For Jonas Brothers, the last year has been all whirlwind, all the time.
Yet somehow, on the road to becoming a pop culture phenomenon, the trio
never broke a sweat – other than on the stage, giving their all, and
living their dream. If anything, Jonas Brothers have embodied the calm
within the storm. And since the release of their 2007 self-titled
platinum CD, Kevin, Joe and Nick have used their time wisely. As they
prove on their new Hollywood Records CD, "A Little Bit Longer," Jonas
Brothers have grown exponentially as songwriters, musicians and
recording artists.
"The lyrical content has gotten more
in-depth," says Nick Jonas of the new album. "It's about who we are as
people and our personal lives, things we've gone through in the past 12
months." That year was about much more than simply handling a media
frenzy with grace and humor. The brothers also took stock of
themselves. In the new album's 12 songs – all written by Jonas Brothers
– they put their feelings on the line, while still rocking the house as
only they can.
Produced by John Fields (with Jon Lind and Kevin
Jonas, Sr., serving as executive producers), "A Little Bit Longer"
covers much musical and emotional ground, kicking off with the joyful
jam "BB Good." Says Joe of the track, "It's a big sing-along song, and
it's fun." The funky and danceable debut single, "Burnin' Up," keeps
the
going, with Big Rob, the brothers' hefty security guard,
rapping midtrack. "It's about this girl," adds Joe. "Maybe she's at a
, and you feel that immediate connection. You both know it's
there."
Though relentlessly upbeat, most songs on "A Little Bit
Longer" explore star-crossed standoffs and missed
opportunities. Songs like "Shelf," the hard-rocking "Pushin' Me Away"
and "One Man Show" survey love's unequal playing field, bad break-ups
and the defiant isolation that follows. "'Shelf' is one my favorite
songs on the record," says Nick. "Basically, it's about a girl that has
a gallery of hearts."
Other songs take a light-hearted look
at the craziness of fame and fortune. "Video Girl" paints a portrait of
the shallow wannabees dotting the entertainment landscape (" Move to
L.A., got no talent/Not even like you won a Miss Teen pageant"), while
"Lovebug" starts out as sweet-tempered acoustic love song before ending
up a crashing Queen-like rocker.
Of course, the brothers made
sure the album breathes. The power ballad "Sorry" features classic JB
harmonies and an eternal message of forgiveness. But the song that will
have people talking is "A Little Bit Longer," Nick's stunning account
of his struggle with diabetes. With strings underscoring a plaintive
piano/vocal, he sings about his battle ("A little bit longer and I'll
be fine/Waitin' on a cure/But none of them are sure"). Recalls Nick,
"I was having one of those days where I was discouraged. So I went into
this empty hotel ballroom and wrote this song." Adds brother Kevin,
"Nick sings this song every night and it brings people to tears. It's
amazing."
Considering the impact Jonas Brothers have had on
music and culture recently, maybe it's not so amazing. In the past 12
months, Jonas Brothers made headlines and created hysteria with sold
out concerts from coast to coast; the Gibson Amphitheater in Los
Angeles was the fastest sold out show in the venue’s history. Jonas
Brothers also sold out 3 shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
They rung in the New Year performing live in New York's Times Square on
Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve, collected their RIAA-platinum
plaques on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," sang from a White House balcony
as guests of the President at the annual Easter Egg Roll, and even
played on the hit shows "Dancing With the Stars" and the season finale
of "American Idol."
Their appeal is growing by leaps and
bounds internationally as well. Jonas Brothers have seven platinum and
gold certified records outside the US, as well as a sold out European
tour, and sold out 80,000 seat stadium shows in Latin America.
Sure,
they had a blast with all of it. But bottom line: The Wycoff, N.J.,
natives are musical soul brothers every bit as much as they are blood
brothers. For them, it has always been about the music.
Their
first performances came years ago, in the family basement, when the
three – usually led by Nick – would mount their own impromptu concerts.
Encouraged by their always-supportive parents, they started getting
commercial gigs, with Nick landing roles in Broadway musicals like "Les
Miserables," "Beauty and the Beast," “A Christmas Carol – The Musical,”
and “Annie Get Your Gun.” Joe auditioned, too, and landed a part in "La
Boheme." In 2005, the trio finally signed their first label deal, but
it took a second time around, signing with Hollywood Records in 2006,
for all the pieces of the puzzle to fit.
With the August 2007
release of their Hollywood debut, nothing more stood in their way.
Their premiere single, "S.O.S.," quickly hit #1 on iTunes. In most
cities on their "Look Me In The Eyes" headline tour, concerts sold out
in minutes. They shot their own reality TV series, "Jonas Brothers –
Living the Dream." The brothers recently starred in the Disney Channel
original movie, "Camp Rock," which averaged 8.9 million viewers and was
the network’s most-watched non-sequel movie ever. Jonas Brothers
debuted their “Burnin’ Up” video following the debut of Camp Rock on
Disney Channel (with a repeat the following night on ABC) to over 12.5
million television viewers, and over a million views on YouTube. The
“Burnin’ Up” video immediately shot to # 1 on iTunes. Coming up, Jonas
Brothers have their own Disney Channel comedy series this fall, titled
"J.O.N.A.S."
Up first, though, the release of "A Little Bit
Longer and the brothers' 50-date "Burnin' Up" North American tour. “A
Little Bit Longer” will be released in the CDVU+ format, which is made
from 100% recyclable materials. The disc features exclusive video
performances and interviews, 60 printable photos, complete album
lyrics, and downloadable graphics. It may seem like a tall order to
take on so much, but so far, Jonas Brothers have hit it out of the park
every single at bat. Not hard to do when you're young, talented and
enjoying every minute of life. "We wake up every morning excited,"
Kevin says, "because we get to do what we love."
Yet somehow, on the road to becoming a pop culture phenomenon, the trio
never broke a sweat – other than on the stage, giving their all, and
living their dream. If anything, Jonas Brothers have embodied the calm
within the storm. And since the release of their 2007 self-titled
platinum CD, Kevin, Joe and Nick have used their time wisely. As they
prove on their new Hollywood Records CD, "A Little Bit Longer," Jonas
Brothers have grown exponentially as songwriters, musicians and
recording artists.
"The lyrical content has gotten more
in-depth," says Nick Jonas of the new album. "It's about who we are as
people and our personal lives, things we've gone through in the past 12
months." That year was about much more than simply handling a media
frenzy with grace and humor. The brothers also took stock of
themselves. In the new album's 12 songs – all written by Jonas Brothers
– they put their feelings on the line, while still rocking the house as
only they can.
Produced by John Fields (with Jon Lind and Kevin
Jonas, Sr., serving as executive producers), "A Little Bit Longer"
covers much musical and emotional ground, kicking off with the joyful
jam "BB Good." Says Joe of the track, "It's a big sing-along song, and
it's fun." The funky and danceable debut single, "Burnin' Up," keeps
the
going, with Big Rob, the brothers' hefty security guard,rapping midtrack. "It's about this girl," adds Joe. "Maybe she's at a
, and you feel that immediate connection. You both know it'sthere."
Though relentlessly upbeat, most songs on "A Little Bit
Longer" explore star-crossed standoffs and missed
opportunities. Songs like "Shelf," the hard-rocking "Pushin' Me Away"
and "One Man Show" survey love's unequal playing field, bad break-ups
and the defiant isolation that follows. "'Shelf' is one my favorite
songs on the record," says Nick. "Basically, it's about a girl that has
a gallery of hearts."
Other songs take a light-hearted look
at the craziness of fame and fortune. "Video Girl" paints a portrait of
the shallow wannabees dotting the entertainment landscape (" Move to
L.A., got no talent/Not even like you won a Miss Teen pageant"), while
"Lovebug" starts out as sweet-tempered acoustic love song before ending
up a crashing Queen-like rocker.
Of course, the brothers made
sure the album breathes. The power ballad "Sorry" features classic JB
harmonies and an eternal message of forgiveness. But the song that will
have people talking is "A Little Bit Longer," Nick's stunning account
of his struggle with diabetes. With strings underscoring a plaintive
piano/vocal, he sings about his battle ("A little bit longer and I'll
be fine/Waitin' on a cure/But none of them are sure"). Recalls Nick,
"I was having one of those days where I was discouraged. So I went into
this empty hotel ballroom and wrote this song." Adds brother Kevin,
"Nick sings this song every night and it brings people to tears. It's
amazing."
Considering the impact Jonas Brothers have had on
music and culture recently, maybe it's not so amazing. In the past 12
months, Jonas Brothers made headlines and created hysteria with sold
out concerts from coast to coast; the Gibson Amphitheater in Los
Angeles was the fastest sold out show in the venue’s history. Jonas
Brothers also sold out 3 shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
They rung in the New Year performing live in New York's Times Square on
Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve, collected their RIAA-platinum
plaques on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," sang from a White House balcony
as guests of the President at the annual Easter Egg Roll, and even
played on the hit shows "Dancing With the Stars" and the season finale
of "American Idol."
Their appeal is growing by leaps and
bounds internationally as well. Jonas Brothers have seven platinum and
gold certified records outside the US, as well as a sold out European
tour, and sold out 80,000 seat stadium shows in Latin America.
Sure,
they had a blast with all of it. But bottom line: The Wycoff, N.J.,
natives are musical soul brothers every bit as much as they are blood
brothers. For them, it has always been about the music.
Their
first performances came years ago, in the family basement, when the
three – usually led by Nick – would mount their own impromptu concerts.
Encouraged by their always-supportive parents, they started getting
commercial gigs, with Nick landing roles in Broadway musicals like "Les
Miserables," "Beauty and the Beast," “A Christmas Carol – The Musical,”
and “Annie Get Your Gun.” Joe auditioned, too, and landed a part in "La
Boheme." In 2005, the trio finally signed their first label deal, but
it took a second time around, signing with Hollywood Records in 2006,
for all the pieces of the puzzle to fit.
With the August 2007
release of their Hollywood debut, nothing more stood in their way.
Their premiere single, "S.O.S.," quickly hit #1 on iTunes. In most
cities on their "Look Me In The Eyes" headline tour, concerts sold out
in minutes. They shot their own reality TV series, "Jonas Brothers –
Living the Dream." The brothers recently starred in the Disney Channel
original movie, "Camp Rock," which averaged 8.9 million viewers and was
the network’s most-watched non-sequel movie ever. Jonas Brothers
debuted their “Burnin’ Up” video following the debut of Camp Rock on
Disney Channel (with a repeat the following night on ABC) to over 12.5
million television viewers, and over a million views on YouTube. The
“Burnin’ Up” video immediately shot to # 1 on iTunes. Coming up, Jonas
Brothers have their own Disney Channel comedy series this fall, titled
"J.O.N.A.S."
Up first, though, the release of "A Little Bit
Longer and the brothers' 50-date "Burnin' Up" North American tour. “A
Little Bit Longer” will be released in the CDVU+ format, which is made
from 100% recyclable materials. The disc features exclusive video
performances and interviews, 60 printable photos, complete album
lyrics, and downloadable graphics. It may seem like a tall order to
take on so much, but so far, Jonas Brothers have hit it out of the park
every single at bat. Not hard to do when you're young, talented and
enjoying every minute of life. "We wake up every morning excited,"
Kevin says, "because we get to do what we love."