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Big Mouths on Campus
For college kids who sing in a cappella ensembles, lighthearted harmonies are serious business. Today, we look inside the competitive -- and freewheeling -- world of collegiate a cappella groups. Plus, we'll unmask a few a cappella alumni from the celebrity world. Later: the off-kilter folk rock of Brooklyn-based Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles.
Collegiate a Cappella Exposed!
Membership in a lighthearted vocal group is a fond memory for many college graduates. For others, including more than a few celebrities, a year or two in a cappella is something they'd rather forget. Mickey Rapkin, author of the book “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory” and a senior editor at GQ magazine, explains why a cappella is a polarizing force -- one that might be going mainstream.
Our blog: John Schaefer on a cappella groups.
Tell us: Are you an alumnus or alumna of an a cappella group? How do you look back at your time in one?
The South Comes Up North
Up from the Deep South...all the way to Brooklyn. A two-week festival is underway that celebrates the culture of the Mississippi Delta. WNYC’s Siddhartha Mitter reflects on the birthplace of the blues.
Langhorne Slim and the War Eagles
Somewhere between Langhorne, Penn., and Brooklyn, Sean Scolnick became Langhorne Slim. He and his band, the War Eagles, scored a deal with V2 Records and survived when that label fizzled. Now, Slim and his band, the War Eagles are out with their latest full-length. It’s filled with high-energy folk rock and Slim’s soulful yelp.
Langhorne Slim on MySpace
Video: Langhorne Slim on the Black Cab Sessions
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