The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse – Part 7

By Mike Chin on February 17, 2012 in The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

Every a cappella group has a story. In this unique, episodic, narrative feature we will trace the formation and first, tumultuous year in the history of the fictional Acapocalypse.

Josh had remained tight-lipped about the songs he taught The Acapocalypse, or how they were going. Carrie was prepared to let that be a part of his world he kept to himself—would go so far as to say she felt it important they keep some parts of their lives distinctively their own.

The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse – Part 6

By Mike Chin on February 10, 2012 in The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

Every a cappella group has a story. In this unique, episodic, narrative feature we will trace the formation and first, tumultuous year in the history of the fictional Acapocalypse.

Carrie sat cross-legged at the head of her bed, while Josh sat at the foot of it, tapping a pencil against his econ book in a steady rhythm of eighth notes.

The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse – Part 5

By Mike Chin on February 3, 2012 in The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

Every a cappella group has a story. In this unique, episodic, narrative feature we will trace the formation and first, tumultuous year in the history of the fictional Acapocalypse.

Josh scanned the coffee table, covered in audition information sheets with black and white print outs of a picture of each group member to better remember who was who, to get a better feel of who should be a part of the group.

Josh’s mom had looked more than a little surprised when Josh escorted Amanda into the living room. He didn’t talk with his parents much about his social life, but expressed enough so she knew it when Amanda broke up with him. She had also met and seemed to like Carrie when Josh had her over for dinner that summer, or to sit in that very living room and watch TV. He hadn’t yet explained the new a cappella group or the partnership he had struck with his ex.

The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse – Part 4

By Mike Chin on January 27, 2012 in The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

Every a cappella group has a story. In this unique, episodic, narrative feature we will trace the formation and first, tumultuous year in the history of the fictional Acapocalypse.

The Acapocalypse hadn’t been able to secure a lecture hall for auditions like The Grand Standers did. In truth, without membership as an official student organization—which apparently took at least a semester, and usually a full year of waiting—they were hard pressed to secure any space at all. Amanda ended up brokering a deal through a girl in her philosophy class who was an RA. Josh hadn’t even known the school had residence halls, much less RAs, but was grateful for small favors. They secured a lounge space with a big whiteboard and a piano, which seemed pretty ample by that point.

And so, the two of them headed over early rearranged all of the couches and set up shop. After three weeks of communicating over Facebook and Gmail, the audition itself marked the first time Josh actually saw Amanda since graduation night, months before.

The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse – Part 3

By Mike Chin on January 20, 2012 in The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

Every a cappella group has a story. In this unique, episodic, narrative feature we will trace the formation and first, tumultuous year in the history of the fictional Acapocalypse.

Josh waited a few days to let the idea of a new a cappella group sink in. He didn’t want to freeze himself, just thinking about logistics. After all, that’s why he was going to reach out to Amanda in the first place. Nonetheless, he wanted to prepare a real pitch. He wanted to be ready to answer her questions before she asked themm, to make it clear he was serious and, in particular, that this wasn’t just an excuse to talk with her.

Amanda always showed up on Google Chat in the evening, always with the red dot of “busy”-ness to shoo away frivolous conversation. She usually kept it and Facebook open while she did her homework and check on people’s statuses or make a quick comment when she needed a break from reading.

The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse – Part 2

By Mike Chin on January 13, 2012 in The Unauthorized History of the Acapocalypse

Every a cappella group has a story. In this unique, episodic, narrative feature we will trace the formation and first, tumultuous year in the history of the fictional Acapocalypse.

Josh Phillips dabbed at the watery goop of his sundae, all hot fudge and vanilla ice cream. He felt like the cherry at its center—once on top of the world, now swimming in a mess of stuff that had once looked appealing.

“Maybe you could send them the YouTube links from your solos last year,” Carrie said. She had taken him out for ice cream, and they sat outside, salvaging those last bits of late summer. Josh met Carrie at a party in July. She came across as smart, sort of sophisticated. She got into schools all over but opted to stay local at Shermantown Community College because they offered her a full scholarship.

Josh sensed a like-soul. He got into a number of schools, just not Grand State. He was committed to staying local—liked his home, liked his family, and, of course, liked his girlfriend at the time, Amanda, who had already committed to SCC. Had he known she would dump him the night after graduation, he might have just gone away to some school with an a cappella group to begin with.

Carrie continued, her tongue coated bright pink from the strawberry frozen yogurt cone she had nearly finished by that point. “Because the videos will show you’re a great singer and you have stage presence. And that’s really important. I’m sure they’d want you on the roster.”