Pentatonix singer Mitch Grassi is celebrated for his ethereal tenor voice, whistle tones and genre-defying style.<\/p>\n
His act redefined modern a cappella with its intricate harmonies and viral YouTube performances.<\/p>\n
Now Grassi is exploring new ground with Messer, a new project for which he learned to be bolder in his creative choices.<\/p>\n
Mitch Grassi performed his debut show as Messer two years ago at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust because you\u2019re afraid to take a leap creatively or sonically doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s the wrong thing to do,\u201d Grassi said. \u201cDon\u2019t just say no. Give things a chance, because you really don\u2019t know where an idea will lead you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grassi will perform songs from his new album \u201cCuts\u201d on Friday, July 18, at the Lodge Room. It\u2019s a gear shift from his time with Pentatonix and Superfruit.<\/p>\n
Grassi\u2019s set list is performing songs from his new album, with other selections from his discography as a solo artist to showcase his creative. This includes the single he released on June 20, titled \u201cNot Yet\u201d \u2014 Grassi\u2019s favorite song from \u201cCuts.\u201d The song was written by Grassi, and he partnered with Nightfeelings to produce it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that it would be my favorite song, right when I wrote it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBreak Open\u201d is the fifth track in Grassi\u2019s new album, and will be featured in the show as well. He describes the song as \u201cliberating, powerful and emotional, with a really unique format.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited for people to hear it, and I can\u2019t wait to see what they think about it,\u201d Grassi said.<\/p>\n
The other titles in the \u201cCuts\u201d album are \u201cHuman,\u201d \u201cRailway Car,\u201d \u201cWhen I\u2019m Awake,\u201d \u201cLight On\u201d and \u201cClean (for W)\u201d \u2014 all of which will be featured in the Lodge Room performance.<\/p>\n
For Grassi, his music as Messer reflects his taste in music: \u201990s and early 2000s trip hop, breakbeat, drum and bass. Grassi said that working on music on his own has given him the creative freedom to explore his interests in new sounds and genres.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Demonstrating) versatility, to me, shows a true, powerful artist,\u201d Grassi said. \u201cI think what makes a really exciting pop artist is when they delve into different genres and sonic worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grassi released his debut EP \u201cRoses\u201d in 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic. The collection features the songs \u201cAngels Pray,\u201d \u201cMachine,\u201d \u201cBoy in the Pictures,\u201d \u201cGasoline Tears\u201d and the dark wave-inspired \u201cRoses.\u201d The lockdown, he said, gave him the chance explore his artistic identity.<\/p>\n
From Pentatonix\u2019s win on \u201cThe Sing-Off\u201d in 2011 to his live performance at the Lodge Room, Grassi has been an acclaimed musician for 14 years. He has won three Grammy awards: in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for Pentatonix\u2019s Daft Punk medley, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy arrangement and collaboration with Dolly Parton on \u201cJolene,\u201d respectively. Grassi has five nominations.<\/p>\n
He said he\u2019s striving to push himself as an artist and seeing where the solo project will take him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to pushing myself vocally as well, and seeing what weird sounds I can make and how I can be vocally,\u201d Grassi said. \u201cI can take my vocals to the next level and do things, vocally, that nobody has heard from me previously in Superfruit and Pentatonix.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grassi said he feels blessed to have fans who have supported him in his various musical projects, which is an honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say a big thank you to them,\u201d he said. \u201cIt really means so much to me that they would even care to listen to what I have to say or the music that I create.\u201d<\/p>\n
Messer<\/p>\n