Hello Beautiful People!
I’m so thrilled to be introducing a brand new Q&A Series, Backstage with The Write Teacher(s). We’ll be featuring a backstage look at the latest concerts happening in and around New York City.
First up? Overcash & Change 2, featuring the music of Drew Overcash.
Drew Overcash is a composer/lyricist/songwriter, part of The Write Teacher(s) Faculty, and headlining his very own concert at the Highline Ballroom on February 24 – Overcash & Change 2, the music of Drew Overcash. The concert will feature: Darren Bluestone (Avenue Q), Joe Carroll (Cinderella), John Cudia (Phantom), Ariana DeBose (Motown), Jason Gotay (Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark), F. Michael Haynie (Wicked), Sara Kapner (Bare), Kara Lindsay (Newsies), Drew Little (My Big Gay Italian Wedding), Emily Padgett (Side Show), Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Kristine Reese (Les Miserables), Ciara Renee (Big Fish), Nic Rouleau (The Book of Mormon), Kirsten Scott (Big Fish), Billy Harrigan Tighe (Pippin), Christian Dante White (The Scottsboro Boys), Jennifer Hope Wills (Phantom), Cortney Wolfson (Kinky Boots), Danny Baird Jr., Kelsey Bramson, Amanda Clement, Gina Cucci, Jake Loewenthal and RJ Vaillancourt.
MM: What made you return to the Highline Ballroom?
DO: It’s such a wonderful space to perform in. After the Twenty-Somethings concert this last August, they had reached out and let us know if we ever wanted to come back to let them know. The whole staff there is so wonderful to work with – from booking and marketing all the way to sound and technical.
MM: What can audience members expect from Overcash & Change 2?
DO: Well, a lot of new material to start. In the past, most of my concerts revolved around my show Boys Vs. Girls, but we’ll be featuring 9 brand new songs from my other projects Rhapsody, Joe and 13 Miles. We’ll also be doing a few songs that people will be familiar with from Boys Vs. Girls and some stand alone songs.
MM: How much planning and organization goes into a concert that will feature 26 singers and quite a large set list?
DO: Since we are looking at 26 singers and an amazing band of 6 individuals, I’m so lucky that this time around to have my project manager, Krysta Hibbard, to help me. I’m also an excel spreadsheet geek. I organize it all like a crazy man with colors and numbers to keep myself on track. Concerts are always unpredictable and you never know what can happen with people’s schedules and what not so having some sort of plan always helps.
MM: Can you describe to our readers what a typical rehearsal schedule for a concert of this size looks like?
DO: A typical rehearsal schedule is anything but typical. I always start by reaching out to the singers and asking them for a time that they are free to sing through the song they are on. Trying to work around everyone’s schedules seems daunting, but it’s the only way to do it. Some days I’ll rehearse with one person and other days I’ll be in the studio from 10 to 8 with a new person or group of people every hour. Then I set a date with the band to rehearse, then we have a band/singer run through, and then we’ll have sound check the day of the concert and then it’s show time.
MM: How did you “cast” for this concert? What were you looking for when it came time to choose performers?
DO: I look at my set list and think write down a list of names of who I think would rock the song out. I also like to mix it up and work with old friends and new faces all the time. Then I reach out and see if they are interested. I’m not shy about asking. Facebook/Twitter (as stupid as that sounds) is all fair game in my book if I really want to work with someone.
MM: Describe your musical style in three words.
DO: Pop. Rock. Whiskey.
MM: When all is said and done, what do you hope people walk away from after they have seen your show?
DO: I hope they walk away humming a tune. Honestly, as long as people have a great time then I’m happy. Some of the songs are all fun and laughter while others are serious and dark, so if they connect to one song then we did our job. That’s what my goal is at every concert – share a bit of me and hopefully reach someone in the process.
Thanks, Drew!
And all you Write Teacher(s) Readers, be sure to check out Overcash & Change 2 at the Highline Ballroom on Monday, February 24th! Get your tickets here.
Live, Love, Learn,