The Break Up Thanked For Showcasing A Cappella Music
June 6, 2006
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‘The Break Up’ Thanked For Showcasing A Cappella Music
Chicago musicians applaud “more than barbershop quartets, doo-wop” depiction.
Chicago, IL June 6, 2006 — The award-winning, Chicago-based a cappella pop/rock group Vocal Chaos, today publicly thanked everyone involved in the production of “The Break Up” for showing a more contemporary side of a cappella music. Vocal Chaos extends their gratitude to the writers, producers, cast and crew of the new Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy, which briefly features a humorous performance by a fictitious group of a cappella singers.
“A cappella music, especially men’s a cappella, is so much more than just barbershop quartets and doo-wop,” said Jeff Swearingen, public relations director and member of Vocal Chaos. “We believe the movie will help people recognize today’s a cappella sound encompasses other fun, current and popular genres, even classic rock and pop selections.”
While the on-screen group is fictitious, the actors are, in fact, singers from across the country. The performers include Eric Bradley (from Los Angeles-based a cappella group Sixth Wave), Gunnar Madsen (award-winning, Grammy-nominated author, entertainer & songwriter and founder of the a cappella group, The Bobs) Michael Winther (a successful Broadway actor) and three members from Vocal Chaos: Sean P. Gorecki, Paul Peterson, and Karl Solis. The actor portraying the leader of this group, John Michael Higgins, is also an accomplished a cappella composer and performer.
“We hope the brief appearance in the movie will make people think again about a cappella music,” commented Paul Peterson, director and founding member of Vocal Chaos. “This could be just the beginning of an increase in the interest in contemporary a cappella music.”
If you like this kind of music, there’s lots of good news on the horizon:
- Madsen has recently released his latest CD, “Fall of Troy,” available in stores everywhere and at http://www.gunnarspot.com.
- Winther has also released his world premiere recording of “Songs From An Unmade Bed,” released by Ghostlight Records and available on the label’s Web site (http://www.sh-k-boom.com/ghostlight), Amazon.com and in stores.
- The a cappella sextet Sixth Wave (http://www.6thwave.com) has released their second CD, “It Will Come To You,” and recently toured the Midwest, including a day at Niles North High School, followed by an evening concert.
- Vocal Chaos recently released their debut EP, “Taste the Chaos: 2006 EP” at the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival Chicago Regional competition and will be performing in Schaumburg, IL, on Labor Day for the city’s SeptemberFest, and will sing in Independence, Iowa, at the town’s Fourth of July celebration.
- Independent film maker, Bruce Leddy, is anticipating the release of, “Shut Up and Sing,” a movie about a cappella performers.
For more information about these artists, please contact Jeff Swearingen (jeff @ vocalchaos.com), Paul Peterson (paul @ vocalchaos.com) or visit the artists’ respective Web sites.
About Vocal Chaos:
Vocal Chaos is one of Chicago’s most exciting and unique a cappella bands. Always fresh and fun, their arrangements include classic rock songs from artists like The Jackson 5, The Rolling Stones and Elvis Costello, as well as hits from current groups like Tonic, *NSYNC, Counting Crows and The BoDeans. Celebrating their 10-year anniversary in 2006, this semi-pro group of actors, consultants, marketers, students, computer geeks, a playwright and a cartographer performs throughout the Chicagoland area at sporting arenas, corporate events, school assemblies, charity functions, a host of other public venues and even on the big screen. You might have seen them performing at Soldier Field exclusively for the Chicago Fire (Major League Soccer team), entertaining at SeptemberFest in Schaumburg, IL, or singing the National Anthem for the World Champion Chicago White Sox. These guys live to sing the songs you know and love, in a way you’ve never heard before. It’s all you would expect from your favorite band, minus the instruments.
Vocal Chaos and this release are not affiliated with Universal Studios or the movie “The Break Up.”
Jeff Swearingen
PR Director, Vocal Chaos
847.975.2601 (cell)
jeff @ vocalchaos.com
Paul R. Peterson
Director, Vocal Chaos
847.406.7248 (cell)
paul @ vocalchaos.com