(From left) Producer Matt Caruso and Cheezies members Michael Wallace, Adam Saxe and Chris Walsh listen to a take of “Little Lion Man” while the second tenors record their parts for Front and Center, The Cheezies’ upcoming album, which will be available on iTunes and on CD. A release party is scheduled for March 29 at Top Deck. (CONTRIBUTED BY CORBIN MATHIAS)
This past weekend, the phrase "cabin fever" assumed a whole new meaning to The Cheezies. The 16-member group spent 38 hours over the weekend cloistered in the Miami University Glee Club's traditional pass-down house, the "Club House," recording their first professional album, Front and Center.
The Cheezies, who have performed at such venues as the Bicentennial Charter Day Ball and a Detroit Lions football game, are one of Miami University's all-male a cappella ensembles.
Over the past two years, The Cheezies have been raising money through performances and donations in anticipation of this project.
"The Cheezies are very driven and determined, so there are a lot of opportunities that come along with this group," first-year Michael Wallace said. "We said from the get-go that we wanted this [professional album], and here we are."
The 16 vocalists began recording at 2 p.m. Friday. Friday and Saturday night saw 3 a.m. wrap-up times and recording began very early on Saturday and Sunday.
According to senior Adam Saxe, being locked up in the house together has been an experience in itself.
"We've gotten closer musically and from the standpoint of being a group," Music Director Chris Walsh said.
All tracks on the album have been arranged by a Miami student or professor. Tracks include "Domino" by Jessie J, "Breakeven" by The Script and "Little Lion Man" by Mumford & Sons.
The ensemble worked with the founder of ACappellaPsych and noted producer Matt Caruso to produce the album. Caruso transformed the house's attic into a studio for recording sessions.
"A big part of the recording process is the group's preparation, and these guys put in the time before," Caruso said. "It's been great getting to know the guys and forming that comradery."
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For each song, Caruso recorded two vocalists singing only two bars at a time.
"You've never seen people get so excited about one person singing 10 seconds of a song perfectly," Walsh said.
Because the recording process is unpredictable, the vocalists did not leave the house when they were not recording.
"To relax and stay sane, we played lots of video games and watched sports," Business Director CJ Blankenship said.
The group had big family-style meals and took care of their voices with hot tea, Ricola, and tablespoons of honey in between sessions.
"There were moments where people got through runs and there were moments where people struggled," Walsh said. "Born out of that is big success."
The Cheezies are hosting a CD release party uptown Thursday, March 29 at Top Deck for a first opportunity to listen to the album. Front and Center will be available digitally on iTunes and hard copies will be sold by members of the ensemble.
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