URBAN METHOD

Everyone in Urban Method lives and breathes music. Of course, we all love a cappella, but one of the things that I think makes our group so awesome is that we are all deeply immersed in music of many kinds. From Broadway to funk to classical, someone in our group is passionate about just about any genre you can think of. My passion is producing electronic pop music, and I’ve been working away, creating original material using my laptop, keyboard, a mic, and a midi controller. It takes a loooong long time to go from start to finish when I’m doing everything from building beats to playing a synth line and singing, but OH MY GOSH it is the most amazing feeling when it’s done.

I showed a song I was working on called “Take Me Down” to Myke when it was still in the early stages and asked him if he might want to rap on it, and he wrote a rap for it in like five minutes. Myke is crazy! Then Tony heard about our project and offered to do some production/mixing/mastering work on the song to make it sound all sparkly and gorgeous. So this song is truly a collaborative effort made possible by Urban Method. And it’s also pretty exciting to think that we can build a repertoire of original songs with Urban Method in the future….

I am just so grateful to be surrounded by a group of people that not only loves music, but also loves collaborating and sharing their musical gifts and passions with each other. We use our collective skills and drive to come up with original arrangements on The Sing Off, but we also share ideas and love to support and collaborate on each other’s other musical endeavors.

Check out “Take Me Down”, and let me know what you think! I’m just so happy I got to make this song with my awesome UM friends.

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/27427224"]

When it comes to a cappella and vocal music, I’m really fascinated by using pedals and effects to morph, delay, or change the voice. One of the reasons that I’m such a big fan of Sonos is because they use their effects so well and are able to build amazing atmosphere with their pedals. Some people argue that a cappella music shouldn’t use external effects, but I think that’s crazy! It’s just like saying that only acoustic guitar is “real” guitar, because electric guitars can use pedals.

I am so excited this week because I just ordered a new toy called the AKAI APC40. It’s a midi controller that can trigger effects and do all sorts of crazy things when it’s paired with a program I use called Ableton. It’s going to be so much fun to play with!

Richard and I are planning a little experiment to showcase just how far it’s possible to stretch a cappella music, using a combination of pedals and my new APC. Stay tuned! I can’t wait to see what happens…

I’m a bit of a fashion nut. Even if I don’t always look as put together as I’d like to, (especially since I didn’t bring much with me to L.A.!) I always love reading about new designers and staying up to date on what’s going on in the fashion world. And with all of the “hurry up and wait”, as Myke called it, I’ve got more than enough time to flip through them.

I found this video online, and I was really fascinated to watch how fashion and trends have changed over the years. But what I really loved was watching the dances evolve with the fashion as new genres of music emerged. It’s amazing to see how music and fashion influence each other so clearly!

I think this is just the thing to beat those Monday blues. Hope you enjoy!

Years / Style / London

Ok everyone, I’m here to spill the gossip and let you in on all of the behind the scenes rivalries, the sabotage, and the drama. Because that’s what’s supposed to happen on reality competition shows, right?

Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Everyone in the entire cast is really, really nice. In a high-stress environment like The Sing-Off is supposed to be, it is amazing how kind, helpful, and friendly everyone is. Delilah knocks my socks off with how loving and positive they are to everyone. The Yellowjackets make me laugh so hard I get yelled at by Rosero, our talented and terrifying choreographer. Kinfolk 9 are so fun, and I love hearing their tales about trying to “make it” in L.A. And Afro Blue are so supportive and light-hearted, and they’re always breaking into song.

In a rather odd twist of fate, BYU’s Vocal Point have become Urban Method’s close buddies. Not only are they talented performers, they are the kindest, funniest people. We’ve already started a little tradition of Thursday night candy and pre-show performances for each other. Also, Ross can catch a jellybean in his mouth from like 30 feet away. It’s marvelous. I think Jake from BYU told us that they thought we were scary until they got to know us, since we were the “rap group”. (Don’t tell anyone, but we’re sooo not scary.)

I’m so excited to spend some more time with the other bracket, because from the little bit I’ve interacted with them, they are just as awesome!

I think that because The Sing-Off is filled with musicians that have been singing as ensembles and playing music in groups, everyone understands that we have to support each other. When I watch the show tonight, I’ll be rooting for everyone to do their best, and I can tell you that we are all so, so sad when anyone has to go home. The support and respect that all of the groups have for each other is, to me, what makes The Sing-Off such a special show. I hope that joy and family spirit is as visible to everyone watching The Sing-Off on TV as it is living it every day!

So I just discovered the most amazing thing in the entire world. Maybe I’m late to the party, but Denver does not have this magical place. Our whole group stopped by Yogurtland before going to Sony today, and I went crazy and sampled almost all of their flavors. This time around I stuck with the plain tart with mangoes, blueberries, and mochi. AMAZING! And I will tell myself it’s healthy too.

I thought I went crazy, but you should have seen Troy. Dude put just about everything imaginable on his fro-yo, including Fruity Pebbles cereal. And he ate it all. And Ozzi, being the health nut he is, got the Taro flavor. I guess it’s some kind of Asian sweet potato?

It is amazing what a big cup of delicious frozen yogurt can do for your morale when you’ve been rehearsing all day. Thank you Yogurtland! I think we’re about to have a serious relationship.

Wow! It is so crazy that we made it through Episode 1! If you had told me a year ago that I would be singing on national television, I never would have believed it. I was working as a manager at a store in Colorado, and had pretty much given up on doing music as a career. I owe my presence here in large part to a book called The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. My dear friend recommended it to me, and I read it at a time when I was searching for inspiration. It’s all about following your heart’s desire and overcoming the obstacles that cause you to lose faith in yourself in pursuit of your dreams. And most importantly to me, it’s about why you should pursue those dreams.

The day after I finished The Alchemist, I decided to put my whole heart into pursuing music. I told myself that within three months, I would be at a place where I could pursue music full time. And guess what? That’s exactly what happened. (It still seems like a dream!)

It sounds cheesy when I write about it, but it’s really not. If you are in a place where you need some inspiration, or are just losing faith in your ability to make your dreams come true, this book is the perfect thing to read.

What about everyone else out there? Have you read The Alchemist, or do you have any other suggestions for books I should read?

1. Dried Mango
2. Gummy Bears
3. (Free) Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Vitamin Water
5. Cliff Bar
6. Apples (lame says Richard, good for voice says Liz)
7. Leftovers from Vocal Point
8. Another Free Cookie (God)
9. The rest of the Subway Footlong Sub
10. Candy Bribes