JC interview
A little interview with JC, from The Review.
The Mosaic Interview: J.C. Chasez Former boy-bander discusses new sound, new attitude
by Kim Dixon
He's not bringing sexy back. He didn't just come out to the American public. He's not putting together a boy band for VH1. He is, however, a former member of *NSYNC and he has an agenda all his own - his unique brand of music.
J.C. Chasez stands rather tall and sleek in jeans, a black-and-white-striped Oxford layered under a black T-shirt and a grey tweed jacket. He's visiting the WSTW radio station in Wilmington on Jan. 30 to promote his newest single, "Until Yesterday," which was co-written and produced by fellow former *NSYNC member Justin Timberlake.
Chasez, sporting a shorter haircut and a seasoned dispossition, is unassuming and personable. Although he's performed around the world and has been linked to celebrities like Eva Longoria and Tara Reid, Chasez makes it clear fame and gossip aren't on his list of things to generate. At this point, he says his focus is recreating his sound and his new album, which is due out in March.
The single, "Until Yesterday," seems to be creating the buzz Chasez is looking for. It tells the story of a man who finds out his girlfriend cheated on him after the DNA test of the child she said was his proves otherwise. Critics across the board are reacting to the song's in-your-face lyrics and intense backdrop, saying it's an edgier, more seasoned sound than his first album, "Schizophrenic."
Chasez says the new album, tentatively named "Kate," will be a record for music-lovers, and will feature big-name producers like Timbaland (Nelly Furtado), Dallas Austin (Pink, Gwen Stefani) and Billy Steinberg (Madonna, JoJo). Before the album is released, however, he's keeping himself busy by visiting radio stations across the country because, as he says, "music is made for the radio."
Was there a reason you wanted to write about the specific situation in "Until Yesterday?"
Not the specific situation, what I wanted to do was to create some drama. I had the idea for the tagline first, "I loved you all the way, until yesterday." I just found it to be an interesting line. It was a colorful way to make a statement that everybody kind of goes through. We've heard a million break-up songs and this is a unique way to say it.
It's still a fun song. It doesn't have to be necessarily a negative song, it's more of a "I'm getting past everything" song, not like "I hate you to death.
I think it's entertaining. I think a lot of songs nowadays are so oversimplified, in fun music anyway. I think smart music is way too serious. I wanted to find a hybrid. I wanted to make a smart record that could be fun.
What was it like working with Justin again?
It was great. It was a lot of fun because we're obviously great friends but we hadn't been in the studio for years at that point. It was refreshing to come back and be like "I got a new idea for you" and [him] have no idea what [I] was talking about. Who we are as people hasn't changed, but we've gone through experiences separately, which sparks creativity. And because we didn't do it at the same time, we're not really coming from the same place. We're interested in each other's stories.
What separates your solo career from your time with *NSYNC?
The music that I make. When you're in a band situation, it's not about your point of view, it's about everybody's point of view, and that's five points of view, and so there's always compromises involved�I can't speak for myself when I'm writing those kinds of records. Now if I feel strongly about [something], I can really push it to the limit and really see the idea through. I can complete a thought without being compromised at all.
What's the new album about?
It's a weird thing to explain to people. This album is based on a fictional character I created. The tentative title of the album is called "Kate," and Kate is a fictional character that I made up as a muse because everybody always asks me, "Did you write that song about someone in particular," and that's not usually how I write songs. Usually how I write songs is just how I'm feeling emotionally, and I can draw back on an instance but it's never just one because I've been through more than one break-up. It's like there are pieces of each one that pertain to me and make me feel a certain way that I draw on, so I couldn't really just make it about one person.
So, Kate became all these experiences and other parts of my imagination that aren't true to me or whatever, and I molded this character and ended up giving her a name.
You and Justin have both dated some high-profile ladies. What's it like having your personal life splashed all over the media?
Some people don't mind it, there's nothing really you can do about it. I just don't really care. It bothers me if it's a lie, obviously...especially if it's something their family has to read, or my family has to read. But, I just really don't care. It is what it is.
So you're from Maryland, not too far away. What's it like to travel the world and then come back here?
I've traveled, and I've seen a lot of things, but it's familiar to me. It feels like home, the trees and the long roads. It's absolutely a positive thing. I'll always have a home in this area because most of my family is still here. This is a fantastic place to be. Everybody loves New York City and everybody loves L.A. but that's just entertainment. New York City, yeah, that's where things are happening, but this area is just as much an intrical part of what's happening as anywhere else.
How did you feel about your last album, was it what you wanted to be?
It was exactly what I wanted it to be. I'm very proud of that record. I think maybe the timing wasn't right for it. My label was literally being bought out. The FCC was cracking down after the Super Bowl, and I had some songs that dealt with some sex issues, you know. The stars didn't line up for that record but it's '07 and I'm feeling lucky. I really do. I feel like it's going to be a great year. I've got a positive attitude. I think it's the right group of songs at the right time, and I think the audience is ready for a smart pop record.
Do you think your audience has changed at all?
Of course, nothing remains the same. I think people that were fans of mine before have grown up and they have to figure out if they're going to like this new sound or not. I don't think anything is a given. I feel I have to earn it every step of the way. And if you're a fan of mine and you've never heard this record before, I think you're going to be surprised. People even say about the first single, "That's not what I expected." But, that's where my head is at right now and I'm curious to see if my audience goes with me. I feel like if you like music, you're going to like this record.
The Mosaic Interview: J.C. Chasez Former boy-bander discusses new sound, new attitude
by Kim Dixon
He's not bringing sexy back. He didn't just come out to the American public. He's not putting together a boy band for VH1. He is, however, a former member of *NSYNC and he has an agenda all his own - his unique brand of music.
J.C. Chasez stands rather tall and sleek in jeans, a black-and-white-striped Oxford layered under a black T-shirt and a grey tweed jacket. He's visiting the WSTW radio station in Wilmington on Jan. 30 to promote his newest single, "Until Yesterday," which was co-written and produced by fellow former *NSYNC member Justin Timberlake.
Chasez, sporting a shorter haircut and a seasoned dispossition, is unassuming and personable. Although he's performed around the world and has been linked to celebrities like Eva Longoria and Tara Reid, Chasez makes it clear fame and gossip aren't on his list of things to generate. At this point, he says his focus is recreating his sound and his new album, which is due out in March.
The single, "Until Yesterday," seems to be creating the buzz Chasez is looking for. It tells the story of a man who finds out his girlfriend cheated on him after the DNA test of the child she said was his proves otherwise. Critics across the board are reacting to the song's in-your-face lyrics and intense backdrop, saying it's an edgier, more seasoned sound than his first album, "Schizophrenic."
Chasez says the new album, tentatively named "Kate," will be a record for music-lovers, and will feature big-name producers like Timbaland (Nelly Furtado), Dallas Austin (Pink, Gwen Stefani) and Billy Steinberg (Madonna, JoJo). Before the album is released, however, he's keeping himself busy by visiting radio stations across the country because, as he says, "music is made for the radio."
Was there a reason you wanted to write about the specific situation in "Until Yesterday?"
Not the specific situation, what I wanted to do was to create some drama. I had the idea for the tagline first, "I loved you all the way, until yesterday." I just found it to be an interesting line. It was a colorful way to make a statement that everybody kind of goes through. We've heard a million break-up songs and this is a unique way to say it.
It's still a fun song. It doesn't have to be necessarily a negative song, it's more of a "I'm getting past everything" song, not like "I hate you to death.
I think it's entertaining. I think a lot of songs nowadays are so oversimplified, in fun music anyway. I think smart music is way too serious. I wanted to find a hybrid. I wanted to make a smart record that could be fun.
What was it like working with Justin again?
It was great. It was a lot of fun because we're obviously great friends but we hadn't been in the studio for years at that point. It was refreshing to come back and be like "I got a new idea for you" and [him] have no idea what [I] was talking about. Who we are as people hasn't changed, but we've gone through experiences separately, which sparks creativity. And because we didn't do it at the same time, we're not really coming from the same place. We're interested in each other's stories.
What separates your solo career from your time with *NSYNC?
The music that I make. When you're in a band situation, it's not about your point of view, it's about everybody's point of view, and that's five points of view, and so there's always compromises involved�I can't speak for myself when I'm writing those kinds of records. Now if I feel strongly about [something], I can really push it to the limit and really see the idea through. I can complete a thought without being compromised at all.
What's the new album about?
It's a weird thing to explain to people. This album is based on a fictional character I created. The tentative title of the album is called "Kate," and Kate is a fictional character that I made up as a muse because everybody always asks me, "Did you write that song about someone in particular," and that's not usually how I write songs. Usually how I write songs is just how I'm feeling emotionally, and I can draw back on an instance but it's never just one because I've been through more than one break-up. It's like there are pieces of each one that pertain to me and make me feel a certain way that I draw on, so I couldn't really just make it about one person.
So, Kate became all these experiences and other parts of my imagination that aren't true to me or whatever, and I molded this character and ended up giving her a name.
You and Justin have both dated some high-profile ladies. What's it like having your personal life splashed all over the media?
Some people don't mind it, there's nothing really you can do about it. I just don't really care. It bothers me if it's a lie, obviously...especially if it's something their family has to read, or my family has to read. But, I just really don't care. It is what it is.
So you're from Maryland, not too far away. What's it like to travel the world and then come back here?
I've traveled, and I've seen a lot of things, but it's familiar to me. It feels like home, the trees and the long roads. It's absolutely a positive thing. I'll always have a home in this area because most of my family is still here. This is a fantastic place to be. Everybody loves New York City and everybody loves L.A. but that's just entertainment. New York City, yeah, that's where things are happening, but this area is just as much an intrical part of what's happening as anywhere else.
How did you feel about your last album, was it what you wanted to be?
It was exactly what I wanted it to be. I'm very proud of that record. I think maybe the timing wasn't right for it. My label was literally being bought out. The FCC was cracking down after the Super Bowl, and I had some songs that dealt with some sex issues, you know. The stars didn't line up for that record but it's '07 and I'm feeling lucky. I really do. I feel like it's going to be a great year. I've got a positive attitude. I think it's the right group of songs at the right time, and I think the audience is ready for a smart pop record.
Do you think your audience has changed at all?
Of course, nothing remains the same. I think people that were fans of mine before have grown up and they have to figure out if they're going to like this new sound or not. I don't think anything is a given. I feel I have to earn it every step of the way. And if you're a fan of mine and you've never heard this record before, I think you're going to be surprised. People even say about the first single, "That's not what I expected." But, that's where my head is at right now and I'm curious to see if my audience goes with me. I feel like if you like music, you're going to like this record.