Pentatonix co-founder Scott Hoying and his husband, Mark, share how becoming dads inspired “Little Birdie’s Big Symphony” and their growing collection of family music.
L.A. couple Scott and Mark Hoying release their second children’s album “Little Birdie’s Big Symphony” in honor of the arrival of their daughter, Birdie. Scott, who is one of the founders of Grammy-winning vocal group Pentatonix, has collaborated with his husband before. Last year, they released “M.Y. F.A.M.I.L.Y.,” which features musical guests Meghan Trainor and Béla Fleck. The couple has also written two children’s books, “Fa La La Family” and “How Lucky Am I?”
Their newest role as parents have added another layer of meaning to their collaborations. “Little Birdie’s Big Symphony” was created in the early days of parenthood and even features Birdie herself!
We chatted with the couple about their latest album, life in L.A. and how becoming parents has influenced their creative collaborations.
What inspired you two to get into music for families?
We love kids and family media in general! Disney, Pixar, animated TV shows, we love it all! It’s so joyous, funny, and surprisingly poignant and emotional! When we found out we were going to be dads, making our daughter an album came to our minds immediately. Making music is one of our favorite ways to feel emotions, show love, and spend our time together, so it felt like such a natural fit. It started out as a few songs, but we just kept getting more and more inspired and it grew and grew!
Tell us about “Little Birdie’s Big Symphony.”
We are SO proud of it! Our album is a beautiful, authentic, love letter to our daughter Birdie. And the lyrics, arrangements, production, vocals all flowed out of us so naturally. Of everything we have ever made, this is the least overthinking we have ever done making something. It’s got everything: a song that started as a letter to our daughter, a song with a beautiful Filipino verse, and features from friends we genuinely love so much: Christina Perri, who officiated our wedding in 2023, sings “Landslide” with us, which was the first song I ever sang to Birdie. Kina Grannis, who we also had the honor of singing at our wedding, is on the song “Lullaby (Close Your Eyes).” We have a song with Scott’s childhood musical heroes, Trout Fishing in America, called “The Flamingo Song.” We really put our best work forward with this album!
Did either of you have a mentor growing up?
Scott: My parents have always been such big mentors to me. My dad would take me on adventures, and took me to concerts as a kid, and at six years old I told him I wanted to be a touring musician like them. He always fully believed I could do that.
My mom taught me resilience and truly made me believe my time would come, and what was meant for me was meant for me. I attribute my work ethic and passion for life to her!
Mark: My parents are such amazing mentors to me as well! My mom and dad both immigrated to Seattle from the Philippines, and they always taught me the importance of family and following your biggest dreams. They’ve been such important role models to me and my sisters and brother. I’m the youngest of four kids, and I’m so excited that our daughter and all our nieces and nephews will get to listen to this album together! Scott and I can’t wait for all the family dance parties!
How has parenthood changed you?
It has ironically relaxed us. We feel softer, yet also more focused at the same time. Everything we make now goes through the filter: Would we want Birdie to hear this someday? Also, we are getting nonstop dad/daughter content on our For You Pages and can’t stop crying constantly. We get it now. The love for a child is like nothing else in this world.
Best parenting advice you’ve received?
When Scott was on “Dancing With The Stars,” we asked Terri Irwin how she raised such amazing children so effortlessly, and she said, “My biggest piece of advice is to show them the world. Take them with you, show them different cities, let them experience everything. They’ll learn empathy, fall in love with life, and be fearless!” It really resonated with us.
What’s it like raising your family in L.A.?
It’s a funny mix of chaos and calm. Our work lives are wild, glamorous and loud, and then we come home to the quietest, most sacred little sweet bubble. L.A. is a beautiful, amazing place once you get settled. We love our home, friends and daily flow so much.
Favorite spots and things to do around L.A.?
We love a frozen yogurt or ice cream date. We’ll sometimes go to farmers markets in Studio City on the weekends, and beach days with Birdie and our two dogs, but honestly some of our favorite nights are just at the house singing and dreaming, all cuddled up together on the couch. We also love a good Disneyland day. Birdie’s first real outings are just happening now, so we’re honestly rediscovering the whole city through her eyes, which has been beautiful.
