Initially formed to satisfy the requirements of a senior project in 1990, the Octaves at the University of Richmond have become so much more over the past 22 years of their existence.
The group quickly made itself into a celebrated staple of their school’s community, an experience that helped a fledgling group hone its craft to bring their show to other schools and performance venues beyond the confines of the UR campus. Their audiences have ranged from non-profit community activists to the United States Secret Service.
In addition to their live success, both on and off campus, the group has also proven itself in the studio. They earned appearances on numerous a cappella compilations over the years, and have been nominated several times for Best Male Collegiate Album and Song in the Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards.
We are thrilled to announce that four of those albums – “Corner Pocket” (2005), “Shotgun” (2006), “Original Copy” (2008) and “More Love Faster” (2010) – are now available for digital download through A Cappella Records!
“Shotgun” and “Corner Pocket” earned the previously mentioned attention from the CARA nominating board, not only as overall bodies of work, but for stand-out tracks (such as “Lonely No More” by Rob Thomas, which also made its way onto BOCA that year) and arrangements as well. “Original Copy” and “More Love Faster” stand as proof of a group whose commitments to musicianship, quality and hard work have never waned.
Though the group has not been shy about taking advantage of all that recording production can offer, the use of technology is always tastefully executed and song-appropriate, and the immense talent of the group is never in question – tracks boast full backgrounds, tight percussion, and soloists all imbued with the sensibilities of a seasoned crooner. Songs tend toward the contemporary pop and rock, but the group has also proven willing to try – and succeed – with other genres and eras of music.
ACR is thrilled to have added such a dynamic, time-tested and fun group to its roster. Check out their music today!