Houla Entertainment APCA National Spotlight Artist ~ Polaroid Summer

Houla Entertainment APCA National Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Polaroid Summer

Polaroid Summer is the combined talents of two well know Houston bands, Lost Element and VerseCity. Polaroid Summer is comprised of lead vocalist Micaiah Walker former lead singer of VerseCity, drummer Brian Barrett formerly of Lost Element, guitarist Trace Sisson formerly of Lost element, and bassist Kenneth Conlon formerly of Lost Element. After years of touring, writing, and tirelessly supporting their previous projects, both bands decided it was time to for a fresh start. The guys from Lost Element were introduced to Walker through a manager they had both previously worked with. They played a string of shows together in the Fall of 2016 where Walker filled in for former Lost Element lead singer, Omar Lopez. It was there that things really started to gel between the former Lost Element members and Walker. It didn’t take long before they started writing and forming the new project, Polaroid Summer. They spent the winter of 2016 at Mix star studios in Virginia Beach, VA with Producer Bryce Bordone, the nephew of 11 time Grammy award winner, Serban Ghenea. After writing and working with Bryce, the group quickly developed their new age alt pop sound that gives them cross genre appeal. Channeling both electronic and organic elements combine with big propulsive beats, catchy guitar licks in resemblance to the 1975, and hook driven lead vocals gives them a lavishly layered sound appealing to mass audiences. Delivering hook after hook, the bands debut EP features everything from powerful message songs like “The Giant” to heart felt emotionally centered tracks about loss and healing like “Feeling Connected” all the way to millennial generation sing along anthems like “American Gold”. Polaroid Summers first single, The Giant, which was mixed by Ghenea, will be released February 24th and their 8 song debut EP will be soon to follow. They are launching the new band with a big hometown show in Houston at Fitzgerald’s, Friday March 3rd.

Polaroid Summer is showcasing on Friday, March 10 at the Dinner showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National Spotlight Artist ~ Kristen Merlin

Houla Entertainment APCA National Showcasing Spotlight Artist is Kristen Merlin.

After earning her BA in Music and Sound Recording from the University of New Haven in Connecticut and brushing up on her performance chops all over Massachusetts with her own band, Merlin’s talents landed her a spot on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning series, “The Voice.” Her audition of Sugarland’s “Something More” received some heated haggling between coaches Adam Levine and Shakira. Merlin made the decision to join Team Shakira and became a powerhouse female staple of “The Voice: Season 6”. Merlin, who finished fourth overall on “The Voice,” is now making her debut with original music. 

Kristen is showcasing Thursday, March 9 at the Dinner Showcase.

Houla Entertainment APCA National/Hershey Spotlight Artist ~ Daphne Willis

Houla Entertainment APCA National and Hershey Showcasing Spotlight Artist ~ Daphne Willis

Collaborating across multiple genres ranging from Soul-Rock and Pop to Hip Hop and Electronic Dance Music, classifying Daphne Willis in musical terms is no easy task. With infectious melodies delivered with lyrical precision and honesty, the songs and performances of Daphne Willis are sincere, compelling and relevant. 

Raised in Chicago and relocated now to Nashville, Willis cites influences as varied as Elvis Costello and Michael Jackson, but her musical output cleverly incorporates such inspirations into a style that is refreshing and contemporary in a way that suits her songs best. Daphne is currently a Pop writer at Sony/ATV and continues to release music and tour as an Indie Artist. 

Daphne is showcasing at APCA National on Friday, March 10 at 9:30 pm and at APCA Hershey on Friday, March 18 at the Lunch showcase.

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight ~ The Jackie Boyz

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Spotlight Artist is The Jackie Boyz.

The Jackie Boyz are a 4 time nominated 1 time Grammy Award winning (2012 Best Remixed Recording Madonna "Revolver") singing/songwriting/production duo who has written hits for Madonna, Justin Bieber, Flo Rida, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown to name a few and have went on to sell over 16 million albums. The Jackie Boyz celebrate their most recent success with another Grammy nomination for the 2016 year with R&B album of the year with their work on Charlie Wilson LP.  The Jackie Boyz got their start on the streets of Savannah, Ga as well as the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles has taught these guys the meaning of true entertainment. 

Their past concerts have featured K. Michelle (Love and Hip-Hop), American Idol Winner Candice Glover and have received a write up in The Hollywood Reporter as a go to event for Grammy Week at The W Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Jackie Boyz are showcasing at NACA Nationals.

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight ~ Kevin Viner

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight is Kevin Viner.

Kevin Viner's interactive mind-reading program will prove that he really knows what you are thinking! Kevin has appeared on the television programs Penn and Teller: Fool Us, Masters of Illusion and Don't Blink, and has created and consulted for America's Got Talent finalists. He has also won numerous international awards from his peers, including the World Magic Seminar close-up competition and the International Brotherhood of Magicians comedy magic award.

On stage, and close-up, Kevin Viner will leave your audience speechless.

Kevin Viner is showcasing at NACA Nationals. Kevin will be blowing minds in the Houla booths as well.

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight ~ Matthew Schuler

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight is Matthew Schuler.

Matthew Schuler took the first steps towards pursuing his dream as an artist by auditioning for NBC's Emmy award-winning competition reality series The Voice. During Matthew's blind audition he broke the record for the fastest 4-chair turn in The Voice history, which ultimately led to joining team Christina Aguilera. His time on The Voice was hailed by performances of iconic songs from Cosmic Love by Florence and The Machine and Miley Cyrus's Wrecking Ball, One Direction's Story of my Life, and most notably his rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah which hit number one on the iTunes Charts and #40 on the Billboard Charts for several weeks. He was later referenced as one of the best blind auditions of all time by coach Christina Aguilera in a recap of the best moments in the past 10 seasons. Soon after his departure off The Voice, Matthew performed in a sold out show in front of hundreds of thousands, for Jamaica’s Shaggy and Friends Music Festival that helps raise funds for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital, alongside acts such as Ne-Yo and Sean Paul. Matthew also collaborated with Shaggy on a track called Lovin You, which had a limited release only in the Caribbean. Matthew has done corporate performances for major Fortune 500 companies, as well as once opening up for Diana Ross. Matthew has been apart of two major films, and been on the soundtrack for one other. He is currently finishing up his highly anticipated debut album with Transformaz Music Group set to release in 2017. 
 

Matthew is showcasing at NACA Nationals.

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight ~ Brian Getz

Houla Entertainment NACA National Showcasing Artist Spotlight is Brian Getz.

World-record breaking balloon artist Brian Getz began twisting balloons 14 years ago when his sister got him a simple kit for Christmas. This fun hobby quickly became an exciting career working with universities, corporations and churches. Based in Indianapolis, Brian has entertained in 14 different countries and 35 states. He has worked with schools in Uganda, entertained on cruise ships, taught balloon art in Bosnia, and been awarded at three international balloon conferences. Leaving behind simple dogs and swords, Brian’s enthusiasm and wit help him entertain children and adults alike, while improvisation and experience allow him to create any animal, person or sculpture out of balloons. In 2015, Brian broke the Guinness world record for the largest modelling balloon sculpture by a team, creating an 88-foot dragonfly. He looks forward to visiting your campus, working with student volunteers to make a giant sculpture of your mascot, then entertaining with balloons.

Brian is showcasing at NACA Nationals and will be making balloons in the Houla booths as well.

Houla Entertainment NACA Nationals Showcasing Artist Spotlight ~ Eh440

Houla Entertainment NACA Nationals Showcasing Artist Spotlight is Eh440. 

Eh440, the incredible Toronto-based vocal group has been stunning audiences worldwide since they first hit the stage a few years ago. With just a beatboxer, bass vocalist, and 3 very differ­ent lead singers, this means that they are technically an 'a cappella' group but most people think of them as something very different. 

"You forget that there aren't any instruments because they really do sound like a full band!" said one fan.

"They sound hip and current. It's like they magically fuse old and new Into a must-hear sound. And I love that they write their own songs because it makes me feel so connected to them as people.

Eh440 was named the #1 Campus Touring Artist in America by Campus Activities Magazine! They received an unprecedented perfect score from Campuses across the US. 

Eh440 have released 2 albums along with two Christrnas singles. They have also toured from coast-to-coast in Canada, the US, and Europe, with more to come. 

Eh440 will be showcasing at NACA Nationals and NACA Northern Plains this Spring.