studying liberal arts at boston university, victor made a splash as a raw, talented vocalist in the world of a cappella. he got his degree—and never went back to liberal arts. at age 26 with a year-and-a-half as lead singer of a new york city rock band under his belt, victor is back in boston working on his first solo album, piecing together his own soulful, intelligent sound. adventurous, honest grooves and climactic ballads make up the all-original album’s acoustic blueprint, which anand nayak (collaborator, acclaimed engineer and musician) is shaping with victor to create a landmark recording with full instrumentation at the slaughterhouse, a studio in western massachusetts. victor’s revealing, versatile voice is the focus with everything from funked-out jams to simple boom-clicks to solo guitar jazz chords backing him up. the musical ideas—and victor’s entire musical identity—come from influences as early as his childhood, the first half of which he spent in boston before moving with his parents back to his birthplace, cincinnati, ohio. his father would sing with (and add notes to) records by the beatles, ray charles, the everly brothers, roy orbison and others. hearing victor’s capable imitations, mom and dad signed him up for guitar lessons at an early age, which he continued sporadically through high school. consequently victor grew up a middle-class, midwestern kid—good grades, into sports—with guitar chops and a knack for harmony. but it wasn’t cool to be a guy who sings until senior year when the choir and musical theater departments tapped him for auditions. finally victor started singing for people, taking his own blues/funk band to the finals of a local high school competition. college brought a new medium—contemporary a cappella—so victor put down his guitar for a few years. he sang his way from the boston university dear abbeys to the semi-pro hyannis sound, earning caras (contemporary a cappella recording awards) for best collegiate arrangement and best song by a pro group; and nominations for best collegiate song and solo, and best album in the pro category. now victor sings with firedrill!, a rising septet that has earned its own cara nomination as well as an aca (a cappella community award) for the nation’s favorite pop/rock group.