Band of Brother: Joe Jonas goes solo

Another tween idol comes of age in the spotlight, and all eyes are on the transformation from wholesome Disney product to daring musical artiste. Miley, Britney, Justin and their ilk all went through the process, some with more difficulty than others, some with greater levels of public acceptability. Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, a cross between Hanson and the Black Keys (not really), is now taking his solo turn, stepping up the game with a slick new look, club-friendly tracks, and, oh em gee, a sexily suggestive video with a French beauty. YStyle had a quick chat with the 22-year-old, who is in Manila for Ayala Malls’ Style Origin and as the latest international Bench endorser.

YSTYLE: So I hear you’re the fashionista among the three. How do you differentiate yourself, style wise, from your brood?

Joe JONAS: We have different pieces that we bring to the table. I’m a bit more daring, I like things that pop, bright colors. Nick is a bit more conservative, his style is more Brooks Brothers, suits.

Making the transition from boy band to mature solo artist can be tricky. Whose career crossover would you like to emulate?

I look to older artists like Mick Jagger, he’s really been able to put his feet in solo stuff but also have the band always there. Even Chris Martin sang songs on the side. I want to be able to put the band first, and solo stuff second. I think it’s the same with my brothers, the band always comes first. That’s how we got here.

You told Details that you don’t want to make music that your fans would be embarrassed about. Does this mean you don’t connect with your old music anymore?

Personally, I shy away from music that I listened to when I was 13, or I won’t admit that I listened to it. So I wanted to make music that grows up with my fans, and keep them drawn to it. It’s also my own mindset of what I listen to and how my music taste changes as I get older.

Who have you been listening to, putting together your album “Fastlife”?

Everyone from a lot of DJs like Tiesto, Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, Chris Brown. R&B artists have inspired me a lot. I had a great team around me who helped cultivate the idea and come up with the sound I wanted to do. I had ideas in my mind — pop, R&B, dance elements. It’s just the beginning, I want to continue to create solo sounds.

How do you reconcile your background and Christian upbringing with the person you want to now be in the industry?

It’s all part of growing up, you take some and leave some of what you grew up with. Me and my brothers, we grew up in the spotlight for the last six or seven years. Growing up with everyone’s eyes on you is obviously very difficult but luckily we had a great family to do that with and it’s rewarding to be able to have each other. The places you want to travel to, the music you want to write and tell stories about are different. I’m always going to be the same guy, the experiences that I went through are what made me who I am.

But you don’t wear a purity ring anymore?

I’d rather not talk about that.

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Joe Jonas together with Bench joins Ayala Malls as it celebrates Style Origin. Catch him at TriNoma Activity Center on May 25, 4 p.m. and Greenbelt 3 Park, 7 p.m., Alabang Town Center on May 26, 7 p.m. and Ayala Center Cebu on May 27, 3 p.m.