Why a cappella?

When Halogen first started out, there were four of us, we were all on the taller side, and we were called 6'Four. Originally, we sang a couple of songs for a New Year's Eve party at the UAH Baptist Student Center - Holy City and Criminal on the Cross (by Acappella). People liked what they heard and we enjoyed working together, so we decided to keep doing it. The next gig we did was a talent competition - we sang those same two songs and ended up winning the thing. We've been singing steadily ever since.

Why a cappella? Because that's where we started and it's a style we've really grown in. Early on, we decided to stick with the a cappella sound. It's a versatile style and is infinitely adaptable. We can sing rock and roll, R&B, pop, country, gospel, choral - anything we want to sing - and all without having to carry or play a single instrument (other than our ever-present pitch pipe). Also, none of us play any instruments.

Sometimes it's tempting to put together a band and revamp our sound into something more 'mainstream' and acceptable, but we are of the opinion that, if people had the opportunity to hear us and hear our style, then they would embrace it. So far, we have not been proven wrong. People are constantly surprised to find themselves tapping their feet or grooving to the beat of our music. They hear the word "a cappella" and see some guys standing up there, dismiss us immediately as a barbershop quartet with an extra guy, and go on to the next item requiring thought. Then, when we start singing, they do a double-take. We like that. We hope to continue to surprise people, and we hope they continue to be pleasantly surprised.

There will be more on this subject in the future, I'm sure; so keep an eye out.