Though Union J did not win X Factor, they are rising in popularity as the next big boy band.


By Geoffrey Rowlands


Following in the footsteps of One Direction, Union J are the latest heart-throb boy band to emerge from British television’s X Factor.  Both groups share common ground. Like their predecessors, Union J did not win X Factor. Neither did they begin the competition as a finished act.
All five members of One Direction originally auditioned as solo singers and were only brought together after a suggestion by judge Nicole Scherzinger. Union J were originally Triple J, a trio of Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett and Jaymi Hensley. Their name came from each member sharing the same initial for their first name.
It was changed to Union J after solo artist George Shelley joined the group at the insistence of X Factor producers. “We’d got through the London auditions last year but were knocked out in bootcamp,” explained 21-year-old Josh. “We got back in after one of the guys in Rough Copy had visa problems and couldn’t continue in the show.”
“It was lucky for us but devastating for Rough Copy,” stated Jaymi, 23. “We’re so pleased that they re-auditioned this year and are through to the live shows.”
“The producers invited us back but only on condition that George joined the group,” revealed 25-year-old JJ. “We obviously didn’t know how great our relationship would become at that time but there was no way we were going to refuse a second chance.”
“I felt the same,” admitted George, 20. “I didn’t know how I’d get on with these other guys who had been friends for years. But I was also eliminated in bootcamp so I wasn’t about to turn down another opportunity.”
Despite the new combination initially proving popular with viewers, Union J found themselves among the bottom two in the public vote on three occasions. Each time, they were saved by the judges and eventually placed fourth, one position lower than One Direction had finished in 2010.
“Louis Walsh, our mentor on X Factor, kept saying we would become the next big boy band after One Direction,” Josh recalled. “But we never thought of ourselves in those terms.
“We were obviously gutted that we didn’t win but we also recognised how lucky we were to have been given so many chances to continue. The comparisons with One Direction seemed ridiculous. We didn’t even have a record deal while they had millions of fans.”
As so often though, Louis Walsh knew what he was talking about. A contract was signed with Sony Music and the boys set about recording the songs which would appear on their newly released self-titled debut album. “We began to realise the extent of our popularity when we did the X Factor contestants tour earlier this year,” Jaymi remarked. “It was to a much lesser degree of course but we were getting the same kind of response from young girls that One Direction enjoy.”
A tangible representation of their female following was the number six spot reached by Union J’s debut single, Carry You.
“The support from our Jcats was amazing,” JJ reflected. “The song lyrics described the path we’d been on during the past year and how we wouldn’t have been there without our fans. The positive messages we received from them were incredible.”
Their second single, Beautiful Life, has become another UK top 10 hit.
“It’s my favourite song in the world,” George smiled. “I’m so pleased the Jcats seem to love it just as much as I do.”
In addition to their new single and album, the boys have also published their autobiography, Union J, Our Story.
“We’ve done some amazing book signings,” Josh laughed. “We’ve literally been mobbed. Things have gone fantastically well and we’re having a wonderful time. But we do feel a little uncomfortable with all the One Direction comparisons. They are just so massively bigger than us. If we eventually have loads of hit records and become multi-millionaires, maybe then the comparisons might be justified.”

in
brief

Bob Dylan

Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings have released a massive Bob Dylan box set.
The Complete Album Collection, Vol 1 contains all 35 of Bob’s studio albums. Some 14 of these have been newly remastered. Six live albums are also included along with two CDs of non-album singles, songs from films and tracks previously found only on compilation albums.
For those who prefer to listen digitally, the set is also available as a USB stick. This is encased in a harmonica-shaped box.
The package is completed with a book featuring extensive album-by-album liner notes written by English music author and Dylan aficionado Clinton Heylin.
The Complete Album Collection, Vol 2 will follow some time next year. This will compile Bob’s complete “Bootleg” series of recordings. A vast number of Bob’s videos, recorded and live performances are available to view on YouTube.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is releasing her new single, The Art of Letting Go, via her Facebook page. It will be made available on November 11 when Mariah will also host a question and answer session with her fans. No time has been announced as yet for the Q&A so interested parties should keep checking the messages at www.facebook.com/mariahcarey.
The Art of Letting Go is the title-track from Mariah’s forthcoming 14th studio album. It was the second of two songs for the album which she co-wrote with her long-time friend Rodney Jerkins.
“As we were writing the song, we both got goosebumps and a feeling of nostalgia,” Mariah revealed. “When I recorded the vocals, I felt like I touched upon certain emotions within myself that I haven’t put on a record for a very long time.”

Lady GaGa

Lady GaGa has posted her new single, Venus, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP3ctBs3510.
The dance track is GaGa’s latest offering from her third studio album, Artpop. The LP is scheduled for release this week in some countries and will be available everywhere from November 11.
GaGa’s recent promotion of Artpop in Britain and Europe caused some critics to question her sanity. A Q&A session in Berlin saw her wear a fake moustache and speak in a pseudo-German accent. She topped this by removing her dress and leaving the stage completely naked after performing at a London club.
Of course, GaGa’s antics attracted enormous publicity which was exactly what she wanted.

Drag The River

Alternative country quartet Drag The River have just released their self-titled new album. Originally from Missouri but now based in Fort Collins, Colorado, many of their younger fans may be surprised to learn the band have been around since 1996. Their first recorded output came four years later with the album, Hobo’s Demos.
Their new album is the long-awaited follow-up to 2009’s Bad At Breaking Up. All 20 songs on this record can still be heard at www.punknews.org/bands/dragtheriver. The band have not been so generous with the songs on their latest album. However, lead track, Wichita Skyline, can be heard at www.xtramilerecordings.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nid=741&act=view. A 10-song album of demo recordings, which includes three songs from the new record, can be heard at (no www.) dragtheriver.bandcamp.com/.
Many more of their songs are posted on YouTube. Type the band’s name in the website search box to gain access.