Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix talks music, tour life and staying hydrated on stage.
Ahead of their tour to Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand next month, we at AsiaLive365 had the opportunity to ask Mitch from Pentatonix about what they’ve been up to since their last visit to Asia, as well as what to expect at their show here next month!
The three time Grammy® Award-winning group acapella group were last here in 2016, as part of F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2016’s Entertainment highlights. The group also had sold-out concerts in Singapore in 2014 and 2015.
Comprising of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee, they are best known and adored by fans around the world for their pop-style arrangements of modern hits with powerful vocal harmonies, basslines, riffing, percussion, and beatboxing.
ASL365: Hi Pentatonix, Vanessa here from AsiaLive365. We’re really looking forward to having you guys back in Asia, and of course in Singapore! It has been four years since you guys have been to Singapore and to the Star Theatre. Tell us – how excited are you guys about returning to the region, and what can fans expect to hear in your concert next year?
Mitch: Hi, Vanessa! Thanks so much! We’re very excited to be back in Singapore. We have a lot of really beautiful memories here. The fans can expect some crowd favorites, new covers that we’ve never performed before, and our current hits.
ASL365: Besides the recently released Christmas album and your shows in the US, what else have you guys been up to?
Mitch: We’ve been working very hard on new original material and we can’t wait to share it with everyone. We also have some very unique projects coming up that we can’t discuss quite yet.
ASL365: What do you most love (or not, if any) about being on tour?
Mitch: Tour allows you to really slip into a daily routine, and in that way, it’s easier to slip into an easy, comfortable flow on the road. Of course, the con is being homesick. Sometimes it’s pretty tough not being home with loved ones.
ASL365: Besides water, we’ve all seen “tea” being a popular item to be brought on stage, as it soothes the throat, while belting out songs. Tell us – who among you guys makes the best cuppa? And other than tea, is there another drink/remedy that you guys love that you’d recommend to soothe those vocals?
Mitch: I can quite honestly say I don’t think any of us have made a proper “cuppa” before, but I think if anyone would do it right, it would be Kevin. He’s our most worldly member! I don’t know if you knew this, but he speaks fluent Mandarin, and a variety of other languages. On tour, we drink ridiculous amounts of water to really make sure we are constantly hydrated. I also really like to drink electrolytes on stage. It helps with energy throughout my performance.
ASL365: A personal influence in music (or if not in music, then a family member or loved one) that you feel has shaped your life or music career/direction?
Mitch: I would say Imogen Heap is my original vocal inspiration. I learned everything from her. Plus she’s really the one that inspired me to start taking music seriously as a profession.
See also: Pentatonix is returning to Asia in 2020!
ASL365: Who’s on your playlist right now?
Mitch: I’ve been listening to a lot of Stars lately, a band from a while back. Caroline Polachek, Gesaffelstein, The Human League….
ASL365: If you could pick five favourite covers that you have done, what would these songs be? And why?
Mitch: Five might be difficult because I love so many of them for so many different reasons, and they really are signifiers of our experience as a band during the particular time in which they were filmed. The most memorable one, in my opinion, is Daft Punk. I’m so proud of that video. We really worked some magic on a tiny little budget.
ASL365: Any plans to collaborate with other artists or whose music (or songs) would you love to cover next?
Mitch: No plans yet, but we’re always looking for collaborators.
ASL365: Can we look forward to a Vol 5 soon?
Mitch: New music is most definitely under way!
ASL365: Give a shoutout to everyone in Singapore and tell us why we should not miss a show by Pentatonix.
Mitch: Hey, Singapore! Can’t wait to see you guys again, or meet some of you for the first time. Pentatonix shows are so much fun and I guarantee you’ll enjoy them. We would love to see you all there. Happy New Year!
ASL365: Thank you Mitch! We look forward to seeing you all in February!
Tickets priced at $228 (sold-out), $198 (limited seats), $168, $138 and $108 (excluding booking fees) are available via SISTIC, booking hotline: +65 6348 5555 and SISTIC ticketing counters.
More seats have also been released for CAT 3 – CAT 5, but as ticket numbers are running fast, fans are encouraged to get them soon.
