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New members, new direction

SINGAPORE — MICappella first got everyone’s attention in Sing-Off China in 2012 where they grabbed second place. Since then, the a cappella group has gone on to launch their debut album Here We Go to positive reviews and supported the likes of Hong Kong singer Khalil Fong.

Micappella. Photo: Cross Ratio Entertainment

Micappella. Photo: Cross Ratio Entertainment

SINGAPORE — MICappella first got everyone’s attention in Sing-Off China in 2012 where they grabbed second place. Since then, the a cappella group has gone on to launch their debut album Here We Go to positive reviews and supported the likes of Hong Kong singer Khalil Fong.

It has also undergone some changes during these years: Original group members YK Teng and Lee Ein Ein left and were replaced by soprano Tay Kexin (if the name’s familiar, it is because she is Singaporean singer Tay Kewei’s sister) and a new bassist Goh Mingwei.

With new members, comes a new sound. The sextet launched MICappella Reloaded last Thursday in conjunction with the announcement that they are signing to Universal Music Group.

Tenor Juni Goh revealed that the album — made up of 10 original songs and one cover — is very different compared to the first.

“We wanted to do a complete 180 degrees turnaround and as many songs as we possibly can,” said baritone Eugene Yip.

Tay added that this album reflects positivity. “We have songs such as One of These Days, Starting Point, which are about beginnings and embarking on a journey. We also have Love, You & I (Against The World) and Hello Again, a song that looks at the passing of a loved one in a positive way. Overall, the album is about beginning (again) and being positive.”

The sound of MICapella has evolved with the newcomers. Vocal percussionist Peter Huang cited that Mingwei, with his fuller and more aggressive tone, gave the songs extra punch while Tay’s brighter vocals lent more energy.

“Previously we were more grunge, more rock; but we are now more rock meets pop,” Juni added.

Tay confessed it took a bit of getting used to going from being a solo singer to being in a band, but what helped tremendously was the fact that she has been friends with the rest of the group since before.

And like every group with new members, the best way to get to know each other is to spend more time together.

And that was what MICappella did during their tour across Europe last year — they spent every day together.

Mingwei added that there was “a lot of accommodating” during the trip but it was all for the better. “Every time we have a conflict, we would solve it.”

Juni agreed, quipping: “(We were) forced to sleep in the same room, sit in the same van for 20 hours across five countries!”

 

MICappella Reloaded album will be out at all CD-RAMA stores, Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music on 1 June 2016.

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