After Dark (Washington University in St. Louis)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Washington University After Dark

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Img_capt =
Img_size = 300
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Washington University in St. Louis
Genre = A Cappella
Years_active = 2001 – present
URL = http://www.wuafterdark.com

After Dark (AD) is a co-ed a cappella group at Washington University in St. Louis specializing in contemporary rock and pop music.

History

After Dark has been singing at Washington University since September of 2001. The group was founded by former members Laura Butler, Cara Shugoll, Greg Hitt, and Erin Hickey. After Dark has performed at various venues, including St. Louis University, University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin at Madison, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, on the nationally syndicated Steve & DC Morning Show, at the St. Louis Club, on MSNBC’s "Hardball" during coverage of the 2004 Presidential Debates [" [http://www.a-cappella.com/product/washington-university-after-dark-eclipse-cd/college-mixedgroups Mixed Groups Washington University After Dark] " from "A-Cappella.Com" (1 January 2007) accessed 24 Feb 2008] , and on CBS's "The Early Show" during the 2008 Vice-Presidential Debates. [" [http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4494086n Wash U. Palin/Biden Love Song] " from "cbsnews.com" (3 October 2008) accessed 10 Oct 2008]

In the spring of 2005, After Dark was awarded Midwest divisional runner-up at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella at the University of Illinois competition, where they also received the Outstanding Soloist award for Julie Kling's performance of “Gotta Be.” After Dark’s runner-up position allowed the group to advance to the Midwest Semi-Finals of the competition [" [http://varsityvocals.com/icca/2005results.shtml ICCA 2005 Results] " from "varsityvocals.com/icca" ] [" [http://media.www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2005/02/11/News/A.Cappella.Groups.Head.To.SemiFinals.After.Recent.Success-860967.shtml A cappella groups head to semi-finals after recent success] " from "Student Life" (11 February 2005) accessed 24 Feb 2008 ] .In August 2005, After Dark released its first studio album, entitled "Whoa Bundy". The opening track, "I Want You Back," was chosen for the CAMO compilation "Top Shelf A Cappella Volume II". After Dark's second studio album, "Eclipse", was released in August 2007 to critical acclaim. The group is currently recording a third album, to be released in 2009.

After Dark puts on an annual concert, "A Light From the Darkness," in Washington University's Graham Chapel each January. They hold auditions at the beginning of each fall semester. Since 2006, they have participated in an annual charitable benefit concert known as "Rhythms for Rebuilding." [" [http://media.www.studlife.com/media/storage/paper337/news/2006/10/13/News/A.Capella.Groups.Sing.To.Rebuild-2349476.shtml A cappella groups sing to rebuild] " in "Washington University Student Life" (13 October 2006) accessed 24 Feb 2007 ]

Recent Recognition

After Dark's second studio album, "Eclipse," was released in August 2007, and reviewed by the Recorded A Cappella Review Board. The track "Snakes on a Plane [Bring It] " received a perfect score and was described as "one of the best tracks of the year" by reviewer Jevan Soo ( [http://rarb.org/ RARB] ) [" [http://rarb.org/reviews/777.htm RARB Review of After Dark's "Eclipse"] from "RARB.org"] . Later, the song "Mama's Room" was chosen for the compilations "Voices Only 2007" ( [http://www.voicesonlyacappella.com/ Voices Only] ) and "Sing IV" ( [http://allforacappella.org/ SING] ). "Ready for Love" was chosen for "Voices Only 2008", and "Worn Me Down" was chosen for an AcaTunes Favorites award ( [http://www.acatunes.com/AcaTunes] ) [" [http://www.acatunes.com/awards2007 AcaTunes Awards 2007] from "AcaTunes.com"] .

In 2008, After Dark was recognized by the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, presented by the Contemporary A Cappella Society (CASA), for tracks off "Eclipse": "Mama's Room" won for Best Mixed Collegiate Song and was named runner-up for Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement. Jazzy Danziger was nominated for the Best Mixed Solo Award for her performance of "Ready for Love" ( [http://www.casa.org/ CASA] ) [" [http://www.casa.org/content/view/1110/40/ CARA 2008 nominations] from "CASA.org"] , [" [http://www.casa.org/content/view/1212/242/ CARA 2008 winners] from "CASA.org"] .

Albums

"Whoa Bundy" (2005)

# I Want You Back (Jackson Five)
# Such Great Heights (The Postal Service)
# Flake (Jack Johnson)
# Fallin' (Alicia Keys)
# And So It Goes (Billy Joel)
# You Can Call Me Al (Paul Simon)
# Little Man (Eddie from Ohio)
# Disarm (Smashing Pumpkins)
# Down in the River to Pray (Alison Krauss)
# I'll Take You There (General Public)
# Trashin' the Camp (Phil Collins and 'N Sync)
# You Gotta Be (Des'ree)

"Eclipse" (2007)

# Snakes on a Plane [Bring It] (Cobra Starship)
# Mama's Room (Under the Influence of Giants)
# Worn Me Down (Rachael Yamagata)
# Ready for Love (India.Arie)
# Who's Lovin' You (The Jackson Five)
# Beautiful (Joydrop)
# Hiro's Song (Ben Folds)
# When I'm 64 (The Beatles)
# Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)
# Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday (Boyz II Men)
# When I Fall (Barenaked Ladies)

References

External links

* [http://www.wuafterdark.com After Dark Group Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/wustlafterdark After Dark MySpace]
* [http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4494086n Video of After Dark performing on CBS's The Early Show]