|
Wall of Sound
Interview
A new album, a new tour —
the process begins again. What are 'N Sync's goals for the year?
J.C. Chasez: To be consistent. We want to prove to people
that we're not a flash in the pan. The second album is about
credibility, really; anybody can be a one-
album group. But as far as being respected, you know, there are a
lot of one-
album groups. There are a lot of one-
hit wonders. Now, luckily, we've already overcome that barrier.
We've had three or four songs that have been out there and have
really pushed. But the second album is about establishing a career
and proving yourself as artists and musicians. And that's what we're
trying to do with this second record.
Did many new influences
factor into the music on No Strings Attached?
Justin Timberlake: Sure. Since we recorded our first album,
it's been two years. So from that time to recording this album,
we've listened to so many different types of music. And our
preferences of style differ from country to rock to rap to
everything. Lenny Kravitz came out with a great album, and so many
good dance records came out … all of those kind of influenced us.
And we wanted to bring all those new elements to our sound because
it's definitely something that's our forte now. We listen to every
different style of music and then put our main style, which is vocal
harmonies, on top of that. It's made for something a little bit
different and a little bit new and fresh for the new millennium. And
that's something that we really took into consideration when we made
No Strings Attached.
It's been a tough year and a
half or so, particularly on the legal and business end, as 'N Sync
changed management and record companies. What kind of impact did
that have on you?
Chris Kirkpatrick: I think we learned a lot about the
business itself in general. I mean, with the lawsuit and everything
that happened to us, we definitely learned the business end of the
music business. You know, I think we always have been in tune with
the music part, and we've had a lot of experience in the studio and
we enjoy being in the studio. Being with the people that we've been
with, it really educated us more on how to perform more in the
studio and how different producers work.
You
guys didn't have a chance to say much about the legal machinations
that went on between albums. From your vantage point, what happened,
and why? And how rough was it for you to go through all that?
Chasez: You know what? We didn't talk about it a lot because
we didn't really think people needed to worry about it. We don't
like to show our dirty laundry. We're artists and musicians; people
don't go buy our albums because we're businesspeople. So we didn't
really think that they wanted to listen to all our business. What we
hope is that they want to listen to our music. But the way it came
about, it was a sticky situation. We were pretty much between a rock
and a hard place. We had to leave our label really at that point
because we had no choice. We tried to renegotiate a deal; they
didn't want to bend on the points that we wanted. And, you know, it
was either stay there and be in a deal you're unhappy with or make a
change. That's what we did, and luckily it worked out the way it
did. And now everybody's happy.
Was
the conflict strictly over business terms or were there creative
aspects as well?
Chasez: It was a little bit of both. The deal we have now, of
course, we walked in with some bargaining power. So of course we
have complete creative control. But we definitely work with the
people there; it's a great team. They've got great … ears, and
they've proven that. Before, we were kind of stuck in the studio
sometimes doing things for political reasons. It's like, "Do
this song because this guy will like it, and then you can go do the
song with this person." We don't have to do that when we're in
this situation because we pretty much run the show. It's not about
favors for record companies to do other songs for other people. Now
we're the focus. It's not about making ties. It's about just doing
the songs that we need to do.
A
lot of stuff is said and written, almost entirely speculative, about
your relationship with other groups, particularly Backstreet Boys.
From your perspective, what's the reality of that relationship?
Lance Bass: I think the truth behind everything, all the hype
about us not getting along with anybody, is all hype done by [the]
press just because they want a story. We are so focused on what we
have to do that we can't look at other groups and be like,
"What are they doing? What are they doing?" We're trying
to be ahead of the game, we're trying to get out there and trying to
be different. And if you're constantly looking around you …
there's room for everybody. So we're just having fun at what we're
doing, and we're not going to make ourselves get down just by
looking at everybody else [and] saying, "Oh man, I wish we
would have done that," that kind of stuff.
Chasez: And things have been said by a lot of people,
especially other groups. But that's not anything you pay attention
to. Like Lance said, we're focused on what we have to do. And we
have respect for everybody in the music business — not just
groups, but also solo artists and everybody. So with that in mind,
we just kind of do what we do.
What
did you think of MTV's movie 2Gether?
Kirkpatrick: Funny.
Bass: It was hilarious.
Chasez: We actually helped MTV and did a little bit of
promotion for that movie. But [video director Nigel Dick] did that
movie. And he directed "Music of My Heart." Originally
they wanted to cast us for that movie, a long time ago. And then
they actually asked us to do a cameo, but we didn't have time.
So
what are the tour plans for this year?
Kirkpatrick: We go into rehearsals in April for the
whole month of April. And then May, June, and July we'll be on tour.
So it'll be mostly arenas and, I think, a few stadiums.
What
kind of pressure was there in following up the success you had with
your first album?
Chris Kirkpatrick: Well, I think there's always pressure
because your second album is the one that establishes you. The first
album's the one that people get to know you with. You know, we had a
second album, a Christmas album [Home for Christmas],
but that's not really considered a full album of new material. So
it's really important for us to at least establish ourselves with
this album.
What's
with the cover depicting the five of you held up by puppet strings?
Kirkpatrick: Basically, we designed the album because we
wanted to show that it looks like we've been puppets on a string,
you know, for a really long time now. Our destiny's been controlled
by all these other people. So this is the first album that we're
going to come clean on; it's our heart and soul in this album. And
we enjoyed making it. We enjoyed working with the producers. The
only reason that the strings are still attached is so people can
feel the whole vibe of, you know, "no strings attached."
That's what we mean by the strings, so they'll understand that we're
not puppets.
You
guys have referred to the sound of the album as "dirty
pop." Can you explain what you mean by that?
J.C. Chasez: It's heavier. It's not as polished. Pop is
always labeled as being cheesy and bubble-gum and candy because it's
sugar and spice and everything nice and blah, blah, blah. But pop is
a very broad sound; it's not just candy. I mean, Janet Jackson is
pop. Madonna's pop. So you're looking at some very diverse artists
— Madonna especially. We wanted to bring something to the table
that wasn't all candy and overly polished; something that was
heavier, a little more in your face and raw, so when you turn it up
in the club, the whole place shakes. So it's just heavier, and the
sounds are a little dirtier.
J.C.,
you co-wrote and co-produced four of the songs on No Strings
Attached. What were the inspirations for them?
Chasez: Every song has its own concept and its own meaning. I
would say my favorite is "Space Cowboy," just because it's
a great song. I'm very proud of it. I love everything that happened
on the song. It's not just another love song — it's actually
something else; it's a concept, which is pretty good.
Lyrically,
you do seem to be reaching for something a little meatier, too.
Chasez: Oh, yeah. We're not just singing, "I love you,
you love me, blah, blah, blah." You know, we've got some
thoughts on what's going on around us right now. We've got a song
about the Internet called "Digital Get Down." We've got a
song about the human spirit, about what would we do if the world
came to an end.
Talk
a little more about "Digital Get Down."
Chasez: I co-wrote that song with my friends David [Nicoll]
and Veit Renn, who produced some stuff for us on the first album.
It's just like, it's an Internet frenzy. Everybody's got a computer
in their house now, and everybody's connected. It's a weird thing.
You can be sitting in your living room and you can be talking to
somebody in Kenya and feel like you have everything in common. And
it's a matter of people being on the computer at the same time and
totally connecting, kind of like a little online party. It's just a
personal observation. I just think it's cool how everybody's been
brought together like that.
Justin,
how did you come up with "I'll Be Good for You"?
Justin Timberlake: I actually wrote that song while we were
doing our first headlining tour. I did it with the musical director
of our band; we actually recorded a demo in a hotel room and
originally didn't plan to use it for the group. But it ended up
working out for the album, so that was cool. I wrote it to a
would-be girlfriend; I can't say it was anybody in particular. I
guess it's just how I would treat someone if I was, you know, madly
in love with them.
The
term "boy band" gets thrown around with 'N Sync and your
contemporaries. Is that a description you're comfortable with?
Kirkpatrick: No, we're not comfortable with it. We don't like
it. We had a real bad taste in our mouths overseas with it; the
whole integrity of the vocal harmonies was lost because people were
trying to sell T-shirts and just putting the next big boy band out
there. And we were hoping that we could get rid of it when we
came over here to the States, because you can't make it here unless
you earn respect and sing live and do things like that. But, you
know, I guess, we are boys. We are guys. So as far as being a guy
band or a boy band, we are. But I don't think we like the stigma.
Timberlake: Call us what you like; just don't disrespect the
fact that we're musicians. Call us the first real boy band if you
must, but, you know, just don't disrespect it.
Chasez: I just think we're just real. People can identify the
phonies. People can identify people who are fabricated and who are
doing it for money. And then they can identify people who are doing
it for love. And I think that people see every day how much we love
it. We got into this gig because we love music. We love performing.
On our days off, we're not sitting around or anything like that;
we're finding something creative to do because we're creative
people. So I think people can identify the fact that we're serious
about our love for music. We're not faking anything. And I think
people love the fact that we're genuine about everything that we do.
Cosmogirl.com Interview
with Justin
(taken from www.nsycnstudio.com)
Okay, Justin, the first thing
we want to ask you about is your new charity-The Justin Timberlake
Foundation. How'd you get the idea to start it?
The idea came from me growing up with a school
that didn't have a very good musical program. If I hadn't begged my
mom to do things outside of school-like take voice lessons- I
probably wouldn't be where I am today. So I gave and have been
raising money to give to schools. I think kids should learn about
every different style and era of music and have it be fun. Classes
should include today's music too--something they're familiar with.
When I've raised enough money to cover what each school needs, I
want to oversee the cirriculum. I wanna stir up the grits a little
bit.
It's cool you're so
personally involved. A lot of celebs attach their name to a charity
and that's it.
Well, it's very important to me, for a couple of
reasons. One I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me going outside of
school to do music. Two, Columbine. I think it's dumb that people
were saying "Those kids did that because they were listening to
Marilyn Manson music, blah, blah, blah." That's shallow. But we
do know that kids who did it weren't the most popular kids.
Everytime you give kids an oppurtunity let out their energy in a
positive way, you're gonna have a better outcome. I mean, say you
get a couple of kids who don't fit in, and in their off time they go
and form a garage band. The next thing you know they're Pearl Jam or
Blink 182. It could happen to anyone. It really could.
You seem to be comfortable
with who you are have you always been like that.
Well, I went through an insecure stage in middle
school. I was always questioning myself in anything and everything.
A lot of times people think before they act, and I think sometimes
they should act before they think. It's funny how much we use our
minds to second guess ourselves, when in reality we should just use
our hearts and go for it!
So it sounds like you went
through an awkward stage in middle school. What about grade school?
I hated my hair. That was the thing everybody
teased me about: They called me Brillo Pad. I was always trying to
straighten the crap out of it or cut it all of. I couldn't deal. In
second grade, I took, like paper scissors and just cut my hair all
uneven. I was like, "I can't stand this snip, snip, snip."
That's the only time I ever really got a spanking.
What made you go that far?
I just wanted to be like everyone else. My hair
at least. 'Cause everybody's like "Your hair! Your hair!"
It wasn't like everybody said "Oh that's cool"- like now.
Now I get compliments on my hair because it's so different. But you
know kids just make fun of each other. They're cruel. Anything
that's different gets picked on. You had to look the look and walk
the walk.
And now that you're older you
want to be different- you want to be your own person.
I'm just a very passionate person in everything I
do. I really believe that whenever you do something you should put
everything into it; otherwise, it's really not worth it.
We've heard that you
"put-everything-into-it-attitude" has overwhelmed some of
you past girlfriends. Is that true?
Every relationship I've been in, I've eventually
overwhelmed the girl because they just can't handle all the love.
Honestly! That's always been my dilemma.
Well, how do you show a girl
love?
There all kinds of little things you can do.
So you tell them you love
them, you give them things, you do things for them...
All of the above.
Do you call them 24/7?
Well, I'm not annoying. I'll do things like put
cards in their drawers.... I mean dresser drawers. And scavenger
hunts--I'll hide clues, and they'll follow them to the gift.
That's so sweet! Is it true
that one of your girlfriends cheated on you? She must have been
totaly crazy!
Most of the girls I've been with have cheated on
me.
But you don't think all girls
are like that right?
I'm trying not to. But I went through a period
where I was disgusted. I'd totally give myself to somebody, and she
took it for granted and I was like "What is anything
worth?" I kinda felt like it was all just a game, and I wasn't
into playing the game. So I despised women for about a half a year.
Did somebody finally sit down
and say "You gotta have hope?" or something?
Yeah. And you just get over it. You learn that
the people you were with just didn't love themselves enough to be
honest with you. That's really it. You have to know it wasn't you it
was them--they couldn't be honest with themselves, so they couldn't
be honest with you either
You have so many female fans
who love you. Have you and the other *NSYNC guys ever talked about
who's labeled the heartthrob?
No. I think we all have a good attitude about
everything. Everybody has a niche, and our differences are what make
us a group. If there was one less of us, it wouldn't be *NSYNC. We
definitely feel blessed, but you know that if we were sitting in a
small club singing in front of fifty people we'd still be happy.
In the last year, *NSYNC has
gotten so big it's insane. What have you learned about yourself
through this superstardom thing?
That when you're on tour, you get disillusioned.
There are lots of yes - people out there who tell you what you want
to hear so they can get what they want out of you. I hate to sound
jaded, but Chris and the other guys are really the only people I can
always depend on to be honest with me.
Because your all in the same
boat?
Exactly.
You singled Chris out. Are
you and he a lot a like?
I have stuff in common with all of the guys. But
Chris and I have the same intrests. We always talk about sports, and
we have a lot of the same views on family and spirituality.
What about your spirituality?
Have you ever had any spirtual experiences?
Well, I think miracles happen everyday. You know,
I don't get a chance to go to church any more so some people might
say I'm not as involved in my spirtuality as them. That's so not
true. I don't wany any people to think I'm blasting the church; I'm
just saying I can get the same experiences outside of church. I read
my Bible but don't base my decisions on what the Bible says: I base
my decisions on my experiences with God. I saw this T-shirt the
other day that said, "I'm not religious, I just love God."
I thought that was a cool little message. I don't want to get too
deep into this conversation, because my spirituality is mine and I
really don't want anyone to feel something that they don't want to
feel. But my thing is God is all around us--in everything we say,
everything we do, everything we feel. I really believe that.
And you believe in angels
too?
Oh, sure. Um...I'm telling you, you're gonna get
me into this conversation and people are gonna be like "He's a
freak!" But okay, I think angels could possibly be people
who've lived more lives than others. If that makes sense to you.
They've already figured out who they are, and so all they do is give
to other people. Haven't you ever had someone in your life who never
though about themselves--they just gave and gave to other people?
Yes. Moms are that way.
I feel like women have lived more lives than men
anyway.
That's an awesome idea. Why
do you feel that way? Because we're more in touch with...
With everything.
Emotions?
Exactly. Do you think you are? Okay have you ever
heard the term "You're an old soul?" People say that to me
all the time. Well, women are old souls.
Since you have an old
soul--you're a giving person-- people could say you're an angel.
I guess you could say that, sure. But I really
don't think that you should categorize me that way. Trust me, I
definitely do things for me. I just do what makes me happy. If there
ever comes a time when I'm not having fun doing what I do, then I'm
just gonna quit. I mean what ever makes you happy, live by that.
By Elizabeth Kuster
CosmoGirl November 2000
Go To N
Sync Studio & MTV Online Interview
|
