So I can proudly say that I am a newly declared Pentaholic as I've learned that's what Pentatonix fans call themselves. While I am a new fan that's not to say I've only just heard of Pentatonix. I've known of them for a couple of years now. Through Elvis Duran and The Morning Show I had come across and heard some of their amazing covers, most notably their Evolution Of covers. While they amazed me with their incredible talents I was more of a passing fan. While I enjoy acappella having performed acappella with my high school choir it wasn't until Pitch Perfect that I got really into it. I enjoyed seeing Pentatonix appear in a cameo in Pitch Perfect 2 and was happy to listen to them again. But it wasn't until I finally saw them perform during Kelly Clarkson's Piece By Piece Tour that I became a big fan. They blew me away with their performance. I was amazed how much fun they make acappella. It was a full blown concert performance. There were times I forgot it was acappella. The energy and personality they put into their shows just energizes you. Of course after the concert I had to have more from the group. I went into my iTunes and bought as much of their music I could afford and watched all of their videos on their YouTube channel. I learned more about the group became hooked.
Pentatonix performing in Chicago 8/1/15 on the Piece By Piece tour.
The members of Pentatonix consist of:
Scott Hoying - Baritone lead and backing vocals
Mitch Grassi - Countertenor lead and backing vocals
Kirstie Maldonando - Soprano lead and backing vocals
Avi Kaplan - Vocal bass, vocal percussion, bass lead and backing vocals
Kevin Olusola - Vocal percussion, beat-boxing, backing vocals and cello
As I began to get to know more about the group I learned that Scott, Mitch, and Kirstie actually grew up together in Arlington, Texas. While in high school the three arranged a performance of the Lady Gaga's song Telephone for a local radio contest. Although they did not win their YouTube video became a sensation and they continued performing. Finally in college Scott heard about the show The Sing Off, an acappella competition show, from a member of the acappella group he was currently in. He convinced Mitch and Kirstie to try out with him but they learned that they would need more members. Enter Avi, who Scott got introduced to through a mutual friend, and Kevin who they found via his viral YouTube video where he was beat-boxing and playing cello.
Piece By Piece tour Chicago 8/1/15
According to wikipedia the group "Pentatonix, as suggested by Scott Hoying, is named after the pentatonic scale, a musical scale or mode with five notes per octave. The group believed that the scale's five notes matched their membership. The group replaced the last letter with an 'x' to make it more appealing. The quintet derives its influences from pop, dubstep, electro, reggae, hip hop, and classical music."
They auditioned for The Sing Off and eventually found themselves being crowned the winners in the season three finale in 2011. In the years since they found much success releasing a string of EPs releasing many videos on their YouTube channel, continue having successful tours, had a successful Christmas album, guested on many television shows, they released a group documentary and have won a Grammy.
One of my favorite shots I got during the Piece By Piece tour Chicago 8/1/15
Each member of Pentatonix brings something really special to the group and their performances which makes them so well rounded. Their personalities are infectious as I've learned watching their documentary On My Way Home. They are such an amazing talent individually and together. They just recently released their first full length album with original music composed by the group and I love it. Still amazes me sometimes that's it's all done with their vocals. I will continue to follow the group and hope to see them live in concert again soon. I look forward to whatever they do next. If you get a chance check them out.
Here are a couple of my favorite Pentatonix covers:
Say Something Cover Save The World/Don't You Worry Child Cover
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