Pop Music: Triple Threat
By Rachel Leibrock, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.
Jul. 13–The Jonas Brothers are polite. Very, very polite.
Yes, the three brothers from New Jersey are superstar musicians. But even with a new tour, set to arrive Wednesday at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre, a smash record ("Jonas Brothers") and millions of screaming fans, Nick, 15, Joe, 18, and Kevin, 20, not only remember to always say "please" and "thank you" but, they insist, they’re very grateful for all fame has brought them.
Teen heartthrobs? Sure. The band you’d most want to bring home to Mama? Definitely.
On a conference call from Paris, the shaggy-haired siblings with the sweet power pop hooks talked about their upcoming album, influences and that squeaky-clean image.
Q: There’s so much mania surrounding the Jonas Brothers — is that encouraging, creepy, or … ?
Kevin Jonas: It’s really crazy — but it’s also a lot of fun, and we’re enjoying every minute of what we do. The schedule we keep is demanding, but it’s an amazing experience, and we really enjoy being on the road.
Q: What makes the Jonas Brothers different than all the other so-called "boy bands" out there?
K.J.: We have a special bond as brothers. Families can definitely relate to us. I don’t think we can do this without each other — we love getting up on that stage and having the support of one another. It’s a blast.
Q: You’ve been compared a lot to Hanson — were they at all an influence on you?
Joe Jonas: We really wonder where that (comparison) comes from. I think it’s only because we’re brothers, because otherwise our music is very different. Our influences are Elvis Costello, Prince, Johnny Cash, and we’ve been listening a lot to Band of Horses.
Q: What’s up with the new album — whom did you collaborate with?
J.J.: We’ve been working with (producer) John Fields (and) we’re just thrilled with it — it’s a continuation of (our first) record. It’s not a completely different change by any means, (but) it was inspired by some of the artists we look up to. There are some Prince and Elvis Costello influences and a little bit of funk in the songs.
Q: How have your success and busy schedule affected your songwriting? Have they affected your perspective?
Nick Jonas: There are no negatives when it comes to it; every night when we get off stage, most people are like, "Oh, you probably won’t want to write." But we do want to (write) and record. There’s a song on the new record called "Sorry" about being on the road and having to apologize for not being there. I think that will give people an idea of what it’s like for us being on the road and not being able to be there for someone.
Q: Much has been made of your super-clean image and the purity rings you wear. Do you think too much emphasis is placed on all of that?
N.J.: We just like to have fun — all of that coverage doesn’t really matter to us. What’s most important is our music and what we’re doing on tour.
Q: How different was it to shoot the Disney film "Camp Rock" — as opposed to being in a recording studio?
N.J.: Filming a movie was a dream come true. We got to hang out and play golf and relax with the cast. And we love the way the movie turned out.
Q: Is it true you’re working on a new series for the Disney Channel?
N.J.: Yes, but we’re still working out the details. It’s called "J.O.N.A.S." The writers strike pushed things back a little and then we went on tour. We should finally have some time to shoot in September.
Q: Was there a turning point or defining moment in your career when you realized you’d made it?
N.J.: We were on our way to a show in Norfolk, Va. We’d been there a couple of months prior and played to about a hundred people. When we got there for this show we kept asking, "How many people are here?" and our manager just said, "Just wait until you get out there." We went out and there were 3,000 people — I think all of us were like, "Oh, OK. Finally."
Q: Do you think there are any misconceptions about the band?
N.J.: I think we’re lucky — there aren’t really any misconceptions. Fans know a lot about who we are. It’s funny — sometimes they know more than we do.
Q: Have you discussed where you might be 10 years from now? Is there any sort of pressure to change your sound or image?
N.J.: We’ve definitely thought about that (and) we’ve started working with other artists. We actually co-wrote and co-produced about six songs on Demi Lovato’s new record that’s coming out in the fall. Producing (other artists) will be a big part of our future. As for the band, I think it’s just (about) continuing to write the songs we’re writing and just having fun.
We don’t feel any pressure from anybody to change. We’re just being who we are and, you know, it’s going well so far.
ENDFEST 2008 WITH THE JONAS BROTHERS AND DEMI LOVATO
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wedenesday
WHERE: Sleep Train Amphitheatre
TICKETS: $25-$75
INFORMATION: (916) 649-8497 or www.ticketmaster.com
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Copyright (c) 2008, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.
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