Dynamic trio

The last Hoja concert I attended, the bass singer set out to teach his audience of students some really cool drum sounds – so the students could drive their teachers crazy for the next few days.

The tongue-in-cheek joke got the crowd roaring and soon a full gymnasium was clicking and popping.

Add in their fun choreographies, tight harmonies and a facility of mimicking any instrument, and their shows are nothing short of spectacular.

Hoja returns to the area, this time as the kick-off act for Lite Up the Nite Christmas Festival this coming Friday at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.

The Canadian a cappella band was formed in 1998 and was originally based in Saskatoon. Their repertoire is borrowed from the Top 40 and ranges from doo-wop to rock and country to disco.

The ensemble performs more than 300 shows a year. With a high turnover rate, the group changes from year to year. This year the Hoja trio consists of Daniel Fong and Dave Yurkewich switching lead and background vocals while Matt Deroche creates bass and rhythm noises.

“We have a wide range of songs from Johnny Cash to Beyonce to Leonard Cohen to the Bee Gees. We have a mixed show that moves from the ’60s to today,” says Deroche.

While Fong and Yurkewich just teamed up this year, Deroche is the veteran notching more than three years with Hoja. No longer a novice, he also doubles as road manager.

Our interview is scheduled for the morning and Deroche has hiccups caused by last night’s concert.

“I do drums and I have to manipulate my diaphragm in a certain way. To do that, I can’t catch a big breath. I have to take hundreds of little breaths. Because of that, little pockets of air are created and that results in hiccups.”

Although a tad awkward, the hiccups are merely a minor annoyance. For Deroche, every day of the tour is worth it.

“I get to live my dream. I get to sing every day. I really like the guys I tour with and I’ve been lucky to have great co-workers to share the stage with. And it’s an experience learning about people and other experiences.”

He describes his trio in glowing terms.

“Daniel is a grad from Grant MacEwan. He was a professional actor for several years. He’s very energetic and he’s got stage presence. He’s always talking to people and getting them hyped up.”

On the other hand, Yurkewich is the “rock on tour. He’s very calm and relaxed. He has a very creative personality and he’s a versatile singer, and we all go to him when we need to chill.”

Over the years, Hoja has won hundreds of thousands of fans. But throughout their 16 years on the road, they have battled one misconception – that they sing sacred music or that they are four guys in a straw hat crooning outdated music.

“We do songs you hear on the radio or that you grew up with. And we love the fact you can sing along.”

“We’re very light-hearted, dynamic and we’ll cover a boatload of songs. Our main goal is to have fun.”