Idol Chatter & Voice Views

I’m really not sure what The Voice is up to in Season 8.

Tonight, for the first time ever, the show is airing a strange hybrid episode.

First, we’ll watch the final five contestants being chosen for Season 8 as the blind auditions conclude.

Then we’ll watch the battle round begin.

That comes on the heels of a special Wednesday night episode called “Best of the Blind Auditions.” Yep, the auditions that haven’t ended.

Bizarre. Very bizarre.

Anyway, for profiles of each and every singer we’ve met so far, head here.

As I noted in that blog, the talent is spread very evenly this year. In Season 7, six of 12 four-chair-turn recipients wound up on Team Adam.

Heading into tonight, no Season 8 team has more than two.

And it’s time to meet some more singers …

Nathan Hermida, 17, of Boston, Mass.: His parents came from the Philippines in search of a better life. They used to have parties featuring karaoke and music. “That was really influential with me getting involved with music,” he says. He likes R&B music and would always try to lip synch Justin Timberlake songs. He’s also interested in science and his Plan B calls for becoming a biology teacher. He’s auditioned with Miquel’s “Sure Thing.” Adam turns around quickly. Christina follows shortly thereafter. Adam says he delivered the voice of “a seasoned professional.” Christina calls him a “superstar.” Nathan decides to join Team Adam. He completes Adam’s team.

Paul Pfau, 26, of Washington, D.C.: He started playing guitar at 14. His mom says he didn’t always have a good voice. “Then, one day he said he was going to sing at the senior showcase. We were like, ‘What?'” Well, it didn’t go flawlessly. Paul recalls that he sang the first verse and the chorus, then froze and forgot the words. “But afterwards, everyone was like, ‘Man, your voice is great.’ … So it turned out to be a positive.” He went to college and majored in economics, but says the focus was always on playing music after he graduated. He traveled across the country performing at college. Oh, and he says Adam and Maroon 5 were major inspirations. He’s going to sing Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” Interesting choice. It gets Blake to turn around. Pharrell spins as well. Pharrell called his performance “flawless.” Paul tells Pharrell he grew up with a blues background, but has been playing more pop-rock lately. Blake assures him there’s “nobody on my team like you.” Paul joins Team Pharrell.

Gaia Golden, 26, of Maui, Hawaii: She remembers always wanted to sing and says her parents enrolled her in vocal lessons at a very young age. She manages a vacation rental that includes a yoga studio, a tomato farm and a big barn that includes a studio. “That’s where I play music,” Gaia says. She says she “writes fun pop songs about falling in love. But people who come to Hawaii want Hawaiian music and want to see you dance with fire and wear like a hula skirt.” She’s auditioning with Taylor Swift’s “Red.” And she is doing a fantastic job at the opening of this song. Nice strong vocals. I have no idea why this song is winding down without a single chair turn. It wasn’t a perfect vocal, but it was certainly good enough to turn at least a chair or two. What the heck were they thinking?

Vance Smith, 22, Detroit, Mich. He grew up on the east side of Detroit, which he calls a “dog eat dog type place.” When he was 8 or 9, he recalls riding bikes and a car driving by and firing shots. At age 14, the family moved to Georgia and started a new life. Vance is now a diesel mechanic. “When I’m not working on big rigs, I’m back home working in my studio.” His mom says he’s very dedicated to music. “With him, it’s music, music, music,” she says. Vance will sing “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Shaky opening. And it’s not getting a whole lot better. But at the last minute, Vance hits a heck of a glory note and gets Christina and Pharrell to turn around. Adam compliments him on the “11th-hour stuff.” Christina says his falsetto was great and she liked that he was having a good time on stage. Pharrell compliments him on ending strong. Vance joins Team Christina. And her team is complete.

Caitlin Caporale, 23, of Newburgh, N.Y. She’s been watching the show since Season 1 and always wanted to be a singer on it. Growing up, she says she participated in lots of talent competitions. “But this stage is definitely the biggest.” She’s a customer service representative with a cable service and works the 3:30 to midnight shift. “I hope one day I can depend on music solely.” She calls Christina her favorite singer of all time and says she always sang her songs “in my bedroom.” In fact, she’s auditioning with “Impossible,” a Christina song. Midway through the song, Caitlin’s impressive vocals prompt Blake and Pharrell to turn around simultaneously. Blake compliments her on having a “700-pound voice coming out of like 80 pounds.” He’s convinced she could win. Pharrell compliments her for graciously floating the notes around. Caitlin says she wants to sing R&B music. She joins Team Pharrell. And his team is full.

Hannah Kirby, 20, Sulphur Springs, Texas: While she was growing up, she says her mom was always playing acoustic guitar and writing songs “so I was constantly enveloped in music.” When she was 8, she started taking violin lessons and performed at jamborees. But she says singing became her main musical focus. She’s also nuts about video games and is a student at Texas A&M Commerce studying psychology. She still plays music, but says there aren’t that many outlets to do so in Sulpher Springs. She describes her voice as “raw and powerful.” She’s auditioning with “The Letter.” And she’s showing off that raw voice she referenced. And she does have a lot of power. This girl has a heck of a shriek, too. And Blake turns, meaning his team is full.