PRESS
DISNEY PIXAR’S TURNING RED
ARTICLES
NEW SCENE MAGAZINE
You voice the amazing ‘Tae Young’ in Pixar’s first every boyband! What was it like working on Disney’s ‘Turning Red’?
G: “So surreal. First off, Billie Eilish and Finneas are masters at their craft. It was such a joy to be able to take their demos and bring it to life with Jordan Fisher, Josh Levi, Finneas, and Topher Ngo. We only worked on it for a couple of days, but it was great to create and sing in person after being in quarantine for so long. Although we were all in our own individual vocal booths, we could still vibe off of each other because we could see each other across the soundstage.”
Are you surprised about all of the love towards ‘4 Town’?
G: “The part that surprises me the most is that while 4*TOWN is an important part of the plot, we have maybe five minutes of total screen time. And yet there is so much love for this fictional boyband. So much so that we’re currently charting on Billboard’s Hot 100 which is a testament to how good the music is.”
SHOUTOUT LA
What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Stick to what you know.”
If I only focused on what I did best, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Having multiple interests and perspectives is my superpower in a world where society teaches us to specialize.
There is nothing wrong with specializing, but it’s just not how some of us are built, including myself.
For example, because I’m a musician, my video editing style has a musical rhythm to it. My background in Linguistics helps me understand how to place and shape sounds when beatboxing. My degree in psychology helps me understand how to work with my clients in a team setting and also one-on-one.
I’m not a specialist in any of these areas, but combining all my interests gives me a unique perspective and approach to each project and makes me a valuable asset to any team.
VOYAGE LA
I’m a storyteller in multiple mediums, but it all started with music. I started playing guitar and singing in high school as a hobby and when I got to college, I decided to take music more seriously and started voice lessons. Soon I realized a career in music was something I wanted to pursue, so I decided to go for it after I graduated.
I started a professional a cappella group #FOURTY4B where I honed my skills as a vocalist and beatboxer and learned how to be a vocal arranger and audio engineer. I was hired to perform at Universal Studios Hollywood as a featured singer/beatboxer for the Grinchmas Boyband and as an original cast member of the Harry Potter Frog Choir at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Soon I started performing for commercial-level projects, such as Gap’s 2017 holiday ad campaign with Janelle Monaé and as a background singer for Keala Settle on international TV.
Being in the entertainment industry for a few years, I started to meet artists looking for video production services, so I started learning video production and providing services for my peers, turned clients. I started working with independent artists who were my peers in the a cappella and performing world and today, I run my own business providing music, audio, and video services for all types of clients, from independent artists to major brands in various stages of production.
I am currently a video editor for Warner Records’ Acapop! KIDS, a children’s a cappella brand from the creators of Pentatonix and businesses looking for video production services, most recently VocalMist, Popshop Live, Facebook and Instagram.
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
You may know him as the voice of Tae Young in Disney’s “Turning Red,” but Grayson Villanueva’s talents go beyond a swoon-worthy fictional animated boyband. Not only has he spent time in the a cappella field with groups like Top Shelf Vocal, The Filharmonic, and Vocal Flash, but he’s harnessed his craft with music production as well. This chat covers all the bases - from Grayson’s beginnings to his uni days arranging a cappella and we chat about the power of being a multi-potentialite.
In today’s episode, we discuss why Filipinos are seen as Korean stand-ins, why starring in a Disney movie still leaves your Filipino mom unimpressed, and how Turning Red is essentially the same story as Hulk but for teenage girls. Featuring Grayson Villanueva, who plays Tae Young of 4Town in the movie!
In this episode, we talk to multi-hyphenate Grayson Villanueva about his freelance career and pursuing multiple passions. We share our struggles with the societal expectation that we stick to one thing and discuss the benefits of having a variety of interests. Grayson also shares his strategies for being your own boss, including tips on how to stay motivated, manage your time, and take care of your wellbeing.
Grayson Villanueva is making a name for himself in the music industry, specifically behind the scenes as a jack of all trades in the niche market of a cappella music. Aside from being a musical artist himself, he is an a cappella music arranger, audio engineer, video producer, and social justice advocate. Some of his most recent work with Warner Records and Acapop! KIDS has him editing videos that are currently getting millions of views.
Join Brian for Episode 101 with Grayson Villanueva as they discuss deepening your creative skill set and life as a freelance musician in the Los Angeles a cappella scene.