Nonsequitur Live In Studio

Even the grumpiest of music listeners would have had wide smiles on their faces had they been in the WERS studio this afternoon. This is because Columbia University’s co-ed a cappella group Nonsequitur stopped by to sing us three songs, and they brought with them an unparalleled amount of positive energy. Just because a group has talent does not necessarily mean they will have charisma, but Nonsequitur truly has it all.

The first song Nonsequitur sang was “Ain’t No Mountian High Enough,” putting their own special touch on the song made famous by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. One of the many things that sets Nonsequitur apart is their ability to blend individual solos with a larger group sound. For example, instead of having one soloist sing the whole song, four different voices took turns singing the solo: Elizabeth Carrolo, Ethan Fudge, Chris Silverberg, and Meaghan Luick. The result was a much more unified sound than if there was one soloist singing with a chorus acting as backup. The Nonsequiturs explain, “We have a very unique group because every single person in this group can solo, but at the same time we can come together and sound amazing and blend. Also our arrangements are really unique, we mash songs together. We have so many talented musicians that can create something original out of an old song.”

The next song up was “Love on Top” by Beyonce. Soloists were Brittany Carroll-Watts, Madison Seely, Raquel Chavez, and Lena Rakijian, each with voices that did justice to Beyonce’s powerhouse-style of vocal delivery. During each performance, the group stood in a circle and didn’t just nod their heads to the beat like many a cappella groups do, they full out danced to their music, complete with soulful hand waving. Silverberg said they have so much fun performing because of their motto: we’re serious about our music and we’re serious about our friendship. “It’s like the corniest motto ever, but I think it actually comes across in our music,” she said. It definitely came across to the crowd of people who gathered outside the WERS window throughout the group’s set, many of who started dancing along with the singers.

To conclude their set, Nonsequitur performed Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” brilliantly mashed up with Kanye West’s “Power” and featuring soloist Raquel Chavez. This song has been chosen to appear as a track on Voices Only, an album compilation of college a cappella nationwide. Nonsequitur has also recently put out their own ten-track album on iTunes, entitled ‘Cardboard Neighborhood,’ which includes their versions of songs such as “Part-Time Lover,” “King of Anything,” and “Shiver.” But even if you buy the album, Nonsequitur is an a cappella group to see live. Their happiness is contagious and will without a doubt get you dancing and laughing. To find out when and where you can see Nonsequitur live, visit their site and look under ‘Upcoming Events.’

By Mary Kennedy
Photo by Stevie Dunbar

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