Former N'Sync star makes stop in Wilkes-Barre
February 5 2007 - TheBeacon

Lance has come out of the closet. Chris is about to participate in a new VH1 reality show. Joey's been on Broadway and in movies. And thank God Justin has stuck around to "bring sexy back."

Members of the superstar boy band N'Sync have clearly gone their separate ways and enjoyed great media coverage of nearly every move over the past couple years, but little has been said about band mate JC Chasez.

In his debut solo album, "Schizophrenic" in early 2004, JC proved he didn't have the same star power or success as Timberlake. The CD only peaked at 17 on the Billboard charts, and singles such as "Some Girls (Dance with Women)" and "All Day Long I Dream About Sex" got very little radio play.

Follow up:

Three years later Chasez is back and making his rounds across the country promoting a new album. Currently on an east coast radio tour, Chasez made his way to Pittston and Wilkes-Barre last week to campaign for his latest material.

Local radio station, 98.5 WKRZ, welcomed Chasez last Monday with a room full of fans eager to hear samples of his new record. The Beacon was part of a small entourage of local media allowed access to Chasez behind the scenes. Beginning with a question and answer session, Chasez described what he has been up to and what went into making this album.

Outside his musical realm, family and friends have been an important part of his life, he acknowledged. With a brother, 25, and sister, 28, he's been around in their every day life. While his family is in full support of finding a passion, Chasez admits that he gives them no input on his music. "They don't know anything," he jokes.

With the new album yet to be titled, Chasez noted, "…It's been the focus of my life for over a year. They are really interesting songs."

He further explains how the recording and writing process differs from his days of being in N'Sync. "It's a different thought process. You have an idea and have to take it to four people. There is a lot more compromise."

The demise of N'Sync was not about hostility or problems, Chasez said. Each band member simply wanted to try something new. "This is what we wanted," Chasez said.

With the freedom of making a solo album, Chasez offered details on how writing a song happens. "Every song is different, it could start with a hum and then words just fly out." Interestingly, he described songs as "Lightening in a bottle," saying "you never know if it's gonna be a hit."

Writing on every song, he worked with producers such as Dallas Austin, Billy Steinberg and Timberlake. The first single of the record, "Until Yesterday," is co-written with Timberlake. Chasez said of the song, "It's actually about your girlfriend getting knocked up with another man's baby. How would you deal with that?"

"I just like the way it feels," Chasez expresses about the song. He believes this CD has great potential, describing it as IPM (Intelligent Pop Music). "I don't want a quick burn. I want it smart where people won't get bored."

When asked why he took his approach to a dance/pop direction, he noted that high energy is a key component to his overall style. "Ballads put me to sleep. If I kept doing slow songs over and over I wouldn't be able to express myself the way I want to."

One song previewed at the meet and greet that had a promising chance was, in fact, a ballad titled "You Ruined Me for Life." Two other in-the-works songs took on JC's edgy dance/pop persona. "Kate," a possible CD title, is about an imaginary person. Claiming there are no references to any general life experience, Chasez uses "Kate" as a concept to give the record a focus. "Love Again" comes from the help of Dallas Austin, who has produced hits for Madonna, TLC, Pink and Gwen Stefanie.

"All my lyrics help to color a story," Chasez says. "And that is what will give it staying power."

After discussion and listening to the album, JC made his way around the table to sign autographs, take pictures and just talk to his fans. All of the females at the event were winners of a WKRZ contest in which they received VIP passes to hang out with the former N'Sync-er.

Chasez then went into the radio studio where he went over the air waves to promote his CD to listeners. During the course of the interview, JC spoke about everything from his new single, to Justin's triumph, to Britney's lifestyle choices.

With the second solo album due out in March or April, JC Chasez is making sure to reach his fans and listeners. "I want to go out and hand deliver my material," he says. Anticipating to bring a tour back to the area later this year, it's his hope that Wilkes Barre, and America, will welcome back the former boy band icon as a successful solo artist.