It’s no secret that DNCE are killing it right now, but perhaps one of the many reasons why they have been so successful is because founding band member Joe Jonas has a lot of experience of being in a band. Now we’re fairly certain that everyone knows who Joe Jonas is but for those who don’t, here is what you need to know. Back in the noughties when he was rocking an awesome Mohawk, Joe was in a Grammy-nominated band with two of his brothers called the Jonas Brothers. They broke up in 2013 after almost ten years together which gave the middle Jonas some time to think about what he wanted to do next.
He hit the jackpot two years later when he decided to form a band called, “DNCE.” He called up his long-time friends Jack Lawless and JinJoo Lee to ask them to join him, and then he met the missing piece of the puzzle Cole Whittle through a mutual friend a short while later.
After being heavily involved with music when he was in high school, Jack joined the Jonas Brothers’ backing band as their drummer in late 2007 which is where he first met Joe. He has since played for Demi Lovato and with side-band Ocean Grove, but now he plays the drums for DNCE and looks like a totally cool dude doing so. Have you seen his beard? It’s all kinds of awesome!
JinJoo originates from Korea but she came to Los Angeles as a teenager on a whim to try her hand at playing the guitar. After attending a Specialist Guitar Program at College, she scored her first gig as Jordin Sparks’ lead guitarist back in 2009. She has also toured with Charli XCX, JoJo, Ciara, and the Jonas Brothers which is where she met Joe. She is the lead guitarist for DNCE now and also the only female band member. Girl power!
Like Joe, Cole has quite a bit of experience of being in a band. He has been in a few of them over the years but he really started making waves as the bassist for rock band Semi Precious Weapons, who opened up for Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour in 2009 to 2010. While Cole is probably the most outlandish member of DNCE, he attended the Berklee College of Music and is trained in playing the piano. He now rocks the bass guitar for DNCE and we can’t imagine anyone else in his place… Who else would be able to pull off that epic hairstyle of his?
The group clicked instantly and the band was born. Their debut single, “Cake By The Ocean,” was released in the fall of 2015 and it was shortly followed by an EP called, “SWAAY.” Their next single was, “Toothbrush,” and then their latest offering, “Body Moves,” came out just last month. They are also currently gearing up to release their debut album on 18th November.
DNCE have stolen the hearts of thousands since they burst onto the music scene and to find out why, we spoke to some of their most dedicated fans.
Simran. 16. Toronto.
“I have never seen DNCE live but I really hope to one day. Everyone else who has seen them tells me that they have so much energy on stage, and everyone who has met them says that they have a lot of love for their fans. I love how they came up with the band, and I love their music so much! I am so proud of them. They deserve all of their success and all of the love from their fans.”
Ximena. 23. Mexico.
“I love DNCE because they are so funny, they love what they do together, and they are all so super talented. They are such nice and beautiful people inside and out. They love their fans a lot and their music is the best thing ever!”
Chrissy. 21. Chicago.
“I love DNCE because they are so dedicated and interactive with their fans. Whenever fans meet them, they are always so kind and caring. They are also very active with their fans on social media by always retweeting, liking, and reposting fun things. Their music always puts me in a great mood. They have a great stage presence and put a ton of energy into all of their performances. They all have such an authentic talent and when they come together it creates such a unique sound. DNCE is truly an amazing band.”
Aliu. 18. Chile.
“I like DNCE because they are a fantastic band. Each member has an admirable talent, they are all so humble, and they always take the time to listen to their fans. They have some great songs and their music always makes me so happy. I think they deserve a lot of success.”
Angie. 26. San Francisco.
“What’s not to love about DNCE? “Cake By The Ocean,” caught everyone off-guard because it was so different from all of the same songs we are used to hearing on the radio. It was something really different and fun, which is exactly what DNCE are all about. They do things that aren’t necessarily the norm, and they interact with their fans on such a different level to other artists by taking the time to actually make a personal connection with them. Individually they have been in the music industry for over ten years but they are excited about what they are doing now and you can tell that they are putting their all into it. They have only been a band for a little over a year but they have already taken the world by storm with their unique sound and charming personalities. They have already achieved so much. These weirdos who we have all fallen in love with are by far the best thing to happen to us fans this past year.”
Jessica. 18. Kent.
“I love DNCE because their music is so catchy that you can’t stop yourself from singing and dancing along to it! The energy that the band bring to the stage whenever they perform is electric and they definitely know how to put on a good show! Thank you DNCE for giving us music that brightens our day and that makes us want to sing and dance like nobody is watching. I can’t wait to see what is to come next.”
Chloe. 17. Staffordshire.
“I love DNCE because they have given me a good place to belong. The first time I heard, “Cake By The Ocean,” it was at The Vamps’ Wake Me Up tour and I immediately was like, “I love this band!” Over the past seven months, these guys have been such a big reason for me to smile and for me to carry on going. It may sound stupid to some but this band means everything to me. I love them with everything I have and they honestly fill me with so much joy and happiness! I couldn’t live without them. They are a reason to smile every single day and they are a reason I get up every morning.”
Evianne. 21. The Netherlands.
“I have always been a fan of the Jonas Brothers but when Joe announced that he was starting a new band, I was so happy. DNCE’s music is unique and their lyrics are so fun yet relatable. They put so much effort into their music and so much energy into their shows. Their concerts are just one big party where it doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like, everyone is having fun and singing along together… On top of that, they are just genuinely nice people who always make time for their fans. They make me really happy.”
Aleexe. 24. Paris.
“I love DNCE because they are a really great band! They have that energy on stage that I have never seen before, a huge stage presence because they are always in a good mood… And they are a little crazy too. They bring me so much joy. Each member is adorable and they really take the time to communicate with their fans which I like. It’s really hard to explain how much I love them.”
Ines. 21. Paris.
“DNCE are on top of my Favourite Bands list. They have never disappointed me, not even once. I’m so glad that I have been here since the day the band started. I have seen them live four times and they are hands down one of my favourite performers in the whole world. They put all of their energy on stage and I literally can’t stop dancing to their songs. I love how they bring people together and I can’t wait to see them again. I feel like they have taught me how to be cool. They are the best.”
Isabell. 13. Virginia.
“I love DNCE so much but there is just something about their acceptance of everybody and their urge to be so different that intrigues me. It’s not just Joe that I love, it’s all of them! Many people will only know Joe from the band but there is Jack, JinJoo, and Cole who make up the band too. Each of them plays an important role in DNCE and I love it. Nobody can deny enjoying their music!”
Chiara. 23. Italy.
“I love DNCE because they are so fresh, new, genuine, and different. I love the fact that they are real with their fans and that they are never afraid to be different or to be judged for who they are. They don’t care because they are doing what they love and I think that is amazing. I love their music because it makes me feel happy and I could listen to it for the rest of my life. I could go on and on about why I love them so much!”
Yvana. 20. Florida.
“I have been a fan of the Jonas Brothers since I was nine years old but I always favoured Joe more as he is never afraid to show who he is and how different he is. He was always the funny one which I love so much. When he announced DNCE, I knew that he was right where he needed to be… His love for music, his band, and his fans is what motivates me to do better. He shows me that even if people tell you no, you should never give up on your dreams. I love DNCE because they are special as individuals as well as together. I also love that they have their own special sound, their music is so refreshing to listen to because their songs are all about having fun and just being yourself.”
So why do you love DNCE? Let us know on Twitter, at @CelebMix!
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