Big Voices Podcast

Kina Grannis has over 1 million subscribers on YouTube (what!). She talks about the moment she knew she had to be a singer, how to craft a good cover and the importance (and how-to) of keeping honest onstage. Kina and Kat also discuss how her voice impacts her songwriting process and her biggest success so far.

Join our crowdfunding campaign on Patreon and pledge $1 (or more) an episode.

Follow @bigvoicespod on Twitter and Facebook.

As always, special thanks to SpecialBreh for the podcast intro and Steph at Editaud.io for producing this season of Big Voices!

Music from today's episode:

1. The Fire - Kina Grannis (Elements)

2. Dear River - Kina Grannis (Elements)

3. My Dear - Kina Grannis (Elements)

Crissy Collins (Beyonce, Tyler Perry) and Kat talk about the art and business of being a singer, singing on the world's biggest stages (Glastonbury, The Superbowl) and of course, what it's like to work with the Queen, Beyonce. They also talk about Crissy's upcoming workshops and what it takes to keep your head (and voice) in shape in the entertainment industry.

Join our crowdfunding campaign on Patreon and pledge $1 (or more) an episode.

Follow @bigvoicespod on Twitter and Facebook.

Music featured in today's episode:

1. Round and Round - Crissy Collins

2. Hold On - Crissy Collins

3. Beyonce Live at Glastonbury (2011)

Sorry for the delay folks! But I'm finally back with an update on season two cause WHOA is it going to be great.

Calling all vocal nerds! Kat invites her bestie and fellow singer, Laurel Tubman on the show to chat about Mariah Carey's 'Infinity' and cancelling shows (already?), American Idol getting cancelled, our absurd excitement over Pitch Perfect 2 and then we fall down a YouTube wormhole. Thanks to Panago Pizza for feeding us during this episode!

Everyone is clothed, promise. It was a treat to chat with Steve and Chris from the hit podcast, The Naked Vocalist (available on iTunes!). We talk vocal technique, the life of a hired-gun and our mutual love for Jessie J (preach).

I sat down in my kitchen with Erica and we Skyped Cody in for a chat about life on Broadway, earning success early in your career, building relationships (and friendships) in theatre and the movie-like moments that changed both of their lives.

Voices don't get much bigger than Erica Black. Following her Dora-award nominated performance as Scaramouche in the original Canadian company of We Will Rock You, she starred as Mary Maguire in the world premier of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Boys in the Photograph and Lucy in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Stratford). Other credits include The Wedding Singer (Stage West), Songs for a New World (Angelwalk) and Penny Pingleton in Hairspray (Charlottetown). Starting June 16, you can catch Erica in Kinky Boots at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto!

Cody recently wrapped his role of Franz in Rock of Ages on Broadway. His previous credits include Rock of Ages (original Toronto company), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Boys in the Photograph, Richard in A New Brain, Joseph in Joseph…Dreamcoat and Billy in Cedar Fair’s Twistin’ to the ’60s.

You can follow Erica and Cody on Instagram: @wildthingvintage (Erica) and @codyscottlancaster. You can also find Erica's vintage shop, Wildthing Vintage on Etsy!

Elise and I hang out in my kitchen and talk about her earliest influences (what up Paula Abdul), the true struggle of alto's everywhere and what it's like listening back to her first album. Elise is in the middle of writing and recording her follow-up to her self-titled debut EP which featured the the 2012 summer hit, No Good Woman. We talk about finding a focus for the new album and which singer's are giving her inspiration through the process. This summer you can catch her performing in Toronto on the last Saturday of every month at the Poetry Jazz Cafe.

Music featured in today's show (links to buy in iTunes):Opening: Red Hot Fire by Elise LeGrow

1. Love and War by Elise Le Grow

2. Fade Out Lines by The Avener feat. Pheobe Killdear

2. No Good Woman by Elise Le Grow

Closing: Weed & Wine by Elise LeGrow

You can find Elise online on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

What what! This is a fun one. Andria Simone has been compared to Janis Joplin and Etta James - big names, but she delivers. I sat down to talk with Andria the day after her release party for her latest album, Evolve. We talk about her early start at singing, her distinctive sound and the process of making this record. I promise when you hear Andria's voice you won't soon forget it.

Music featured in today's show (links to buy in iTunes):

Opening: Crazy Lady by Andria Simone

1. Holdin' On by Andria Simone

2. Beautiful Life by Andria Simone

3. Nothin' Comes Easy by Andria Simone

Closing: Love Me by Andria Simone

It's our second episode! Dana and I chat about her varied career thus far and why she's starting to pick a lane and pursue her own sound.

Tracks featured in this show:

Intro Music: Bright Lights by God Made Me Funky (Vive LeNuFunk, 2012)

1. Sumbody Else by Dana Jean Phoenix (Drrty Shooz, 2014)

2. Starships Acapella Multitrack (Phoenix Rox the Vox Vol. 1)

3. Summer Love by God Made Me Funky (Vive LeNuFunk, 2012)

4. Audio from "Feliz Navidad" Festive Diva Mashup

5. Funky Fly N'Free by God Made Me Funky (Funky Fly N'Free, 2015)

You can find Dana at @DanaJeanPhoenix on Twitter and Instagram and on her website at www.danajphoenix.com.

Just a shoutout to my homies: YOU! And a little more info on the podcast and what you can expect this season.