things they've got going on these days, from performances to videos and everything in between. They also sing some of their current tunes for us! Recorded in 2015.

While on the Stanford campus, we were pleased to welcome the Stanford Volta into our mobile studio. With their recent formation and their emphasis on vocal jazz, we had lots to talk about. In addition to all that, they sang some of their current music for us as well! Recorded in 2015.

While in the San Francisco area, we brought Smorgaschord into the mobile studio to chat about the group's origins to today, and how they determine how much time to put into the group - and where to spend it. We also hear them sing some of their current music! Recorded in 2015.

While in the Northeastern United States, we were fortunate enough to bring the University of Maryland DaCadence into the mobile studio to chat a bit, tell some stories, and share the vibe of the group. They also shared some live music! Recorded in 2015.

While in Eugene, Oregon, we sat down with the members of U of O's On The Rocks. We talk about the pros and cons of Sing-Off recognition, about their vibe and sound these days, and about engaging alumni. While together, they sang some of their current music for us, too. Recorded in 2015.

Musaic, an all-male post-collegiate group, retains an independent director (who happens to be female) to manage and coach them - so we dive into that a bit and how it works, and talk about their choral-influenced sound. The group sings some live tunes for us as well. Recorded in 2015.

We were happy to invite the Generics into the mobile studio to discuss the evolving a cappella scene at UMD, and why they chose to join this group in particular. We also discuss their current sound and repertoire, and where the group is planning to go from here. While together, they sang some of their music as well. Recorded in 2015.

While in the Bay Area, we were pleased to be joined by Midnight Jazz from Milpitas High School. Members of this brand-new group are drawn from other ensembles in the school, so we talk about the comparisons and contrasts between that rep vs. contemporary a cappella (and jazz). We also hear how they're sounding after being together only three months! Recorded in 2015.

It was the very first sit-down we ever did for #TheSpotlight (although it didn't air first): we went to Palo Alto and invited Raagapella into the mobile studio. They sang some tunes for us, and talked about what led them to the group and this repertoire. Recorded in early 2015.

While in the Bay Area, we invited Everyday People into the mobile studio to talk about how constraints can drive creativity, and how they choose their music within the genre constraints of the group. We talk backstory as well, and look ahead to the group moving forward. While with us, they sang some tunes, too. Recorded in early 2015.

Yes, it's THOSE Persuasions who are joining us in the mobile studio. The group that was founded in 1962 and discovered by Frank Zappa. More than 20 albums. Cited as influences by many, many big-name groups that have come since. It was a treat and an honor to sit down with them, and a sublime experience to have them sing for us. Recorded in early 2015.

In early 2015, we invited Prime Time into the mobile studio to talk about life in post-collegiate a cappella, and how it differs from experiences before and during college. We discuss how the group chooses its music, and what characteristics make for a good Prime Time song. Plus, we hear some of them, as they sing for us.

It was fascinating to talk with John Neal, who helped make the Harmony Sweepstakes what it is today. We discussed how a cappella has changed over the last 20 years or more, about the connections between the Sing-Off and the Harmony Sweeps, and about the competition itself.

Talk of da Town got started as Reality-In-Motion in the early 1970s, and has been on the scene either under that name or TODT ever since. They've performed with just about everybody, so we get some great stories and anecdotes from the guys on this episode - and delight in hearing them sing for us. Recorded in early 2015.