When Jonas Brothers had been seeking to change up their sound for his or her not too long ago launched studio effort The Album, they turned to Jon Bellion, the Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer behind numerous pop hits resembling Justin Bieber‘s “Ghost” and “Holy,” Miley Cyrus‘ “Midnight Sky” Maroon 5‘s “Reminiscences.”
Bellion rapidly realized throughout their writing periods that he shared rather a lot in widespread with the trio — all fathers who recognize authenticity in pop music. Their conversations spilled over into the music and resulted within the Jonas Brothers’ most mature work to this point, after years of rising via experiences as childhood stars within the highlight.
Take, for instance, The Album‘s second single, “Waffle Home” — co-written and co-produced by Bellion — which peaked at No. 57 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. The tune incorporates a feel-good essence, with a punchy refrain and a yacht rock piano melody, deeming the 24-hour breakfast chain because the group’s private place of therapeutic after arguments.
Under, Bellion displays on what it was prefer to create the trio’s newest hit, opens up on his thought course of behind releasing solo music, and extra.
Inform me how “Waffle Home” got here collectively.
In my very own bizarre world, I used to be envisioning the Jonas Brothers as these older, remaining type, developed Pokémon. I used to be excited about what I might love for his or her maturation, as a result of they’re fathers now. We began to check a little bit little bit of the Bee Gees, a little bit little bit of Corridor & Oates — all of those extremely sound items of music that also felt so good, breezy and simple, though they had been tremendous wealthy. I believe that was like an amazing place to start out from.
Have you ever labored with the Jonas Brothers earlier than?
I haven’t. I used to be approached by one among my buddies Stefan [Johnson] — we’ve labored on a bunch of data collectively, and he talked about that the bros had been occupied with working with me, nevertheless it by no means actually occurred. Then sooner or later, I obtained a telephone name from the Jonas Brothers’ A&R and he mentioned, “I actually assume you guys are supposed to do that album collectively.” At first I used to be like, “I’m not completely well-versed within the Jonas Brothers’ discography the place I may reference B-sides from 4 albums in the past, so possibly I’m not the man for the job.” He was like, “No, that’s why you’re the man for the job. They’re in search of a brand new course.” They needed to start out being a bit extra polarizing and making music that individuals are speaking about whereas nonetheless connecting to their roots and feeling good.
How do you keep assured when serving to an artist construct a brand new sound?
They’ve already constructed a tremendous theme park: thousands and thousands of individuals go to it and expertise their curler coasters. They put me in control of revamping or creating a brand new part of the theme park, and so they let me be the foreman of all of it.
I liked the truth that they had been so open with their private lives — they needed to dive into the truth that they’re fathers, or that they’ve gotten into fights at Waffle Homes on tour after they had been youthful. They actually gave me the keys to discover creatively once I was engaged on the music. They mentioned to me, “How would you hear a tune about us being lady dads? What would your take be on a metaphor or tune title?” To get requested these questions by a staple in American tradition and an iconic band was an honor.
Do you will have any humorous reminiscences from the writing periods?
I obtained a textual content message sooner or later at 1:00 a.m. within the group chat between me, Joe, Nick and Kevin. Joe says, “Waffle Home. How you’re feeling about it?” And he goes, “A tune about us as brothers. We’d go to Waffle Home and we get into fights, nevertheless it’s the place we’d determine stuff out. It was the one place we may go underneath age as a result of we couldn’t go to bars. What do you assume for that as a tune?” I believed he was joking, so I wrote “LOL.” He writes again, “I’m lifeless critical.” In fact, I work for them, so I’m instantly like, “That’s one of the best concept I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Was the response to “Waffle Home” and The Album what you anticipated?
I used to be very frightened that [fans] are set of their methods and might solely enable the Jonas Brothers to be one factor. I used to be anticipating this wave of, “Oh my God, what are they doing?” It was wonderful as soon as it went No. 1 on the [Top] Album Gross sales chart and seeing the quantity of people that had been like, “Wow, I’m a brand new Jonas Brothers fan.” Their common followers had been like, “I believe I’m in love with this album prime to backside.” It grew to become this feel-good playlist all over and other people began to embrace it. It was such a aid for me and likewise such a blessing.
That doesn’t occur usually for youngster stars who need to characterize their extra mature sound.
It’s such a harmful territory to be in. The bros are such geniuses in a method that they mentioned, “We need to rip the Band-Assist off now. We would like our followers to come back with us.” We needed to make an album that’s going to permit for them to make six extra albums, slightly than an album that appears like, “OK, we now have to cease making our music now as a result of we’re not as younger as we had been.” We mentioned, “How can we make one thing that form of begins their profession?” That was the objective.
Do you discover that there’s a distinction writing songs for different artists versus writing your individual solo music?
I attempt to trick myself once I’m writing songs by telling myself I’m going to place them out. I’m by no means going to say, “I hate this, nevertheless it’s not for me.” It’s all a chunk of my artistry and one thing I’d be completely satisfied to place my stamp on. So, I wouldn’t say that there’s an enormous distinction. I’m so blessed to get up and do what I do. It’s extra of simply, “What’s the duty in entrance of me and the way can we take advantage of wonderful factor?”
I’m like a shoemaker, and I get to make a shoe each single day. “We’re going to make an amazing soccer shoe right this moment or let’s make it one of the best basketball shoe we presumably can.” I’m always tinkering and making an attempt to make one of the best product attainable whereas nonetheless preserving artwork. I don’t essentially have a algorithm. I’m simply making an attempt to do one of the best I can.
Do you will have any plans to launch some extra solo materials anytime quickly?
I’m in no rush. I preserve making the songs that I’m excited about placing out, after which I find yourself being blessed sufficient to be related with an artist that claims, “Hey, I’d like to put this out and make it a primary single and ship it out to the world.” I don’t actually plan; I don’t even assume I find out about tomorrow. I simply assume, “Man, what do I like to do? What has God put me on this earth to do?” At this level, I’m very constructive in my intestine that I’m alleged to get up, have an amazing schedule, do what I like to do, present for my household and be blessed sufficient to make a residing from it.
Possibly sooner or later I’ll return — and I do have some songs on the aspect. I’ve a bunch of songs that folks have tried to chop, however they will’t as a result of they’re simply too private to me. Possibly these will see the sunshine of day and I’ll need to return to that complete way of life, however the concept of me ending my day at seven o’clock, seeing my son, enjoying video video games, consuming a great meal and waking up and doing it once more with no strain of the touring, press or something like that — on this second of my life, it’s simply breeding thankfulness. Whether or not I get the credit score or not, so long as the practice retains transferring and my concepts are revered and I get to be artistic and categorical myself each day, I believe I’ve received already.
A model of this story initially appeared within the June 3, 2023, concern of Billboard.