After selling more than 120 million records with the Backstreet Boys, a group he joined when he was just 15, A.J. McLean has decided to take the plunge. Next month he embarks upon his first European tour as a solo artist, offering us a sneak preview of his debut album, due later this year. Is A.J. feeling nervous? How do his bandmates feel about him going it alone? We gave him a call to find out.
What's made you want to go solo now?
"It's about time. I've been patiently waiting for a long time for the right music and the right sound to show people who I am outside the group."
You've decided to tour before you've released any material. Why is that?
"I think just to cause a buzz and to get everybody on board. It's also to test the music, to find out what people like and don't like. The fans are the people who are buying the record, so it's important to find out what they're into and not into. I want some feedback from them!"
What is the A.J. McLean solo sound? Will it shock Backstreet Boys fans?
"We're calling it a rock, funk and soul vibe. The vocals are pop/R&Bish and there's even a kinda country twang going on. It's eclectic. I think people will be a little shocked by some songs, which is absolutely fine by me. They'll be thinking, 'That's what I hoped he was gonna do'."
Do you show a more personal side on the album?
"It's a very personal record and it was very therapeutic for me to write it. The song 'Sincerely Yours' is about my father and the relationship we don't really have, and there are break-up songs on there that are quite realistic and don't really have a happy ending."
Are you nervous about doing this without the support network of the Backstreet Boys?
"I think I'll be fine. I think the initial reaction is to be a little bit timid, because I've always had the other members of the group to back me up, but I'm definitely ready for it and I'm looking for it."
Have the other guys been supportive?
"Absolutely. We're all really supportive of each other's projects outside of the group, whether it be singing, acting, producing, whatever. The one thing we've always told each other is that we'll never hold each other back. If anyone's got any dreams or aspirations to go do something on their own, that's cool as long as they can co-exist with the group."
Have they heard your music?
"Everybody except for Howie has heard pretty much everything and they love the record. They're very excited for me which makes me feel much more confident."
Have they offered any "constructive criticism"?
"I think we all do. We all listen to each other's music and try to give an opinion and make suggestions and critique it. We're all artists and songwriters so it kinda happens naturally whether you want it to or not. We just spit it out: 'If I were you, I might do this, but hey it's your song'."
Finally, what do you think of the New Kids reunion?
"If they pull it off, it's gonna open up doors again for so many groups like us and them. As long as the music's good, it'll be awesome. They've been gone for quite a while now, but who knows? Maybe it's their time."
Do you have any advice for them?
"They're all older than us and they've been doing this for while, so I don't know that I have much advice for them, but I'd say they should definitely have that confidence among themselves. They're probably gonna catch a bit of flack here and there, but they shouldn't let it bother them. They should just push forward."
SOURCE : bratjackson via LD
Fri 11 Apr - 17:00
