The Voice – Battles Night Three

By starrymag | March 21, 2015

Q) Lexi, we didn’t get to see a whole lot of the performance. Can you talk a little bit more about what happened during your performance last night?

Lexi Davilla: The one thing I remember the most was I think that my performance was one of my best so far just because I was finally more open and not shy and I was kind of moving around. And honestly, a lot of that goes to Adam and honestly Bren’nae. I really enjoyed having a partner just because since I’m a little bit more on the shy side, it was easier to go through things having someone by your side and just having someone as sweet and loving as her was really fun just because she wasn’t just a battle partner. She was a friend and she kind of encouraged me when I was feeling like I couldn’t really do it.

Q) Well, we didn’t get to see your interaction with Ellie. Was there one thing that she taught you during that coaching session that kind of really resonated with you?

Lexi Davilla: I think one thing that kind of stuck out was she kind of taught me that when you’re singing harmonies, like when you’re singing with somebody else, you have to act like you’re both singing a solo, not your singing background. Like I was singing background for Bren’nae and then she’s singing background for me. I think that’s kind of one of the things that stuck out to me the most because whenever I’ve sung harmony, I’ve sang the background. And she kind of taught me that we both need to be the star and we both need to sing like it’s a solo.

Q) Sawyer, you mention that competition was sort of new to you that you hadn’t really harmonize with other singers before. So I’m wondering how much of a challenge was the battle round for you and what did you learn as a result of that experience?

Sawyer Fredericks: Yes, that was the first time I ever did a harmony so that was a pretty different experience for me and it was difficult to just really hold back. And, like, I really wanted to give Noelle good times to shine in the song and that was kind of my thought throughout the thing. And I think what I learned most from this is really just to be able to work with another person and work on a song with them. I’ve never really, like, worked on a song with someone and have their ideas for it and it was definitely a new experience for me.

Q) Brooke and Koryn, we really didn’t get to see your battle round so I was hoping each of you could explain what we miss and what you think turned the tide in your favor?

Brooke Adee: I think that this is definitely a harder performance for me and Bay because just from the standpoint that neither of us are pop singers and this is definitely more of a pop song. So it didn’t really show that we did struggle a little bit with the song and just the genre of the song but we worked really, really hard on it. And I kind of wished that it was in a montage because it shows more of us working with Meghan and Blake. And I think that he really taught us how to do stage presence and how to be more comfortable on stage and that also we can expand what type of music that we sing.

Koryn Hawthorne: I would kind of see the same thing as Brooke said as far as me and Vance’s song choice for, “Love Me harder,” because we’re both R&B soul singers and we got a current pop song. So in the beginning, we struggled a little bit but afterwards, it actually worked out pretty well I think that we actually had a good pairing. Our voices couple met at each other very well. So I’m kind of sad that people didn’t get to see that. We just really worked on stage presence and connecting with the song and just delivering it and having people feel what we’re saying. And, you know, I wish people could’ve seen it but it went well I would say.

Q) And what turned it in your favor, do you think?

Koryn Hawthorne: I just worked really, really hard and had great stage presence and I wanted it. So I just worked hard and I think that hard work paid off.

Q) Corey, I was wondering how difficult was that battleground for you and why?

Corey Kent White:  Well, the battle round, I think Jacob with tell you the same thing – the song was right down the middle for both of us but was a song that was a pretty big challenge for both of us because it’s not something that we would typically sang as a solo artist. So it was like a very wordy song and it was at the high end of both of our ranges. So a combination of how high it was and how wordy it was made for a pretty big challenge in terms of just being able to keep your breath and perform the song well. Especially, you know, it was a really energetic song. So you’ve got to be moving around and jumping around. Any and all that together and, yes, it made for a pretty tough challenge for the battle round.

Q) Did you all choose the song? I saw where you are being coached and when they were talking about what song would be great for you two to collaborate on. But how to that song get chosen?

Corey Kent White: Yes, Blake chose that song. He chose the battle pairing and then once he chose the battle pairing he came up with a song that he thought would be a good fit for both of us. And he kind of told us – they didn’t show it on camera but he basically told us he paired everybody else up and then he got to the bottom of the list and Jacob and I were the two that were left over. And so he kind of put us together and was trying to figure out what he could do to find a middle ground on a song. So he end up choosing “I Want Crazy,” because it is a really poppy country song. So, Jacob being a pop artist and me being a country artist he thought it would be right down the middle.

Q) Jacob, I was just wondering how you felt when you got stolen. What was your reaction?

Jacob Rummell: I was extremely shocked because once they announced the winner of the round, it’s like you start mentally prepare yourself for going home and thanking your coach and stuff like that. So when I was talking and Pharrell press the button, I was just, like, shaking and then I started crying and then – it was amazing.

Q) For Rob, I was just wondering if I could get your reaction about being asked to individualize the song to your style. In the comment that at a made about him having struggling – like, a daily struggle with the range in that song, how did that make you feel that you guys knocked it out of the park?

Rob Taylor: I’ll say it was nerve-racking at first. Like, first of all to be singing the song in front of the singer of the song. So me and Jeremy were both nervous and we were, like, okay, we have to kill it. And for Adam to compliment us on the song and share our opinions with the song and with the range that the song required, I mean, it was just an awesome feeling and I felt like accomplished because I’m not really used to the style of music. So I felt very accomplished and, like, okay, I got it done. I guess I did a good job.

Q) Sawyer, just looking to learn more information about if you’re getting more used to being on stage and being in the spotlight now that you’ve made it through your second round?

Sawyer Fredericks: Yes, I think I’m definitely getting more calm on stage and getting over my states fright. Working with other people is something new for me but I’m getting better at it.

Q) You said that learning the harmony was difficult. What other challenges do you think you’re facing in this competition?

Sawyer Fredericks: The other challenge for me was really just having a stage presence. I know that performance I was just kind of right there by the mic. I didn’t really have to move which was a little odd in the staging just because Noelle didn’t have a mic stand so she had to keep moving. I was stuck in one spot. So I think next performance I’ll try to work on that.

Q) And what other things have you learned so far working with Pharrell and the other mentors?

Sawyer Fredericks: I think, well, Pharrell has a really nice look on my songs and really gives good advice. And Lionel Richie is really just amazing. I don’t really know exactly what I’ve learned from this. Yes.

Q) Corey and Jacob, it seems like you guys came pretty close friends going into your battle last night. How did you prepare yourself for one person as winning the battle and were you confident that either one of you would be stolen after your performance?

Jacob Rummell: Yes, I think that something that Corey was really good at, he’s like my big brother. And I think one thing that he was good at with me was making sure that I knew that losing wasn’t an option because for me, my mindset was like I’m singing for a steal. And he said, “You know, that’s not an option. Like, you have to sing to win.” And so going – like bouncing off of him and just being around him and his positivity that, I think, helped me prepare to battle him.

Corey Kent White: Yes, when we initially got paired together, I think the thing that was running to everybody’s mind is they are sizing up with they’re paired against they’re thinking can I beat this person? And immediately my mind went to it’s not me against Jacob. It’s me and Jacob against everybody else. And that’s the way that I approached the whole competition was if Jacob and I do this well, either one of us has to lose. So I think that mindset really helped in preparing for our song and ultimately it was kind of an odd position to be encouraging the person that everybody else is going to be seeing as your direct competition but, in my mind the whole time I was thinking if we do this well, neither one of us has to go home. So, yes, it was great getting to know Jacob. And like he said he became like my little brother out here and it was going to be really tough to see him go home or it was going to be tough to go home myself. So worked out perfectly and I got to say told you so after was all over.

Q) Jacob, I wanted to ask you what are your thoughts with your coaching change, with Pharrell? We know he turned around for you originally and you chose Blake. Kind of that switch, maybe your expectations with just kind of different coaching styles and what you think Pharrell is going to bring to the table and how he’s going to benefit you?

Jacob Rummell: I think that the change for me with something that was very easy because I was with Blake but I got to have a good feel of his coaching style. And then when I switched coaches to Pharrell’s team it’s totally different. They’re not the same person but it’s a very positive thing. Blake was a really good encourager he’s, like, he’s just always encouraging and Pharrell is more like a serious type of, like – I don’t know how to explain it. He likes (using to like) who you want to become. I think that’s really cool.

Q) And what do you kind of see yourself becoming as an artist? Just kind of diverse, like, and all the various genres or a specific area you have in mind?

Jacob Rummell: I love to sing pop music. I think it’s positive in its energetic and that’s a parallel for like the way I live my life. So I think that pop music is definitely my way to go and Pharrell can definitely help me get there.

Q) Corey, you made a comment last night about obviously working on singing on stage. You didn’t have your guitar. You did make the comment that acclimating to that was kind of a challenge for you. Just curious how you felt about it after you went through it? You probably haven’t performed much ever without a guitar.

Corey Kent White: Right. It’s definitely outside of my comfort zone and the reason being when we’re – I play in a four-man band and we play kind of the fraternity and sorority scene and some smaller theaters and stuff like that.And because we’re a four-man band, there’s no room for somebody to put down an instrument and just sing. The sound would disappear. So it was definitely a new experience for me. I’ve done it a couple of times but that was that was kind of a reluctant thing. It was never something I really wanted to do but I knew that coming up in this competition and just by watching the other seasons that they always make a per- a guitar player put their guitar down. So it was either I was going to do it willingly and learn and really grow from it or I was going to be forced to do it. So they actually gave me the option to play my guitar and I decided to set it down because Jacob is a great performer obviously without an instrument. So I knew that he was going to push me. I’m a pretty competitive person so it seemed like the perfect ground for me to set the guitar aside and really step up to the challenge and try to step up to Jacob’s performance level.

Q) Do you feel that you may be liked it more than you thought or you still prefer the guitar or your open to (performing) without it?

Corey Kent White: Well, I definitely – yes, I definitely enjoyed it more than I expected to. It’s just that it’s a whole different kind of performance. And you’ve got to be, in my opinion, a little more engaged with the audience. Your entire body language is seen so I did enjoy it more than I thought it would but I will say that playing the guitar is still much more comfortable and if I had a preference, I’d still be playing the guitar.

Q) Sawyer, I was just wondering what thoughts were going through your head after you have finished singing when you were waiting to find out what made it through?

Sawyer Fredericks: Well, when I went on stage I already knew that there were no steals left. So me and Noelle were kind of pretty bummed from that. So a new one of us were going to be going home so I was going to be basically sad and happy either way it went. But after stage I really was just trying – I wanted to find Noelle and her and tell her that – how nice it was singing with her and how great this was to me. And I don’t know, it’s a great experience.

Q) Brooke, were you familiar with Meghan Trainor before she started working with you?

Brooke Adee: I was. I definitely knew, “All About That Base.” Of course. Everyone knows that song. I used to jam out to it on the radio all the time but I’d never really heard any of her other stuff until after working with her.

Q) What was the most surprising thing you learned about her? What is the coolest thing you know about Meghan Trainor, what would you say?

Brooke Adee: I think that the coolest thing about Meghan Trainor is how laid-back of a person she was. Like, she went from, I guess, just doing what she does to being like this big super pop star. I think that she’s an incredible talent and she’s extremely down to earth and just true to herself.

Q) Rob, on the show we see the training thing lasts about four minutes of airtime. How long do these sessions actually last? Are they two hours, five hours, 20 hours?

Rob Taylor: They’re not that long. But, I mean, we do get a decent segment with their coach in the advisor. We get a decent amount of time.

Q) I guess along the same lines, what is the coolest thing about Nick Jonas?

Rob Taylor: The coolest thing – and it’s crazy because you – I mean, for me I grew up watching him on Disney channel and seeing him sing with his brothers and, I mean, he’s all over the place. So it was just like another shocker for me, like, to be in the presence of such an awesome young male artist that accomplish so much that I can only aspire one day to do the same. So to be in front of him and saying and share my gift with him and have him appreciate it and go as far as to give me advice and, you know, to make me better, I mean, it’s just a humbling experience and I’m – it’s great. Nick was great. He was absolutely great.

Q) Koryn, I’m asking for the millions of girls around the planet, is Nick as handsome in person as he is in pictures?

Koryn Hawthorne: Oh my God. He is beautiful . I felt myself like, when singing my song in front of him I had to look the other way because I could not just sing.

Q) For Corey, what was the best advice they think you got from Meghan and Blake for your training for the battle rounds? And what do you do to prepare for the knockouts?

Corey Kent White: The best advice that I got from Meghan and Blake was probably the eye contact piece where they pointed out that I was closing my eyes a lot and that’s just a habit that I have that I need to work on. And I worked on it a little bit and – well, I worked on it a lot but it didn’t show is much as I would have liked it to. And that still something that I still need to really focus on. But, yes, there were some unexpected things that came up that definitely affected that. I got – I was using an earplug and part of that broke off in my ear and we weren’t able to get it out before the battles. So I ended up completely unable to hear in my left ear during the battles and I think that caused me to close my eyes a little more than I wanted to just trying to hear myself so that was a little behind the scenes. Yes, we made the best of it and none of the judges – the coaches knew. I did want there to be any excuses if I went home. So, yes, that was definitely a factor. But as far as preparing for the knockout rounds, definitely working on eye contact and connection with the song. I feel like watching my performance back even though I think Jacob and I hit the notes and it sounded good, I don’t think that I really connected with the audience as much as I would have liked to and especially in country music. I think that’s what it’s all about.

Q) What is it like to watch yourself back on that stage and here – because normally you do that?

Corey Kent White: I don’t usually watch myself back but – and I don’t necessarily, like, enjoy it but I do – I kind of compare it to watching film for a football player. It’s a way that can see exactly how you performed and focus on the things that you want to improve on. I don’t really enjoy it. It makes me nervous, to be honest. I think I might get more nervous watching myself after it’s already happened than I actually am when I’m on the stage performing. I don’t know what that’s about but it’s a very strange thing to watch yourself a national television. I just never envisioned myself being a national television.

Q) Sawyer, I was just wondering what you’re doing to prepare for the upcoming round?

Sawyer Fredericks: I think I’m really just trying to get back to my roots and really sing the kind of music that I want to sing and really put as much emotion into my performances and really just get into it.

Q) And what you mean by your roots? What kind of music would that be?

Sawyer Fredericks: Well, my favorite artist is I’ve listened to a lot of Creedence but I want to try some other stuff as well. But I don’t really know what I’m going to do for the next performance.

 

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*