By McKay Crockett
Artistic Director, BYU Vocal Point

Every year, something I challenge each new Vocal Point group to do is to innovate.

A mentor once shared with me that, like a carbon copy of a carbon copy becomes weaker and less authentic, groups who blindly do what has always been done often become a weaker and less authentic version of the group before.

Obviously identity, brand, and common sense would discourage a group from completely reinventing itself every year, but I think there is wisdom in holding yourself to a standard of progress and innovation, both within your own brand and across a cappella as a genre.



So, one of our group members brought up the fact that we had never really taken on the style of EDM (electronic dance music) and proposed that we attempt to do it in a fun, yet legit way.

Before we made the a cappella arrangement, group members collaborated and created a remix/mashup using the actual versions of the songs as a mock-up.

That process took a couple months and included various different directions and mashup ideas.

We finally settled on what I thought was a nice flow and concept, and then we poured the a cappella sauce all over it.



The actual production of the video/audio recording was pretty quick. From learning the song to shooting the video, it took just a few days.

Due to time constraints (we are typically doing 40-50 events per year, plus all the guys are all full-time students, most have jobs, and maybe a social life), we only had the chance to rehearse the song once with the guys together.

We then recorded all members of the group and edited the song in a marathon 16-hour afternoon/evening and sent the track to Ed Boyer.

He of course slayed and helped us achieve the sound we wanted.



That next evening we shot the video on a stage in downtown Salt Lake City.

Due to crazy rain, there was a small flood at the venue where we shot. Luckily it didn't involve the stage, just the craft services area. So our dinner came with complimentary water that night!

For the video portion, we collaborated with a talented filmmaker who happens to also produce EDM covers and remixes and asked if he could help us with the video.

We thought he would bring the right perspective to this project, and I think he proved that in the video.

The shoot lasted from about 6 PM to 2 AM, with most of that time being used for rehearsal (choreography, programing the visuals, etc.), and the final few hours saved for the actual filming.

Half the group didn't learn any of the choreography until they were on set that night!



We asked a local celebrity, Michael McLean, to play the part of the janitor.

He has written songs since the '70s, and most people know him as a inspirational storyteller and songwriter.

We thought the juxtapostion of a religious songwriter playing the janitor in an EDM a cappella video was pretty fun!

Also, the jumpsuit worn by the janitor actually belongs to a group member, David Steele (solos on "Outside"). He grew up on a farm in Idaho, and it's been his "feed the cows" get-up for 10 years.




You can find BYU Vocalpoint's new single on Spotify and Apple Music!

--

FloVoice's best content, delivered directly to your inbox!

Don't miss exclusive videos, feature stories, event updates, and more.

Sign up for the FloVoice Newsletter and never miss a beat.