Showing posts with label Lindsey Stirling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lindsey Stirling. Show all posts

Monday, March 9, 2015

Kevin "Renegade" Olusola


Cellist, beatboxer, producer, Grammy winner and one fifth of Pentatonix. That is how most of you know Kevin "KO" Olusola

Perhaps you didn't know he is also a Renegade. Yes, Kevin's first EP Renegade is out tomorrow, March 10th.  


Less than an hour after the EP surfaced on iTunes, The Renegade EP, which features Olusola’s world famous celloboxing (simultaneously playing cello and beatboxing), landed at #1 on the Classical Album Chart.  Simultaneously, his rendition of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” shot to #1 on the Classical Singles Chart, with a companion music video, which "KO" premiered on YouTube in conjunction with it. 


MS: Rumor has it you have a new EP coming out?


KO: Oh my god, I am ecstatic, I am beside myself! I can't believe it is real and it's happening. It's very exciting!


MS: What prompted you to do Renegade?


KO: I feel that I've gained a lot of skills now that I have been in Pentatonix a while for inspiration. I wanted to put something out that was a cohesive sound of all those experiences that I can elaborate on.


MS: So, how does it feel to be a Grammy Award Winner?


KO: It's amazing and surreal. When I say "Oh yeah we won a Grammy" that doesn't come out of most people's mouths. To know that I can say that is very humbling.


MS: Very few people have one, it's really cool. 


KO: Exactly!

Renegade!

MS: On your EP, this may or may not sound weird to you. Probably not, when you played Sam Smith's Stay With Me, I heard singing even though there wasn't any. 

KO: Wow! You understand it. That is the sound I am going for! The people who I have admired as instrumentalists are people like Santana. He was a singer first and his medium for that voice was his instrument. So that's why when people say that the cello is the instrument that is the closest to the human voice, I had to take it that step further. How do I actually reproduce this sound so people can actually hear a voice and say "Wow!" I tried to create a sound around it. I'm so happy you said that, that means a lot to me, Thank You.


MS: BTW I remember you playing Renegade at The Orpheum in Los Angeles, CA.


KO: Oh yeah, absolutely! 


MS: You always get a solo at a Pentatonix concert which is nice.


KO: Thank you, I appreciate it. It took me so long to put all of the elements together so when I was offered the solo I thought why not just go for it!


MS: Curious people want to know. What made you want to cover Heart Attack by Demi Lovato?


KO: It had an edgy quality to it...electronic, tech, hardcore, which I love! What attracted me to it was I did not think people could ever think the piece could be done with the cello and the beatboxing. So I took it and said: "Let me try it." 

                                                           "Stay With Me"

MS: You have created an original music category: Celloboxing.

KO: No one else is Celloboxing, sure why not, let's do it. (laughs)

MS: You've also played Carnegie Hall as well.


KO: Oh yeah. I did it on two different occasions one was my senior year in High School as a cellist, a solo. Then I did it in my first year of college on saxophone. Two different experiences at Carnegie Hall. I feel very honored that I have had that opportunity.


MS: How does it feel to be on the classical music charts? 


KO: It's so weird to contemplate that people are actually going out and buying the music that I'm creating. I'm overwhelmed.


MS: You're like Lindsey Stirling she is a Rock Star on the violin, you are a Rock Star on the cello.


KO: Oh thank you! I appreciate that! When you think about it now this alternative sound is popularized and now has wide mass appeal. Lindsey is amazing, she really paved the way for it an created it, in how she presented what she did. There are so many ways to be heard now, it's amazing!


MS: How did you discover your inner Beatboxer?


KO: It wasn't anything that I thought of. I just kind of did it when I was young. It was this song by Musiq Soulchild called Juslisten and it had this hook at the very beginning of the song, that inspired me, that's when I started Beatboxing a lot more. 


Go Celloboxing with Kevin at: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KO1Music
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kolusola
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kolusola
Order The Renegade EP on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/RenegadeEP   

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Pentatonix: Don't Worry, It's A Winter Wonderland W/Tori Kelly

The PTX Bunch & Tori Kelly
PENTATONIX
RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO FROM THEIR HOLIDAY ALBUM FOR
“WINTER WONDERLAND / DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY”
FT. TORI KELLY TODAY
CLICK HERE TO WATCH!
Christmas is coming all too soon, let PTX & Tori Kelly assist you in making your Holidays a wonderland full of happiness!
THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME DEBUTED AT #9 ON BILLBOARD’S TOP 200 MAKING THIS THE 2ND ALBUM IN A MONTH AND 4TH ALBUM IN LESS THAN A YEAR TO DEBUT TOP 10 ON THE CHART
THEIR MUSIC VIDEO FOR “DAFT PUNK” REACHES 100 MILLION VIEWS
CONFIRMED FOR PERFORMANCES ON THE TODAY SHOW & MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!
CLICK BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE OTHER VIDEOS FROM PTX
FROM THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME
FROM PTX VOL. III
Purchase PTX Vol. IIIhttp://smarturl.it/PTXVol3
Listen to PTX Vol. III on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXVol3Spot
That’s Christmas To Me iTunes: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmiT
That’s Christmas To Me Amazon: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmAm
Listen to That’s Christmas To Me on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXmasSp

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Pentatonix Have Risen, Again...Don't Be Afraid

PTX: Zombie Party Of Five
Pentatonix Scores Their Second Top 10 Debut In A Month On Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart with That’s Christmas To Me
Album Debuts #1 on Billboard’s Seasonal Album Chart
Set To Perform on The Today Show November 26
PTX Have risen, yet again this October, just in time for Halloween!
Pentatonix, have scored their 2nd top 10 debut in a month on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart with their latest release That’s Christmas To Me.  The album lands at #9 on the Top 200 and #1 on Billboard’s Seasonal Album Chart with over 32,000 units sold, propelled by the video for the quintets arrangement of Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal,” which was viewed more than 1 million times in its first four days (now with over 1.4 million views).  The group’s first holiday effort, PTXMas also re-enters the Seasonal Album Chart at #12, causing for 2 albums simultaneously in the Top 15 on the Seasonal Chart. 
The album follows their highly successful 4th EP, PTX Vol. III which debuted in September at #5 on Billboard’s Top 200.  The group released 4 music videos in support of the EP, “Problem”“La La Latch”“Papaoutai” ft. Lindsey Stirling and “Rather Be”  which have been viewed over 25 million times.

That’s Christmas To Me features the title track, a Pentatonix original, as well as a host of seasonal favorites, a one-of-a-kind holiday mash up, featuring Tori Kelly, and a bonus track arrangement of the modern classic, “Let It Go”, from Disney’s blockbuster Frozen. To help kick off the holiday festivities, PTX is set to perform on The Today Show on November 26.

In support of PTX Vol. III, PTX performed “Problem” on Good Morning America (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7phm8tt1k) and their original song, “On My Way Home” on Conan (http://teamcoco.com/video/pentatonix-on-my-way-home-10/20/14?playlist=x;eyJ0eXBlIjoicG9wdWxhciIsImlkIjpudWxsfQ).


Purchase PTX Vol. IIIhttp://smarturl.it/PTXVol3
Listen to PTX Vol. III on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXVol3Spot
That’s Christmas To Me iTunes: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmiT
That’s Christmas To Me Amazon: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmAm
Listen to That’s Christmas To Me on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXmasSp

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Hark The Herald Pentatonix Sings


I caught the PTX gang at an exclusive intimate show at The Roxy in Los Angeles, CA last night where they closed with their rendition of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" off of their just dropped Christmas CD. 

They mixed the song up with an old fashioned revival style gospel arrangement that is da bomb!

Even though Halloween hasn't happened yet, treat yourself to an early  present and get ready for the PTXmas holiday!


NEW PENTATONIX HOLIDAY ALBUM - THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME - OUT NOW!

MUSIC VIDEO FOR “WHITE WINTER HYMNAL” LAUNCHES TODAY VIA YOUTUBE

Click Here To See “White Winter Hymnal”
Fresh off their performance on Conan, Pentatonix releases their new holiday album, That’s Christmas To Me today via RCA Records. The 10 track album plus a bonus track features the title track, a Pentatonix original, as well as a host of seasonal favorites, a one-of-a-kind holiday mash up, featuring Tori Kelly, and an arrangement of the modern classic, “Let It Go”, from Disney’s blockbuster Frozen.  In conjunction with their album release, Pentatonix has released a music video for their arrangement of Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal” via YouTube.  

Last month, PTX released their 3rd EP, PTX Vol. III which debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart and #3 on Billboard’s Digital Albums Chart.  The EP marks the group’s highest debut and chart position selling over 46,000 units in its first week.  PTX Vol. III.  features a mix of global pop and indie hits with original songs. The group released 4 music videos in support of the EP, “Problem”“La La Latch”“Papaoutai” ft. Lindsey Stirling and “Rather Be”  which have been viewed over 21 million times

In support of their release of PTX Vol. III, the group performed on Good Morning America click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7phm8tt1k .  The group has been featured in Billboard, People.com, Grammy.com, Glamour and much more.  On the release of PTX Vol III,  Popdust raved, “ Pentatonix have transformed into something completely cataclysmic and are poised for superstardom. The new disc supplies (their own original “On My Way Home” the highest, most sparkling skyscraper moment)  a new-found sense of poise and confidence;  while Entertainment Weekly raved, “there’s nothing Pentatonix can’t tackle—including the pop-rap hybrid “Problem.”

Pentatonix consists of lead vocalists Scott Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado,  and Mitch Grassi, vocal bass Avi Kaplan and beatboxer Kevin “K.O.” Olusola. Since their debut in 2011, the quintet has released 4 EP’s (PTX Vol. I, PTXmas and PTX Vol. II, PTX Vol. III) selling over 550,000 copies combined.  Having recently eclipsed 6.4 million subscribers and over 605 million cumulative views, the PTXOfficial YouTube page is currently the 13th most subscribed-to music channel, having surpassed the subscriber totals of both Avicii and Beyoncé.

That’s Christmas To Me Track List

1.       Hark The Herald Angels Sing
2.       White Winter Hymnal
3.       Sleigh Ride
4.       Winter Wonderland / Don’t Worry Be Happy ft. Tori Kelly
5.       That’s Christmas To Me
6.       Mary, Did You Know?
7.       Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
8.       It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
9.       Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10.     Silent Night
11.     Let It Go (Bonus)

Purchase PTX Vol. IIIhttp://smarturl.it/PTXVol3
Listen to PTX Vol. III on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXVol3Spot
That’s Christmas To Me iTunes: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmiT
That’s Christmas To Me Amazon: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmAm
Listen to That’s Christmas To Me on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXmasSp 

Friday, October 10, 2014

Boo! Pentatonix Delivers The 4th


Happy Halloween From The Gang Of Five

T.G.I.F. let's keep the Halloween treats coming...

PENTATONIX
RELEASE VIDEO FOR “RATHER BE” THEIR 4TH VIDEO FROM THEIR LATEST RELEASE, PTX VOL. III
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO
PTX VOL. III DEBUTED AT #5 ON BILLBOARD’S TOP 200 AND #3 ON THE DIGITAL ALBUMS CHART
CHECK OUT THE OTHER VIDEOS FROM PTX VOL. III WHICH HAVE OVER 15 MILLION VIEWS COMBINED

NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM, THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME SET FOR RELEASE 10/21
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM AT ITUNES AND AMAZON NOW

That’s Christmas To Me Track List

1.       Hark The Herald Angels Sing
2.       White Winter Hymnal
3.       Sleigh Ride
4.       Winter Wonderland / Don’t Worry Be Happy ft. Tori Kelly
5.       That’s Christmas To Me
6.       Mary, Did You Know?
7.       Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
8.       It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
9.       Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10.   Silent Night
11.   Let It Go (Bonus)

Purchase PTX Vol. IIIhttp://smarturl.it/PTXVol3
Listen to PTX Vol. III on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PTXVol3Spot
That’s Christmas To Me iTunes Pre-order: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmiT
That’s Christmas To Me Amazon Pre-order: http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmAm

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Pentatonix Treats & Gets A Treat, No Tricks, For Halloween

PENTATONIX PTX VOL. III DEBUTS #5 ON BILLBOARD’S TOP 200 ALBUM CHART & # 3 ON BILLBOARD’S DIGITAL ALBUMS CHART
Yes PTX fans the group with the golden voices 3rd go has charted at number five on the Billboard Hot 200!
What a treat for the quintuplet. Wait there is more....
They are giving you another treat Pentatonix style when their Christmas CD is released October 21st, now this is what I call an awesome Halloween season!
NEW VIDEO FOR “PAPAOUTAI” FEAT. LINDSEY STIRLING SURPASSES 2 MILLION VIEWS IN 4 DAYS;CLICK HERE TO WATCH
NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM, THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME, OUT OCTOBER 21ST
 Pentatonix 3rd EP, PTX Vol. III debuts at #5 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart and #3 on Billboard’s Digital Albums Chart.  The EP marks the group’s highest debut and chart position selling over 46,000 units in its first week. 

PTX Vol. III.  features a mix of global pop and indie hits with original songs including their latest music video for “Papaoutai” ft. Lindsey Stirling, an arrangement of Belgian superstar Stromae’s megahit.  The PTX collaboration with Stirling is the first since they collaborated on Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive,” which produced almost 200K singles sold and more than 90 million YouTube Views. "Papaoutai" amassed over 2 million views in four days. The video is the third video from PTX Vol. III following “Problem” and “La La Latch” which have over 11 million views combined.

In support of their release of PTX Vol. III, the group performed on Good Morning America click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7phm8tt1k  and are confirmed for an October 20th performance on Conan.  The group has been featured in Billboard, People.com, Grammy.com, Glamour and much more.  On the release of PTX Vol III,  Popdust raved, Pentatonix have transformed into something completely cataclysmic and are poised for superstardom. The new disc supplies (their own original “On My Way Home” the highest, most sparkling skyscraper moment)  a new-found sense of poise and confidence;"  while Entertainment Weekly raved, “there’s nothing Pentatonix can’t tackle—including the pop-rap hybrid “Problem.”

Pentatonix are also set to release a new holiday album —That’s Christmas To Me – on October 21st.   The 11 track album includes a PTX-written title track, a combination of seasonal favorites and holiday classics, as well as a one-of-a-kind holiday mashup with a guest vocalist.  The album is available now for pre-order at iTunes and Amazon.

That’s Christmas To Me Track List

1.       Hark The Herald Angels Sing
2.       White Winter Hymnal
3.       Sleigh Ride
4.       Winter Wonderland / Don’t Worry Be Happy ft. Tori Kelly
5.       That’s Christmas To Me
6.       Mary, Did You Know?
7.       Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
8.       It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
9.       Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10.   Silent Night
11.   Let It Go (Bonus)

Friday, September 26, 2014

Two Of My Favorite Things - Pentatonix & Lindsey Stirling

PTX +1: Me
Photo: Ken Phillips


















Myself & Lindsey
Photo: Ken Phillips



















With their latest CD PTX Volume III out now, Pentatonix have once again teamed with Rock Star violinist Lindsey Stirling.

As you may recall the six of them paired before for the Award Winning cover of Imagine Dragons Radioactive.

Well this time they cover a song that I have never heard of, but you guys may have Papaouti by Stromae. Rumor has it this guy with the single moniker is big in Europe, groovy! I am now aware and will check him out..!

Pentatonix always brings it on new music wise.

In it the gang of six play toys. Toys are great at any age, and this video is da bomb!

The PTX/Stirling collaboration is here again and the result is, as with the last time, Award Winning caliber. Cut to the jump and get your Papaouti on!


                                                                      Papaouti

Check in with two of my favorite things here:

PTX: https://www.facebook.com/Pentatonix

Lindsey: https://www.facebook.com/lindseystirlingmusic                              

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

PTX Would Like A. Grande With Some Track List Please


With the anticipation growing for their 3rd EP Pentatonix releases the video for their first single from the upcoming disc today, a cover of Ariana Grande's hit "Problem" 

Also out today, PTX out! The track list from what you can expect on September 23rd...Yahoo!

Vocal sensations Pentatonix are set to release their 3rd EP – PTX Vol. 3 – on September 23rd via RCA Records.  This third installment of the group’s wildly successful EP series continues to mix global pop and indie hits with original tracks, showcasing the quintet’s eclectic taste and otherworldly talent.  The album will also include a surprise featured guest, as well as a song performed entirely in French (see track listing below)

PTX fans will get their first taste of the album's track list today Tuesday, August 12th, as their iTunes and Amazon pre-order goes live with the first of 2 planned instant grat tracks, both coinciding with video releases via the PTX YouTube channel.  The first single & video off of PTX Vol. 3 is "Problem" (arrangement of Ariana Grande's hit "Problem").  Check out the brand spanking new video here:


Having recently eclipsed 6 million subscribers and 520 million cumulative views, the PTXOfficial is currently the 13th most subscribed-to music channel on YouTube, having surpassed the subscriber totals of both Avicii and Beyoncé.  

PTX Vol. 3 Tracklisting
1. Problem
2. Drag Me Away
3. La La Latch
4. Rather Be
5. See Through
6. Standing By
7. Papaoutai featuring Lindsey Stirling

Have a problem? Tell PTX: http://ptxofficial.com/ 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Lindsey Stirling & Kuha'o Case - Inspire This Christmas

Myself & Lindsey Backstage at The Roxy, LA

I love Ms.Lindsey Stirling, she is a Rock Star on the violin! This Christmas she has teamed with someone who will inspire and create awe in your heart for the Holiday Season....Kuha'o Case.

For those who have never heard of Kuha'o he is a blind, self taught seventeen year old piano 
prodigy whose love of music brings him light and happiness.

They have combined their musical forces on the Christmas classic "Oh Come, Emmanuel"

Prepare to be inspired and keep the Holiday joy flowing.

Give it up for Lindsey and Kuha'o!



                                                          "Oh Come, Emmanuel"

Check out Kuha'o on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kuhaocase?feature=watch

Lindsey is everywhere and here: http://www.lindseystirling.com/

Friday, October 18, 2013

The Horror: Lindsey Stirling Has A Hot Date With Dracula

Bite Me! Jonathan Rhys Meyers as "Dracula"

"Entertain Me" favorite and violinist extraordinaire Lindsey Stirling wants to get her Vampire On!

You heard me correctly Ms. Stirling wants the mother of all Vampire's to take a bite out of her neck....
Dracula!

Yes, Lindsey is team Dracula, this Halloween - the series starring the yummy Jonathan Rhys Meyers premieres October 25th on NBC at 10pm.

Dracula lured Lindsey into his clutches and coerced her into making this orchestral, haunting video for him.

High Fang Bud Way To Go!

Jump to Lindsey getting her fan banger on below....

                                                         Lindsey Stirling "Dracula"

Got Fangs? Love You Some Dracula at: www.nbc.com/dracula

Hey Lindsey, watch your neck! at: https://www.facebook.com/lindseystirlingmusic

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

What Do May Flowers Bring? Pentatonix



PENTATONIX GOES VIRAL…AGAIN
“EVOLUTION OF MUSIC” REACHES 7 MILLION YOUTUBE VIEWS
IN ITS FIRST WEEK
COVER OF IMAGINE DRAGONS’ “RADIOACTIVE”
(WITH LINDSEY STIRLING) SOARS TO 12 MILLION YOUTUBE VIEWS & DEBUTS IN ITUNES’ TOP 100
YOUTUBE CHANNEL SURPASSES 70 MILLION VIEWS WITH OVER 800 THOUSAND SUBSCRIBERS
2013 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR CONTINUES THROUGH MAY

Vocal sensations and winners of season 3 of NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” Pentatonix have had a whirlwind week with their latest YouTube video – “Evolution Of Music” – garnering nearly 7 million in the 6 days since its debut.  The video spans 1000 years of music in just 4 minutes, featuring some of the most popular songs from the last dozen centuries, and has been featured by The Huffington Post, Ryan Seacrest, Mashable and even got some radio love from New York City’s Z100. 

Additionally, “Oh Holy Night,” the Christmas classic and standout track from PTX’s 2012 Christmas EP, was featured on last week’s episode of NBC’s Community. 

Pentatonix also recently teamed up with dubstep violinist Lindsey Stirling on a cover of Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive.”  The video has a combined 12 million cumulative YouTube views and the single, now available via iTunes, debuted in its top 100.  
PTX & Lindsey Stirling

This follows the success of the group’s previous offerings, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” which surpassed the six million-view mark, an *NSYNC medley and a Swedish House Mafia mash-up.  All of the arrangements are performed on the group’s current tour, which continues through May.   

On top of their live performance  and YouTube release schedules, Pentatonix are also arranging and recording PTX Vol 2,  planned for an early Summer release.
           
After winning the most recent season of NBC’s “The Sing Off,” Pentatonix enjoyed a whirlwind of success in 2012.  

They released 2 EP’s – PTX Vol 1 & PTXmas – twice debuting on Billboard’s Top 200 and selling a combined 100,000 albums and counting.  Their television appearances included The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno, The Katie Couric Show, The Talk, The American Music Awards Red Carpet Show and VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live!  They have been regularly featured by RyanSeacrest.com and Perez Hilton.  The Philadelphia Inquirer reviewed their fall tour and said:

No strictly vocal act sounds more ecstatic in triumph than Pentatonix… Euphoric best describes the joyful, self-described “futuristic a cappella” quintet who played before a wildly enthusiastic Philly audience.

Pentatonix are taking instrument-free music far beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.  Named after the world’s most widely recognized five-note musical scale, this vocal quintet has transformed one of pop music’s purest and most soulful expressions into an exciting future, filled with limitless sonic possibility.  Pairing their intricate arrangements with cleverly re-imagined pop songs, Pentatonix have quickly cultivated a sound and style that is entirely unique and undeniably infectious. 


Just a year old, the Pentatonix YouTube channel boasts over 70 million views, buoyed by more than 800,000 subscribers.  The group also has more than 290,000 Facebook fans and nearly 85,000 twitter followers.

It's a PTX World At:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/PTXofficial

PTX Official: http://www.ptx-official.com/



Remaining 2013 TOUR DATES

May 2013
2                      Wilma                                            Missoula, MT
4                      Knitting Factory Concert House Boise, ID
5                      Crystal Ballroom                        Portland, OR
7                      Knitting Factory Concert House Spokane, WA
9                      Vogue Theatre                             Vancouver, BC
11                    Showbox SODO                           Seattle, WA