The Jonas Brothers are back on the road, and they are still figuring out what comes next. The trio — Nick, Joe, and Kevin — spoke to CBS News about their latest projects, including a nostalgic tour, a new single, and a podcast that has guests ranging from Matthew McConaughey to Bill Nye the Science Guy.
The Burnin’ Up Tour
The band is currently on the Burnin’ Up tour, recreating their shows from 2008. That was their first big tour, and they admit they did not know what they were doing at the time.
“We really didn’t know what we were doing, and we just put it together,” one of the brothers said. “And it ended up being a show that meant a lot to us and our fans.”
They tested the concept with three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden before committing to the full run. The crowd response was immediate.
“Our audience dressed up,” one brother said. “Some of them were wearing the same shirts that they made back when. It feels like they’re just as much a part of the creative as we are.”
“Listen When Sad”
The group has also released a new single, “Listen When Sad.” The track draws on their pop-punk roots, and the brothers credit their early days for giving them freedom to write honestly.
“I think that those early days for us, where we were discovering who we are as musicians, were some of our freest,” one brother said. “We were able to write and create about things that were real to us in the moment.”
The Hey Jonas Podcast
In May, the brothers launched the Hey Jonas podcast. Guests have included Matthew McConaughey and Bill Nye the Science Guy, among others.
“I think it’s a fun way for us to be able to get friends on and just have a conversation without feeling like they have to promote too much of what they’re talking about or what movies they’re coming out with,” one brother said.
The idea came from a simple observation about their downtime.
“Yeah, and we were just thinking, we have all this downtime. What are we going to do to fill all the time?” one brother said. “Yeah. Just add a podcast. Just fill it up.”
A New Album on the Way
The podcast is not the only project on the horizon. The brothers are also working on new music, though they have not released an album in a while.
“We’re definitely working on new music,” one brother said. “We haven’t for a while, and we’re coming to the point in the process where we’re getting down to OK, what’s going to make the album?”
One brother echoed the sentiment. “It’s not a secret,” he said. “Yeah, yeah, for sure.”
20 Years In
Julianne Ferreira, CBS News, caught up with the band while they were shooting a spot for their partnership with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze. The brothers said the partnership made sense because Almond Breeze has been on their radar for many years.
“It’s a good treat to have on the road, I’m sure, as well,” one brother said. “Sure. It definitely does.”
Looking Ahead
When asked about the next 20 years, the brothers were optimistic but realistic.
“Hopefully, still doing exactly what we’re doing,” one brother said. “Maybe not as much or frequently, but I think we would love to be still going out there and making people happy.”
One brother added a whimsical note about their legacy. “Maybe at that point, we’ll have a Disney roller coaster,” he said. “Hmm. That’s a good goal.”
What Comes Next
The Jonas Brothers have several threads running at once:
- The Burnin’ Up tour, recreating their 2008 shows.
- The new single “Listen When Sad.”
- The Hey Jonas podcast, with guests like Matthew McConaughey and Bill Nye the Science Guy.
- New music, with an album on the horizon.
Julianne Ferreira reported the story for CBS News.
The Jonas Brothers are staying busy. Between touring, recording, and hosting a podcast, they have plenty of projects in motion.
Their confidence in their fans is genuine, even if it is a little self-absorbed. They see themselves as part of a creative collaboration with the people who show up to watch them perform.
The roller-coaster comment is a joke, but it is also a mission statement. They want to entertain, and they want to keep doing it for decades.
For now, the Jonas Brothers are exactly where they want to be.
Source material: “The Jonas Brothers on their new tour, new podcast and more,” CBS News.
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