Straight No Chaser hits the 'Holiday Road' to Kiva Auditorium

Get into the holiday swing with Straight No Chaser as they bring a cappella to the Kiva Auditorium.

Straight No Chaser originally formed at Indiana University in the 1990s and is hitting cities across the United States on a “Holiday Road Tour.”

“It’s like a brotherhood of dudes who connect through music, different walks of life,” Freedom Young, vocal percussionist, said, “but the one connecting piece is that we all have a love for music and bringing people joy through that music.”

The group will be at Kiva Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 16, performing from their newest album, “Holiday Road,” which features popular songs “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and more.

“Sometimes we decide to flip a song completely, like you’ve heard a song like this on the radio,” Young said, “but then we take that song and we completely flip it on its head.”

Young said that holiday music lends itself to a cappella because it has staying power and more chord structure and loops, which give performers more opportunities within the music.

“I think it allows for the voices to do something different, you know, the vocal aspect, but to be able to not sound repetitive,” Young said.

He said that holiday music is also popular for a cappella because it is recognizable to audiences.

“Even if they were done, you know, in the ’60s or the ’40s, or the 1800s, you can sing (them).”

Young said the group tries to curate an upbeat show, inviting the audience to share in their fun.

When it comes to arranging a cappella, Young said he starts with what the bassline is doing and then finds the groove he wants, as well as the vibe of the record.

“We’re not afraid to take a tune and add some lyrics to it to kind of give it that Straight No Chaser humor,” Young said.