VOICEPLAY "Seven Nation Army" (Cover) ft. Anthony Gargiula // Audio Engineer & Musician Reacts

[@SeliahK]

Voiceplay IS produced Acapella. So, yes, there's effects added to the voices or beatboxing. But with only two exceptions that I know of (Warriors and Nothing Else Matters), they really are only using their voices in the raw recordings. To my knowledge, they don't add any canned tracks or electronic instrumentation etc to their sound, and they can actually perform most of their work live on stage. :) As an audio engineer, I know YOU know that acapella is NOT the same as acoustic, but I think a lot of the public conflates the two, which leads to some people implying that produced Acapella is somehow cheating. I love all three of the "big three" Acapella groups, but Voiceplay is definitely my favorite, as a musical theater geek myself. LOL. Enjoy their rabbit hole. Lots to be found down there. Queen in Five Minutes is a medley of Queen music they did a while ago. Wonderfully arranged and put together. If you do go to watch that one, Earl (the guy in the hospital bed in that video) used to be a full time member of the group. He sang high tenor. He left the group a while back. J None used to be a full time member as well. He left the group when he enlisted to the military. They have him on as a frequent guest vocalist. Cesar was hired to fill J None's shoes, and although those are some really big shoes to fill, he does an amazing job. The fifth spot they've so far elected not ro fill with anyone full time, instead using it to feature guest vocalists. They've had quite a range of guest vocalists over time, too. Anyway. I hope you enjoy the Voiceplay trip. It's a fun one. Make sure you take a detour to go through Geoff Castellucci's solo work, and if you really like theatrical work, take another detour to watch some of the stuff Pattycake Productions has put out. That studio is run by Tony (another prior member who left the group to pursue the theatrical studio) and Layne. Voiceplay records most of their videos and music there, and Geoff does a lot of his solo work there as well. :)

[@Cordelia53]

I cannot stop watching reactors getting broke by this song...this song broke me as well. Geoff Arranged this one and they just seem to get better with each cover they do!! I just do not know how they do it. There are no words at all. And Anthony (Gar-ju-la) has the voice of an angel with all those runs...OMG!!!

[@OneVeryCleverGirl]

Same!!!

[@Badger77722]

Anthony Gargiula (gar-JOOL-ah) is a friend of Eli's (bald tenor) family. He was scheduled to be a featured artist with VoicePlay a couple of years ago, but the lockdown got in the way and he couldn't make it. Recently he's been appearing in several YT and Tik Tok shorts with VoicePlay, and he was the featured artist in Golden Hour - recommended, especially for the cameo by Geoff's wife Kathy and the ending. Speaking of Geoff, this is his arrangement of the song. He and Layne (beatboxer, maker of unearthly sounds) split the arrangements between them, with occasional help from others (Eli did their recent version of Creep, also recommended).

[@huldradraco]

VoicePlay isn't afraid to step outside of the box when it comes to their arrangements and effects. If they feel the song will benefit from it, they will add effects on their voices or the beatboxing here and there to give it the appropriate vibe. Some songs from the 80's might have a strong electronic vibe, and to honor that they might give some bits an edm vibe or even strongly autotuned vocal bits for the right effect. Some songs might be instrument heavy or have a big instrument solo, and they might feel they need a violin to give it the right respect. They are also perfectly willing to go pure voice, even live recorded in front of the camera and not studio recorded. VoicePlay isn't afraid to "break rules" and the vast majority of us are perfectly fine with that. The result speaks for itself! Because those of us who have heard them live, know that all the "studio trickery" they put in their videos is not of necessity, but just to get the most amazing result out there they can give us. 🙂

[@Wildecat10]

The great thing about music is that it can evoke feelings and memories. That’s when you know you’ve gone deeper and really felt a song. (And it wouldn’t surprise me if Baltimore fans had started saying Baltimore when singing the song at games!) In the past, Layne has arranged and produced EDM music in his Raynes Room studio. So it’s no surprise that Voiceplay uses that influence frequently. It’s one thing that sets their music apart, even if most people don’t realize it.

[@christinestromberg4057]

Sorry, it's Wichita, not Baltimore. :) And Anthoney's name is pronounced as Garjoola. i do like Home Freee and PTX but VoicePlay are my absolutely favourites, for their variety and fun. They are in a league of their own in the a capella world. They've brought a capella into the 21st century.

[@musikbyjh]

Noooooo!!! Go Ravens!! Thanks for watching, Christine. ;-) ✌🏽

[@rebeccarose7405]

I’m so glad you loved it (even if they didn’t sing Baltimore). Loved seeing your jaw drop a couple times in there. As an audio engineer, Voice Play should be right up your ally! And Geoff’s bass is flawless! Thanks so much! ❤️🎶❤️

[@musikbyjh]

So good! Thanks again for the fabulous request, Rebecca!!

[@garryandjanepannell8594]

Anthony is only 24 but sing with the soul of someone much older.

[@rodconner9079]

VP has really come into their own in the last so many years. Development through learning (mixes, sounds, arrangements) ... has gotten "tasty". I think all, as a group, have stepped it up ... through individual progression. Geoff has worked so hard ...... well, all of 'em has. Arranging talents can't be overlooked either. Now -- you mentioned professional recording of a LIVE of HF??? Check their channel ... they done one last wk!!!! Be Safe

[@Aurora-cv5to]

Great to see you back, doing VP again! For me, it's all the stuff you were talking about, the pure creativity and ART they bring into each performance. Just love them. Save some serious time for them around Halloween - between VP and Geoff's personal channel, they have a ton of deeply creative and fun Halloween performances. Don't miss them!

[@musikbyjh]

Ohhhh this is great to know about Halloween, thank you Aurora!! Do you have a fav?

[@Aurora-cv5to]

@@musikbyjh Can't remember if you did Hall of the Mountain King? (Yep, the old orchestral piece by Grieg) That's my #1 fr. VP. If you have, then it's Monster Mash from Geoff Castellucci's channel. But they are ALL really good. VP's channel even has a Halloween list so you don't miss any...

[@ilonadever8249]

@@musikbyjh They also did Ding Dong last year with Lauren Paley. Spooky as all get out!

[@laundrygoddess4]

Geoff said they had no business doing this song but they were doing it anyway. I'm so glad they did. This is just so awesome

[@ilonadever8249]

Great reaction, Voiceplay is the best! They've done two heartbreakers in the last year, I Can't Make You Love Me and Creep. They are both briliant. Most of their arrangements are done by either Geoff or Layne, Creep was done by Eli, the bald tenor. Then take a break and check out their most recent, Drunken Sailor. Don't be drinking anything while you watch it or you will ruin your keyboard!

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

I adore their arrangement of I Can't Make You Love Me.

[@Gael4ce]

That sound effect Layne pulled off to start - where you stopped and backed up - another reactor was like “Did he just transform?!” and I about fell off my chair laughing. Go listen again, and tell me it doesn’t sound like an autobot transforming.

[@williamroop451]

Trust me - every time you hear the song from now on, THIS is what will run through your mind... It has for me.

[@MusclesandMusic]

This is one of my absolute favorite songs by VoicePlay. It's actually on my gym playlist and it pumps me up so much. They're all so badass and I definitely wouldn't want to mess with any of them especially with the looks they give. Much love!

[@frankster1477]

You have done another acapella group, The Bass Gang, when they did "Hooked on a Feeling" with guest vocalist Tim Foust.

[@billsturm9225]

You are welcome to go to Baltimore Jeremy. The Voiceplay army aint gonna hold you back

[@par500dragon7]

I was unfamiliar with this song until VP released this video, and now I love it!

[@r.d.stratford106]

I love, love, love watching reactors get blown away by this! They are so wildly creative and talented and it's wonderful to see other people recognize that. Thanks for a great reaction!

[@hayley_council]

So one of the reasons that Home Free tends not to do extras and Voiceplay does, is because HF, has concert schedule and VP really doesn't go out on tour. HF needs to be able to do their songs live, VP not so much. So there isn't really a better or worse, just different. Great job.

[@bjspeck4337]

Each time they do a cover, rearranging the score, set up the staging, costuming, making it so perfectly amazing. I'm with you as to doing more VoicePlay. Not Baltimore but Wichita. So glad you loved it.

[@changlyn100]

Anthony Gargiula (the guest) is very good. I've seen him before with Voiceplay.

[@iamsquatty]

Love seeing a new vp reaction from you! They killed this one man, such a good job on it 💜💜

[@Broomrider1492]

This song and the costumes remind me of the 1979 movie The Warriors. They had to battle from the Bronx to the safety of their home turf Coney Island.

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

Voiceplay did Warriors prior to this, the next in this post apocalypse style is Dream On. Warriors is a unique beast!

[@carollalicker]

A European group Skald did this song and I'm also in love with that one!

[@par500dragon7]

If you haven't seen VP's Golden Hour, it also features Anthony G. And it's just so beautiful, with amazing vocals.

[@caitlinkavanagh3298]

I actually hadn't heard this before Voice Play did a cover of it (I don't watch sports), but just loved this. And it introduced me to the original which I do like as well, but, I love Voice Play's version a bit more. Thanks for the reaction, enjoyed it!!

[@gilliandrysdale5306]

they always experiment and its fantastic ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@carinarodebak9419]

I've always said that my favourite VP is their latest release and the fall back one has been Carry On My Wayward Son. That one now have a heavy contender. Love this cover. Gar-joo-lia.

[@hollyryalsgrubb1273]

Voiceplay is my favorite group because of their experimentation and arrangements. They are stretching and giving each song a unique take. For wild Halloween goodness do their version of This is Halloween.

[@Naline1818]

Absolutely love your reactions ! Can’t wait for more Voiceplay and since you like Geoff so much, his channel is filled with pure gems 😉

[@musikbyjh]

Hey, thanks for that nice comment Naline!!! Hopefully you've seen the other VoicePlay and Geoff reactions I've done. If not, when you have time, please check them out: 1) Voice Play: kzbin.info/aero/PLYrkTp-j9yanO09upZLxwk0f-_DpIr0v5&si=WPRhhk1gotkItAcV ; 2) Geoff Castellucci: kzbin.info/aero/PLYrkTp-j9yalo8nzsHiRQOYtMqu69V2Qy&si=ypJlzKRshcjnmJru

[@ThouShaltNot]

Such a great one by them, and glad you're back to VP! But I'm tellin you dude, Queen in 5 Minutesssss

[@nightthornkvala94132]

And Boy Band in 5 Minutes

[@janetdw]

To hear them without a lot of affects, and not even any beatboxing, you might try the covers of True Colors or Can’t Help Falling in Love With You. Tennessee Whiskey is another that really showcases their voices without a lot of post production. Another cover you might really enjoy is there a capella cover of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. Halloween is coming and they did phone numbers from Tim Burtons Nightmare Before Christmas. In Oogie boogie, Geoff is featured heavily and the others are doing character voices which you might enjoy. Others with character voices are their Kidnap Sandy Claws Ding Dong / Hide and Seek. One that often gets missed (and you might really enjoy being a sound engineer), is a collaboration they did with Kurt Hugo Schneider and is found on his page. It is a mashup/medley of Twenty One Pilots songs where he has them hooked up to a synthesizer!

[@bjspeck4337]

I think nobody can touch VoicePlay however, I do recommend two other acapella groups: Voctave (who I saw live in Jan) did Mary Did You Know? with the composer in the lead - magnificent, and the second is a developing new group called the Bass Gang - all basses, 3 from the US (Peter Barber (one of my first reactors/analysts and an opera singer, Tomi P, and Bobby Bass and 1 a young fellow (19) from Egypt. They were going to meet up in the Czech Republic for the first time but Marwan in Egypt has his visa turned down by the authorities since they didn't think singing is a job. He got a location in the Egyptian Sahara Desert, camera crew, dancer, communications to the other 3 guys and turned in the lead for the Arabian Nights. This week the Bass Gang dropped Be Prepared as the follow-up and there will be 2 more to complete the album. Definitely worth watching. If you haven't seen the VP vs HF Survivor: Zombies vs Hillbillies, it's an older song from Sing-off days but will make a great Halloween offering.

[@sampanther8854]

😂❤ Nothing wrong with having ya own lyrics 👍 great job Voiceplay 😊

[@jonadabtheunsightly]

Baltimore isn't really a farm community known for straw bailing. If the lyric said something about crab fishing with chicken necks, *then* maybe Baltimore would make sense.

[@alhainmccallister3383]

As a Steeler fan, I used to like your channel but now.... j/k. Nice reaction and I'll cut you some slack on your fandom of the Ravens.

[@Denalicat]

Great reaction, they do have very pure a Capella songs as well and that is what they perform live, but videos are a moment in time that can be played with...check out some of their one shots almost all the ACA Top 10s are live, I think the only prerecorded ones are movies and video games , for pure singing goodness The Bones, Heart of Life, Go The Distance ,Butter, Man in the Mirror, Attention, going a way back I Knew You Were Trouble , It Ain't me, Shape of You, pretty much any of The Part Work series.

[@BeckyTaylor-x7g]

You should listen to Bass Gang "Centuries". It is phenomenal.

[@Arachnia_Sea]

You reacted to The Base Gang ... and they're acapella...

[@samg8012]

Honestly, I wouldn't even bother with pentatonix. Yah they are good, I have a few of their songs downloaded, but they can't hold a candle to Voiceplay. VP's arrangements are so indepth and full. They have gotten me hooked on songs I would never have listened to otherwise (we don't talk about Bruno, Valhalla calling and If I were a Rich Man). These guys are brilliant, and every single member brings something to the table.

[@PurpleCinnamon-Land-Of-Misfits]

Just to help you out it's Gar-jew-la❕❗

[@DTA-Music]

Oh no, I'm sorry about your Baltimore lyric! This isn't the only song VoicePlay's done where people had that "What the heck" moment though...their cover of 'In The Air Tonight' had a lot of reactors scratching their heads over a line that's so commonly misheard that, if you listen closely, you might catch a spot where the guys actually threw in the misunderstood line as a nod to people who've been getting it wrong for decades!

[@ronsbrat525]

Voiceplay and Geoff Castellucci do not copy and paste. They put their own spin on the songs while keeping the original as well. If they can't change anything to make it their own then they won't do it. Voiceplay latest video is.... Drunken Sailor. So much fun. Geoffs latest is.... Folsom Prison Blues.

[@musikbyjh]

I love the flavor each artist brings to the songs. I just released Geoff's version of Folsom Prison Blues, check it out when you have time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3XRn6pqitl_ors

[@sianne79]

Do you record your voice when you're filming, or add it in after? For some reason (and it could just be me missing or misidentifying some words with my lip reading and not having CC available to help ) it almost looks like the video is 1/4 to 1/2 second out of sync with the audio

[@musikbyjh]

Hmm, that's a first! I'll double check on my end. Thanks for watching! ✌🏽

[@jonstrong7493]

As a rocker you should check out their Metallica songs!

[@mgrega9345]

Go Steelers! Go Brownies! Ravens 🤮 Glad you liked the video :)

[@musikbyjh]

BOOO!!! Go Ravens!!! In all seriousness, THANK YOU for watching and I hope you enjoy football Sunday!! ;-) ✌🏽

[@mgrega9345]

Don’t let those Bengals win today :) Take care ❤

[@musikbyjh]

@@mgrega9345 oof!!!! We’re looking solid so far…but we’re already plagued with injuries. It sucks to see….but I think we’ve got a lot of promise. But Steelers and Brownies?! Eewwwwww. I mean, the Steelers were painful to watch last game. Ouch. It wasn’t always pretty, but I’m happy we won! 2-0 baby! 🤘🏽😎🤘🏽

[@janeteitsworth8824]

Great Reaction. I would like to recommend another independent artist Dan Vasc.

[@musikbyjh]

Thanks, Janet! I've reacted to a couple of Dan's songs - check 'em out when you have time!! Thanks for being here. ✌🏽

[@EtherealForever]

Any more VP soon perhaps?! 👉👈

[@musikbyjh]

You betcha!! ✌🏽

[@EtherealForever]

@@musikbyjh - yaaay 🕊. Thanks!

[@elkevera]

Jeremy- you fell victim to the Mandela Effect 🤣All your Raven fans will most likely remember "Baltimore" instead of Wichita.

[@bethgooch6243]

Creep