New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) - ATCO/Atlantic recording group
Straight No Chaser has revealed details of its much-anticipated new album. "WITH A TWIST" arrives in stores and at all online retailers on April 13th, with pre-orders available today via www.sncmusic.com. "WITH A TWIST" sees the acclaimed a cappella group bringing its extraordinary vocal sound and inimitable musical approach to a wide range of pop favorites (see attached tracklisting).
The album features delightfully different renditions of modern classics like Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under The Bridge," Coldplay's "Fix You," Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over," and Oasis' "Wonderwall." What's more, "WITH A TWIST" is highlighted by a stellar take on Barry Manilow's "One Voice," featuring guest vocals from Manilow himself.
In anticipation of the release of "WITH A TWIST," SNC will hold a live web chat with their fans on Monday, March 8 at 8 PM Eastern Standard Time on www.sncmusic.com where they will perform selections from the new album.
The group will herald the release of "WITH A TWIST" with an eagerly awaited US tour. The trek will kick off with a sold out two-night stand at Boulder, Colorado's Boulder Theater on April 5th and 6th and traverse the country through mid-May (see itinerary below). The tour initially went on sale in mid-December and immediately sold out in several cities including Boulder, CO; Collingswood, NJ; and York, Pittsburgh, and Stroudsburg, PA. In response to the amazing demand, venue sizes were increased and additional shows were added in over a dozen cities. Founding member Dan Ponce notes "We have a great time on stage together, and it thrills us to the see the audience having as much fun as we are." For complete details and up-to-the-minute ticket availability, please visit www.sncmusic.com/tour-dates.
Songs from "WITH A TWIST" will be featured in the 10-member group's new PBS special, "Live In New York." The concert - filmed at NYC's famed Angel Orensanz Foundation - will air throughout PBS' annual March Pledge Drive. The DVD edition of "Live In New York" will be available as a special gift to PBS patrons. "Live In New York: Holiday Edition," used in PBS' December Pledge Drive, was among the most popular programs that aired during the drive.
"WITH A TWIST" follows SNC's 2009 smash, "CHRISTMAS CHEERS." A top 10 hit on Billboard's top seasonal albums chart, the collection features a selection of holiday-themed classics, reworked in the group's inventive and original style. Among its highlights is a studio version of the YouTube sensation, "The 12 Days of Christmas," the video of which is now approaching an extraordinary 11 million views.
"HOLIDAY SPIRITS," the group's 2008 ATCO/Atlantic debut, saw Straight No Chaser re-energizing holiday classics such as "Jingle Bell Rock," "Carol of the Bells," and "Auld Lang Syne" with their captivating and powerful vocal arrangements. Fueled by appearances on ABC World News Tonight, CNN Headline News, and NBC's Today, among others, the album spent 14 days in the No 1 slot on Amazon, and 5 days at the top spot overall on iTunes. The group's now famous version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" peaked in the top 10 on the Christmas radio chart and reached the top 15 at Hot AC.
Founded at Indiana University in the fall of 1996, Straight No Chaser's goal was to expand the boundaries of the traditional college a cappella group. From the start, they viewed themselves more like a local band that just happened to use their voices as their instruments. As original member Randy Stine comments, "We take the music very seriously; we just don't take ourselves too seriously." In the process, they are reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape.
In 1999, the graduating members of Straight No Chaser chose their replacements, ensuring that the new tradition they had created would continue on with successive generations of IU undergrads. Then, in 2006, Indiana University decided to host a reunion concert for the original members. In honor of the event, Randy Stine posted footage from one of their 1998 concerts online.
To the group's surprise, Straight No Chaser's version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" - interpolating Toto's "Africa" - became the hottest viral video of the holiday season. Among those millions of viewers was Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman, who tracked the group down and promptly signed them to the label.
The birth of Straight No Chaser's second life is a story of talent, drive, and some very good luck. But their goal remains the same as it was back in their college days. As Stine says, "We want the audience to not miss the instruments, be surprised by what we're doing, and in the end, appreciate the songs in a whole new way."
For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.sncmusic.com, and www.myspace.com/sncmusic.
(TOUR ITINERARY AND TRACKLISTING BELOW)
STRAIGHT NO CHASER - ON TOUR 2010:
APRIL
5 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater - SOLD OUT
6 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater - SOLD OUT
7 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
8 Maryland Heights, MO Harrah's - SOLD OUT
9 Detroit, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
10 Chicago, IL Park West - SOLD OUT
11 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
12 Bloomington, IN Indiana University Auditorium
14 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre
15 Hartford, CT Mortensen Hall - SOLD OUT
16 New York, NY Nokia Theatre Times Square - SOLD OUT
17 Collingswood , NJ Scottish Rite - SOLD OUT
18 Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre - 3PM/8PM
20 York, PA Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center - SOLD OUT
21 Pittsburgh, PA Byham Theater - SOLD OUT
23 Stroudsburg, PA Sherman Theater - SOLD OUT
24 Norfolk, VA Harrison Opera House
25 Washington, DC Lisner Auditorium - SOLD OUT
26 Nashville, TN Polk Theater
28 Atlanta, GA Center Stage
29 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
30 Miami, FL Gusman Center For The Performing Arts
MAY
1 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live
3 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre
5 Arkansas City, KS Cowley College - SOLD OUT
6 Dallas, TX McFarland Auditorium
7 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater - SOLD OUT
8 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Convention Center
10 Santa Fe, NM Lensic Performing Arts Center
11 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre
13 Anaheim, CA The Grove
14 Fresno, CA Tower Theater - SOLD OUT
15 Bend, OR Tower Theater - SOLD OUT
16 Seattle, WA Moore Theater
17 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater - SOLD OUT
18 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
20 Sacramento, CA Crest Theater
21 Fresno, CA Tower Theater
22 San Jose, CA Heritage Theatre
23 San Diego, CA Balboa Theatre
STRAIGHT NO CHASER
"WITH A TWIST" (ATCO/Atlantic)
Release Date: April 13th, 2010
1. I'm Yours/Somewhere Over The Rainbow
2. Tainted Love
3. Don't Dream It's Over
4. Fix You
5. You're My Best Friend
6. The Living Years
7. You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three
8. Wonderwall
9. Joy To The World
10. Under The Bridge
11. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
12. One Voice (Feat. Barry Manilow)
