History: 1997-2001
1998-1999
Under the direction of Christine Chang, Mixed Company widened its musical scope during the year. Edgy folk tunes like Dar Williams' "Are You Out There" and Joan Osborne's "St. Teresa" mixed with Loreena McKennitt's spacious and ethereal "The Mummer's Dance" and the hilarious performance version of "Kiss the Girl" from Disney's The Little Mermaid. Adam Fong contributed an original song, "Nathan" to the mix. Innovative arrangements, especially at the hands of Doy Charnsupharindr, were worked at lengths to create a sound rich in texture and bursting with artistry. While the group continued to test the boundaries of a cappella, pop and rock hits remained the mainstay of the repertoire. New favorites included Madonna's "Like A Prayer," Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing," and Sarah McLachlan's "Mary."
John Pettus helped instruct a new generation of vocal percussors. In attempts to live up to the splendor of former gods John Wright and Alexi Saldamando, young and impressionable basses like John Pacheco and Adam Fong (with an occasional "boh" from Matt Everett) took cues from mentors John, Ty, and Doy. Spitting and coughing became a regular installment at rehearsals.
MixedCo introduced full choreography into the Stanford a cappella community, with "Like a Prayer" and "Fastlove." Led by Nathan Baynard and Doy Charnsupharindr, the group's efforts at rhythmic movements enjoyed varying degrees of success, but always entertained.
Love Sucks rehearsals in Donner basement. Dank.
Love Sucks 1998 in Toyon drew an over-capacity crowd, continuing its tradition as the best attended annual a cappella performance on campus. Opening Intro featured John Pettus and Jess Green in the XXX Files (bow chicka bow bow ooohh Mulder). Other intro highlights included Ty wanting his baby back (with bbq sauce), Golbie slapping Doy in Six Degrees of Sexperatioin, Jess’s rant about kissing, Nathan and Fastlove condoms helping you get up to get down, and the JorC Rap.
East Coast Tour 1999! With a rigorous tour spearheaded by Tour Manager Matt Everett and Director Christine Chang, Mixed Company wowed audiences at colleges, on the streets, and in the nation's capital. Two trusty steeds, Big Red and Blue Ice, carted the group to performances at the United Nations in New York, Trinity College, Harvard, U Penn (a guest appearance with UPenn's Off the Beat), Princeton, and on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Autographs were signed, miles were logged, and alcohol was consumed. Life on the road, man.
1999-2000
Mixed Co records and releases their critically acclaimed seventh album, The Other Side of Blue. Clocking in at 72 minutes, the album showcases the group's warm and inviting sound, sophisticated arrangements, polished and energetic performances and eclectic repertoire. The album receives Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) nominations for Best Mixed Collegiate Album, Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement, and Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist. The Other Side of Blue is also named by the Recorded A Cappella Review Board as one of its favorite "picks" of the year.
Not wanting to miss out on the 1998-1999 group's stellar blending, director Christine Chang lead the charge to begin recording the seventh album. The group tracked "Flood," "We Belong" (both a classic hit from MixCo's past, and a performance favorite), and Madonna's ever-popular "Crazy For You."
Spring Show Theme: Mixed Co Sells Out. After a long wait in line to see Star Wars: Episode I, Mixed Co took their audience to the mall, to visit the Make-up Counter, the Gap Girs, Burger Barn, and to get a lemonade from Hot Dog on a Stick.
2000-2001
In the fall of 2000, Mixed Company holds its 15th year reunion show. Dozens of alumni converge on the Stanford campus for a night of singing and nostalgia which results in the production of a video documentary and 2-CD live recording. The group also went on a major tour to Hawaii, and was honored to learn that "Someday" from The Other Side of Blue had been selected for BOCA 2001!
