Seasoned Vocal Coach Reacts: ‘Pink Pony Club’-Chappell Roan

[@jevonkasitch9991]

The arrangement for the piece was redesigned for the Tiny Desk venue. The violin solos are electric guitar solos in the original form, and that she chose to add strings (Violin and Viola) for this specific venue is another nod to the instincts that she brings to her work. I tend to sum her up as INTENTIONAL in all aspects of her craft. Each piece is chosen carefully. Including her actual execution in performance. Like some folks can do high math in their heads, I feel she is able to 'see' tone and pitch progressions in real time and how to change them dynamically.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@bartlebyscrivener2980]

@jevonkasitch I like that analogy. Chappell is an instinctively great singer: she is gifted with the a great voice capable of almost otherworldly things, and then on her own figured out how to do those things. That's a type of just native genius in my book. On the violin solos, love them! And I think I love equally the two Dan Nigro electric guitar solos on the studio version that the violin replaces here. Btw, Chappell wrote PPC in early 2019, a full YEAR before Altantic would finally, reluctantly allow a version of it to be released. It was so off-brand from her emo/goth girl repertoire to date that they feared it would alienate the small but loyal following that she did have. Atlantic wasn't down with the new direction Chappell had decided to take with Dan. (Then PPC didn't make money and Atlantic was all "We hate to say it [they weren't] but WE TOLD YOU SOOOOOOOOOO!") One of the many objections Atlantic had with PPC during that long year of not releasing it was they told her you can't have TWO electric guitar solos in the song. And Chappell insisted, Yes I can. Those two solos we all now love so much! PPC's commercial "failure," plus the company's pandemic finances, were the official reasons they cut Chappell loose after five years. Chappell's reactions were two totally human ones. On the one hand, devastation at being deemed a "failure," because who isn't hurt and shaken at being fired from a job? But she simultaneously felt relief, because she knew very well it wasn't working out with Atlantic and their wanting her to stay in the lane she'd been in. She was afraid, because she had no idea how she'd pay her rent, but she also knew that to do what she'd decided to do, it couldn't be with Atlantic.

[@jevonkasitch9991]

@@bartlebyscrivener2980 Take note of this clip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r17EiYCNd9h8edk Which is Chappell covering Swift's Love Story. Note this is a cold read on her part, given she needed to call up the lyrics. You can actually see her feel her way through the songs structure and by the 2nd verse set she is starting to make real time adjustments. And by the end it's starting to grow aspects of her style. That this was all 'on the fly' makes it impressive AND instructive of her skill.

[@jevonkasitch9991]

This one is even more impressive. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6m5hZpthceljac. Covering Elvis.

[@bartlebyscrivener2980]

@jevonkasitch Somebody (foxygaspie?) should compile a nice long video of "the best of" these covers she sings at her sound checks/VIP fan Q&As.

[@ericfrank706]

She is destined to be attached to a Broadway show one day inspired by her songbook.

[@blueyezzz05]

I just had the same thought!

[@Wow_gurl250]

Yesssss

[@rhettmitchell]

Yessss her entire album is so good start to finish! I can’t wait for new stuff from her

[@fghdrdthtgfghjhdf2540]

It would be also great to see her in Hedwig on Broadway ❤

[@Dotsaa2]

YES!

[@FairyBogFather]

As a classically-trained singer with musical theater and pop experience, this is is one of the hardest songs to sing ever lol. The range, the diction--Chappell's technique is top-notch!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I know, crazy! Greetings and welcome! 🙏🏼

[@milkbarMPLS]

Same! In recent pop offerings, this and Olivia Rodrigo's Vampire are EXERCISES, but man, they're just about the best thing possible to dance-sing while washing dishes to! And then I feel proud af when I hit all the notes and get to feel fancy all day long afterward.

[@thisthatbetbetter]

"I need to react to everything she's ever done". Made my day. I like how you democratize nerdy music jargon and make it more accessible to casual listeners:) Helps really appreciate everything going on.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

lol!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

✨🙏🏼

[@olliespinoza]

Something about Chappell is that she's a drag queen, and she really leans into her persona when doing appearances like this, which I think really lends her the freedom to play with her vocal expression and gives her so many options. I've been doing voice lessons for a few years now, and one of the things I work on with my teacher is building my persona as an opera singer so that I focus less on pure technique and actually let myself explore and try things in the moment. Watching your breakdowns and Chappell's perfomances have really helped me pivot from just nailing notes or what aspect of my voice I'm using and has really added humanity to my music. Love your videos!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I loved this comment. Thank you for sharing! Yes, give yourself artistic freedom to play. Even though it’s an old art form we still have to breathe fresh life into it! Beautiful.

[@olliespinoza]

@@TimWelchVocalStudio This made my day! I made the pivot from forensic science to opera about three years ago, and it's the best thing I've done in my whole college career. I'm going to be studying in Italy next semester and it's all so surreal but I'm so excited to see how I grow as a performer and artist!

[@bartlebyscrivener2980]

"...Chappell... really leans into her persona when doing appearances like this, which I think really lends her the freedom to play with her vocal expression and gives her so many options" Yes. Her "Chappell Roan project" as she calls the character also gives her the freedom to write and then sing lyrics that the rural small-town Willard, MO three-days-a-week church girl Kayleigh Amstutz would be too self-conscious and embarrassed to write and sing. Chappell has said this in interviews.

[@Ralt66]

Great reaction. I love the way she uses her fan at the beginning of the song, very vaudeville. And I totally agree with you statement "She sounds like a human being singing, we need more of that." It's so true!I

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Yes! Thank you. 🙏🏼

[@bartlebyscrivener2980]

And how on "black lights" she sweeps the fan back across the top of her head like light, then in the same motion continues directly to "mirrored disco ball" making revolving movements with the fan. Just classic stagecraft, all thought through, but she makes it look totally of the moment. Chappell. Does. It. All. Brilliantly. Her complete performances exceed everybody else's out there.

[@DanFamSistah]

Yesssssssss!

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

The extra beauty of Chappell Roan is that the creativity crosses into so many fan types and brings diverse folks together; all singing along in unity. It's infectious.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Agreed!

[@mannotofsteel9401]

That piano intro is totally "I will survive " intro. And it fits perfect to her drag persona

[@bamtwo]

I kept thinking I was hearing that!!!!

[@DanFamSistah]

Yes! I thought it was just me!

[@katewright632]

Chappell's whole persona, the cigarette butts in the hair, lipstick on teeth,, looking at her encrusted phone in the middle of a set 😄caricature, drag, all of it, is genius and genuine. She is taking us out of the mundane virtual reality of life and bringing back a silliness, fun, court jester archetype so we all can remember what life really is about. What better way to promote and support Drag Queens all around the world, she is healing the LGBTIQA+ community and helping so many feel accepted and valued. The message is clear, no matter your identity, you have blood running through your veins, you are alive, you breathe the same air as everyone else, you are special, you count. I know that's why the audience singing Pink Pony Club on SNL and other venues are so emotional. She is giving permission to be yourself. That Drag Queen who told Chappell she is a Drag Queen has created a massive domino or butterfly effect the whole world over. I missed the blowup time. I've only just started hearing Good Luck Babe this month, November, thanks to putting radio back on in the car. My blowup was instant. I am now a total fan and loving her back story. She really is a femininomenon! I'm not even starting about her voice, cause it's so good.

[@emdubz5]

Chappell makes me cry every time I hear her sing but you talking at 16:30 made me so happy and cry too bc man I just love humanity and beautiful art and the people who support it

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

💛✨🙏🏼

[@DavidPChristian2]

This song drove her popularity with drag performers through the roof, they seem to think of her as a drag performer. It's a great song.

[@zakkaryzoah1386]

The Chappel Roan persona is her drag persona! She learned a lot in West Hollywood. 🌈

[@sadskullkid]

Sooooo waiting for california !!! i really think that is one of the most heartbreaking performances i’ve ever seen and it’s just So gorgeous and MOVING

[@amandahaneyart]

Agree

[@katiebentley5921]

16:32 Totally agree about needing to be okay with it, especially because honestly I love how it sounds. It’s authentic and works with the rawness of this stripped back version of the song.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Agreed!

[@Ray-gj1jk]

16:30 I couldn't agree more. I love the real sound she has and even her "errors" sound amazing

[@katieamarsh]

Something about her voice makes me cry. She gives me goosebumps. Her voice is so interesting.

[@TessT101]

Same! I have to be somewhere so I can let it out. She's exceptional ❤

[@erinhohman]

SAME. I feel like a maniac how much I cry at her voice!

[@TerenceClark]

I think the vocal flips add a level of emotion and conversationality to it. She's expressing a mother's exasperation and her own irresistable draw to the club. Those flips really convey a sort of loss of control but without actually losing control of the thread. The movie version of Les Miserables is an example of going too far and losing the thread of the music in the expression of the emotion.

[@JanetMiller78]

Hey Tim, you should watch the official video of the pink pony club. Like you don't have to react to it but it's still a great video cause I have seen a couple of interviews with her, where she mentions at first coming out to California several years ago and then when she met a drag queen that changed her life and her journey so far. And then I watched someone (thethirdbill, it was his first I stan Chappell Roan video) react to the official video of the pink pony club and they pointed out stuff that was like wow 🤯 this is her journey. Like at first in the video, she goes to the pink pony club and no one notices her and then one person does and then the drag queen comes in on guitar (which is her metaphor of actually meeting them in real life) and then how now several people notice her. It's really mind-blowing and eye-opening how he points out the details and how it goes to her real life journey.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

✨🙏🏼

[@JanetMiller78]

​@@TimWelchVocalStudioEven the song, her vocals and instruments, start like her journey. Sad and slow at first, like when she left Tennessee and went to California and then it picks up little by little. She's really is an artist in every sense of the word, from her voice and what and how she sings to the instruments and how they sound to the lyrics to the costuming to her videos. Every single piece and it's definitely set her apart from the rest of the singers and musicians. Truly a masterpiece 👏👏👏

[@zakkaryzoah1386]

Well said. 🌈

[@rawrrxitsxhaley]

I love how you give a full listen and then go back and break it down vs stopping it throughout. I love her persona, you're right it's very theatrical. I think it's great, not something we get in a lot of modern pop music. Translates great into her concerts and interactions with the crowd as well.

[@DanFamSistah]

Car windows down, a beautiful sunny day, singing along to this song at the top of my lungs. Perfect!

[@CC-ke5kg]

It's scary how quickly I became obsessed with her 😭I also really recommend Nothing But Thieves, I think their vocalist is super talented

[@Jimadoriittv]

I love seeing reactions and breakdowns of her performances and songs. She’s so talented and I already can’t wait to see what she does next. I’m so hooked on her music.

[@Eiamii]

found you through your Chappell Roan reactions and been really liking your content! keep it up!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Thanks! ✨🙌🏼

[@clgeisler340]

Would love to see your breakdown of Kaleidoscope!! Such a beautiful song

[@TessT101]

Generational talent ❤ her music brings tears to my eyes

[@ambivalent3995]

another amazing reaction thank you so much for your interesting commentary ❤ there’s this unreleased song that Chappell sings sometimes called The Subway, her performance of this song at outside lands festival is great if you want something else to watch from her😊

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I will check it out

[@zakkaryzoah1386]

Chappel is either an incredible actress or she’s having a lot of fun! Her joy is infectious.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I’d say both!

[@iimploreyou]

She sounds so much like Cyndi Lauper in the second verse I'm obsessed

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Yes!

[@maraschwartz6731]

Been loving your chappell roan videos. Shes an absolute icon and one of the best things in music right now and love watching you digest and analyze her music

[@boltexdigital]

After you’re done with the Tiny Desk, you should definitely check out her live performance of “The Subway” from Outside Lands 2024!

[@jevonkasitch9991]

Yes. This is a great suggestion. It's clear Subway is part of the Good Luck Babe direction she is moving in. It channels the 70's rather then then Babe's 80's vibe in my opinion.

[@diamondneill6043]

Please I second this ❤

[@backcountry_knitter]

Agreed, the audio from that performance is excellent and it's a beautiful song.

[@orangeorange4236]

True! i luv her imotion on live! Every momonet is beautiful

[@benjamimraony]

16:40 THIS IS HUMAN SINGING!!!! AND GREAT SINGING BTW!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

lol yes!

[@faridnoordin380]

Love, love your analysis!! Your passion and expertise in your field is exuberant! It’s so wonderful to watch and learn from. More, please! 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

✨🙏🏼

[@DavidFernandezChoreographer]

Every song could be a movie!

[@jewelrypicker4595]

I think she’s absolutely extraordinary

[@DrumsByScott]

Really enjoying your Chappell reactions, and thank you for bringing Chinchilla to my attention.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

More Chinchilla to come too!

[@HavoCentral]

You should do a deep dive and scroll through her KZbin channel to her older stuff. Her tone and style is so different and still incredible. Meantime is one of my favorite

[@JanetMiller78]

Heck yeah 🥳... I'm so happy you are finishing the tiny desk 🥳 I just started the video and am so excited for this 🎉

[@RaskusArhaus]

The SNL Pink Pony Club has all the rock elements that song always needed. :D You'll love it. She's making a new century I Will Survive gay anthem... just a touch of Freddie.

[@steverogers6163]

If you haven’t already, you should listen to casual!!!! One of my fave songs by Chappell!!

[@rhonareason435]

I love that you listen to the full song before responding.

[@nestoj2460]

Love this! You really are breaking down and articulating the reasons why I love chappell roan but with the actual knowledge and vocab that I don't possess lol ❤

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Keep watching you’ll possess it soon enough! 🙏🏼✨😊

[@hanjis5894]

My favorite thing about this song is the storytelling in the lyrics. I love the build up at the beginning and the imagery in the verse.

[@tomlaflamme2118]

I’d love to see her on Broadway she would be amazing

[@willjohnson8446]

Hoping for an Orville Peck cover of this.

[@Ralt66]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXfUnoF7oMprrbc

[@northasia7710]

He already did that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXfUnoF7oMprrbc

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

That would be amazing!

[@melialialee5445]

He did!!!! Look it up on KZbin a video of it was posted 10 days ago

[@melialialee5445]

It’s as incredible as you would expect

[@jessica232]

I found Chappell Roan because I was looking for the Tiny Desk concert from Willow and it was recommended to me afterward. I would love to hear your thoughts on some of Willow's songs.

[@bartlebyscrivener2980]

Has anyone heard Chappell in interviews mention Patsy Cline? I don't think I have yet, and I've listened to her talk quite a bit. But like Tim and others have pointed out multiple times, I too see signs our Willard MO Midwest Princess has been heavily influenced by the late Winchester VA Country-Western Queen. Patsy grew up poor and into a hard life; Chappell has said she grew up in a rural small-town "trailer park." I've become convinced Chappell absolutely idolizes Patsy. But I haven't heard her say so. Beyond the two women's vocal style similarities, I find it fun to spot what I see as Patsy song CHOICE and Chappell songWRITING similarities. This one I posted over in Tim's Good Luck Babe comments, but if it warrants being in comments at all it's here. The below two songs do not sound alike. But I start from an assumption that Chappell knows Patsy's songbook well. Both of these songs have the girl dancing in a dance hall or club. Both characters express sadness and longing from their loss of something important to them. The huge difference of course is the 2020 song is simultaneously fun and celebratory of a new freedom -- which is Chappell's special magic touch: delivering sheer joy and yet also poignancy and pathos in the same songs. And there's Tennessee. Chappell the Missourian has explained Tennessee rhymed, Missouri didn't. Maybe that was the extent of it, and the other stuff is just coincidence. Or maybe there was more. IDK. For skeptics, call the below just for fun, then: I was waltzing with my darlin' to the Tennessee Waltz When an old friend I happened to see I introduced her to my loved one And while they were waltzin' My friend stole my sweetheart from me I remember that night and the Tennessee Waltz Only you know just how much I have lost - from Tennessee Waltz by Redd Stewart & Pee Wee King, recorded by Patsy Cline Don't think I've left you all behind Still love you and Tennessee You're always on my mind And mama, every Saturday I can hear your southern drawl a thousand miles away, saying God, what have you done? You're a pink pony girl And you dance at the club Oh mama, I'm just having fun On the stage in my heels It's where I belong down at the Pink Pony Club I'm gonna keep on dancing at the Pink Pony Club -- from Pink Pony Club, by Amstutz & Nigro

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Love this, thanks!

[@charlieflickinger7372]

Where is Chappell's Daughter? Because I look for her on every single Chappell reaction video. 🤣

[@iznone]

I like the most the band - so awesome girls!@

[@amandahaneyart]

I’m excited to see your reaction to California next

[@DaedalusLabyrinth]

The beginning is very much a tribute to the intro for I Will Survive. This is the first video of yours I see, and I can't help thinking... "George Michael"?

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Haha, I take that as a compliment! 🙏🏼😊✨

[@godofmischief13]

i really think you would love ethel cain - she’s very different than chappell but she has such an interesting sound and tone!! absolutely love her (and chappell!!)

[@Sydnopian1]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned yet, but I think her fan base have been calling themselves the Pink Pony Club!

[@anteglibota9411]

I love your feedback learning about the voice so amazing Thankyou

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

💛✨🙏🏼

[@Catmafia5678]

Ill never listen to Chappel and not listen for those yodel flips now haha 😄

[@ronenshalamov8588]

First hahaha Really like you content, keep it going!!

[@georgia673]

More Chappell reactions please!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Coming soon!

[@myrkvith9]

I'm sure you're getting this one requested--apparently she has said this is her own favorite song that she's written completely on her own --a live version kzbin.info/www/bejne/n56rnK1ro6lpndU

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Awesome, thanks!

[@Astrakkun]

Where is ChappellsDaughter I can’t believe I was here before them

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

🥲 Too much competition. lol.

[@antoniobroccoliporto4774]

Rather than Patsy Kline I hear more of a Cindy Lauper style with here melodious almost yodelling leading to the next change in style.

[@buginatree6816]

speaking of Tiny Desk performances, Hadestown (a musical) had one that was stunning if you’re into musicals

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Hmm, might venture some into that world. Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@thedaintypeach1997]

i’m not sure if you have ever heard of AURORA but she has some really amazing live shows i know you would love!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I’ve heard Aurora mentioned a lot! 🙏🏼 on the list.

[@addygillespie2334]

can’t wait to see the reaction to casual !

[@JSanime]

To reiterate what you said about not pitch correcting everything... If you go back and listen to recordings of Whitney or Cher or Cindy Lauper... All of the big names in the 80s and 90s there's imperfections in the tracks and that's what makes them good!

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Preach! 🙌🏼✨🎯

[@jaredbrown2443]

I remember that Jewel used to do the yodel thing that Chappell is doing here

[@thewillow3457]

I just watched a couple of these but i hope he hears her big belts

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I do! Keep watching!

[@ManjaDesign]

Love her! Reminds me of Kate Bush a little. Something for you to react to, if you dare: Nightwish - Ghost Love Score (Wacken 2013)

[@jaydee6825]

I have loved all of your videos on Chappell Roan and I’m humbly requesting you to react to Orville Peck !!!

[@margotzarin-pass2357]

Would love to hear you react to Lake Street Dive front-woman. I want to understand why her voice unlocks my brain.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Working a lake street dive song with a student right now!

[@creepypapermultipack]

Yes, Patsy Cline too!! I would love to know who all of her vocal/musical influences are.

[@Vocalinds]

Hi Tim, I looked up "auditory roughness" because I wanted to learn more about it, but all the examples on KZbin seem to be about emphasizing high harmonics in the sound to create what I would call a "brassy" or "pingy/edgy" tone quality, nothing to do with raspyness or noise or breath in the tone. Do you have other videos where you explain this further? I seem to recall you mentioning it as having to do with the false vocal folds in another Chappell Roan video.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Let me see if I can find a video about it. This is the definition I’ve been working off of. “Auditory roughness is a perceived irregularity in a sound, often caused by dissonant intervals or high-frequency components. It can be a characteristic of rock singing, where singers may use a raspy tone.”

[@kylestuenkel2941]

Love your content ❤😊

[@steen20a]

Hey Tim, I sing in a male chorus where blending is of course really important, but I'm enjoying using your many vocal tips to make my contribution personal and my own lol. Wondering if you've come across the Swedish band First Aid Kit?

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Great to hear! No, I haven’t heard of them yet

[@mischiefcat]

You should react to her live of the song “the subway” she has some killer vocals towards the end.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Coming!

[@Hanh-jm6cp]

Can you react to her Bonnaroo performance of My Kink Is Karma?

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

On the list!

[@grandpas_art]

React to megagonefree!!! Shes not a yodel girlie, like chappell, but her elegance in the voice of hers is truly mesmerizing.

[@jsesteves]

BUT WE WANT to be here all day, at least for CHAPPELL, so go ahead talk about song formats.

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

lol! ✨🙏🏼

[@48683747429]

Complete opposite, but check out "Life in Velvet"* by Between the Buried and Me. Good range of vocals and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Good stuff, Tim!

[@minoena]

you need to listen to kaleidoscope bc honestly i’m mesmerized by that song

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

On it!

[@minoena]

@@TimWelchVocalStudio yay!!! i don’t know why but it’s like enchanting. i think it’s how high her voice goes & how emotional the song is. it’s really beautiful- it was on my recommended and it said she said that’s her fave song she’s written.

[@erinhohman]

Love love love that song 😅

[@minoena]

@@erinhohman same it’s so good! i see he did california & the subway which are both amazing too… tbh i don’t think there’s a song i don’t like by her lol. rn my fav is after midnight

[@sabrinajones-vh6fz]

you’re gunna lose it when you listen to kaleidoscope!!

[@narcan.necromancer]

Chappelle Roan cover pls.

[@CharleneWithyman]

She has a FB page

[@zakkaryzoah1386]

You probably won’t see this, but there’s a really fun medieval cover “Pink Pony Inn!” kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGjNgKKYmdeXfdEsi=NDNNRwuX5k_y3YbP

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Heard it! Awesome. 👏🏼

[@Brandon-yr3nj]

A ‘die with a smile’ by lady gaga/Bruno mars reaction would be cool !!

[@bjs2022]

Please mount a pop screen in front of your microphone. "Bad sound makes good video look bad."

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

Hmm…you heard popping p’s? I’ll have to listen. I’ve worked on that.

[@mamafox5118]

As a self taught alto this is my favorite one to sing and the easiest song of hers for me to sing, and it’s SO FUN. I could never do good luck babe but this one makes my heart happy ☺️

[@godofmischief13]

i really think you would love ethel cain - she’s very different than chappell but she has such an interesting sound and tone!! absolutely love her (and chappell!!)

[@TimWelchVocalStudio]

I’ll check her out thanks!