The Voice – Battle Rounds – Night Four – 2018

By starrymag | April 3, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Austin, I’m sorry we didn’t get to see your battle last night.  I was hoping you could fill us in on what we missed, what you thought about your song choice, how the battle went, and what type of feedback you got.

 

Austin Giorgio:     They didn’t show it but we went crazy.  We jumped in the ground, did some crowd surfing.  Just kidding.  It was actually a lot of fun and I did a really unique take on the song.  A lot of good feedback from it.  I think Brett would say the same.  It was just a really fun way for both of us to craft each other.  We helped both of ourselves try new things.  It forced us to learn.

 

Q) I have a question for Dallas.  Were you actually the last battle of the season or was it just edited that way last night?  Because if you did perform last, I’d assume you went into the battle, knowing Alicia had one steal left to save one of you.

 

Dallas Caroline:   I’m not exactly sure where we went.  I don’t think we were the last one.  I’m not sure exactly where we went but yes, it was a super fun battle.  We didn’t really know much going in about steals or where we were, anything like that.  So we just gave our best performance and I’m really grateful that I got stolen by Alicia and then that Spensha won and we both got to go through.

 

Q) Austin,  I wanted to know if you could talk a bit about what role music played in your life growing up and also during your time at SUNY Geneseo as a student?

 

Austin Giorgio:     So I would probably associate my music with how I’ve been brought up and meaning my parents were always very strict and the one thing they always ingrained in my mind is culture changes but respect remains.  Morals are still the same as they were 50 years ago and it kind of all goes back to I’ve been listening to music from 50 years ago.  So I think whenever I hear music, I always think of my parents, my family.  And obviously, when I listen to Frank Sinatra too, I’m always listening to him.  I think of my father.  He kind of has a very fatherly like tone.  I guess that’s how I’ve always viewed him.  And then I think your second part of the question, Matt, was about Geneseo.  What were you referring to about Geneseo?

 

Q) Are you involved in any clubs or groups at the college that keep you sharp musically?

 

Austin Giorgio:     Oh, got you.  I’m actually not.  I’m not really in any music clubs or I’ve never been a part of a musical organization in school.

 

Q) Dallas,  I know that you’re very committed to country music and you left Blake Shelton’s team last night.  How do you think this is going to work for you? 

 

Dallas Caroline:   I think it will be great.  I’m really excited to work with Alicia.  I am country singer so that’s why I went with Blake to begin with and I feel like I learned a lot from him.  And I’m excited to see what I can learn from Alicia too.  Music is music, so I think you can learn from different artists and different musicians and styles in every way.  And I am country and Alicia obviously isn’t’ country but I still feel like I can learn a lot from her and I’m really excited about it.

 

Q)  Yes, I wanted to go to Gary for a second.  Same situation with Austin.  We really didn’t get to see your performance last night.  I was hoping you could fill us in what we missed, how you felt about your song choice, what type of feedback you got, what you think turned the decision in your favor.

 

Gary Edwards:      Oh, hey.  How you doing?  Last night was an amazing situation.  Of course, you guys didn’t get to see but fortunately, I was there.  The song choice, When You Believe, was really a genius choice.  Me, from my background of not really having the support I wanted at the time due to parents trying to choose the best situation for me.  And then Angel, with her courage, to not just be in her truth but live it on such a large stage.  So I really think from that standpoint, the song choice was amazing.  Angel is a one of a kind individual and we’re complete opposites in more ways than one.  But what connected us and I think what gave us a friendship that we still communicate today was the fact that her hard work matched mine.  And that’s something that speaks across the board and we connected there first, which led into a plethora of other things.   As far as what I thought gave me the edge on the song, placement.  I tried to time everything as well as I could.  Adam talked about taking advantage of the moment that’s given and it’s a duet.  We call it a battle but it’s really a duet.  So the goal is not to completely take over because you have to let somebody else shine as well.  So on the opportunities that I was given, I try to do my best to take full advantage of them, and I think that’s what gave me the edge.

 

Q) Before Blake declared you had won the battle, Alicia admitted she thought Dallas should win it because of her potential and Adam even admitted that Dallas could be the next Daniel Bradbury.  However, you received glowing reviews as well.  So were you surprised to win and what was going through your mind during all of that feedback?

 

Spensha Baker:     Everything surprises me in this process of being on The Voice for sure.  My mom says it best, nothing is shoe-in.  Nothing is guaranteed so you really have to give your best each time and pray that it will work out.  But I knew when I found out that Dallas was going to be my battle partner that this was going to be interesting but also challenging as well because she is so amazing.  So I think all the feedback from the coaches was amazing.  I appreciate all of the good things that they said about me, but everything they said about Dallas is absolutely true too.  And she is I think the next big country star and she’s amazing.  So I actually agreed with them.  I was surprised to win but I think this experience is good for everybody involved.  I think we are all so grateful when we’re chosen and so that’s sort of how I felt during the battles.

 

Q) Another question for Austin.  You were saying you listen to a lot of music from 50 years ago.  You mentioned Frank Sinatra.  Do you have any other favorite artists from that period of time? 

 

Austin Giorgio: .  Yes, there’s a handful.  Just to name a few, I love trumpet players, so, like, Chet Baker, Miles Davis.  I actually like Glenn Campbell too, who is not anywhere even close to that kind of music.  But I love Glen Campbell, Sam Cooke.  Those are some I’d name, other than mainstream, Ella Fitzgerald, the Tony Bennett, the very obvious ones that people don’t even listen to.  They know their names.  Those would be a few.

 

Q) A question for Dallas.  Were you surprised to get stolen overall and did you feel you were at a little bit of a disadvantage going into the knockout round as a stolen artist?  I didn’t know if you were a little worried whether Alicia had bonded and connected with other team members and how you might feel about that? 

 

Dallas Caroline:   Yes, going into the knockout round, because I was a steal, so you feel like you have to prove yourself a little more because the coach has a relationship with some of the artists before you.   So I just want to stay true to myself and really pick a song that I feel like represents me well for the knockout rounds and kind of show Alicia that she made the right choice by stealing me.  And kind of just show who I am.  I’ve gotten some feedback about my nerves.  So I really want to try to control those and just put my nerves aside and shine as much as I can.  As far as being surprised that I got stolen, you know, I feel like it’s all kind of a blur.  So it’s kind of like a roller coaster.  Like, I cried when I got stolen because I was so surprised.   And when I found out I lost, I was so happy for Spensha but there is that disappointment a little bit because you kind of have a moment where you’re like, okay, I might be going home.  And then you go right from that back up to, like, oh my gosh, I just got stolen and I’m staying.  And it’s just really a roller coaster.  So I was super surprised and super grateful overall.

 

 

Q) Alexa, how did the battle experience go for you?  Because I know obviously, you recorded your song with Hannah and you rehearsed with her but then you didn’t get to perform.  So, can you tell us whatever you can about that experience? 

 

Alexa Cappelli:       It was an interesting experience.  It was fun to get to work with her and I got to know her in rehearsals.  We both challenged each other musically and it was a really good battle song choice.  I can see why Kelly put us together.  But as far as my performance, I just adapted to what I did on stage and I’m proud of my performance.  And really, I was looking forward to performing together with Hannah but then again, I was proud of my performance and I’m thankful to have gotten feedback from the coaches still and I’m really excited for the knockouts.

 

Q)  Alexa, just a quick follow-up on that last question.  When did you actually find out that something had happened to Hannah and that she wouldn’t be able to perform with you?  And what was your reaction? 

 

Alexa Cappelli:       It was before the performance. I was a little upset, to be honest, because I was looking forward to performing with her.  We were ready and it was just a good song.  We worked well together, like I said, and Kelly knew what she was doing when she put us together.  And even working with Hailee was fun, and with Kelly and everything.  And it was a little awkward to be by myself for a battle round.  But at the same time, I just took the opportunity to sing my heart out still.  I’m glad that the song is on iTunes.  It came out really well so I’m happy about that.  But I’m excited for the knockouts and I’m just happy to be where I am.

 

Q) Terrence, great performance with you and Livia.  That turned out really, really well.  What do you credit that for and then why do you think you wound up prevailing?

 

Terrence Cunningham:   You know I owe a lot of that to Livia.  We worked very diligently and we worked very hard.  And ultimately, up to the very defining moment of when they announced the winner, I knew that we had equal footing across the board and she was so gracious to rehearse so hard with me.  And so I don’t know that I credit myself per se.  I know that we did a good job and it was completely neck and neck.  I think there was even a poll online and it was literally down the middle.  And so of course, I’m absolutely grateful to have made it to the next round.  But I tip my hat to Livia for doing an amazing, amazing job.

 

Q) You were saying, Austin, that when you listened to that big band era kind of music you think a lot of your parents, specifically your dad, when you talk a bit more about that, what role he played in exposing you to that kind of music, was he in a band himself?  Was he a singer?

 

Austin Giorgio:     So he was a jazz singer, a vocalist.  So I think when I say I was surrounded by it, I was drowning in it until about probably 15 and then I started getting flavors of country music and other song genres.  But I used to go to the flea market a lot with my father and given it’s in Avon, which I’m sure you’re probably familiar with that flea market, we’d go every Sunday.  And the whole ride up we listened to old jazz, and the whole ride back, we listened to old jazz, sometimes blues, like Ray Charles.  But yes, I was just always around it with my father. My mother listened to it but she was more of the whole Kenny G that kind of smooth jazz, you know.

 

Q) Spensha,  Blake said you can blow the mind of Nashville and turn the world of country music on its ear.  Could you explain to me a little bit what Blake meant by that?  Because obviously, he didn’t elaborate.  We know your talent is undeniable but in what way do you think Blake meant you could change country music?

 

Spensha Baker:     I sing country.  I always say that.  My voice has a soulful aspect to it.  I think we can hear a little bit more of that on country radio right now and so I think in terms of musical direction that’s sort of the way that I would fit into and along the lines of Chris Stapleton, and Maren Morris, etc.   So you would have to ask Blake about the details of what he meant.  But to me, the reason it meant a lot is because this is a new genre for me.  I’m sort of finding my footing but I know what direction I want to go in and I think that he sees that as well.  And I think that that makes us work well together and it also shows me how much he truly believes in me.  So yes, I’m excited about seeing what happens.

 

Q) Terrence, I was wondering what you thought of the song choice.  And there was the implication on the show that you slipping behind the keyboards made a big difference.  I was wondering if you could address that as well.

 

Terrence Cunningham:    I thought it was an amazing choice and I think that it featured our voices so well together because we both have sort of a calming kind of haunting tone.  And I think to Alicia’s account that it was an amazing choice.  It was a country pop tune and I think that we gave it the credence that it deserved.   And I am also very privileged that they allow me to play the piano as often as they do, because the piano to me is like breathing.  It’s a third arm to me.  And so I think that gave it the icing, which again, to Alicia’s account, it was her idea for me to play the piano.  Because at first, I was just going to stand up there beside her.  But Alicia said, “How do you feel about playing the piano on this song?”  I said, “Well, sure.  I can play anything.”  And I think that made the world of the difference in the song.

 

Q) Terrence, Adam admitted that you had set the bar through the roof and obviously, you had four chairs turn for you in the blinds.  So I guess I know you’re a humble guy, but did you go into the battle round sort of thinking it was yours to lose?  And how did that confidence or added pressure effect your approach to rehearsing and singing the song?

 

Terrence Cunningham:     Well, with anything you do in life, you always want to give your best and I never approach any situation with the confidence, oh, I’ve got this in the bag.  Because I think once that arrogance sets in then forces literally come against you, and then you end up being put on your head.  So I went in knowing that Livia and I practiced well and there was some fear – if anything, the fear is to sustain said bar, you know what I mean.  So I went in, I wanted to work hard and kind of perpetuate where I set the bar originally at the blind audition.

 

Q) Jackie, the perception on the show was that you were a little bit taken aback by the song choice.  I was wondering if that was really the case and what made it that challenging for you folks? 

 

Jackie Verna:   So I wasn’t necessarily taken aback by the song choice.  It was more so that it was very much so out of my wheelhouse.  I’m a country artist and Heart is definitely not country.  But the cool thing about getting that song is that Adam I think sort of met us in the middle a little bit because he picked a version where it actually featured Alison Krauss, who is a country artist.  And so I think that song for me, when I first heard it, I was just kind of nervous because I didn’t know the song per se.  So that was kind of what was making me feel more nervous about doing it.  But once I heard it and started practicing it, I was all in and I absolutely love the song.  I love the choice and I totally wouldn’t have picked any other song if I had the chance.

 

Q) Jackie, the coaches commented on your raw untapped potential and how your talent will continue to evolve in the competition.  But what did you think you really needed to work on at this stage and what was it like to hear Adam say that you had no idea how great you are? 

 

Jackie Verna:  Oh my gosh, I wanted to fall over on the ground when I heard him say that.  Every time I hear any of them say something to me about me or my talent, I’m always taken aback.  It’s so crazy to see them take an interest in us and really believe in us.  I’m sorry, I forgot the beginning of your question.  Could you repeat?

 

Q) I was just wondering what you thought you needed to work on from this point forward because they thought that you had a lot of untapped potential that will continue to evolve. 

 

Jackie Verna:   So from that point, I was nervous about a lot of things and I really thought I needed to work on my stage presence and absolutely on harmonies because I had not really had the chance to do harmonies before.  I’ve just never really been in a situation where I needed to do them. So this was so new for me and it was a huge learning curve for me in my musical career.  Because harmonies are something that you can’t really ever get away from and especially with the song we had, there was no running from them.  So it definitely made me learn and I’m so grateful for that because now, I can truly say I’m growing as an artist and I couldn’t be any happier.

 

Q)  Austin, you said you changed up your song pretty dramatically.  Since we didn’t get to hear it, I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about what you did with the song, how you flipped it?

 

Austin Giorgio:     Yes, we didn’t flip it drastically, meaning we weren’t messing with the composition of it or the arrangement of it.  It was just the way it was sung was different than how, you know, Marvin originally sang it, how Taylor sung it, and Buble. So for instance, example is both of our “Me and Mrs. Jones”, the chorus, instead of doing the typical melody, we tried to make the battle or the duet, about him and I were both talking to Me and Mrs. Jones and we both wanted her.  So it was more of instead of feeling bad about losing Mrs. Jones, we were trying to fight each other for Mrs. Jones. So we chose to implement that in the song.  So there were certain words that we went high on and you can hear it in the studio version.  We just tried to maybe push a different emotion in the song, which was interesting and it was really fascinating to do.

 

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*