Singer, songwriter and talented baritone of the a cappella group Pentatonix, Scott Hoying can now add solo artist grammy nominee to his list of accolades. What started as a beautiful gift for his husband Mark turned into a viral sensation after performing it impromptu in an NYC park. The song, “Rose Without The Thorns (feat. säje & Tonality),” has now earned him a Grammy nomination in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category.
Scott sat down with us to share more about this exciting news, how his husband inspires him, and plans for 2025 both professionally and personally (spoiler: Scott is expecting to be adding the job of ‘dad' to his long list of roles!!).
Love Inc.: It seems like you and your husband have a beautiful, loving relationship. Is he often an inspiration for your songwriting?
Scott: Mark is absolutely incredible—his love, beauty, and amazing nature inspire me every single day. He’s truly my muse. Songwriting has become one of my biggest passions, especially over the past couple of years and I find myself writing music daily. Since spending time with Mark is my favorite thing, his constant support and warmth make it so easy to write love songs about him.
Love Inc.: I love your reaction video to getting this incredible nomination (huge congratulations!!!!). Can you walk us through your feelings? What does it mean to you, as someone who is part of the queer community, that you were nominated for a song you wrote about your husband?
Scott: Oh my gosh, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions to say the least. As you can see in the video, I was incredibly nervous because I knew it was a long shot. Being nominated for a song I wrote and produced by myself felt like a slim possibility, especially with millions of songs released each year. I was so proud of the arrangement I made with my co-arrangers and held hope, but I also prepared myself emotionally for potential disappointment. When my name appeared, I was utterly shocked and more excited than I’ve maybe EVER been; I’ve never felt such an intense emotion. It was a moment of validation that all the hard work was leading somewhere, and that “Scott Hoying” has what it takes. It also means everything to me that the song is about my husband, especially in a time where representation is more important than ever. Anytime I can show the world that thriving as a queer person is possible, I’m overjoyed. I didn’t get to see a lot of that growing up. This nomination feels like proof that being authentically yourself and working hard can lead to amazing things.
Love Inc.: What was the writing process like writing this song?
Scott: The writing process was pretty quick! I knew I wanted to use ‘Moonlight Sonata’ for the chordal structure, which provided a solid foundation. I began crafting the verses with metaphors that encapsulate what Mark means to me. Finding the right verse melody was challenging; I wanted it to be rhythmic and engaging, so I went through several iterations. Eventually, I found a melody that felt right. The chorus, on the other hand, came together super quickly; I aimed for it to be epic and passionate. The initial writing took about three to four hours, followed by a couple of weeks of little adjustments and refinements here and there.
Love Inc.: Were you nervous to share with the world? What prompted you to perform it in the park?
Scott: I was pretty nervous about sharing this song with the world. I love the process of songwriting and creating, but releasing music can be vulnerable and scary. It means it’s no longer just mine; it belongs to everyone else. If people don’t like it, that can be daunting. And failure feels personal. I can sometimes procrastinate on releasing material. Initially, I wasn’t going to release this one, as it was a gift for Mark, but a serendipitous encounter changed my mind. I met Julian, a pianist playing classical pieces in a park, and I assumed he had to know ‘Moonlight Sonata’, and sure enough he did, so I sang it for Mark. It was right around our one-year anniversary too. It was a magical moment, and with Mark’s encouragement, I decided to release it.
Love Inc.: I know you've only been married for a little over a year, but any advice to those who are planning their wedding and/or are brand new newlyweds?
Scott: For those planning their wedding, I highly recommend investing in an amazing wedding planner you trust and love. Our planner, Orange Blossom Events, was incredible. They handled everything, and there wasn’t an ounce of stress leading up to or on the wedding day. I remember thinking, “People say weddings are stressful?!” because I didn’t feel that at all because of them, making it the best day ever. For newlyweds, I know it sounds obvious, but communication is truly everything. Mark and I thrive because we communicate openly. We always know where each other stands and aren’t afraid to thoroughly express our needs. This openness along with kindness has created a system I’m truly grateful for.
Love Inc.: This song makes for a perfect first dance wedding song. What did you and Mark dance to at your wedding?
Scott: Thank you!! It would be a dream to have someone’s first dance song be “Rose Without The Thorns!” To be the soundtrack to such a beautiful memory would warm my heart so much. Our first dance was to “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. When it was released, Mark and I just laid down on my kitchen floor, listening to it repeatedly. I even referenced that moment in my song “Parallel” with the line, “Lay on the floor beside me.” I reached out to Loren Allred, who sings the song in the movie, and she graciously flew in to perform it live for our first dance. It was one of the most magical experiences of our lives; her performance was absolutely breathtaking, and we were both moved to tears.
Love Inc.: You've been very open about your journey to parenthood — any updates you'd like to share with us?
Scott: It’s been a beautiful journey! We’re on our way, and I believe that next year, we’ll be expecting. Fingers crossed!
Love Inc.: What's next for you as a solo artist and/or Pentatonix in 2025?
Scott: I’m SOOOO excited for 2025! I plan to release a lot of music, aiming for one or two songs each month. As a solo artist, I’ve committed to not overthinking and to embrace creative freedom and honesty. Beyond music, I’ve been exploring producing, scriptwriting for film / television, composing, arranging, and songwriting across various mediums. I’ve also been dancing nonstop to improve my skills at performing. I want to become a better dancer, singer, artist, and writer. I don’t want to be confined to a specific identity; I want to do it all. 2025 is the year to explode into my best self. Pentatonix is also working on original music, starting some fun new projects, planning big things for Christmas of course, and gearing up for tours. It’s going to be a busy year, but I’m ready to embrace it all.
As Scott embarks on this incredible chapter of his journey, we wish him all the best at the Grammys and beyond. His talent and authenticity continue to inspire, and we can’t wait to see what he achieves next. Good luck, Scott—your Love Inc. family is cheering you on!
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