It was a whirlwind week recording Oakland School for the Arts' Vocal Rush in Oakland, CA. These young women not only consistently sing with all of the nuance, professionalism, and maturity that I think only a Lisa Forkish-led group could, but honestly speak to the world through their music. They actually say something, which, in a genre dominated by cover songs and glamorized by the glitz of Pitch Perfect and The Sing-Off, is a trait that often gets bypassed. I'm honored to have been part of their strength and vulnerability (and to have basked in their talent) as we created the album that would become Shatter.
Several of these young women have since gone on to continue singing in college (some at Berklee College of Music in Boston) or abroad (like, in rock bands in Norway), and those who had more time in Vocal Rush went on to win the International Championship of High School A Cappella (again!). OSA and Lisa Forkish have cultivated an energy that makes these young women want to continue giving their gift to the world and to themselves, and it was truly a privilege to work with them all. Arranged by Lisa Forkish, recorded and edited by Bri Holland, mixed by Bill Hare. Vocal Rush: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Shatter: Loudr | iTunes
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In 2012, I decided to found and direct an a cappella summer camp/group at my former high school, FReestyle (a play off the high school's name, Franklin Regional). As a result of the incredibly inspiring young singers who chose to be part of the group that year, it's turned into an annual event. In 2014, we finally decided to record and release a single from the camp. Check out "All of Me"! Arranged, recorded, edited, and mixed by Bri Holland, and mastered by Dave Sperandio.
FReestyle: Facebook | Twitter "All of Me": Loudr | iTunes I'm so proud of these boys - no, MEN - on the release of their first full-length album, One. I encourage everyone to check out the closing song, "Ghosts," one of my favorite tracks I've worked on this year, as well as "The Wanderer." Run for Cover's arrangements and conviction in their craft have both gotten stronger with every year I've known them, since I was a first-year at The University of Chicago, and this album showcases their transition. Can't wait for what they do next.
Recorded and edited by Bri Holland Matt Battifarano, mixed by David Longo, mastered by Dave Sperandio. Run for Cover: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube One: Loudr | iTunes | Spotify I have such a good time with these guys every time we get together to make music in sunny Champaign, IL. Their new album, Wired Up, is an amalgamation of the different styles they've been exploring lately - from dance-pop to country to 90's throwback to rock. There's something for everyone, and that's exactly what these guys are about. Check them out!
Recorded and edited by Bri Holland, mixed by David Longo, mastered by Dave Sperandio. The Xtension Chords: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Wired Up: Loudr | iTunes My BOYS. So fun and stimulating to record this track, their first single, with them in Chicago, and there's more on the way! Arranged by Josh Fuller, recorded and edited by Bri Holland, mixed by David Longo, mastered by Dave Sperandio.
Run for Cover: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube "This Is Gospel": Loudr | iTunes | Spotify The women of The Rip Chords at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not only talented, but also totally my jam as people. It's a true musical sisterhood: they're hilarious, open-minded, driven, passionate, supportive, and creative. I've loved every minute we've spent together, both in the suburbs of Chicago (where they introduced me to Portillo's, thank GOD!) and in the open fields of Champaign, IL.
Check out their singles, "No Light, No Light" (opb Florence & the Machine) and "Taking Chances" (opb Celine Dion). Recorded and edited by Bri Holland, mixed by David Longo, mastered by Dave Sperandio. The Rip Chords: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube "No Light, No Light": Loudr | iTunes "Taking Chances": Loudr | iTunes
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Xtension Chords bring power and energy to this ballad-turned-dance-pop song. Get on your feet and turn the volume up! Beautiful lead by Tom Ritondale, arranged by Kellen Fant, recorded and edited by Bri Holland, mixed by David Longo, mastered by Dave Sperandio.
The Xtension Chords: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube "Spectrum": Loudr | iTunes Just a bunch of girls singing a metal rock song a cappella. This one's for you, mom. #defytheexpectation
Killer solo by Jordan Miller-Surratt, arranged/recorded/edited by Bri Holland, mixed by Ed Boyer, mastered by Dave Sperandio. Men in Drag: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube "Coming Undone": Loudr | iTunes It was so fun to produce this mashup of Gangnam Style and Party Rock with my friends in The University of Chicago's Ransom Notes! Check it out! Arranged by Sam Scarrow, recorded and edited by Bri Holland, mixed by Tat Tong.
The Ransom Notes: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube "Gangnam Rock": Loudr | iTunes This was the first album I ever produced. While music-directing The University of Chicago's Men in Drag, I took over the recording, editing, and production choices for Late Nights, Parades, and arranged most of the album. It was one of the most enlightening, stressful, and important experiences of my life, and I'm so grateful to the group for giving me the creative freedom to actively learn and grow with the project. It was also the project on which one of my closest friends and mentors, Chris Rishel, encouraged me to take on more than I thought I could, and pushed me to develop skills I didn't think I had in me. While it was a stressful period, I look back on Late Nights, Parades with so much respect for this iteration of the group, as well as the people who came before and after it, and so many thanks for the people who make what I do possible.
This album went on to be nominated for 5 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards. My arrangement of "On the Wing" (opb Owl City) won the 2012 award for Best Female Collegiate Arrangement, and the original song that I co-wrote with Markie Gray, "Something in the Water," won the 2013 award for Best Scholastic Original Song. "On the Wing" was also featured on the Voices Only 2011 compilation album, and "Cherry Pie" was featured on Best of Collegiate A Cappella (BOCA) 2013. Late Nights, Parades: Loudr | iTunes | Spotify Men in Drag: website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube |
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February 2017
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