ojovivo
styofa doing anything
Three Goblin Art
pixel skylines
Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
No title available
noise dept.
Discoholic 🪩
AnasAbdin
sheepfilms
Today's Document
RMH
Keni
Andulka
One Nice Bug Per Day
tumblr dot com
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Alisa U Zemlji Chuda
NASA
Sade Olutola
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from France
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from Algeria
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
seen from United States
@jules-has-notes
What's all this, then?
The short version: It's a side-blog about my latest hyperfixation, an incredible a cappella group called VoicePlay.
The long version: I have fallen — nay, flung myself — into the music and history of VoicePlay recently. I didn't just fall down a rabbit hole; I've been delving into the nooks and crannies of the whole freaking warren. And, as a result, I have extensive thoughts that need to go somewhere outside my own head.
2023 VoicePlay fall activities — chills, chats, Chicago shows, and life changes
As the summer gave way to autumn, the fellas of VoicePlay and their extended circles entered a flurry of activities. In between music video productions and live concerts, they made sure to spend time with their friends and families, as well as making some new connections.
.
Haunts and hype
The Castelluccis wasted no time in celebrating the start of spooky season. Kathy filmed a quick tour of their living room decorations while Geoff provided a seasonally appropriate soundtrack.
.
Meanwhile, Layne's extended family gathered to celebrate the birthday of his nephew Jude, who had played the trick-or-treater in VoicePlay's "This Is Halloween" video in 2018.
As the weekend approached, Cesar offered some quiet encouragement for himself and anyone else who might need it.
Cesar sings a bit of "Go Off" by Doja Cat
.
Dark and light
VoicePlay's choice for their main Halloween video was a frequently requested Disney villain song, "Hellfire" from Hunchback of Notre Dame. Doing justice to the intensity of the lyrics wasn't an easy task, but the guys worked their magic as only they can.
On a much lighter note, Geoff sat down for a conversation with vocal coach Tara Simon. They talked about his life and career, from high school to the foreseeable future.
The next day, he released his solo Halloween video, which picked up the baton of Nightmare Before Christmas songs with a bassy — and fantastically theatrical — rendition of "Jack's Lament".
.
Warm fuzzy interlude
Over the following week, VoicePlay ran their next charity auction for their Patreon patrons, raising money by auctioning off costume pieces and props from past Halloween projects.
They also took a short break from their seasonal tunes for a sweet excerpt of Selena's "Como La Flor" with Ashley Diane.
Local producer Derrick "Millivanz" Williams released a promo video for the 5th annual Derrick Games event, featuring an original song and the vocal stylings of one J.None.
Since their anniversary fell in the middle of the week, Layne, Cyndi and their youngest daughter celebrated with a relaxed dinner at their favorite pizza joint.
.
Time is fleeting
As the month few by, VoicePlay got back into the spooky swing of things with a rollicking rendition of "The Time Warp" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Between the exceptional vocals, earnestly silly dancing, and character-inspired outfits, it's sure to put a smile on your face.
Over the weekend, the gang took some time to celebrate the impending arrival of Eli and Ashley's son at a baby shower filled with gifts, good food, and even better company.
With just a month to go before the Chicago anniversary shows, the reality of it truly set in, and the guys started to let themselves get excited.
.
Soul and silliness
That night marked the start of Cesar's two stints with Evolution: Motown at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. The guys wowed the crowds with their smooth singing and energetic dance moves.
Meanwhile, Tony and Layne tested out a mechanical bull mask by lip syncing to a few ballads by their favorite divas.
The penultimate weekend of October brought some slightly disparate music. J.None released a lovely single called the "The Journey", which would be included on his next album the following summer.
Cesar and his buddy Michelle Knight spent the weekend over in Melbourne, performing spooky tunes from well-known musicals with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra for their seasonal Bewitching Broadway concert. And Geoff released a short of "I Put A Spell On You" inspired by Annie Lennox's haunting rendition.
The last week of the month saw the guys with their fingers in a number of pies. Cesar appeared as a featured guest at The Renaissance Theatre's Musical Mondays open mic, then returned to EPCOT with Evolution: Motown for their second set of performances for the season.
In between those live shows, VoicePlay headed to the studio with Omar Cardona to rehearse for Atlantic City and film a couple shorts.
.
Back to the boos
Since their creative forces were focused on producing the next episode of The Villains Lair, Layne and Tony released an extended commentary video for their 2020 Halloween project "Bump in the Night" in lieu of new spooks.
And Geoff recorded "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving as a follow-up to the version of Bing Crosby's "Headless Horseman" song that was his first solo Halloween project in 2020.
.
On the eve of Halloween itself, the PattyCake gang headed to Casa Feliz to start filming the exterior portions of their next Villains Lair episode. Then on Halloween proper, the Castelluccis carved some jack-o-lanterns.
.
Hitting the road
November began with a theme of travel. Cesar and Omar took a trip down to Puerto Rico. While it was technically for work, they also found time to hang with family and friends.
VoicePlay's first release of the month was a rocking version of the old Irish folk song "Whiskey in the Jar" that they'd filmed earlier in the year.
Then Geoff got moody with a bassy solo short of Bruce Springsteen's "Further On Up the Road" by way of Johnny Cash.
When the weekend got rolling, Cesar and the Cardona brothers spent both nights performing with gig band Lunar at a private event. As soon as he got home, Cesar headed out again, this time down to Boca Raton for an Evolution: Motown show.
.
Who are you?
The next week brought Layne's turn in the interview chair with fellow singer Peter Barber. They discussed his ever-expanding set of skills, both behind the mic and in the editing bay, and finding balance in an uncertain industry.
.
The next round of filming for The Villains Lair brought a cadre of PattyCake's faithful Patreon patrons to town to be extras in some outdoor scenes. Layne's self-appointed antagonist Marylimea was among them, and presented Layne and Tony with custom calendars for the upcoming year that contained lovingly trolling Photoshopped images of her nemesis.
.
J.None also jumped online for an interview with fellow singer Ethan Drew on the Vocast podcast (now called "The Face Behind the Voice"). Their conversation touched on everything from music to video games to family.
The following day, Le Boeuf released a a DeejaVu Remix of the cover of Dante Thomas's "Miss California" featuring J.None that they'd collaborated on the previous summer.
.
A little love
In the middle of the month, VoicePlay took second place in Ranker.com's poll of the best a cappella groups, nestled between Pentatonix and Home Free. Not too shabby, considering that both their neighbors have benefited from Sony Entertainment's robust PR department following their wins on The Sing-Off, while VoicePlay have remained independent.
The next day, they releasd a smooth short of "Valerie", best known from the version by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse.
.
During the ensuing week, Cesar and his Element pals played two back-to-back corporate gigs with Shannon Starkey sitting in for Michelle, who had a broken foot. First they entertained the crowd at the IAAPA conference opening ceremony. Then they served as the house band for the "Not So Late Show" with Carnie Wilson and Demi Lovato at the Global Exchange Conference.
.
Hello, world!
With the weekend looming, VoicePlay finally jumped on a plane and flew to Atlantic City for the Chicago anniversary shows. Between the two concerts and several meetups with fans from around the globe, it was quite a whirlwind.
While they were there, they also unleashed their next short, a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek version of "I'm Too Sexy" with not one but two special guest performers.
The guys returned home triumphant, ready to relax with friends and family. Cheoff Castellucci and his bespectacled assistant prepared an impressive spread for Thanksgiving, as well as packing bags of hygiene essentials for donation to a local shelter.
Meanwhile, their friends at Entertainment Central released a promo video for their new group, Operazzi, which was filmed at PattyCake.
.
Hey, baby!
After many years of anticipation, Eli and Ashely finally welcomed their son Asher to the world. The whole extended family was delighted by the tiny bundle of joy.
.
A swing and a win
December began with a couple solid grooves. VoicePlay released their second Loop relay game, a bit of Elvis's "Return to Sender" initiated by Geoff.
And J.None put out a video for "Who Gon Stop Me", an anthem to perseverance from his "R&B Stories" EP that he'd released the summer before.
The next week brought more celebration as friends and family gathered for Asher's bris. The new parents were tired but glowing, and everyone was excited to meet their tiny bundle of joy.
.
Back to business
A couple days later, Layne and Tony gathered their cast of baddies at the PattyCake studio to start filming the interior scenes for the Villains Lair episode in progress.
Following in his VP bandmates' wake, J.None sat down for an interview with Peter Barber on the Vocal Arts podcast. They talked about everything from his childhood to his plans for the future.
.
Tidings of comfort and joy
With the end of the year quickly approaching, it was finally time for some festive tunes. Omar Cardona released a cover of "NSYNC's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" featuring dozens of his friends and family members, including Cesar.
The next day, Geoff put a gentle, bassy spin on a short of Mariah Carey's ubiquitous "All I Want For Christmas Is You" that even managed to win over some former retail workers.
The following week, Cesar returned to the annual Advent Health fundraiser, this time with Omar in tow. The pair went live on Instagram to give a backstage view for a sing-along of "Feliz Navidad". Even with just a handful of volunteers in a conference room as a live audience, they worked the crowd with festive gusto.
Cesar and Omar sing "Feliz Navidad" — Wait for it…
.
Red, green, and blue
The middle of the month brought a double shot of holiday silliness. VoicePlay put their own ridiculous twist on "Jingle Bell Rock" in the style of Mean Girls, featuring the return of Adriana Arellano and the debut of Asher Jacobson.
Geoff took another dip in the Presley pool with a surprisingl rendition of "Blue Christmas" that somehow manages to be both funny and sweet.
.
Let the good times roll
The next weekend saw the guys heading in separate directions. Cesar and his Lunar friends had a gig singing 80s jams at a skating rink.
Layne and Cyndi headed up to NYC for a joint birthday / early holiday excursion. They saw a bunch of Broadway shows, ate good food, and caught up with a few friends while they were in town.
The Castelluccis had some local fun with a trip to the aquarium, where they got to interact with the penguins.
.
Last hurrahs
As the end of the year drew even closer, VoicePlay released one more short. Their exceprt of "This Wish" from the latest animated Disney movie is beautifully hopeful.
.
That evening, Layne and Cyndi popped over to Clearwater with some friends to attend a Rockapella concert and say hi to occasional collaborator Jeff Thatcher.
The day after Christmas, Cesar found a tree in need of an embrace to share some love with the world at large.
.
The year ahead would bring new collaborators, the return of old friends, and the continuing flood of creativity VoicePlay's fans have come to expect. But those are stories for another time.
This Wish — VoicePlay music video short
As a new year approaches, many people think about their hopes and ambitions for the future. So this hopeful song from Disney's latest animated movie struck the VoicePlay gang as the perfect way to close out their musical offerings for the year. All they needed was a little help from one of their favorite collaborators.
Details:
title: This Wish (feat. Adriana Arellano)
original performer: Ariana DeBose as Asha in Wish (2023)
written by: Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, & JP Saxe
arranged by: Layne Stein
release date: 22 December 2023
My favorite bits:
Adriana's sweet, floaty timbre on the opening lyrics
the front trio adding a crescendo during ♫ "throw caution to every warning sign" ♫ to evoke the character's growing confidence
Geoff's smooth, resonant slides as he steps into frame
the little swells in the backing harmonies under the first ♫ "so I make this wish" ♫
the Star lighting up as they build to the chorus 🌟
Layne kicking in the beat to increase the emotional power
the coordinated descending run on ♫ "this wi-i-i-i-ish" ♫ in the middle of the chorus
Eli and Cesar's syncopated echoes of ♫ "more than... this, oh" ♫, and the extra deep note Geoff holds underneath it
the delicate arpeggios bouncing between Eli, Cesar, and Layne
finishing with the guys fading out and Adriana standing strong on her own
Trivia:
The YouTube version cuts off the last few seconds, depriving viewers of the beautiful ending. (Darn you, YT shorts time limit!)
Adriana and the guys had a lovely time working together again.
Ariana DeBose is a fellow reality show alumna, having competed on the sixth season of So You Think You Can Dance in 2009. She was also part of the original Broadway ensemble for Hamilton, starred in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, and played Anita in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story.
Blue Christmas — Geoff Castellucci music video
Spending the holidays apart from the person you love most can be difficult. And there's no better way to express those emotions than through song. Many singers have recorded different versions of this tune over the past century, but Geoff still found a way to make it his own. His rendition is somehow both earnest and hilarious.
Details:
title: Blue Christmas (low bass singer cover)
original performer: Doye O'Dell; inspired by the Elvis Presley version
written by: Billy Hayes & Jay W. Johnson
arranged by: Geoff Castellucci
release date: 15 December 2023
My favorite bits:
his hangdog expression and forlorn sighs to set the mood
starting simple with just lead Geoff and some guitar chords
grabbing appropriately colored shirts during ♫ "decorations of red on a green Christmas tree" ♫ 🎄
drawing out the end of ♫ "you're not here with meee" ♫ 😢
the backing harmonies tiptoeing in
the instruments taking over the melody during the spoken bridge
looking straight into the camera with those puppy dog eyes while he says "my transgressions are numerous" 🥺
Dude, that is a massively unhealthy relationship! Get the heck out!
hopping up into his tenor range and putting a yodelling wail on ♫ "doing all right" ♫ as he resumes singing
wandering lower and lower as he approaches the end of the lyrics
Hi, Kathy! 🥰
the laundry baskets changing from blue to white after the meet-cute moment
Trivia:
○ The video was filmed after hours at a local Orlando laundromat — College Park Laundry & Dry Cleaners.
○ This song wasn't his original plan for the holiday season, but the one he'd had in mind just wasn't working out, so he pivoted to a little bit of sentimental silliness instead. He did finally record "O Come Emmanuel" in 2025 after heavily reworking his arrangement.
○ This marks a rare instance of Geoff not wearing his wedding ring in a video, particularly without makeup as a reason, but he wanted to make sure viewers didn't think his character would cheat on an offscreen spouse, even if she was terribly abusive.
○ Several of the t-shirts Geoff is (poorly) folding have appeared in previous solo and/or VoicePlay videos. Others are simply in keeping with the lyrics or holding significance for him.
light blue — ♫ "blue Christmas" ♫ & VP's "Daddy Sang Bass"
red — Chewbacca with tiny lights — ♫ "decorations of red" ♫
green — "I Don't Know, Margo!" from Christmas Vacation — ♫ "on a green Christmas tree" ♫ & VP's holiday movie medley short
tan with white cuffs — "Saddle Up"
dark blue — ♫ "blue memories" ♫
black 1 — his own Old & Boring Society merch
black 2 — Rockapella 35th anniversary merch — He subbed with the group for their New Year's show in 2015.
gray hoodie — If he's worn this in a video, the hood wasn't visible.
○ Some of the shirts hanging on the rail in the background have also been worn in other videos.
white short sleeved button-up — "Good Luck Charm" short
gray palm tree button-up — "Way Down"
blue plaid flannel — "Saddle Up"
red plaid flannel — VP "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" short, Chili's jingle short, solo "Paul Bunyan" short
black button-up — "House of the Rising Sun"
light blue button-up — "Mele Kalikimaka", VP's "Bang!"
○ Geoff had recorded a bassy rendition of "White Christmas" the year before. If he wanted to continue the colorful trend, he could put his own spin on "Green Christmas" from the live-action Grinch adaptation, or "Red Christmas" from the fourth Descendants movie. 🤔
○ As a longtime Elvis fan, Geoff is always happy to take a dip into the King's ouvre. A patron request got a live excerpt of Presley's "Always On My Mind" that was only posted to his TikTok in 2021. He'd released his first full solo Elvis tune with "Way Down" a year and a half before. His next selection was "Good Luck Charm" for Friday the 13th in June 2025, which got a full audio track, but only a short video.
○ He has recorded several Elvis songs with 4:2:Five / VoicePlay over the years. They sang Rockapella's arrangement of "Hound Dog" on their 2004 album "Time Machine". Geoff then created a lovely rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" for them for Valentines Day in 2020, and led the charge on "Return to Sender" as the second entry in their VoicePlay Loop relay game at the beginning of the month.
○ Geoff also sang bass on fellow a cappella group Vox Audio's version of "A Little Less Conversation" for their 2012 album "Voice Activated" (which, sadly, is not currently available for streaming).
Jingle Bell Rock — VoicePlay music video
Even though they mostly record covers of existing songs, VoicePlay always try to bring something new and different to their performances. So when their Patreon patrons challenged them to recreate this iconic scene from Mean Girls, they couldn't just sing the song and learn the dance moves. They had to add a few extra sprinklings of festive silliness. It is so fetch!
Details:
title: Jingle Bell Rock (feat. Adriana Arellano)
original performers: Bobby Helms; based on the version in Mean Girls (2004)
written by: officially credited to Joe Beal & Jim Boothe; first recorded arrangement claimed by Bobby Helms & guitarist Hank Garland
arranged by: Layne Stein
release date: 15 December 2023
My favorite bits:
Layne wearing a mask that's believable for a high school talent show, rather than the professional prosthetics they've used on past Grinch performers
opening with such sweet, gentle vocalizations
Adriana's slightly sultry timbre on the melody
the contrast between Eli and Cesar's legato backing harmonies and their delightful ♫ "da-dat" ♫ between phrases
the Castelluccis and Jacobsons in the audience being scandalized by the boys' dance moves while Layne just chuckles
Cyndi hamming it up as the "cool mom"
the percussion dropping back to just sleigh bells under ♫ "Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time" ♫
Geoff impatiently pointing in time with the skipping CD
the meta humor of Layne kicking the boombox into his own face
the very teenage "Oh my god" and eyeroll Adriana gives before storming off the stage
Cesar nervously smiling through the awkward silence
the rolled R that Layne adds to ♫ "It's the right time" ♫
Eli's appropriately jovial "It's a swell time, ho ho!" singspiel
Geoff's bouncy ♫ "jingle jingle jingle jingle, jingle bell rock" ♫ bass line under the other guys holding out the final chord
punctuating the ending in a very Grinchy manner
Trivia:
This song and video concept were a Patreon pick. Thank you patrons, for making the guys learn choreography at least once a year.
The audience is comprised of VP friends and family including Layne's mom, Eli's wife Ashley and their newborn son, Adriana's mom and sister, and production assistant Franchezca.
The Oogie Boogie costume was created for an episode of PattyCake's "Villains Lair" series co-starring Kathy, and previously appeared in VoicePlay's video for "Kidnap the Sandy Claws".
Most of the boys' costumes are referencing their previous videos. Santa was in "Oogie Boogie's Song", Oogie Boogie appeared in "Kidnap the Sandy Claws", and the Grinch is from "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch", also featuring Adriana.
Cesar is dressed as Buddy from Elf (2004), whose costume was inspired by the elves in the Rankin/Bass claymation movie Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964). VoicePlay had included an excerpt of the latter's title song in their "Most of the Songs" holiday medley, which they performed at live shows for many years.
There were multiple advantages to Layne wearing a mask rather than prosthetic makeup. It saved the time and expense of the application process, he didn't have to shave his facial hair, and he didn't have to beatbox while dancing, which is very difficult.
Because the video shoot was scheduled on pretty short notice due to the Chicago anniversary shows and the uncertain birth date of baby Jacobson, none of their usual camera people were available on the day. So Tony ended up filming the whole thing on his phone.
The second half of the performance was reposted to their social media accounts the following year.
Their buddies in fellow a cappella group DCappella had recorded a version that was included on both their 2019 "Rockin’ Holiday" EP and 2021 "Holiday A Cappella Songs" album.
All I Want For Christmas Is You — Geoff Castellucci music video short
This song has been the bane of retail employees and holiday shoppers alike for decades, so Geoff knew that he'd have to do something different with it. He stripped out the brash orchestra, added a pinch of old-school blues, and (of course) took it down a few octaves. The result is a gentle hug for your ears and your soul at any time of year.
Details:
title: All I Want For Christmas Is You
original performer: Mariah Carey
written by: Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff
arranged by: Geoff Castellucci
release date: 8 December 2023 repost date: 20 December 2024
My favorite bits:
keeping a fairly jaunty tempo, but giving it a swingy rhythm and sparse instrumentation to make the lyrics hit differently
the way he softens and elides words into each other, giving a feeling like he's confiding those melancholy emotions to "you" across some great distance
the backing harmonies quietly sneaking in under the second half of the verse
the bluesy progression into ♫ "make me happy" ♫
highlighting ♫ "my own" ♫ and ♫ "ever" ♫ with echoes in the backing vocals before they fully join for ♫ "all I want for Christmas" ♫
moseying his way down to that final subharmonic ♫ "you" ♫
that little wistful smile at the end
Trivia:
The little gift box behind him was originally featured in his video for "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" the year before.
He reposted this short to his various social media accounts the following year for good measure.
His friends in DCappella had recorded a full version that was included on both their 2019 "Rockin’ Holiday" EP and 2021 "Holiday A Cappella Songs" album.
collaboration spotlight — Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by Omar Cardona
Florida may not get much snow in the winter, but that doesn't stop the folks who live there from enjoying the holiday festivities. Omar and his family and friends can bring a little sunshine to warm your heart, no matter what time of year it is.
Details:
title: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
original performers: *NSYNC
written by: JC Chasez, Veit Renn, Justin Timberlake, & Vince Degiorgio
arranged by: Omar Cardona & Scott Dickinson
release date: 8 December 2023
My favorite bits:
the fun Dixieland-jazz-inspired instrumentation 🥁
the audible smile in Omar's voice through the whole song
big sister Amanda joining him when he sings ♫ "family" ♫
all the backing vocals and dancers joining in with the first chorus
the easy descending riff on ♫ "love is in the air" ♫
Who doesn't like a good dance break? 💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺
Omar cutting loose with descants and ad libs over the final chorus
all the instruments dropping out to let the combined voices shine
little Luca in his adorable Santa outfit 🎅
everyone waving ASL "I love you"s as the camera starts to pull back 🤟
Trivia:
This video features many of Omar's family and friends, including his sister Amanda (the ASL interpreter), his partner Dani and their son Luca, his best friend Cesar, their friend Kayla, and his Epic bandmate Lisa (who also served as executive producer).
There were more than a hundred people involved in the project, between musicians, vocalists, dancers, and production crew.
The ensemble dancers are from the In Motion Dance Project studio in Orlando, which unfortunately closed the following summer after nearly two decades.
The video was directed and choreographed by Michael McCrary, who can be seen in some of the behind-the-scenes clips on social media. He's worked on theatrical productions across the country and around the world.
The chorus of backing vocals includes many of the folks in the video, plus Omar's brother EJ and sister-in-law Lindsay, as well as his theme park pals John Gibson, Rebecca Grae, J.None, Honey Larochelle, and more.
Amanda, EJ, Lindsay, Cesar, and their friend Michelle are in a gig band called Element that regularly performs at EPCOT's seasonal festivals.
Cesar had recorded an a cappella short of this song with VoicePlay two years before.
The original 1998 *NSYNC video features a cameo from Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman, which was apparently a little tricky to arrange. They also released an animated video a couple weeks after this one for the song's 25th anniversary.
Fellow Orlando natives *NSYNC performed this song during the 1998 Disney World Christmas parade, when little Omar was in elementary school.
interview — Vocal Arts podcast with J.None
After talking to both Geoff and Layne over the previous months, Peter continued gleefully collecting VoicePlay members like Pokémon. Next up was J.None. During their hour-long conversation they discussed what motivated his career shift to the U.S. Navy Band, adjusting to military life, his musical origins, the versatility required for a cappella, his time as part of 4Shore, competing on X-Factor and American Idol, the realities of the music industry, enjoying the journey, improvements in self-production, his time with VoicePlay, expanding his vocal skills, theme park shows, his favorite VP projects, long-term plans, advice for aspiring musicians, and his ongoing solo work.
release date: 7 December 2023
Who Gon Stop Me — J.None music video
Once J.None sets his sights on a goal, he doesn't give up. Even if there are bumps in the road or temporary diversions, he'll get there in the end. That drive has served him well, not just for his career in the entertainment industry, but for life in general. It's infectious, as well, motivating those around him to strive for their own dreams.
Details:
title: Who Gon Stop Me
performer: J.None
written by: Jessie "J.None" Nunn III
release date: 1 December 2023
My favorite bits:
his relaxed vocal noodling before he starts singing in earnest
the simple patient delivery of ♫ "You can have what you want" ♫
popping a little higher to acknowledge that ♫ "It might take a little time" ♫
the confidence in the melody and repeated lyrics of the choruses
the brief glimpse of Musician Nunn in uniform 🫡
the smooth harmonies of ♫ "Why was I chosen?" ♫
answering his own question in the third chorus with ♫ "Nobody" ♫
the crisp flow of that bassy rap break
cutting loose with counterpoint riffs behind the penultimate chorus
dropping out the instrumentation for the final chorus to let the layers of his voice shine
Trivia:
The "seven five seven" on his shirt is a reference to the area code for southeastern Virginia, where he was born and raised. After living in Orlando for several years, and then Seattle, he is now back home in the 757 with his posting to the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters, which are based in Washington, D.C.
The folks dancing with J toward the end are his mom, step-dad, and older siblings, most of whom had previously joined him for VoicePlay's "Daddy Sang Bass" video in 2018. Big sister Tiffany also helped with the choreography for the anti-bullying video "Everybody Cross the Line" that J co-wrote and sang with ATK.
This song is the third track on his "R&B Stories" EP, released the summer before.
The video was directed by longtime collaborator Tristan Brown, who had previously done the same for his cover of "Until the End of Time" with Amanda Jay and his original song "Back At Home", as well as their friend Nikita's JamSchooled educational video series in which J made several appearances.
Although it has the same title, it's not a cover of the Jay-Z and Kanye West song released in 2011.
The paraphrased quote on screen at the beginning is frequently attributed to author Ayn Rand: "The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." Although she never said or wrote that specific sentence, it is a reasonable condensation of an exchange in her book The Fountainhead between protagonist Howard Roark and the dean of his architectural school.
Return to Sender (VP Loop) — VoicePlay music video
Since their first attempt at a relay arrangement went pretty well, the guys decided to do it again. The randomness of fate led them from a brand new hit to a golden oldie, and they put that VoicePlay twist on it, even while working in separate places.
Details:
title: VoicePlay Loop #2 – Return to Sender
original performer: Elvis Presley
written by: Winfield Scott & Otis Blackwell
arranged by: VoicePlay
release date: 1 December 2023
My favorite bits:
upgrading from rolling a d6 to a d12 to reduce the likelihood of ties they'd had the first time
all of Geoff's joking pessimism in the intro spiel
Layne's face lighting up as he instinctively starts adding backing vocals
the triple snap edit at the end of Eli's recording session
Cesar calling the other guys old in the sweetest way, in retaliation for none of them knowing the song he'd picked for the first Loop
filling in the little sonic gaps
the smooth harmonies on the repeated ♫ "He put it in his sack" ♫
Geoff's subterranean ♫ "back" ♫ to really underscore the sadness
the sweet bell chord of ♫ "zone" ♫
that funky breakdown on the start of the second verse
the isolated ♫ "bwuaah-dm" ♫ bass line in the outro
Trivia:
The group has a long history with Elvis tunes. 4:2:Five recorded Rockapella's arrangement of "Hound Dog" on their 2004 album of classics, "Time Machine". They also put their stamp on a rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" for Valentine's Day in 2020.
Geoff has recorded a couple Elvis songs for his solo channel, as well, including "Way Down" the previous summer, and "Blue Christmas" at the end of the year.
He also sang bass on fellow a cappella group Vox Audio's version of "A Little Less Conversation" for their 2012 album "Voice Activated" (which, sadly, is not currently available for streaming).
Cesar is only ten years younger than the other guys, but he grew up with different cultural touchstones, primarily Puerto Rican music that his family listened to and performed.
I'm Too Sexy — VoicePlay music video short
VoicePlay can sing anything from rock to orchestral, Broadway to country and beyond, but they really shine when they can be a little silly. This satrical pop hit let five handsome fellas get into a serious groove with a wink and a smile.
Details:
title: I'm Too Sexy (feat. Omar Cardona)
original performers: Right Said Fred NOTE: The original video includes a lot of scantily clad people and tongue-in-cheek objectification of them.
written by: Fred Fairbrass, Richard Fairbrass, & Rob Manzoli
arranged by: Rob Dietz
release date: 18 November 2023
My favorite bits:
the creeky tone Geoff puts on ♫ "leave meee" ♫ as he steps back
Layne perfectly recreating that synth percussion riff 🥁
tenor Eli covering the bass line during the verses
Omar flashing those striking eyes at the camera 👁️👁️
the way Layne tugs at his top on the second ♫ "shirt" ♫ and Cesar teasingly opens his collar for the repeated ♫ "so sexy it hurts" ♫
Geoff's pouty tone and expression indicating how much ♫ "it hurts" ♫ as he shows off his sparkly bandage
that high harmonized "instrumental" line from Omar and Cesar
Layne giving the others appreciative little glances in between percussion phrases 👀
Eli's falling run that draws out the end of ♫ "on the catwalk" ♫
the quiet echo of ♫ "on the catwalk" ♫ from Geoff
the trio's cheeky harmonized ♫ "Ooh!" ♫
Cesar working that twirl ❤️💛💚💙
everyone making a smooth exit from frame
Trivia:
This song was the winner of Patreon poll. A handful of patrons admitted feeling slightly guilty for choosing such a bragadocious tune, but the satirical tone was pretty perfect for these goofballs.
Although he didn't get a section of the melody in this arrangement, Omar is at least credited in the description as "The Sexiest Of All".
Geoff initially suggested that they all wear mesh tops like the original Right Said Fred video, but the others quickly nixed that idea. The array of deliberately gaudy shirts they came up with instead is much more expressive of their individual personalities.
Layne is wearing the zebra print shirt he had loaned to Eli for their "Puttin’ on the Ritz" short earlier in the year.
The tiny dog Geoff is holding is named Olive. She belongs to Kathy's brother, Pasquale, who played Santa in their video for "Oogie Boogie's Song". The Castelluccis were dogsitting for the week and brought her along. Her official credit reads "Stunt Dog - Olive the Teacup Chihuahua (not impressed by us at all)".
Chicago's 55th anniversary concerts — VoicePlay live performances
The rock band Chicago released their debut album "Chicago Transit Authority" in the spring of 1969, and their horn section immediately made them stand out from the crowd. For over half a century, they've been a staple on American radio stations and live stages around the world. When the time came to celebrate this major anniversary, they decided to gather a lineup of other fine musicians and make it a real party. For two nights Chicago rocked Atlantic City, sharing the stage with singers Chris Daughtry, Robin Thicke, and Judith HIll, a cappella group VoicePlay, and guitarists Steve Vai, Robert Randolph, and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.
It might seem a bit strange for such a heavily instrumental band to enlist an a cappella group to perform some of their hit tunes, but VoicePlay were more than up for the task. Their inventive arrangement of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" had caught the ear of Chicago's team, who extended an invitation the guys were very excited to accept. They were given a set of four classic songs from the band's ouvre, as well as joining in the finale number with all of the other musical guests.
.
Their first song of the set is a rueful ballad about missing a lover while the band is on the road, something VoicePlay is also familiar with. Videographer Huldra added some fun onscreen commentary of her own.
Details:
title: Wishing You Were Here
original performers: Chicago
written by: Peter Cetera
performance date: 18 November 2023
My favorite bits:
their lovely opening harmonies
Omar egging on the audience applause
starting with Cesar's wistful tone
Layne's sweet timbre on the melody before he kicks in the beat
the soaring "instrumental" falsetto from Cesar
jumping from Geoff's depths to Eli's highs in the second verse
Omar's clear, confident lead vocals in the bridge
the accuracy of Layne recreating the crashing wave sound
Lee's little head shake of disbelief during Geoff's second solo
passing the repeated title lyrics down the line at the start of the horn section, ending with Cesar and Geoff's octave harmonies
that tasty final chord resolution
Trivia:
VoicePlay doesn't travel much these days, but their first twenty years of performing together involved plenty of planes, rental cars, cruise ships, cheap hotels, meals at odd times, and — in keeping with the theme of this song — spending extended periods away from their families.
Because the instrumental portions of the original recording were laid down first, Peter Cetera hadn't realized that the melody line was slightly too low for his voice. He handed the lead vocals off to Terry Kath, but still sang the bridge section himself. The two swapped instruments, as well.
The track includes backing harmonies from three members of the Beach Boys, who were also at the studio while Chicago were working on their 1974 album "Chicago VII". The two bands toured together the following year, and again in 1989.
.
Their second tune has a much lighter theme, the excitement of new love and the way it can make the world seem like a better place. It's sweet and gentle, and lets the singers shine.
Details:
title: Happy Man
original performers: Chicago
written by: Peter Cetera
performance date: 17 November 2023
My favorite bits:
the sincerity in Omar's repeated ♫ "fallen in love with you" ♫
Eli standing up to be properly seen and heard during the first chorus
the deliciously crunchy harmonies of the trio's syncopated ♫ "being a hap-py" ♫
Geoff dropping into the basement for ♫ "I'd never do" ♫
everything dropping out to let the trio emphasize ♫ "all these words I have stated are true" ♫
Omar and Eli trading delicate riffs as they mosey toward the end
Cesar getting the last ♫ "fallen in love with you" ♫
the fading cymbal effect from Layne
the grins on all of their faces when the audience starts hooting and hollering rather than just politely clapping
Trivia:
This song also first appeared on the band's 1974 album "Chicago VII". It was distributed as a promotional single, but wasn't subsequently released as a commercial single.
It was covered by Tony Orlando and Dawn in 1976 for their final studio album "To Be with You", and Peter Cetera recorded a solo version on his 1995 album "One Clear Voice".
.
Once a relationship is established, the hard part is maintaining it. Their third song finds the narrative voice trying to convince his partner to stay and work things out rather than simply walking away.
Details:
title: If You Leave Me Now
original performers: Chicago
written by: Peter Cetera
performance date: 18 November 2023
My favorite bits:
the smooth hand-offs between Omar and Cesar
Omar getting a little breathy with his solo ♫ "stay" ♫
Eli's deft riffing on ♫ "find" ♫ and ♫ "behind" ♫
their sweet legato chords in the bridge, alternating with the instruments
Geoff's beefy ♫ "please don't go" ♫ sliding even deeper at the end
the little smile between Layne and Omar during ♫ "Ooh, my my" ♫
the passion in Eli's final ♫ "Come on" ♫
Cesar's adorable chair dance and Omar asking the audience "Do you love us?" (Enjoy your moment, boys.)
Trivia:
This song was recorded for Chicago's 1976 album "Chicago X", and was released as the lead single. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts, and is the band's biggest international hit.
It garnered their first Grammy award Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, as well as Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists for arranger Jimmie Haskell and producer James William Guercio.
.
Of course, when a romance does end, sometimes moving on is the part that hurts the most. How do you finally let go when the other person you're still holding out hope for finds somebody else?
Details:
title: Look Away
original performers: Chicago
written by: Diane Warren
performance date: 18 November 2023
My favorite bits:
starting with some lush five-part harmonies
the vulnerability in Eli's bare melody
gradually layering in the backing vocals from the bottom up
drawing out ♫ "take the news okay" ♫
the resignation in Omar's voice on the first chorus
Layne kicking in the beat
passing the melody around through the second verse
Eli's wailing ♫ "wanted it to be" ♫
Omar soaring on ♫ "see me this waaay" ♫
all the guys standing up after the key change
those gorgeous harmonies of ♫ "what to say" ♫
that final clear ♫ "I'm really happy for you" ♫
getting handshakes and hugs from the band, and a standing ovation from the audience
Trivia:
This song was recorded for the band's 1988 album "Chicago 19", and was released as the second single with "Come In from the Night" as the b-side track.
The lead vocals were sung by keyboardist Bill Champlin, since Peter Cetera had retired from the group three years earlier to pursue his solo career.
The demo had initially been offered to Cheap Trick and Europe, but both bands had turned it down.
.
This finale song is pretty heavily instrumental, but that didn't stop all of the musicians from having a good time rocking out on it. The guest singers clearly enjoyed hanging out on stage together and adding their voices to the wall of sound in the choruses.
Details:
title: 25 or 6 to 4
original performers: Chicago
written by: Robert Lamm
performance date: 18 November 2023
My favorite bits:
the unmistakeable bass guitar hook and horn fanfares
Layne gamely beatboxing along with the other percussionists the whole time, quite a marathon
Chris Daughtry's powerful lead vocals on the first verse
Eli mouthing along with the opening line off-mic
Neil Donnell proving that he's still got the pipes
the excellent guitar jam section with Tony, Robert, and Steve
the singers in the middle row swaying along with the horn section
Omar getting a respectful fistbump from Ray at stage right
Cesar's enthusiastic headbanging in the lead-up to the end
hugs and handshakes before lining up for their final bows
Trivia:
This song was written for the band's eponymous second album, released in 1970.
The meaning of the titular lyrics has been the cause of much speculation over the years. Robert Lamm has since clarified that they were about the disorientation he felt while trying to write a song in the middle of the night at "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]".
.
Additional trivia:
The VoicePlay guys split the arranging duties for their songs between Layne, Geoff, and Eli. Because they were performing with Chicago, they stayed pretty close to the original vocals and instrumentation, but still added their own flair here and there.
Eli wore his coat with the fuzzy purple collar that he'd previously worn in their "Nothing Else Matters" and "Wellerman" videos.
In addition to Kathy Castellucci and Cyndi Stein accompanying the fellas on the trip, their longtime sound engineer Paul Kaleka, former group member J.None, Eli's brother, and some of Cesar's friends from Japan were all in the audience.
J.None had learned Eli's parts and was on hand in case the dad-to-be needed to scoot home if the baby arrived early, but this time he just got to hang out with his friends, meet some fans, and enjoy the shows. On his first comedy album, he recounted being invited to get high with Robin Thicke afterward.
Trusty sound guy Paul took over the console during VoicePlay's sets to ensure that they sounded as good as possible. The main audio engineer, Jeremy Hinkston, was happy to relinquish that control, because he was familiar with VP's work from his YouTube music reaction channel.
While everyone was setting up for the first soundcheck, Chicago's drummer asked where VoicePlay's drumkit would be placed. 🤭
VP fans traveled to Atlantic City from around the world to attend the shows. There were several meetups in and around the hotel, some of which the guys dropped in on.
A recorded compilation of the shows was made available to stream online in December, and had two showings in movie theaters the following April.
Since his dad hadn't been able to travel for the live shows, Eli took both him and baby Asher to see the filmed version at a theater close to home.
The audio from the shows was compiled into a limited edition album entitled "Live at 55", and released in January on either 2 CDs, 3 vinyl records, or in a bundle with the video on either DVD or Blu-Ray.
Chicago's "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" was part of VoicePlay's "Road Trip" medley / comedy sketch that they performed at live shows starting during their 4:2:Five days.
.
Additional photos
Valerie — VoicePlay music video short
Hard times can be made a little easier by the company of someone who understands your circumstances. And setting that dispair to a jaunty tune can make those burdens seem a little lighter. If you're feeling down, this mellow minute of music just might lift your spirits a bit, or even put a smile on your face.
Details:
title: Valerie (feat. Omar Cardona)
original performers: The Zutons; popularized by Mark Ronson, feat. Amy Winehouse; inspired by the Amy Winehouse version
written by: Abi Harding, Boyan Chowdhury, Dave McCabe, Russ Pritchard, & Sean Payne
arranged by: Geoff Castellucci
release date: 14 November 2023
My favorite bits:
starting with the simplicity of Omar's clear melody and Geoff's sparse bass line
Omar putting his hands on Cesar's shoulders to keep him at the right level in their blocking
the smooth transition between harmonic trios as the lead passes from Omar to Cesar and back
Cesar just dipping into the bari- of his baritenor with the falling ♫ "dress" ♫ riff
the sweet syncopated ♫ "Why don't you come on over?" ♫ ascent from Eli, Cesar, and Layne
all those agile riffs Omar makes sound so effortless
Geoff's fun descending bass run under under the penultimate line of the chorus
the tasty resolution of that final chord
Trivia:
The original song itself saw multiple different versions in rapid succession. The Zutons' track was on their album "Tired of Hanging Around" released in June 2006. The more upbeat Mark Ronson rendition on his album "Version" was released in April 2007. Even though Winehouse's slower version was recorded before her collaboration with Ronson, it didn't hit wide release until it became a bonus track on the deluxe edition of her "Back to Black" album in November 2007.
The VoicePlay guys, as well as several friends, fans, and family members, were quite effusive with their praise for this piece on social media.
The time constraints of YouTube shorts cuts off the final line in that version, which is a darn shame.
The subject of the song is makeup artist Valerie Star, who was friends with Zutons lead singer Dave McCabe while both were having a rough time. He had heard that she'd gotten in trouble for driving with a suspended license, and wrote the lyrics as a musical postcard inviting her to hang out and commiserate.
interview — The Vocast podcast with J.None
Talking with J.None is always a good time, and this is no exception. In this relaxed 90-minute conversation, he and Ethan spoke about everything from favorite drinks to video games, but most of the time was spent talking about his musical origins and inspirations, his non-vocal talents, practice habits, cultivating his extended range while honing a solid core, his favorite collaborators and solo pieces, his time with VoicePlay and appreciation for their creativity, advice for aspiring artists, his projects in progress, and his funniest memories on- and off-stage.
release date: 8 November 2023
interview — Vocal Arts podcast with Layne Stein
When these guys first scheduled an interview, they intended to do a process demo similar to Layne's conversation on The Charismatic Voice about his Moana arrangement. But when the day arrived, the necessary software wasn't playing nicely. So instead they had a more wide-ranging chat about the history of VoicePlay and PattyCake Productions, the logistics of video production, working with the theme park community, his music arrangement process, playing the violin, learning to beatbox and expanding his repertoire, attempting to find balance and sustainability in an unpredictable profession, the Chicago anniversary shows, and pushing his bandmates beyond their perceived limits.
release date: 8 November 2023
Further On Up the Road — Geoff Castellucci music video short
While bells and whistles can be fun, sometimes simplicity is needed to properly convey the subject of a song. This one is written from the perspective of a soldier contemplating the things he's tasked with doing and his hopes for a brighter future. Will everything be worth it in the end?
Details:
title: Further On Up the Road (bass singer cover)
original performers: Bruce Springsteen; inspired by the Johnny Cash version
written by: Bruce Springsteen
arranged by: Geoff Castellucci
release date: 4 November 2023
My favorite bits:
the combination of moody black-and-white cinematography with his quiet, melancholy timbre on the opening lines
the simplicity of the piano line under the first verse
that spine-tingling descending hum
floating up the octave to start the second verse and adding more complex accompaniment
his delicate falling riff on the second ♫ "song to sing" ♫
dropping back down for the last few words
Trivia:
This is one of the more modern songs Geoff has recorded in his solo work. The original Springsteen track appeared on his 2002 album "The Rising", and Cash's cover was released in 2006 on "American V: A Hundred Highways".
He filmed this short, and another for "I Put A Spell On You", while he had the piano at the PattyCake studio for his full-length "Jack's Lament" music video.
Due to the time constraints on YouTube shorts, that version is missing the last 10 seconds.
After years of fan requests, he revisited this song for a full-length rendition in the spring of 2026.
25th anniversary of 4:2:Five's eponymous debut EP
[YouTube] ● [Spotify] ● [Apple Music] ● [Amazon Music] ● [Tidal]
release date: 6 May 2001
.
When they'd been performing together for about a year and attained a bit of success, the fine young gentlemen of 4:2:Five decided it was time to record some original music. Layne, Earl, Geoff, Scott, and James grabbed their pencils and pitch pipes in the summer of 2000, and started composing their own a cappella boy band goodness.
After their win in Ed McMahon's Next Big Star online competition led to a disappointing session at the Sony studio in New York City in the autumn, the guys finally started recording in earnest by mid-November. Several more minor speedbumps ensued, but — with a little help on the production side from Jeff Thatcher of Rockapella fame — they finally had a finished product in the spring of 2001.
All of the songwriting is credited to either James or a collaboration between Earl and Layne. Given what they've said about their process in more recent chats, though, it seems likely that everyone contributed at least a little to all the compositions.
The album came with a couple extra surprises. There are some hidden outtakes from rehearsals of "Look At Me" at the end of the final track. (Clearly, these boys don't have any fun singing together.) And as an incentive to visit their website, they offered everyone who bought a physical disc a free download of a bonus track called "Your Moon". That song was also included on their next album of original music, "Unstoppable" in 2004.
photos courtesy of Discogs.com
Trivia:
"Look At Me" had earned them Best Original Song at the Mid-Atlantic Regional of the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival earlier in the year. In addition to being crowned regional champions, they also garnered the Audience Favorite award.
The day before the album's official launch, the boys were at the Harmony Sweepstakes national finals in California. They didn't win, but they did draw praise for their rendition of "Still the One".
A couple weeks later, the guys received a nice write-up in the Orlando Sentinel, and appeared on the local news station's Good Morning Orlando to promote their upcoming CD release party at the Lost And Found nightclub in Longwood.