URBAN METHOD

At first, I read the news that The Sing Off was cancelled and didn’t think much of it.  TV shows come and go these days like Congressmen, Styles of Jeans, and Pop Stars.  Then I got to thinking…  I was on that show with amazing musicians, and more importantly, amazing people as the contestants.  Then it started to sink in and the reality (no pun intended) of the situation started to hit home.

I had to step back from being on The Sing Off and the opportunity given to Urban Method by the shows executive  producers, Sam, Debbie, Josh and  Joel.  I realized that the show was so much more to me than the excitement and success of Urban Method and being on national TV.

Here’s where I get emotional…  (just a warning)

As soon as the show aired, I found that the show had an immense effect on young people all over the country.  I travel quite a bit mixing a cappella shows for Take 6 and every time I would walk into a concert hall, a young person would call out to me, “Tony from Urban Method”!  In talking to each and every one, I found that they were inspired by the show in so many ways.  By the competition.  By the characters in each group.  By the personal stories told on the show.  By the music, being so raw and from the heart.  By the diversity of the groups and individual members.  By the family friendly language and content.  By the hard work that it took to do each episode.  And by the talent that would come across their television every Monday night for 2 hours.  (Now I’m totally choked up) 

Not only were they inspired by our performances, I was inspired by their obvious new drive toward music and life.  I think the contestants were pushed to succeed as a group, conquer fears, and work hard to a goal, and that came across loud and clear to everyone watching the show.  We made it through each week with pure passion for music and life.  Now to meet these children and young adults that looked up to us, makes me realize that the show is much more than what it seems to the NBC Executives that pulled the plug.  I bet if they look back at television shows that were legendary, they would find that most of them started off with lower ratings.  But the best shows of all time became legendary because they showed heart (I’m reminded of *M*A*S*H* here).  The Sing Off showed heart and I see it every time I talk to a student, or child, or fan about it.  They have passion for the show that goes beyond the ratings.  It affected people to change.

The Sing Off wasn’t just a reality show that showcased talent, it inspired people to chase their dreams no matter who they are and where they are from.  That’s what good entertainment and good TV should be.  I know the Executive Producers of the show would agree, it was incredibly inspiring.  I’m sure they wanted the show renewed.  NBC Execs did not.  My hope is that the show will be bought out by a new network and land on your TV again soon.

Make sure to go and sign the petition to show your support of television like The Sing Off.  Also, read with the judges have to say.

As I tell the students at the schools I’ve visited…

“If you have a dream in life, chase it because you love it and never stop.  Your dream will soon become your reality and your future!”

Tony Huerta

Urban Method and Sonic Audio

Come join Urban Method as they perform live for the Sound of the Rockies CD release concert.

Hosted by the Sound of the Rockies.  This will be an amazing vocal concert.  Don’t miss it!

Related show

• Artist: Urban Method
• Date: Saturday, June 16th 2012
• Time: 7:00pm
• City: Urban Method in Denver, CO
• Venue: Newman Center
• Address: 2344 E Illiff Avenue
• Venue phone: 303-993-3501
• Country: United States
• Admission: $18-$28
• Box office: 303.871.7720
• Buy tickets
• Notes: Catch Urban Method in concert at the University of Denver Newman Center!
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Here is Urban Method’s first music video, Me & You.  Written by UM’s very own, Liz Ager.  Check it out and share it with everyone you know!

Recorded February 25, 2012 LIVE ar the Paramount Theater in Denver, Colorado.  Audio by Sonic Audio and Video by ZumiProductions

A quick thanks to all of those who helped us pack the house at the Paramount Theater last night in Denver. We had a chance to unveil an original song, some cool new tricks, and rock the songs you came to love from the show. Make sure you tag yourself on the Facebook pic Tony took on stage!

So what’s next?

Now it’s time to put it all together. We’re going to hit the studio and write. That’s right, original music. We’ll be putting music videos together, creating new and exciting content, and building OUR show. The plan is to have that done by summer time (2012) and then hit the road.

Until then…

thank you so much. Our friends, our family, and our newest supporters….we couldn’t do this without you!

Much love.

UM

How’d you like it?! We made the top 3 and now we need your votes. You can help us become the champions of The Sing-Off. The show is in it’s 3rd season and we’ve seen Nota and Committed win it all. Now, vote for Urban Method in 3 ways…

TEXT “2″ to 97979

PHONE 877-674-6402

ONLINE http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/vote/

Check out All of the Lights from Kanye West here.

We’ll soon post the Mashup from Earworm featuring Peggy Lee’s Fever and Nelly’s Hot in Here!

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.

Since I was talking earlier this week about how I love working with vocal effects in a cappella, I thought it would be fun to share an example of how technology can be used to make beautiful vocals.

“Lost in the World” is a collaboration between Bon Iver, a folk band that works extensively with vocal effects, and Kanye West. Bon Iver is one of the only groups I’ve ever heard that uses autotune to create beautiful, haunting harmonies instead of using it to correct pitches.

in the World – Kanye West and Bon Iver

Check it out, and let me know what you think. Does the autotune bother you, or do you think it works?

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…

Urban Method reacts to the 4th episode of the SingOff in the video but here’s a quick recap. This was the 2nd bracket singing their 60s songs and their radio top 40s. With the Deltones, Sonos, Pentatonix, Dartmouth Aires, North Shore, and The Collective all performing, it made for a great night of music.

This week judges called the number of Sonos, the well-accomplished and well-revered group of innovative song makers. Their style has truly inspired the a cappella world and their departure from the show is both a surprise and to many a disappointment. Their performances on the show seemed to have made noted improvements over their first showing and they revealed their hit remake of The Jackson 5′s “I Want You Back” to which the judges responded quite negatively.

Their version of the song has been the catalyst for many new things in a cappella over the last few years since it’s release. Their new album is anticipated and their ability to use effects and pedals will be a welcome return to their style for both the audience and most likely the group itself.

Next week will be the convergence of all 10 remaining groups as we look forward to a week of Guilty Pleasure songs! Stay tuned for what Urban Method has in store!